A man holds an incense burner during a mural blessing on Jan. 26, 2020, in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. RNS photo by Alejandra Molina
Need to know: Thursday, February 6, 2020
In this LA neighborhood, residents unite to bless one of its most sacred murals
On a recent Sunday afternoon, more than 100 people gathered at a northeast Los Angeles intersection to honor what some refer to as the neighborhood’s most sacred mural.
Christian university says it is open to hiring non-Christian art faculty in merger
A Christian university says it is open to hiring non-Christian faculty from an art school it recently acquired. Belmont University's provost had made headlines for saying the school would not hire non-Christians.
Romney cites faith as inspiring his vote to convict Trump
'I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am,' he said, taking a long pause to collect himself. 'I take an oath before God as enormously consequential.'
Breaking down Trump’s religion-heavy State of the Union
The president made several appeals to faith throughout his annual speech to the nation and the U.S. Congress, some of which appear to be targeted at certain demographics.
From young evangelicals to National Prayer Breakfast: An urgent call on climate change
'It is in this spirit of gratitude that we write you today, as young Christians, to implore you to engage the climate crisis with the full and faithful urgency that it requires,' the signers proclaim, writes Kyle Meyaard-Schaap.
Hours after Trump’s impeachment acquittal, Pelosi and Trump will address the National Prayer Breakfast
Hours after a deeply divided Senate voted to acquit President Trump of two impeachment charges, he is scheduled to address a huge gathering Thursday morning of Christian lawmakers and others founded to display reconciliation and bridge-building.
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Vatican seeks to explain absence of aide after book scandal
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican press office denied that Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, who works for both the reigning and the retired pope, had been officially suspended as head of Francis' papal household over his role in the scandal.
Activist William Barber II urges blacks in Congress to mobilize poor voters
'If you organize 2 to 10 percent of the poor around an agenda, you can fundamentally shift every election,' Barber predicted.
Federal judge accepts religious liberty defense of immigrant rights activists
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez argued that not only are the activists' beliefs sincerely held, but also that prosecuting them amounts to a substantial burden on their faith.
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McCarrick report: Questions needing answers
Thomas Reese writes, the McCarrick report needs to respond to simple questions that may require complex answers: Who knew what, when and where about McCarrick’s activities?
Donald Trump’s Mormon problem continues, new study shows
A new study shows that Trump is having a hard time generating enthusiasm among Mormon voters, especially women and young adults, even though Mormons remain supporters of the GOP, writes Jana Riess.
The four loves (of New York Life)
(RNS) — A New York Life Super Bowl ad about agape love misses the point about unconditional love.
