Christianity
Ancient Knights of Malta get their 1st non-aristocratic head
By Nicole Winfield — May 5, 2023
ROME (AP) — John Dunlap was born in Ottawa and practices law in New York. He found his vocation to the Knights in the 1980s while volunteering with AIDS patients at the Cardinal Cooke Medical Center in Harlem, where he has continued to volunteer.
The real priest behind ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ was a fan of Hollywood horror films
By Joseph P. Laycock — May 5, 2023
(The Conversation) — How did blockbuster horror films such as ‘The Exorcist’ help the church warm to the controversial ritual?
Vatican No 2 confirms Russia-Ukraine peace mission plans
By Nicole Winfield — May 5, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Holy See's No. 2 official confirmed Wednesday (May 5) the existence of a Vatican peace “mission” to try to end Russia's war in Ukraine, days after Pope Francis raised eyebrows with an offhand revelation of a secret operation that was already underway.
The last Christian king?
By Jacob Lupfer — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — How inclusive can something be and still be considered Christian?
What ‘The Starling Girl’ gets right about church abuse and fundamentalism
By Kathryn Post — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — ‘When abuse is framed as just black and white, it can be harder for people going through it to reckon with it and realize it,’ said writer/director Laurel Parmet.
Why white supremacists would be thrilled to hear Jackie Hill Perry call out Beyoncé
By Andre Henry — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — A Christian criticizes Black musicians for exploring African spirituality.
Their church is leaving the UMC fold. They found refuge in a nearby ‘Lighthouse.’
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church is turning its attention to taking care of those who want to remain and rebuilding and fortifying its ranks.
New books spotlight women’s leadership in New Testament
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It’s not that we’re trying to rewrite history. It’s simply that women have been obscured,’ said Beth Allison Barr.
More Americans pray in their car than in a place of worship, survey finds
By Adelle M. Banks — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — A distinct majority of those who pray (87%) said they believed they’d received an answer to their prayers in the last 12 months.
Joshua Butler, author of controversial book on sex, resigns as pastor of Arizona church
By Bob Smietana — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — The book had been criticized for its comparisons of spiritual experiences to sex and male pleasure.
‘The Chosen’: Coming soon to a US prison near you
By Kathryn Post — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — The wildly popular show is the first multiseason drama to hit Floodlight, a free streaming platform launched by Prison Fellowship in March 2020.
Whimsical cathedrals and spiritual portals: The architecture of Paul Goesch
By Emma Ryan — May 3, 2023
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (RNS) — Goesch, a German expressionist architect and spiritualist, is having his first dedicated exhibition outside of Europe.
Faith leaders ask Biden to mark Mother’s Day with prayer day against gun violence
By Adelle M. Banks — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — Fellowship of Reconciliation leaders, who organized the letter, also pointed out ties that have been found between Christian nationalism and opposition to gun control legislation.
Taylor professor Julie Moore cited Jemar Tisby on her syllabus. Then she lost her job.
By Bob Smietana — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — A well-respected professor and published poet, Moore said her provost named Tisby in explaining why her contract was not renewed.
Celebrating our shared humanity by building peace
By Bridget Moix — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — War is never inevitable.
