A Vatican Swiss Guard stands at attention as Pope Francis delivers his speech during an audience with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, on the occasion of the traditional exchange of New Year greetings at the Vatican, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Remo Casilli/Pool photo Via AP)
Need to know: Friday, January 10, 2020
‘Don’t lose hope,’ Pope Francis tells diplomats amid war, climate change concerns
Pope Francis laid out his international agenda for the new year by addressing mounting concerns about the situation in Iran, the impact of climate change in Australia and the necessary steps to ensure peace.
New documents show government targeted NYC pastor for officiating immigrant weddings
"My faith and belief in ministering to the vulnerable brought me to the border,” the Rev. Kaji Douša said. “It's now undeniably clear that the government targeted me for this very calling."
Mormon lawsuit could change how houses of worship report abuse
At least one legal expert said this lawsuit could have serious implications for the way houses of faith report abuse.
Brazil judge orders Netflix to remove film with gay Jesus
A Brazilian judge on Wednesday ordered Netflix to stop showing a Christmas special that some called blasphemous for depicting Jesus as a gay man and which prompted a gasoline bomb attack on the satirists behind the program.
Four Catholic solutions to toxic politics
As the largest church with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, Catholics have a special obligation to try something before it is too late, writes Thomas Reese.
Evangelicals using religion for political gain is nothing new. It is a US tradition.
No one who has read US history can be surprised by the hypocrisy of Evangelicals for Trump but it also tells us how their undoing will inevitably come, writes William Barber.
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Pete Buttigieg attended private meeting with black theologians, thought leaders
'It was an opportunity for Mayor Pete to learn, to listen, and to hear,' said Kelly Brown Douglas.
Most states agree to admit refugees as judge hears lawsuit to stop resettlement order
A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday (Jan. 8) in the lawsuit by three faith-based organizations against the federal government over a recent executive order allowing state and local officials to block refugee resettlement.
Tech company CEO faces backlash over participation in Hindu nationalist event
Facing online backlash, the California-based CEO of enterprise software company Zoho has doubled down on plans to attend an event hosted by India's RSS paramilitary group.
More views from RNS
White evangelicals’ attacks on James Cone are about power, not truth
(RNS) — A specter has been haunting white evangelicalism, in the shape of the late James Cone, a founder of black liberation theology.
‘Muslims in my house’: A tribute to a beloved centenarian
A small-town hero, she said yes to our fledgling Islamic school during a time of uncertainty for Muslims, delving deep into what it means to be American, writes Afeefa Syeed.
Courtiers and kings, evangelicals, prophets and Trump
(RNS) — If evangelical leaders don't oppose the president's worst behavior with prophetic witness, they are complicit in his sins.
