NEWS STORY
RNS-Equality-Petition: As Equality Act hearing begins, faith leaders meet with Sen. Coons to voice support
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A group of clergy and activists met with Sen. Chris Coons at Union Station, the ornate train terminal in view of the U.S. Capitol, on Tuesday (March 16) to show support for the sweeping LGBTQ rights bill known as the Equality Act, ahead of Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the bill. By Jack Jenkins. 1261 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Kirk-Out: Charlie Kirk out at Liberty University’s Falkirk Center
(RNS) — Liberty University has declined to renew the contract for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the think tank he founded along with Jerry Falwell Jr. Kirk has also revealed that he will be pivoting to a new faith-rooted initiative. By Jack Jenkins. 444 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Church-Interrupted: New book highlights Pope Francis’ “disruptive innovation” beyond the political divide
(RNS) – In his new book, Church, Interrupted, best-selling author John Cornwell outlines the qualities of Pope Francis’ pontificate and its repercussions for the future of the Catholic Church. From his Argentinian roots to his leadership during the pandemic, Cornwell portrays Francis as a pope who is not afraid of paving his own way. By Claire Giangravè. 1100 words. (categories c)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Kirk-Franklin: Kirk Franklin says of son in TV interview: ‘there hasn’t been any physical abuse’
(RNS) — Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, following a recently recorded argument with his oldest son, told a talk show host their relationship has not involved physical abuse. By Adelle M. Banks. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vaccine-Interfaith: Fauci and Collins join interfaith leaders at cathedral vaccine ‘confidence event’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Washington-area faith, medical and political officials assembled in a socially distant but united “confidence event” at the Washington National Cathedral to encourage people of various religions to get COVID-19 vaccinations. “As people of faith who are called to love and care for our neighbors, we should be leading the way in this effort,” said the cathedral’s Dean Randy Hollerith on Tuesday. By Adelle M. Banks. 600 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Atlanta-Suspect: Atlanta massage parlor murder suspect ‘big into religion’
(RNS) — Robert Aaron Long, 21, has been arrested in connection with the killings of four women at a massage parlor in Cherokee County, Georgia, and four additional women in two other massage parlors in northeast Atlanta. Little is known about the suspect at this point, but details are emerging about a man preoccupied with ‘God and guns.’ By Roxanne Stone. 800 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Chang-Oped: The Atlanta massacre is yet another reminder we desperately need race-conscious discipleship
(RNS) — Most people — including many Asian Americans — don’t understand how Asian Americans have been racialized and how racism actually impacts us. What people need is an understanding of how race, racialization and racism operate, and how the church in the United States is called to be an alternative community that doesn’t mirror the patterns of a racialized world. The only way to do that is through a race-conscious discipleship. By Raymond Chang. 1,505 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: The book you need to read before Passover
(RNS) — This book, to coin a phrase, is different from other books. The author, Mark Gerson, does an amazing job of sharing insights into the text of the Haggadah. He digs deep, leaving no theological or historical stone unturned. He has insights from ancient and current sages, literary figures and scientists. It is a gold mine of insights. By Jeffrey Salkin. 1,150 words. (category: k)