RNS Morning Report: Venezuela Refugees; Israel Elections; Louisiana Church Fires Arrest

A Venezuelan man stands over the crowd waiting to cross the border into Colombia through the Simon Bolivar bridge in San Antonio del Tachira, Venezuela, on July 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Need to know: Friday, April 12, 2019

As Venezuela refugee crisis builds, church struggles to carry out pope’s call

The flow of refugees has overwhelmed efforts to meet Pope Francis' call to provide 'hospitality and acceptance' for immigrants.

Close vote in Israel extends tiny ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties’ outsized sway

Besides its effect on the everyday lives of Jewish Israelis, the influence of haredi parties promises to exacerbate tensions between the Israeli government and non-Orthodox Diaspora Jews.

India’s Hindu prime minister touts hometown’s Buddhist links as vote nears

Is Indian Prime Minister Modi's interest in Buddhist antiquities genuine, or just a play for votes among his country's dispossessed?

Authorities say deputy’s son behind fires at black churches

Holden Matthews, 21, faces arson charges in the connection with the blazes in and around Opelousas, a city of 16,000 where the flame-gutted remains of the buildings evoked memories of civil rights era violence.

Shadows in the stained glass: Patterson and Pressler chapel windows come down

With no fanfare, and to the secret relief of many, the windows of two of the heroes of the Southern Baptist Convention's conservative resurgence have been removed from a seminary chapel, writes Jacob Lupfer.

China’s hi-tech war on its Muslim minority

Smartphones and the internet gave the Uighurs a sense of their own identity – but now the Chinese state is using technology to strip them of it.

 


 

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Retired Pope Benedict wades into clergy sex abuse debate

His analysis was immediately criticized as "catastrophically irresponsible" — a conflict with efforts by his successor, Pope Francis, to lead the church out of its crisis.

How Netanyahu’s win could further polarize American Jews

If in the past, American Jews united behind Israel’s premier regardless of personality or party, Netanyahu has opened up a huge gulf with American Jews, who trend liberal and tend to vote Democratic in U.S. elections.

Hindu guest chaplain, at your service — but does he speak for all Hindus?

As with Islam and Buddhism, Hinduism's decentralized structure means that the loudest voices are often taken to be authoritative.

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Learning how to mourn among the Maya

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Netanyahu is not Israel

Yes, I am sad. I am disappointed. That is why I am doubling down on Israel, writes Jeffrey Salkin.