NEWS STORY
RNS-Duggar-Released: Josh Duggar released with strict conditions as he awaits trial on possession of child sexual abuse materials
(RNS) — In a virtual hearing on Wednesday (May 5), a federal judge granted former reality TV star Joshua Duggar release from detention as he awaits trial on child pornography charges. Magistrate Judge Christy Comstock at the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, said her decision to allow Duggar’s release was “a close call” and comes with many conditions. By Roxanne Stone. 893 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Communion-Bishops: Vatican prelate says individual bishops have final say on communion
VATICAN CITY (RNS) – A senior Vatican prelate said that the decision on whether to administer communion to politicians who hold positions contrary to Catholic teaching rests solely on the bishop giving the Eucharist, as US bishops consider denying the sacrament to President Biden for his pro-choice policies. By Claire Giangravè. 550 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Immigration: Vatican denounces UK laws regulating immigration, calls for ‘a wider we’
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — “The decision of the United Kingdom to reduce its aid budget compounds the suffering of the world’s poorest,” said Auxiliary Bishop Paul McAleenan of Westminster, England, speaking remotely at the news conference. By Claire Giangravè. 550 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Ramadan-Sports: Muslim athletes differ in their approach to Ramadan
(RNS) – The recent conversion of NBA star Kyrie Irving has brought attention to the various ways Muslim athletes in a wide variety of sports compete during Ramadan. Both amateur and professional athletes across the country approach sports during the month of Ramadan in different ways. By Joseph Hammond. 925 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-German-Jews: Germany celebrates a historic milestone of Jewish culture — while looking forward
(RNS) — Anniversary celebrations marking 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany is helping Germans confront painful aspects of the past, but to appreciate the realities of its contemporary Jewish community, beyond historical markers, info centers, and places of remembrance. By Ken Chitwood. 1,340 words. (category: i)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Riess-Oped: Half of US Mormons are COVID-19 ‘vaccine hesitant’ or ‘vaccine refusers,’ study shows
(RNS) — The study finds Mormons believe in vaccinations in general, and they trust their church leaders to do the right thing. Yet church leaders have been urging members to get the COVID-19 shot, and half don’t want to. My take from this is that, as a colleague reminded me recently, we’ve reached a situation in the intersection of religion and American politics where politics trumps religion. By Jana Riess. 850 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Kirshbaum-Oped: Domestic abuse surged under COVID-19. Clergy need better tools to help survivors
(RNS) — In a new report on domestic violence in the Jewish community, not a single domestic violence provider interviewed indicated survivors turn initially to hotlines/ helplines, secular domestic violence programs, medical professionals, or law enforcement. Instead, most survivors turn to a trusted community in times of crisis, primarily clergy. We need to prepare out congregational leaders for those leaving homes beset by quarantine and quarreling. By Donna Kirshbaum. 750 words. (category: k)