RNS Updated Budget — Monday, June 28, 2021

Religion News Service

June 28, 2021 at 5:09 p.m. ET

NEWS STORY
RNS-SBC-AbusePastors: As Southern Baptists begin to grapple with sexual abuse, looming challenges remain
(RNS) — At their recent annual meeting in Nashville, Southern Baptists spoke loud and clear about sexual abuse. But putting resolutions in practice will be difficult for the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Just one week after the convention closed an advocate for sex abuse survivors posted to a blog that a registered sex offender has been preaching at a Dallas Southern Baptist church. By Yonat Shimron and Bob Smietana. 1,300 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-BlackChurch-Health: ‘Denomination matters’ in Black-focused faith-based health programs, scholars say
(RNS) — The health of Black churchgoers can differ depending on the denomination and the gender of the people in the pews, a Duke University project has found, and scholars are urging more nuanced research to help address medical issues such as hypertension, obesity and depression. By Adelle M. Banks. 900 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Blinken-Vatican: Pope Francis and Blinken discuss climate change, China at the Vatican
(RNS) – The United States Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken met with Pope Francis on Monday at the Vatican, where they discussed the climate crisis, immigrants and refugees and religious freedom in China. By Claire Giangravè. 800 words. (category i)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Litton-Apology: New SBC President Ed Litton apologizes for using J.D. Greear sermon quotes without credit
(RNS) — Newly elected Southern Baptist Convention president Ed Litton apologized for quoting from a sermon by his predecessor, J.D. Greear, without attribution. By Bob Smietana. 1,000 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Martin-Letter: Pope sends letter praising priest who ministers to LGBTQ Catholics
(RNS) — Pope Francis sent a letter praising the work of a Jesuit priest who has been an outspoken advocate for more respectful treatment of LGBTQ people within the Catholic Church. In the letter, the pontiff described Father James Martin’s work as imitating the “style of God.” 500 words. By Jack Jenkins. (category: a)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Vischer-Oped: What to do about Ron DeSantis and the GOP’s (literal) demonization of the left
(RNS) — America’s politicians have always exploited our faith for votes. What’s different is that the tone of the political discourse has shifted as the religious landscape has changed in some pretty significant ways. By Robert K. Vischer. 1,012 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: Why Israel got to Surfside so fast
(RNS) — When Israel is at its best, it serves as the public relations department for the Jewish people and for Judaism itself. Israel responds immediately — not because the victims are Jewish. Israel responds immediately — because Israel is Jewish. By Jeffrey Salkin. 1,060 words. (category: k)

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1	news Willy Rice, Florida pastor and abuse crisis skeptic, elected SBC president
2	news Defense Department rejiggers list of recognized religions after backlash, narrows it to 30
3	news Southern Baptists pass a ban on women pastors again. This time, they hope it sticks.
4	news The country’s largest Protestant adoption agency is dropping LGBTQ couples — again
5	opinion I was a pagan in the military before we were recognized. We're going back.

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