NEWS BRIEF
RNS-LifeSite-Ban: LifeSiteNews removed from Facebook for violating COVID-19 misinformation policies
(RNS) — The ultraconservative website LifeSiteNews has been removed from Facebook, with the tech giant accusing the group of violating policies regarding COVID-19. By Jack Jenkins. 430 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Buddhist-Burglary: Six arrested in burglary of an Arkansas Buddhist temple, in what may be a nationwide spree
(RNS) — Six people were arrested this week and face charges of robbery, trespassing and assault at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Rogers, Arkansas, in what appears to be a growing pattern of break-ins and thefts at Asian Buddhist temples across the country. By Yonat Shimron. 300 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Marian-Sanctuary: Pope Francis invites faithful to Rosary prayer marathon for the end of the pandemic
(RNS) – Pope Francis launched a marathon to pray the rosary every day in the Marian month of May to ask for the end of the pandemic. The event highlights the pope’s own devotion to the Virgin Mary and his views on the handling of the pandemic. By Claire Giangravè. 650 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Prayer-Day: National Day of Prayer to be marked with petitions for racial justice
(RNS) — In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many annual observances of the National Day of Prayer to go virtual and to focus on prayers for those who were sickened or died. A year later, as the 70th observance occurs on Thursday (May 6), those prayers continue and, in some cases, are being coupled with petitions about racial justice. By Adelle M. Banks. 900 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Communion: Catholic bishops who want to deny Biden communion may have to reckon with the Pope
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A movement is growing among conservative Catholics to deny President Joe Biden communion during worship, but they may have to reckon with Catholic laity who disagree and a pope who has insisted the holy sacrament is “not a prize for the perfect.” By Jack Jenkins and Claire Giangravé. 1,250 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Silk-Oped: Connecticut’s religious anti-vaxxers file suit
(RNS) — On April 28, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a bill eliminating the state’s religious exemption for mandatory school vaccinations. Three days later, a lawsuit was filed in federal court claiming the law violates the constitutional rights of three mothers — Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim — who refuse to have their children vaccinated for religious reasons. Does it? Long-standing Supreme Court precedents suggest otherwise. By Mark Silk. 698 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Gehring-Oped: Politicizing Biden’s faith is pastoral malpractice
(RNS) — Bishops have every right to challenge Catholic politicians on abortion. The sanctity of life in the womb is a foundational issue for the church. But the real question for the bishops is how to most effectively bear witness to the dignity of all life in a diverse and contested political arena. Deploying Communion as a bludgeon to selectively sanction elected officials on a single issue is not the answer. By John Gehring. 800 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY:
RNS-Khwaja-Oped: Giving while Muslim: How Ramadan philanthropy has changed from 9/11 to COVID-19
(RNS) — Twenty years after 9/11, American Muslims’ giving priorities have shifted from international aid to funding civil rights advocacy groups and social justice movements at home. While Muslim-led international aid organizations still take in millions of dollars, we tend to focus on funding nonprofits dedicated to basic needs such as food banks, health care clinics and social service organizations helping with adoption or mental health. By Muhi Khwaja. 825 words. (category: k)