Coronavirus
With rising COVID-19 cases inside the Vatican, pressure mounts for Francis to don a mask
By Claire Giangravé — October 27, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — ‘We are trying to convince him’ to wear a mask, said the Rev. Augusto Zampini, adjunct secretary of the Vatican Department for Promoting Integral Human Development and one of the coordinators of the Vatican COVID-19 commission.
Sean Feucht’s ‘finale’ worship protest on the National Mall included more politics than usual
By Jack Jenkins — October 26, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Christian musician Sean Feucht's 'finale' concert for his worship protest tour was in D.C. Sunday and the event quickly shifted to a celebration for the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.
North Carolina Pentecostal church ordered to close after coronavirus outbreak
By Yonat Shimron — October 26, 2020
(RNS) — An abatement order was issued for the United House of Prayer for All People after an outbreak of COVID-19 led to more than 121 cases and at least three deaths.
Attorneys for John MacArthur denounce headlines reporting a church outbreak of COVID-19 cases
By Alejandra Molina — October 23, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Jenna Ellis, attorney for John MacArthur and Grace Community Church, in a statement said the cases shouldn't be characterized as an 'outbreak.'
There’s a theology driving Sean Feucht’s worship music protests — and it’s a popular one
By Adam Perez — October 23, 2020
(RNS) — What’s at stake aren’t just political and ideological differences but complex and deeply rooted theological commitments that have long been forming Christian identities.
COVID-19, food crisis give new life to ancient practice of gleaning
By Elizabeth E. Evans — October 23, 2020
(RNS) — In recent years, gleaning has made a comeback as a solution to the problems of persistent hunger and the lack of fresh produce options.
Sean Feucht’s worship protest gets green light in DC, despite fears of ‘superspreader’ event
By Jack Jenkins — October 21, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Feucht has framed his worship protest tour as a dispute between ‘politicians’ and Christians like himself, but pastors are among his fiercest critics.
Pope reverts to maskless old ways amid growing criticism
By Nicole Winfield — October 21, 2020
ROME (AP) — Francis has faced sharp criticism even from his most ardent supporters and incredulousness from some within the Vatican for refusing to wear a mask.
Michael Hebb, a death wellness expert, wants people to plan for their end
By Yonat Shimron — October 21, 2020
(RNS) — ‘With the coronavirus there’s been an incredible wake-up call to our mortality,’ said Hebb, who has created resources to help people learn how to plan for it and support loved ones who may be nearing the end of life.
Yom Kippur Zoom reunites Holocaust survivors 71 years later
By Luis Andres Henao and Jessie Wardarski — October 20, 2020
NEW YORK (AP) — More than 70 years had passed since last seeing her friend at an Austrian displaced persons camp. Then Ruth Brandspiegel heard a familiar name being called out in a Yom Kippur service held in late September via Zoom.
Hasidic Jews feel like the only minority New York officials are comfortable targeting
By Menachem Wecker — October 19, 2020
(RNS) — 'We’re an easy target. The last remaining group that it’s acceptable to target and vilify are Orthodox Jews,' said Barry Spitzer, who represents the Brooklyn neighborhood Borough Park and is the first Hasidic district manager in the state.
Clergy shortage grows to more than 3k Catholics for every priest, Vatican data shows
By Claire Giangravé — October 16, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The reasons for the steady hemorrhage of Catholic clergy worldwide are varied, from secularization to the church's ongoing sexual and financial scandals. And the COVID-19 pandemic has brought its own challenges.
Masks keep churches from being superspreaders. But they make sermons tough
By Bob Smietana — October 16, 2020
(RNS) — Preachers have had to adapt quickly during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, as they adjust to masked congregations, they must learn new ways of reading the room and connecting with congregants during sermons.
Black skeptics find meaning in uplifting their community through social justice
By Alejandra Molina — October 15, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Black nonbelievers have for years been working to redefine what it means to be atheist, a word too often linked to white spaces mostly concerned with creationism and the separation of church and state.
Samaritan’s Purse to set up coronavirus field hospital in the Bahamas
By Yonat Shimron — October 15, 2020
(RNS) — The humanitarian relief organization run by Franklin Graham will open a field hospital in Nassau, where hospital facilities are overwhelmed with people suffering from COVID-19.
