NEWS STORY
RNS-Taylor-Lindsay: Taylor University announces D. Michael Lindsay as new president
(RNS) — Taylor University announced Tuesday (March 16) that D. Michael Lindsay, outgoing president of Gordon College, will become the next president of the Christian liberal arts school in Upland, Indiana. The previous president, Paul Lowell Haines, resigned from Taylor in August 2019, not long after the nondenominational Christian university hosted then-Vice President Mike Pence as commencement speaker. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 676 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Churches-Houseless: In Southern California, Black churches are using their land to build housing for the homeless
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As Southern California’s housing crisis continues to fuel homelessness across the region, a number of churches, particularly Black congregations, are stepping up to build affordable housing on their church land. By Alejandra Molina. 1,100 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pastors-Equality: Black pastors sign letter supporting compromise bill on LGBTQ equality
(RNS) — Fifty-six Black Christian faith leaders have written a letter to members of the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee expressing support for LGBTQ civil protections but asking that the U.S. House version of the Equality Act be amended to include religious exemptions. By Yonat Shimron. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Jesuits-Reparations: Jesuits pledge $100 million for descendants of people their order enslaved
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Society of Jesus has announced plans to raise $100 million for the descendants of enslaved people it once claimed to own, making the Roman Catholic order’s initiative one of the largest financial efforts by any group to try to atone for the institution of slavery and address racial injustice in the United States. By Jack Jenkins. 577 words.
NEWS STORY
RNS-Nadirah-Pierre: Insta-Famous: Nadirah Pierre’s satire draws on the Black Muslim experience
(RNS) — Nadirah Pierre represents a new generation of Muslim comedian in America who found their voice, not on the night club circuit or on comedy sketch shows but through social media. With more than 80,000 Instagram followers, @nadirah.p is one of the larger Muslim American accounts on social media. By Joseph Hammond. 1,022 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Digital-Paganism: Natural by nature, pagans expect some digital rituals to survive the pandemic
(RNS) — With the end of the pandemic on the horizon, neopagans organizations are assessing the digital experience to determine whether these Earth-based groups’ newfound reliance on technology has offered unforeseen benefits. By Heather Greene. 840 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: The Vatican tries to hold back the tide on same-sex blessings
(RNS) — Blessings are similar to sacraments, and can only be bestowed on licit relations, explained the CDF in an “explanatory note.” Because sex is only permitted within marriage and only then when open to procreation, whatever positive elements might exist within a same-sex union, it is “not ordered to the Creator’s plan.” By Mark Silk. 555 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Rogers-Oped: Why we need to work with houses of worship on COVID-19 vaccinations
(RNS) — President Biden has recognized the power of faith-based organizations to play key roles in getting the country vaccinated. Houses of worship are pervasive and familiar to many Americans, and religious figures are among the most trusted community leaders. The vast majority of them are enthusiastic about helping. By Melissa Rogers. 570 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Vatican says yes to gay people, no to blessing gay unions
(RNS) — This distinction will make no sense to many American Catholics, not least those who are gay. In Germany it will put a chill on efforts by the country’s Catholic bishops to consult the faithful on a number of topics, including gays, though a multiyear synodal process. By Thomas Reese. 770 words. (category: k)
