NEWS STORY
RNS-King-BeyondVietnam: On anniversary of King’s assassination, faith leaders reflect on his anti-war speech
(RNS) — A coalition of religious, civil rights and peace organizations is marking the anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a remembrance of his speech against the Vietnam War exactly a year before his death. Advocates such as Alice Walker, Jane Fonda and Ibram X. Kendi are set to read the civil rights leader’s speech during an online “Breaking the Silence” webinar. By Adelle M. Banks. 400 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Graham-Judge: UK judge: Council discriminated in removing bus ads promoting Franklin Graham festival
(RNS) —A British judge has ruled that a borough council and its transportation provider discriminated against Christians when they removed bus ads promoting an 2018 event with evangelist Franklin Graham in the English seaside town of Blackpool. The ads were taken down after LGBTQ groups mounted a social media campaign against the festival. By Yonat Shimron. 450 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS—Loritts-Report: Guidepost report: Bryan Loritts mishandled abuse allegations at former church but did not cover them up
(RNS) — A new report finds that pastor and author Bryan Loritts did not cover up abuse at the Memphis megachurch he founded. Loritts will remain on staff at the Summit Church, led by Southern Baptist Convention president J.D. Greear. The report also concluded Loritts and other leaders at the Memphis church badly mishandled misconduct by the pastor’s former brother in law in 2010.By Bob Smietana. 1100 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Chrism-Mass: On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis tells faithful not to be scandalized by “squabbles” in the church
(RNS) – On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis celebrated the Chrism Mass, when priests and deacons renew their ordination promises, by reminding clergy that “the preaching of the Gospel is always linked to the embrace of some particular cross.” By Claire Giangravè. 800 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Women-Books: 10 nonfiction books (and one novel) to keep Women’s History Month going all year
(RNS) — Women’s History Month may be have ended, but women’s impact on religion and spirituality goes on year round. Here are 10 new nonfiction books, both forthcoming and released in the last year, that explore women’s roles and influence in Christian traditions — plus, one bonus work of fiction. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 1,100 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-NonReligious-Latinos: One in five Latino Americans have no religion, the Latinx Humanist Alliance says
(RNS) — Through its 1 in 5 campaign, the Latinx Humanist Alliance is underscoring the rise of nonreligious U.S. Latinos across the country. One in five Latino Americans have no religion, according to the Latinx Humanist Alliance. By Alejandra Molina. 850 words. (category: a)
NEWS-STORY
RNS-Fallujah-Game: Controversial Iraq War Battle To Be Subject of Video Game
(RNS) —A controversial video game that depicts the Iraq War’s bloodiest battle is set to be released some thirteen years after it was first announced. Seattle-based development company Highwire Games has announced the game “Six Days in Fallujah” would be released later this year. By Joseph Hammond. 650 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Turner-Oped: On an Easter shadowed by the Lorraine Motel, recommit to justice
(RNS) — This Easter morning will be especially poignant and meaningful: It coincides with the 53rd anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. We have lived for too long in the shadow of the Lorraine Motel. We must instead transform a place of bloodshed into inspiration for making a better world, as King would have wanted. We must rise from the balcony this Easter — and in all the hopeful days to come. By J. Lawrence Turner. 843 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Pattengale-Oped: ‘Wisdom gushing out of him’: A remembrance of Robert E. Cooley
(RNS) — Robert E. Cooley, a Near Eastern archaeologist and former president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, died Thursday (April 1) at age 91. Best known for his presidency of the seminary from 1986 to 1991, Cooley spent much of his earlier career at archaeological sites in Israel and Egypt. His most important discoveries were made at the ancient city of Tel Dothan, in the West Bank, where he brought to light the burial rituals of 288 bodies that speak volumes about how they lived. By Jerry Pattengale. 717 words. (category: k)