NEWS STORY
DeathRow-Hearing: Okla. death row inmate, subject of prayer rally, to get second clemency hearing
RNS) — An Oklahoma parole board has voted to grant Julius Jones, an inmate who has been on death row for 20 years, an additional hearing to determine if he should gain clemency.The Rev. Cece Jones-Davis, campaign director, said she was “deeply grateful” for the decision, which comes two decades after Jones, 40, received a death sentence in 2002. By Adelle M. Banks. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Qshaman-Denied: ‘Q Shaman’ denied request to leave jail for faith reasons until insurrection trial
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Jacob Chansley, the so-called “QAnon Shaman” who is facing federal charges for occupying the U.S. Senate chamber and leading rioters in prayer during January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, has been denied a request to be released from prison until a trial despite appeals to his “Shamanic faith.” By Jack Jenkins. 569 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Johnson-Ministry: After apology for prophesying Trump reelection, Jeremiah Johnson ends ministry
(RNS) — Jeremiah Johnson, the self-described prophet who faced backlash from fellow evangelical Christians after publicly apologizing for incorrectly prophesying former President Donald Trump would be reelected last year, is ending his current ministry to pursue end-times ministry. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 550 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pope-Plane: Pope Francis dismisses “heresy” charges for his commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue
(RNS) – While onboard the papal flight back from Iraq, the first papal trip since the onslaught of the pandemic, Pope Francis stressed his commitment to promoting human fraternity, especially among different religions, and dismissed detractors accusing him of being “one step away from heresy.” By Claire Giangravè. 800 words. (categories i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pope-Nineveh: “You are not alone!” Pope Francis makes final appeal to Iraqi Christian Community
(RNS) – On his last full day in Iraq, Pope Francis told the struggling local Christian community to hold on to their roots and to forgive their oppressors, so that they may restore their hearts and homes destroyed by ISIL occupation. By Claire Giangravè. 900 words. (categories i)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Carmel-Mission: Renovations at historic Carmel Mission underway as the mission’s 250th anniversary approaches
(RNS) — A $4 million restoration project at the mission founded by Junipero Serra will be completed just in time for the mission’s 250th anniversary. In February, the nonprofit Carmel Mission Foundation announced it was awarded an $1.8 million grant from the Hind Foundation to go toward the restoration project. By Alejandra Molina. 300 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Luby-Oped: The Central African Republic’s faith leaders are the country’s best hope for peace
(RNS)— An interfaith association of Christians and Muslims in the mostly Christian nation have headed to the front lines in a daring effort to reopen a dialogue between armed groups and elected officials, hoping that their influence can keep the country’s current peace agreement from failing. By T. Christine Luby. 945 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: Why I empathize with Harry and Meghan
(RNS) — Family systems tend to repeat patterns over the generations. And, more likely than not, they tend to make one person the “identified patient” — the one who must bear the burden of the family pathology, and who therefore acts out. The royals and Harry and Meghan are no different. By Jeffrey Salkin. 976 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: The religion of Trump’s Lost Cause
(RNS) — Just as white Southerners went to war to protect their slavery-based way of life, so white conservatives have been engaged in a proto-civil war to protect a way of life marked by structural racism. In Proud Boys v. Black Lives Matter, Trump left no doubt which side he was on. By Mark Silk. 620 words. (category: k)