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
Biden tells dueling prayer breakfasts that ‘diversity is one of our greatest strengths’
By Adelle M. Banks — February 2, 2023
(RNS) — Biden’s remarks occurred on the day when there were two events instead of one to mark the tradition of prayer gatherings of Congress and the U.S. president.
At Tyre Nichols’ funeral, VP Harris and Sharpton among those praying and promising reform
By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2023
(RNS) — ‘When we talk about public safety, let us understand what it means in its truest form: Tyre Nichols should have been safe,’ the vice president said.
Progressive National Baptists to deploy $1 million grant to boost ‘compelling preaching’
By Adelle M. Banks — January 31, 2023
(RNS) — The Lilly Endowment grants to the 32 organizations total $31.7 million and were distributed in November.
Tyre Nichols police beating video prompts faith leaders to react with grief, goals
By Adelle M. Banks — January 28, 2023
(RNS) — They expressed grief and prayers for Nichols’ family, as well as called for national and state legislation. Some questioned whether the video of the police beating of Nichols should be watched.
National Prayer Breakfast breaks from ‘The Family’ with new organization
By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks — January 25, 2023
(RNS) — Critics are questioning whether the change is a full departure from the past or merely cosmetic.
Middle Collegiate Church expects historic façade to be demolished by spring
By Adelle M. Banks — January 24, 2023
(RNS) — New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, by a vote of 8-2 on Jan. 10, granted the church’s request for a ‘certificate of appropriateness’ to take down the façade.
After Roe, 50th March for Life a turning point for national, state abortion protests
By Adelle M. Banks and Jack Jenkins — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — Since last summer’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, much of the focus of the abortion fight has moved to statehouses.
35 Black churches to receive total of $4 million for preservation work
By Adelle M. Banks — January 16, 2023
(RNS) — The new grant program honors the history of Black churches ‘while also investing in their physical permanence and financial sustainment into the future,’ an official said.
King scholar applies his philosophies of truth to a ‘post-truth age’
By Adelle M. Banks — January 13, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Dr. King argued that no religion has a monopoly on truth,’ said Lewis V. Baldwin, emeritus professor of religious studies at Vanderbilt University.
PHOTO GALLERY: The history and diversity of African American religious rituals
By Adelle M. Banks — January 10, 2023
(RNS) — A new photo book from the National Museum of African American History and Culture explores Black history through its range of spiritual traditions.
Cornel West, Robert George mark Jan. 6 anniversary with call for courageous leaders
By Adelle M. Banks — January 9, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘This country desperately needs courageous spiritual leadership,’ said the Rev. Eugene Rivers at the anniversary event, to ‘speak to the existential crisis that confronts us.’
Congress’ new class has much higher percentage of Christians than American public
By Adelle M. Banks — January 3, 2023
(RNS) — Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent from Arizona, remains the only member of the new Congress who uses the description of religiously unaffiliated.
Remembering faith leaders who died in 2022: preachers, writers and interpreters of faith
By Adelle M. Banks — December 28, 2022
(RNS) — In this year we lost people who were known for their political office but for whom religion played roles expectedly and unexpectedly.
Sunday school looks different since pandemic’s start: From monthly to missing
By Adelle M. Banks — December 21, 2022
(RNS) — ‘If you kept it online, you probably don’t have a religious education program now,’ expert Scott Thumma said of children’s activities.
In these polarized times, even a prayer could be up for debate
By Adelle M. Banks — December 15, 2022
(RNS) — After struggling over wording in the prayer, one ecumenical organization is developing new tools to address divides within its own network.
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