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
Head of USCCB critiques Republican governors transporting migrants
By Jack Jenkins — June 15, 2023
ORLANDO (RNS) — 'I suppose if they're transporting them to make a statement, then that seems to me to be problematic,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio.
With Turning Point Faith, pastors use politics as a church-growth strategy
By Jack Jenkins — June 9, 2023
(RNS) — For a growing number of evangelical pastors, embracing right-wing rhetoric is seen as a way to put more people in the pews — and it may be working.
Welton Gaddy, former Southern Baptist who became a champion of liberal Christianity, dies
By Jack Jenkins — June 8, 2023
(RNS) — The pastor is also credited with helping found the Alliance of Baptists.
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.
