Images of St. Rosalia, wearing a face mask, are projected onto buildings in Palermo, Sicily, in southern Italy. Photo courtesy of Ex Voto Collective Palermo
Need to know: Friday, April 3, 2020
As pandemic spreads, Italy’s south turns to Pope Francis, saints
Positive coronavirus cases have started to grow in Italy’s very religious south, where high levels of unemployment and organized crime complicate the application of stringent rules to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Asian American Christians denounce anti-Asian racism amid coronavirus
The statement already had gathered about 6,800 signatures online as of Thursday (April 2) morning.
Virus lockdown changes how Hindus celebrate holy period
Hindus around the world are in the midst of a nine-day period called Chaitra Navaratri that began with what for many is considered the Hindu New Year.
This won’t be the first ‘social distancing’ Passover
Judaism has a long tradition of isolation in times of contagion, but this Passover many Jews are trying to strike a balance between technology and true community, writes David Rosen.
Trusting Jesus in the COVID-19 storm
We all know the feeling of the downward spiral of fear, anxiety and worry. We ‘start to sink’ when we forget God’s promises to us. We forget that he is in control of our lives, writes David Laurie.
Religious leaders work to respond to the coronavirus pandemic
All across the country, religious and congregational leaders are trying to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them are trying to recreate physical services on virtual platforms, to improvise with ancient liturgical traditions, and to contact congregants to see how they are doing and connect them with help when needed.
Latest news from RNS
Florida officials: Arrested pastor not exonerated by new order listing religious services as ‘essential’
‘Nothing has changed,’ said a representative for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Franklin Graham on his Central Park field hospital: ‘We don’t discriminate. Period.’
Some New Yorkers have questioned whether the Samaritan’s Purse field hospital would treat LGBTQ patients equally.
Baptist, vegan ex-football player may overturn Alabama’s ban on public school yoga
For some of the state's residents, 86% of whom identify as Christian, yoga and other non-Christian practices have long been considered satanic.
More views from RNS
Is Trump killing his supporters?
(RNS) — Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that Republicans may have risked their lives because they trusted the president’s views on the pandemic.
A court win for Standing Rock gives new life to defenders of sacred land
A federal judge’s call for an environmental study may not stop oil from flowing, but it brings some vindication for indigenous people’s fight to protect the sacred, in the courts and on the ground, writes Michael D. McNally.
The Seder’s secrets to enduring a pandemic
Passover is coming this year just in time to remind us to bless what God has given us, the first greens of spring and the maror, the bitter herb. Ellen Bernstein wonders, how will we bless the bitterness this year?
