News
J.D. Greear’s legacy as Southern Baptist president: Grappling with abuse, pushing diversity
By Adelle M. Banks — June 17, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — ‘Wish we could have seen more progress on responding to abuse, and current revelations reveal we still have farther to go,’ he told RNS.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, others encourage US to rebuild refugee resettlement ahead of World Refugee Day
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 17, 2021
(RNS) — ‘A system that took 40 years to build was devastated in just four years,’ said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
Catholics for Choice looks to reach more Latinos with new Spanish-language platforms
By Alejandra Molina — June 17, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Anti-abortion legislation disproportionately impacts people of color and particularly immigrants,’ said Jamie Manson, president of Catholics for Choice.
Catholic sculptor wishes to restore Catholic credibility amid modern evils
By Claire Giangravé — June 17, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — From Dante’s Inferno to human trafficking, a Catholic sculptor reminds the faithful that evil is real.
Catholic House Democrats prepare to send bishops ‘statement of principles’ on Communion vote
By Jack Jenkins — June 17, 2021
(RNS) — The vote alone will likely have implications for both the American church and President Joe Biden, a Catholic.
Boris Johnson and Britain are having their own Catholic crisis
By Catherine Pepinster — June 17, 2021
LONDON (RNS) — ‘Appointment as prime minister is the completion of the Catholic stealth minority’s rise to influence,’ said one historian.
Baker fined for refusing to make transgender transition cake
By Colleen Slevin — June 17, 2021
DENVER (AP) — While Jack Phillips said he could not make the cake because of its message, the judge said the case was about a refusal to sell a product, not compelled speech.
Black community has new option for health care: the church
By Carrie Antlfinger — June 17, 2021
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Some Black church leaders want to extend their efforts beyond the fight against COVID-19 and give their flocks a place to seek health care for other ailments at a place they trust — the church.
PHOTO GALLERY: Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting gathers in Nashville
By Kit Doyle — June 17, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The Southern Baptist Convention’s 2021 annual meeting convened June 15-16 at the Music City Center in Nashville. Check out some of our favorite photographs from this year’s meeting.
Supreme Court rules in favor of Catholic foster care agency, in narrow win for religious rights
By Yonat Shimron — June 17, 2021
(RNS) — The justices once again showed they were receptive to claims by religious groups — in this case Catholic Social Services, which refuses to work with same-sex couples.
Southern Baptist Convention resolutions reflect passion on issues of race, abortion
By Adelle M. Banks — June 17, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — While some 2021 messengers expressed opinions about the 2019 CRT resolution, anti-abortion advocates were concerned past resolutions about the SBC’s stance against abortion were not strong enough.
Bishops quick to debate Eucharist — and Joe Biden — at meeting
By Jack Jenkins — June 16, 2021
(RNS) — It didn’t take long for bishops to refer to the ‘issue of our Catholic president receiving Holy Communion.’
Southern Baptists approve abuse task force, say abusive pastors should be banned
By Bob Smietana — June 16, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The task force will address concerns Southern Baptist leaders have mistreated abuse victims and mishandled allegations of abuse.
Ebrahim Raisi poised to sweep into Iranian presidency despite weak religious credentials
By Joseph Hammond — June 16, 2021
(RNS) — The rise of Raisi has many analysts suggesting that Iran’s religious revolutionary fervor may be dampening, or changing form.
Saddleback Church’s ordination of women pastors to be considered by SBC committee
By Adelle M. Banks — June 16, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — ‘At the very least, I am asking that the validity of this matter be looked into,’ said a pastor at the Southern Baptists’ annual meeting.
