NEW BRIEF
RNS-Baker-Obit: John Baker, founder of the Christian support group, Celebrate Recovery, has died
(RNS) — John Baker, founder of Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step group used by thousands of congregations, has died. By Bob Smietana. 400 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Evangelicals-Nationalism: More than 500 evangelicals, other faith leaders condemn religion at insurrection as ‘heretical’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — More than 500 evangelical pastors and other faith leaders have signed an open letter decrying “radicalized Christian nationalism,” arguing the religious expressions by insurrectionists during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol are “heretical” and a “perversion of the Christian faith.” By Jack Jenkins. 548 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Oak-Flat: Native American group files motion to stop mining at sacred Oak Flat site
(RNS) — A group of Apache peoples and other Native American and non-Native supporters have filed an emergency motion to stop the U.S. government from transferring an Apache sacred site in Arizona to a mining company in the next two weeks. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 600 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
Vatican-Trials: Vatican sex abuse trial exposes “unhealthy” environment within youth seminary
(RNS) – Witnesses at a Vatican criminal trial on Wednesday described “an unhealthy environment” at the St. Pius X youth seminary within the Vatican walls, where a priest is accused of sexually abusing an altar boy. By Claire Giangravè. 600 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Sanctuary-Exodus: Two more leave church sanctuary as immigration policies ease
(RNS) — An Ohio woman and a Missouri man are the latest undocumented immigrants allowed to leave church sanctuary as a result of new Biden administration guidelines that restrains ICE from arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants who do not pose a threat to public safety. Both had been living in churches for more than three years as a result of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. By Yonat Shimron. 800 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-JehovahWitnesses-Woman: First Jehovah’s Witness woman sentenced in Russia after faith declared ‘extremist’
(RNS) — An elderly female Jehovah’s Witness has been sentenced to two years in a Russian prison for practicing her faith, marking the first time the country has convicted and imprisoned a woman since a 2017 ruling declared the faith group “extremist.” By Adelle M. Banks. 350 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-HRC-BlackChurch: Human Rights Campaign urges Black church LGBTQ acceptance via video
(RNS) — The pro-LGBTQ Human Rights Campaign has released a video encouraging greater acceptance of gay, lesbian and transgender people by Black churches. By Adelle M. Banks. 400 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-McKissic-SeminaryHome: Dwight McKissic living at seminary after storm: ‘God is making sure our needs are met’
(RNS) — Texas Pastor Dwight McKissic is known for challenging Southern Baptists about racial equity and, more recently, their seminary leaders’ controversial statement on race. Now, he’s been the recipient of an offer of help from one of those seminary presidents. By Adelle M. Banks. 650 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vischer-Profile: From Veggie Tales to the Holy Post, Phil Vischer is still evolving
(RNS) — For nearly three decades, Phil Vischer has been making people laugh and telling them about Jesus. His faith remains strong, despite the bankruptcy of the company that made VeggieTales and the recent struggles of American evangelicals.
By Bob Smietana. 2,094 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Muslims-Texas: In Texas, Muslim volunteers jump in to help feed the frozen
(RNS) — Muslim volunteer organizations swung into action during last week’s snowstorm and low temperatures, helping anyone who needed it, and providing a crucial lifeline to observant Muslims amid the food shortages of the crisis. By Zainab Iqbal. 959 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: We must take care of our children
(RNS) — If a nation’s moral character can be measured by how it treats its children, the United States is not doing well. Even in 2018, before COVID-19 struck, 1 out of 6 American children lived in poverty. Back then, there were 11.9 million children in poverty. The number today is much higher. They cry out to heaven for help. By Thomas Reese. 879 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: Does NBC have a Jewish problem?
(RNS) — If Jews are angry and frustrated over what they, and others, have been seeing on television of late, they have every right to be. You simply cannot separate these media moments from what has been going on in America right now — the growth of anti-Semitism, both on the right and on the left. By Jeffrey Salkin. 998 words. (category: k)