Uighur American attorney and activist Nury Turkel. Video screengrab
Need to know: Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Uighur activists celebrate religious freedom agency’s first Uighur commissioner
Uighur activists say lawyer Nury Turkel’s appointment to USCIRF is a clear signal to the Chinese government that the U.S. government will not tolerate human rights violations in Xinjiang.
Breakaway Anglican group that left Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth wins property fight
The Texas ruling may be the first time that a breakaway diocese has prevailed in a legal fight over church property.
Meet eight pastors who pushed to keep their churches open
How church leaders have fought back against government orders to restrict their gatherings.
Italian cardinal calls for better spiritual guidance for gays, lesbians
Following in Pope Francis’ footsteps, an Italian archbishop invited Catholics to look at gays and lesbians ‘as God looks at them.’
Death in the middle of death: On the execution of Walter Barton
The pandemic has caused us to rethink a lot of things, and one can only hope that executing people is one of the things we don’t want to return to, writes Shane Claiborne.
Muslim comics gather over Zoom to celebrate Eid with jokes and joy
The goal was to give Muslims around the world some comic relief as they do the unprecedented: celebrate Ramadan and Eid in isolation at home, with fewer family members and friends than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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California lays out pandemic rules for church reopenings
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Even with physical distancing, the state says in-person worship carries a higher risk of transmitting the virus and recommends houses of worship shorten services.
With two swift moves, Pope Francis rekindles hope for financial reform
Tranquil on its surface, as COVID-19 has shut down nearly all activity in its churches, museums and offices, the Vatican has nonetheless been quietly dealing with its troubled finances during the pandemic.
More than $689,000 raised for small churches at risk of closure during COVID-19
Although the relief fund will end at the end of the month, the initiative will transition to regional, city and state-based ‘Churches Helping Churches’ efforts.
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‘AKA Jane Roe’ and the humiliation of the pro-life movement
(RNS) — The FX documentary about the Roe v. Wade case is another humiliation of pro-lifers in the media. But humility is what it takes to be truly in favor of the protection of the unborn child.
Why governments should not be deeming in-person worship essential
(RNS) — Whether congregations should be permitted to meet or not is a different question.
How Judaism became caffeinated
Staying up to study Torah on Thursday night? You'll never guess why.
