Adelle M. Banks

Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.

All Stories by Adelle M. Banks

King’s last full year of life: Protest, praise, ire, incarceration

By Adelle M. Banks — January 13, 2022

(RNS) — King drew criticism from Billy Graham, who told journalists that he thought King was wrong to link anti-war efforts with the civil rights movement.

Hartford International University expands Black ministries with Howard Thurman Center

By Adelle M. Banks — January 12, 2022

(RNS) — ‘The center’s North Star will be Thurman’s insistence on social justice and responsibility within a spiritual framework,’ its director said.

Observers, detractors and preachers of religion who died in 2021

By Adelle M. Banks — December 30, 2021

(RNS) — Prominent figures in the world of religion who died in 2021.

Desmond Tutu, archbishop, activist and apartheid foe, is dead at 90

By Adelle M. Banks and B. Denise Hawkins — December 26, 2021

(RNS) — Tutu said a disciplined prayer life helped him through apartheid and continued to sustain him decades later.

Idaho church window once depicting Robert E. Lee now honors Black female bishop

By Adelle M. Banks — December 22, 2021

(RNS) — ‘We recognize this section of our window is more than a benign historical marker,’ the United Methodist church’s leaders said in 2020.

United Methodists join Boy Scouts in settlement proposal to aid sex abuse survivors

By Adelle M. Banks — December 22, 2021

(RNS) — ‘We are sorry for what occurred and are praying for all those who experienced harm through Scouting activities,’ said Bishop John Schol, a leader in the mediation process.

Churches’ ministry to those hurt by the pandemic shows ‘monumental’ growth, study says

By Adelle M. Banks — December 21, 2021

(RNS) — The percentage of churches reporting deaths within their membership increased from 17% in the summer to 28% in November, a new report states.

Denzel Washington: ‘I wanted to please God’ in latest directing effort

By Adelle M. Banks — December 21, 2021

(RNS) — ‘True love never dies. That's what they have — not had — have,’ Washington said of Dana Canedy and her partner who was killed in Iraq.

Rashad Hussain confirmed as first Muslim US religious freedom ambassador

By Adelle M. Banks — December 17, 2021

(RNS) — ‘Ambassador Hussain is well placed to advance the US government’s promotion of international religious freedom,’ said the chair of a religious freedom watchdog.

Women breaking through to top roles in Black churches

By Adelle M. Banks and Peter Smith — December 9, 2021

(RNS/AP) — Most major Black Christian denominations in the U.S. have no doctrinal bar to ordained women leaders. Yet denominational leadership remained all-male until the 21st century, and women are still the exception in the top rungs.

Before there was Roe: Religious debate before high court’s historic ruling on abortion

By Adelle M. Banks — December 1, 2021

(RNS) — Reports reveal blunt statements opposing the procedure, broadening definitions of what could be legalized and religious politicians’ reactions to state legislatures’ debates over the controversial procedure.

Stories of racism permeate ‘Let’s Talk’ evangelical reconciliation kickoff event

By Adelle M. Banks — November 18, 2021

(RNS) — ‘We believe both the spirit and clear moral imperatives of scripture require the Christian community to lead the way in defeating racial bigotry,’ reads the initiative’s statement.

Russia added to State Department list of worst religious liberty violators

By Adelle M. Banks — November 17, 2021

(RNS) — Blinken said the Biden administration supports ‘every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.’

New Revised Standard Version Bible updated with consideration for ‘modern sensibilities’

By Adelle M. Banks — November 17, 2021

(RNS) — More than 20,000 revisions were made for the new edition, which scholars made clear was not a new translation.

Tony Evans, Priscilla Shirer see Bible lessons anew in documentary of Holy Land trip

By Adelle M. Banks — November 12, 2021

(RNS) — ‘I've been five times, but the experience was like the first time,’ said Evans. ‘The reality of the living Christ coming through that location dominates.’

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