jonathan.woodward

jonathan.woodward is an author at Religion News Service.

All Stories by jonathan.woodward

Service, change & reform in the Vatican

By jonathan.woodward — November 10, 2019
The Beliefs guest this week is Austen Ivereigh, who joins discuss his second book on Pope Francis. The book is entitled, “Wounded Shepherd: Pope Francis and His Struggle to Convert the Catholic Church.” Struggling with broad respect and popularity, but also deep institutional suspicion, Pope Francis enjoys adoration and resistance in equal measure. Ivereigh’s book […]

Reshaping trauma: Tree of Life anniversary with Naz Georgas & Rabbi Josh Stanton

By jonathan.woodward — October 27, 2019
The Beliefs guests this week are Naz Georgas, Executive Director of Cordoba House, and Rabbi Josh Stanton of East End Temple in New York. These two faith leaders have forged a unique bond and faith partnership of shared values, convictions, and commitment to empathetic compassion.   Beliefs producer Jay Woodward met with them at East End […]

Tracking the trends in religiosity in modern American life

By jonathan.woodward — October 20, 2019
By all accounts, the trends are clear: religion is in decline in modern American society. The rise in the number of people who declare themselves as unaffiliated to a religious community, or self-identify as belonging to no religion at all, is reinforced with each passing poll. Joining Beliefs this week to discuss belief in America […]

Pot-banging the Curia: The early ideas of Bergoglio with Fr. Patrick J. Ryan, S.J.

By jonathan.woodward — October 13, 2019
Pope Francis guides the practice, dreams, and consciences of over 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. Beliefs’ guest this week, Father Patrick Ryan, S.J., has written the foreword to the book, “In Your Eyes I See My Words.” This book captures the official homilies of Jorge Bergoglio from his days in Buenos Aires. Father Ryan joins Beliefs […]

Exploring the burden of freedom with James K. A. Smith

By jonathan.woodward — October 6, 2019
Liberty and freedom are woven into a modern story of the human experience. But is liberty a good ingredient for happiness? Our guest is a philosopher, professor and author of the recently published book, “On The Road with Saint Augustine: A Real World Spirituality for Restless Hearts.”  James K. A. Smith spoke to Beliefs about […]

Bishop Nicolas Djomo of the Democratic Republic of Congo

By jonathan.woodward — September 29, 2019
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa. The area has struggled with outbreaks of both Ebola and measles. The province of Kivu has seen broad conflict, as well as the UN’s largest and most expensive peacekeeping mission, which has been in operation since 2010.  When government and social systems fail, it […]

RNS Morning Report: Accusations Against Strang; Clerics Selected for Synod; ‘Smart’ Streetlights

By jonathan.woodward — September 23, 2019
Cameron Strang in 2014. Video screengrab      

A volunteer chaplain at Planned Parenthood

By jonathan.woodward — September 22, 2019
The Beliefs guest this week serves as a volunteer chaplain at a reproductive health clinic. Scholar, activist and Presbyterian minister Reverend Marvin Ellison is professor emeritus in Christian Ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary.  He has spent a career working for a more nuanced understanding of the power of human reproduction.   Beliefs producer Jay Woodward met with Rev. Ellison at his […]

RNS Morning Report: Poor Immortalized In Fresco; UMC Schism Plans; Federal Funding Investigation

By jonathan.woodward — September 20, 2019
Artist Christopher Holt works on the Hayward Street Church fresco in Asheville, N.C., on Sept. 5, 2019. Photo courtesy John Warner/Warner Photography      

RNS Morning Report: Religious Coworking Space; Yusef Salaam; Beth Sholom Synagogue

By jonathan.woodward — September 19, 2019
People work in Epiphany Space’s open workspace in Hollywood. RNS photo by Heather Adams      

RNS Morning Report: Texas Rally for India’s PM; German Bishops’ Synodal Assembly; Low-Cost DNA Kits

By jonathan.woodward — September 18, 2019
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, slaps the hand of President Donald Trump as they share a laugh during a bilateral meeting at the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, on Aug. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)      

RNS Morning Report: 5th Century Church Mosaic; Ga. Senate Campaign; SuperSisters Website

By jonathan.woodward — September 17, 2019
Jessica Rentz cleans a pair of birds holding a garland, foreground, and one of the dedication inscriptions in the mosaic, rear, of the Burnt Church in July 2019. Photo by Dr. Michael Eisenberg      

RNS Morning Report: Duke Senate Rejects Young Life; Rebuilding after Dorian; Lakewood Neighbors

By jonathan.woodward — September 16, 2019
Duke Chapel, center, sits at the heart of the Gothic-style campus in Durham, N.C. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons      

Drawing millennials to faith: Naomi Schaefer Riley

By jonathan.woodward — September 15, 2019
Naomi Schaefer Riley is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing on issues regarding child welfare. She is also as a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum, and writes about parenting, higher education, religion, philanthropy and culture.   This week for Beliefs, Bill Baker met with Schaefer Riley to look back at […]

RNS Morning Report: #Oncegay Movement; Protest at Liberty University; Birmingham Remembrance

By jonathan.woodward — September 13, 2019
Pastors Ken William, center left, and Elizabeth Woning, center right, of Redding, California, in a group photo with other members of their CHANGED group. Courtesy photo      
Page 1 of 15