Jack Jenkins
Jack Jenkins is a national reporter for RNS based in Washington, covering U.S. Catholics and the intersection of religion and politics.
All Stories by Jack Jenkins

Lionized for his Jan. 6 antics, Jake Angeli finds his spiritual beliefs a harder sell
By Jack Jenkins — June 2, 2023
(RNS) — The 'QAnon shaman' remains invested in his spiritual beliefs but so far has had no takers for his post-incarceration religious and political consultancy business.

DeSantis’ spiritual-warrior style a bid for support from like-minded pastors
By Jack Jenkins — May 26, 2023
(RNS) — With growing uncertainty surrounding evangelical support for former President Donald Trump, DeSantis is courting one of the Republican Party’s most sought-after constituencies.

Meet the activists who spearheaded the Texas chaplains bill
By Jack Jenkins — May 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It’s so important to elect conservatives and Christians to our local school board races,’ Julie Pickren, a champion of the bill, said in a recent interview.

In rare move, Vatican official chastised Texas Bishop Strickland at conference
By Jack Jenkins — May 23, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland did not deny that he was confronted by the papal nuncio at a bishops conference in November 2021.

Rev. Alvin Herring, head of Faith in Action, to retire
By Jack Jenkins — May 23, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Maryland pastor leaves behind a sprawling network that boasts active efforts in 200 cities across 25 US states.

Texas Legislature passes bill allowing chaplains in public schools
By Jack Jenkins — May 10, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I worry that this bill will lead to Christian nationalists infiltrating our public schools and indoctrinating our students,’ said Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat and Presbyterian seminarian.

State Rep. James Talarico: Christian nationalism in Texas is an ‘oxymoron’
By Jack Jenkins — May 10, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I think my fellow Christians and I have a moral obligation to speak out against this growing Christo-fascist movement,’ Talarico said.

White House to host its third-ever Vesak ceremony
By Jack Jenkins — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — This year ambassadors from nations such as Cambodia, India and Nepal are slated to participate.

In Texas, Republicans push bills aimed at enhancing faith’s role in school
By Jack Jenkins — April 24, 2023
(RNS) — Cantor Sheri Allen, co-founder of the Jewish congregation Makom Shelanu, called the bills a “blatant violation of the separation of church and state.”

For embattled TN lawmakers, liberal faith movements were a training ground
By Jack Jenkins — April 17, 2023
(RNS) — '(I) grew up in the moral movement with Rev. Barber and the Poor People's Campaign,' said Rep. Justin Jones.

White House appoints new Muslim community liaison
By Jack Jenkins — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — The move restores a post discontinued by former President Donald Trump’s administration.

After biblical protestations, expelled Tennessee lawmakers find support among clergy
By Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — On Friday, the Poor People's Campaign announced a clergy-led protest to be held in Nashville later this month.

US soccer leagues add game breaks for players fasting during Ramadan
By Jack Jenkins — April 4, 2023
(RNS) — The move comes on the heels of a similar policy implemented by England’s Premier League.

Catholic nuns’ letter declares trans people ‘beloved and cherished by God’
By Jack Jenkins — March 31, 2023
(RNS) — The letter follows a recent statement from U.S. Catholic bishops discouraging Catholic health care groups from performing various gender-affirming medical procedures.

Judge rules immigration officials violated pastor’s religious freedom rights
By Jack Jenkins — March 27, 2023
(RNS) — 'The government’s approach — stalling, gaslighting, even lying — was entirely unconvincing to the court, and I am thrilled for the vindication,' said the Rev. Kaji Douša.
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