Coronavirus
Young people make their mark at Religions for Peace conference
By Eric J. Lyman — October 7, 2021
(RNS) — Nearly a quarter of those who came to this year’s conference, held in Lindau, Germany, were age 35 or younger.
Edmund Burke wouldn’t recognize evangelicals’ vaccine resistance as conservatism
By Stephanie Martin — October 7, 2021
(RNS) — Rolling up our sleeves is the most Christian, American — and conservative — thing to do.
Vaccine mandate for NYC educators survives court challenge
By Karen Matthews, Marina Villeneuve, and Larry Neumeister — October 6, 2021
New York City's vaccination mandate for school staff survived a court challenge Tuesday while hospitals across the state reported few disruptions to their services due to the vaccine requirement for health care workers.
‘COVID has been harder on us’: Some Black churches remain hesitant to reopen
By Adelle M. Banks — October 4, 2021
(RNS) — Black churches reflect a cautious approach on the part of ministers, reopening task forces and the average people currently not in the pews.
Three Swiss Guards resign following Vatican vaccine mandate
By Claire Giangravé — October 4, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The vaccine requirement 'is a measure that is aligned with those of other armed forces in the world,' said the media spokesperson for the Swiss Guards.
University of Colorado faces COVID religious exemption suit
By Patty Nieberg — September 30, 2021
The U.S. District Court lawsuit filed by the Thomas More Society is the latest clash over a growing number of private- and public-sector vaccine mandates nationwide to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
National Baptist Convention USA president questions ‘hypocritical’ mandate views
By Adelle M. Banks — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — The leader of the Black denomination preached about the need to ‘confront our faults in this country,’ pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection as an example.
Advocating for Haitians, faith groups pressure Biden to end Trump-era measure
By Jack Jenkins — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — The faith leaders are targeting a Trump-era measure known as Title 42 that has allowed for mass deportation.
Kirk Franklin rereleases ‘Lean on Me’ with virtual global children’s choir
By Adelle M. Banks — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — ‘You have hundreds of kids that are living in marginalized situations,' Franklin said, 'that this song is giving them an opportunity to have a voice.’
Amid global vaccine inequality, Vatican weighs ethics of booster shots
By Claire Giangravé — September 28, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — While it remains unclear whether Pope Francis will receive a booster dose of the vaccine, Vatican experts weigh the ethics involved in global vaccine distribution.
We owe it to the vulnerable to get vaccinated
By Jana Riess — September 21, 2021
(RNS) — Dr. Tyler Johnson says his Mormon religion ‘teaches me I have a moral obligation to seek out facts and to seek to understand the world as it is,’ which means rejecting vaccine conspiracy theories and misinformation.
From luxury stays to ‘champing’ in the sanctuary, churches adopt pandemic-era Airbnb models
By Kathryn Post — September 20, 2021
(RNS) — Instead of worshippers, some churches have been filled with local tourists, professional chefs or burnt-out frontline workers.
Vatican City enforces mandates for vaccines, COVID-19 test
By Claire Giangravé — September 20, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — To enter Vatican City, people will have to present a Green Pass, the certification used in Italy to avoid the spread of the pandemic, or any international equivalent.
NY governor vows to fight lawsuit over vaccine mandate
By Marina Villeneuve — September 17, 2021
A group of Christian health care practitioners argue that New York’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate is unconstitutional.
The gospel of Sherri Tenpenny: COVID-19 misinformation meets Christian nationalism
By Jack Jenkins — September 14, 2021
(RNS) — Her claims are discredited by scientists and politicians trying to stem the spread of COVID-19. But her appeal to faith has a constituency all its own.
