News
Petition for a new American Girl doll asks popular toy company to tell the modern refugee story
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 20, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘I think by inviting the American Girl Company to pay attention to the importance of refugee stories and people, we are showing God’s love to the world and to refugees,’ said Laura Laurie, petition creator.
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.
Poll: White evangelicals are religious outliers on every issue of concern to voters
By Yonat Shimron — October 19, 2020
(RNS) — Only 35% of white evangelicals said the coronavirus is of critical concern, according to PRRI’s 11th annual American Values Survey. Among this group, abortion and terrorism top the list of concerns.
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.
French police operations underway after beheading of teacher
By Associated Press — October 19, 2020
PARIS (AP) — Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday across France in support of freedom of speech and in memory of the slain 47-year-old teacher.
Both candidates went to church this weekend. Their experiences were very different
By Jack Jenkins — October 19, 2020
(RNS) — The evangelical pastor dedicated much of his sermon to praising Trump. The priest didn't appear to mention Biden at all.
With Junipero Serra banished, California’s Indigenous activists and artists ask what goes in his place
By Alejandra Molina — October 19, 2020
(RNS) — As government officials look into what to do with empty memorials, Indigenous leaders are hoping the state’s authorities will devote them to ‘spaces of healing and truth telling.’
Brandeis University stands by caste-bias ban despite pushback from Hindu activists
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — October 19, 2020
(RNS) — A year-old ban against caste bias, says the Hindu American Foundation, is a ‘deeply problematic’ remedy for a largely nonexistent problem.
In SBC video, Eric and Ruth Brown recall daughter Pearl Joy, whose life still speaks
By Bob Smietana — October 18, 2020
(RNS) — Eric and Ruth Brown's faith helped them to fight for their daughter's life. But nothing could prepare them for saying goodbye.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — October 16, 2020
(RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes the feast day of Brazil's patron saint, reopening mosques in Morocco and more.
Catholic worker who broke into naval base to protest nuclear weapons sentenced
By Yonat Shimron — October 16, 2020
(RNS) — Patrick O'Neill is the third of the Kings Bay Plowshares 7 to be sentenced by a US District Court judge for trespassing at the Kings Bay Naval Base two years ago in a symbolic act of nuclear disarmament.
Stacey Abrams’ passion for voting began with her preacher parents
By Adelle M. Banks — October 16, 2020
(RNS) — ‘The family is just a tight-knit cadre of people who understand that it is incumbent upon them to vote,’ said her Georgia pastor.
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.
Catholic priest is sentenced to time served after 2018 break-in at nuclear naval base
By Yonat Shimron — October 15, 2020
(RNS) — A U.S. District Court judge sentenced the Rev. Stephen Kelly to 33 months in jail and three years’ probation, plus restitution fees for trespassing onto the Kings Bay Naval Base in Georgia.
