NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Zobrist-Statement: Julianna Zobrist, Christian influencer and author, responds to estranged husband’s accusations
(RNS) — Christian author, singer and Instagram influencer Julianna Zobrist issued a statement this week, responding to accusations from her estranged husband, Ben Zobrist, a former World Series MVP. The couple once co-wrote a book on faith and family.By Bob Smietana. 300 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Apostles-Change: ‘Apostles of Change’ tells how secular Latino activists protested by seizing sacred spaces
(RNS) — In “Apostles of Change,” author and historian Felipe Hinojosa highlights the Latino activists who occupied church buildings and seminaries across the country as a way to take back control of their communities where residents faced poverty, a lack of educational opportunities and displacement amid revitalization plans that hiked up rents. By Alejandra Molina. 1,050 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-AME-Conference: AME Church bishops address COVID-19, critical race theory as major meeting opens
(RNS) — The bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church opened their denomination’s major meeting — a year after it was delayed due to the coronavirus — with a call for greater worldwide access to vaccines and testing needed to address the pandemic. By Adelle M. Banks. 600 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Liberty-Lawsuit: Liberty University sued for discrimination by former diversity administrator and NFL player Kelvin Edwards
(RNS) — A former NFL player hired to work on diversity issues by former Liberty president Jerry Falwell Jr. has sued the school for alleged discrimination. Kelvin Edwards, who played for Liberty’s football team in the 1980s, was fired not long before Falwell resigned in 2020 and alleges the school’s acting president does not value diversity. By Bob Smietana. 500 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Trial: Vatican indicted a cardinal and nine others connected to financial scandal
(RNS) – In an unprecedented move, the Vatican indicted ten Vatican clerics and officials on Saturday, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, in connection to a controversial investment in property in London that depleted the institution’s finances and undermined its international credibility. By Claire Giangravè. 1,000 words. (category: i)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Indictments for Vatican financial crimes a sign of progress
(RNS) — Last week’s announcement of indictments by Vatican prosecutors is not a scandal but a sign of progress. Many presumed that the Vatican preferred to cover up these crimes when they involved cardinals and other clerics. Vatican officials feared the scandal would hurt the church’s image and reduce giving. In addition, the accused were colleagues and friends. By Thomas Reese. 1,344 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Kime-Oped: Breaking the silence: Clergy address pandemic’s surge in domestic violence
(RNS) — Even by conservative estimates, this crisis of violence affects every faith community, and every faith leader. And the isolation of 2020 and 2021 compounded many traumas of Americans’ private and social lives. The recent growth in online resources available to clergy due to the pandemic has opened up conversations across faiths and countries about domestic violence and how to address it. By Katie Givens Kime. 841 words. (category: k)