RNS Morning Report: SBEC’s First Black Chair; Heuertz Harassment Accusations; Catholic Church Reform

The Rev. Rolland Slade in October 2018. Video screengrab

Need to know: Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Rev. Rolland Slade, first black chair of Southern Baptist Executive Committee, elected

Rolland Slade, pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, California, was previously vice chairman of the Executive Committee.

Brene Brown, Zondervan pull support for enneagram expert, Chris Heuertz, after sexual harassment accusations

The decision by Zondervan follows a public post by 33 women who wrote that the Christian Enneagram expert ‘has harmed many people and we cannot remain silent anymore.’

Want to make systemic change? Pope Francis has some ideas.

Since becoming pope, Francis has tried to reform the Catholic Church with a series of broad gestures and systematic, long-term changes.

In a Bronx shelter, friars and homeless have weathered the coronavirus quarantine together

'It’s been a challenge for them and for us, but there is a feeling that we are all in this together,' said Father John-Mary, one of the friars.

Why CrossFit’s founder got crossed up by Floyd protests

Instead of capitalizing on the unrest, Greg Glassman espoused the values of the wellness movement's masculine wing, where Horatio Alger does pull-ups with his bootstraps, writes Tara Isabella Burton.

Mexico’s secret churches: Invitation-only Catholic masses defy Covid-19 rules

‘They call you and tell you the place and the date’ – but there are risks, with about 20 praying elderly women busted in one police raid.

 


 

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Muslims join to demand police reforms, back black-led groups

(AP) — Dozens of American Muslim organizations have called for reforms including prohibiting racial profiling and maneuvers that restrict the flow of blood or oxygen to the brain.

Amid protests and pandemic, Dave Dummitt steps in as senior pastor of Willow Creek

Dave Dummitt is Willow Creek’s first full-time senior pastor since founding pastor Bill Hybels retired early and his successors resigned over the church’s handling of the allegations against him.

Black clergy testify to outrage and hope in demonstrations across Washington

Citing recent killings by police as well as the ravages of the pandemic, leaders of several faiths called on the government to take responsibility.

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COVID-19 costs President Trump support among Catholics

(RNS) — Though their influence has been waning in recent cycles, keep an eye on Catholic voters if you want to know what will happen in November.

Yes, confederate names matter

Get rid of those names. Remove the statues. Remember that protests can actually work.

How white spirituality, religious or not, allows racism to grow

Christians and New Agers alike tend not to concern ourselves with human bodies, and too often talk of actual justice is hushed for the sake of unity or good vibrations, writes Kerry Connelly.