NEWS BRIEF
RNS-SanFrancisco-Priest: San Francisco priest, dies after testing positive for COVID-19
(RNS) — A priest at a San Francisco church, that has been been temporarily closed in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak, died after he and two other priests had contracted the virus. The Rev. Bob Stein, who served at Saints Peter & Paul Church, died early Tuesday (Feb. 16) after testing positive for COVID-19, the church said on its website. By Alejandra Molina. 330 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Towne-View: Georgia SBC church faces banishment for accepting LGBTQ members
(RNS) — When an LGBTQ couple applied for membership at Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia, they were welcomed by a congregation and a pastor who accepted them as part of the once conservative Atlanta suburbs’ changing face. The Southern Baptist Convention sees it differently, and will likely dismiss the church from its fellowship next week. By Maina Mwaura. 1, 026 words. (category: k)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Barna-BlackFaith: Want to understand Black experience? Learn about African American faith, survey finds
(RNS) — Most religious Black Americans say understanding the role of religion in the lives of Black people is essential for understanding the African American experience, a new Barna survey finds. By Adelle M. Banks. 600 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-RZIM-Fallout:  Ravi Zacharias posthumously defrocked, ministry suspends fundraising after abuse report 
(RNS) — The ministry founded by disgraced evangelist Ravi Zacharias has suspended fundraising follow the release of report detailing its founder’s misconduct. The late Zacahrias also had his ordination revoked by his denomination. By Bob Smietana. 550 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Chasm-Jews: Survey: Orthodox Jews deeply polarized along political lines
(RNS) — A new survey suggests the divisions that have come to define evangelicals from most other Christians are tearing apart U.S. Orthodox Jews as well. The Nishma Research survey of 449 Orthodox Jews showed that those who voted for Trump and those who voted for Biden had completely different views on the issues facing the country. By Yonat Shimron. 900 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-REDI-Index: Intel leads tech-dominated list of religiously inclusive workplaces
(RNS) — Intel and Texas Instruments are the two most religiously inclusive workplaces among the United States’ 200 largest companies, according to the 2021 Corporate Religious Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Index (REDI Index) published on Feb. 9. American Airlines, American Express, Google and PayPal also earned top scores. By Kathryn Post. 650 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Budget: COVID-19 pandemic has Vatican bracing for $60 million deficit in 2021
(RNS) – COVID-19 is depleting the Vatican coffers creating a deficit of over $60 million in 2021, according to a Vatican statement released on Friday. By Claire Giangravè. 400 words. (category: i).

COMMENTARY
RNS-Howard-Oped: Ministry leaders’ rush to empathize with Ravi Zacharias is beyond alarming
(RNS) — It is deeply troubling to see so many men, especially in ministry leadership, find a more immediate connection with abusers rather than the abused. For many of God’s people, especially women, this creates real concerns for their own safety in religious environments. These statements serve to perpetuate the systems that have allowed spiritual abuse to fester. By Kyle J. Howard. 1,478 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Chang-Oped: Let the church declare: Asian Lives Matter
(RNS) — Anti-Asian attacks have been skyrocketing at an alarming rate since the start of the pandemic. Yet there has been a gaping void of evangelical voices publicly speaking up to defend their Asian American brothers and sisters. By Raymond Chang and Michelle Ami Reyes. 1,191 words. (category: k)