NEWS STORY
RNS-Exemptions-Pressure: Priests navigate Catholics’ fears and consciences in vaccine exemption pleas
(RNS) — As US Catholic bishops issue instructions about parishioners seeking religious exemptions to employers’ COVID-19 vaccine requirements, diocesan priests are having conversations with their congregants about why public health or conscience take precedence. By Alejandra Molina. 1,000 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Women-Churchplanter: Women church planters aim to give US Christianity a fresh start
(RNS) — Church planting — the practice of starting new congregations — has long been populated by eager young white men, mentored by megachurch pastors and backed by evangelical networks. A group of women pastors of color hope to change that, and eventually how Christianity works in America. By Bob Smietana 1,300 words. (categories: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS- ACNA-Structure: Conservative Anglican diocese faces more abuse allegations, questions about structure
(RNS) — A lay leader of a second Chicago-area church plant in the Upper Midwest Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America has been accused of sexual abuse. A number of questions have been raised about the structure and practices of the diocese — where most of the power is consolidated in the hands of the bishop and church members are told to submit to “godly authority.” By Kathryn Post and Bob Smietana. 900 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-UMC-ABUSE: Bishop responds after former American University chaplain accused of misconduct
(RNS) — Mark Schaefer, a former campus minister and university chaplain at American University in Washington, D.C., has surrendered his clergy credentials after he reportedly admitted to allegations of clergy sexual misconduct. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 720 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Hall-Oped: Stop gloating over COVID-19 deniers falling ill. Focus on the miracles of kindness.
(RNS) — You can see it in the trending news stories of “anti-vaxxers” getting their due. The recipe goes like this: A person was anti-vaxx, or denied the seriousness of COVID-19 or actually used their radio show to talk about government control or implanting chips. Now they are ill, or worse. Mocking such a complicated situation with memes is a distraction. By Amy Laura Hall. 1,100 words. (category: k)
