Coronavirus
As COVID-19 rages in Brazil, sisters in the Amazon fight hunger and isolation
By Global Sisters Report — March 8, 2021
Distributing food and aiding those afflicted by unemployment, hunger and despair, the religious women working in Brazil's Amazonas state have been a driving force in coping with the pandemic.
Pope Francis dismisses ‘heresy’ charges for his commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue
By Claire Giangravé — March 8, 2021
(RNS) — Francis said that his decision to speak with Muslim religious leaders and promote interreligious dialogue is 'always made in prayer, in dialogue, asking for advice.'
Black Protestants aren’t least likely to get a vaccine; white evangelicals are
By Yonat Shimron — March 5, 2021
(RNS) — A new survey by Pew Research shows that 64% of Black Protestants 'definitely or probably' plan to get vaccinated, compared to 54% of white evangelicals.
Johnson & Johnson vaccine creates a week of confusion for Catholics
By Jack Jenkins — March 5, 2021
(RNS) — An attempt to clear up confusion about the moral acceptability of the vaccine only created further uncertainty.
Women of different faiths find ‘seat at the table’ co-hosting ‘Sister Act’ podcast
By Adelle M. Banks — March 5, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Being female faith leaders, we are not always given the stage,’ said the podcast's founder.
Mourners line up to honor late televangelist Frederick K.C. Price at his FaithDome
By Alejandra Molina — March 5, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The first day of a public viewing honoring the late Rev. Frederick Price, who died in February after a bout with COVID-19, brought a steady stream of people to the megachurch he built.
Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic
By Nicole Winfield and Samya Kullab — March 5, 2021
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's foreign minister said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis' 'message of peace and tolerance' and described the visit as a historic meeting between the 'minaret and the bells.'
US bishops discourage Catholics from getting Johnson & Johnson vaccine if given a choice
By Jack Jenkins — March 2, 2021
(RNS) — 'If one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnson’s,' the statement read.
Workers deserve a living wage, not just a minimum wage
By Thomas Reese — March 2, 2021
(RNS) — Anyone who opposes increasing the minimum wage should try, as a Lenten penance, to live off $290 a week.
Catholic schools’ push for in-person learning counters record enrollment drop
By Elizabeth E. Evans — March 2, 2021
(RNS) — While public school districts debate in-person learning, many elementary Catholic schools opened their doors in fall of 2020 and have stayed open.
More than $60,000 raised for vandalized Los Angeles Buddhist temple
By Alejandra Molina — March 2, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As of early March 2, more than $60,500 was raised for Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple through a GoFundMe page set up by the volunteer group Nikkei Progressives.
New Orleans archdiocese urges Catholics to avoid new Johnson & Johnson vaccine
By Jack Jenkins — March 1, 2021
(RNS) — The archdiocese said the vaccine is 'morally compromised' because it utilized cells with a decades-old link to an aborted fetus.
‘Not a good idea:’ Experts concerned about pope trip to Iraq
By Nicole Winfield and Samya Kullab — February 28, 2021
(RNS) — The public health message a papal trip to Iraq sends amid a global pandemic is not advisable, health experts say.
Latino churches in Los Angeles County will now serve as COVID-19 testing sites
By Alejandra Molina — February 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Through a partnership with the county, Latino congregations now offering this service are St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Whittier and Centro de Vida Victoriosa, an Assemblies of God church in East LA.
It’s the happiest of Jewish holidays. But this Purim, many are feeling sad.
By Yonat Shimron — February 23, 2021
(RNS) — This year as they mark Purim, a one-day holiday that begins Thursday evening (Feb. 25), American Jews are viewing the raucous, rollicking feast with a touch of grief.
