NEWS STORY
RNS-Worker-Profile: His parish was the poor: Fr. Tom Lumpkin spent 40 years ministering to Detroit’s homeless
(RNS) — Fr. Tom Lumpkin claims to be the only parish priest whose ministry assignment was the Catholic Worker movement. A lucky change in bishops led to one year at the Worker turning into forty. He has spent half his life running a house of hospitality in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, part of the Catholic Worker movement founded by journalist Dorothy Day and scholar Peter Maurin. By Renée Roden. 1,250 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Romance-Folo: Romance Writers of America rescinds award for Christian novel as publisher defends it
(RNS) — Days after announcing “At Love’s Command” by Karen Witemeyer as the best romance with religious or spiritual elements of 2021 in its inaugural Vivian Awards, the Romance Writers of America have rescinded the award. The decision follows criticism from readers and other romance authors that the Christian romance novel, which opens with a scene depicting the Wounded Knee Massacre, romanticizes the killing of Native Americans. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 670 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Morris-Obit: Wade Morris, a popular Baptist youth speaker, dies after COVID-19 hospitalization
(RNS) — A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Morris was a graduate of Samford University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After serving at several churches, he became a full-time itinerant speaker, spending about 200 days a year on the road, according to his ministry’s website. He was known for the Journey Bible Study Series and for speaking at youth camps and conferences. By Bob Smietana. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Olympics: From friendships to slogans, the Vatican makes its mark at the Tokyo Olympics
(RNS) – Vatican athletes might never compete in the Olympic games, but the small Catholic state still has an important influence in the global sporting event through the promotion of human fraternity and the creation of lasting friendships. By Claire Giangravè. 1,200 words. (category i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Assemblies-God: Assemblies of God, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination, hosts biennial convening in Orlando
(RNS) — Thousands are expected to attend the Assemblies of God’s General Council convening this week in Orlando, Florida, where new executive leaders will be elected and where attendees will discuss a range of issues, such as digital ministries and the process of establishing new churches. By Alejandra Molina. 450 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Prior-Oped: With this much rot, there’s no choice but to deconstruct
(RNS) — Abuse. Cover-up of abuse. Racial strife. Lack of integrity. Membership declines. Partisan divisions. In the church, that kind of rot can lead people to deconstruct their faith. Yes, deconstruction is risky. It always entails the danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. And as a church body, during these messy processes, it is our job to help hold those babies — but it is also our job to help dump that dirty water down the drain. By Karen Swallow Prior. 1,091 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: COVID-19, global warming and Catholic guilt
(RNS) — COVID-19 and global warming are enough to make me long for the days of clerical power and Catholic guilt. In those good/bad old days, the church’s hierarchy was able to issue thunderous edicts and most Catholics would follow its directions like sheep. If the laity did not, they would feel guilty and fear going to hell. By Thomas Reese. 516 words. (category: k)