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RNS-Sting-Book: New book examines Sting’s enduring Catholic imagination
(RNS) — Evyatar Marienberg, a historian of religion at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, has written a book about Sting’s Catholic imagination and how it fueled his creativity. Before bursting on the international rock scene as the principal songwriter and lead singer for the Police, Sting (born Gordon Sumner), grew up in the northeastern town of Wallsend attending Catholic schools. Though Sting no longer identifies as a Catholic, much of his solo career as singer/songwriter is steeped in Catholic imagery, symbols, stories and hymns. By Yonat Shimron. 1,100 words. (category: a)
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RNS-Zamzam-Water: Like many hajj traditions in a pandemic year, Zamzam water gets a reboot
(RNS) — At this year’s hajj, a portion of holy Zamzam water may serve as both ancient and high-tech souvenir, as the collection and distribution of Islam’s holiest water has adapted to technology and the pandemic. In an effort to keep COVID-19 transmission to a minimum, Saudi authorities have deployed 20 robots to serve Zamzam water bottles to often bemused pilgrims. By Joseph Hammond. 716 words. (category: i)
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RNS-Covid-Orphans: With more than a million children orphaned by COVID, faith-based groups look to mobilize support
(RNS) — More than a million children around the world may have been orphaned by COVID-19, losing one or both parents to the disease or related causes, according to a new study. And a group of faith-based child welfare organizations are encouraging Christians to mobilize to care for those children and support surviving family members. 550 words. (category: a)
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RNS-StanMcKenzie-Obit: Former NBA player Stan McKenzie, husband of first woman AME Church bishop, dead at 76
(RNS) — Stan McKenzie, the first male episcopal supervisor of missionary work in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the husband of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, died on Wednesday. By Adelle M. Banks. 500 words. (category: a)
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RNS-Liberty-Lawsuit: Lawsuit accuses Liberty University of ‘enabling on-campus rapes’
(RNS) — A new lawsuit against Liberty University claims the Lynchburg, Virginia-based evangelical Christian school has “intentionally created a campus environment” that makes sexual assaults and rapes more likely to occur. 800 words. (category: a)
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RNS-Stone-Pope: Sharon Stone says Vatican must listen to Pope Francis and welcome LGBTQ Catholics
(RNS) – While at the Cannes Film Festival, actress Sharon Stone praised Pope Francis’ outreach to LGBTQ Catholics. By Claire Giangravè. 400 words. (category i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-WorldRelief-President: World Relief announces Myal Greene as new head amid ‘the most significant crisis of our lives’
(RNS) — World Relief announced Tuesday (July 20) that longtime staff member Myal Greene will become the next president and CEO of the evangelical Christian humanitarian organization. 550 words. (category: a)