RNS Morning Report: Viganò saga; Days of Atonement; Muslim Republicans

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò listens to remarks at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual fall meeting on Nov. 16, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Need to know: Monday, September 10, 2018

Catholic donor denies he consulted on Viganò allegations against Pope Francis

In an email addressed to other conservative Catholics, Timothy Busch refuted reports that he personally consulted Archbishop Viganò on his letter.

Coptic abbot’s murder points to strains over ecumenism in Egypt

Egypt's Coptic Orthodox community is reeling from the murder of the abbot of St. Macarius Monastery, apparently by traditionalists of his own faith.

As Jews enter the Days of Atonement, some look far and wide for examples of repentance in public life

"It’s really difficult to come up with examples of public figures who have done what we would call full teshuva,” one rabbi said.

For a lot of Muslim Republicans, their party’s over

Muslim voters in the GOP are wondering how, or whether, to cast ballots at a time of anti-Muslim rhetoric from politicians in their own party.

British Muslim group calls for Franklin Graham to be denied UK visa

Franklin Graham, who has called Islam “evil” and “wicked,” has been invited to preach at a Christian festival in Blackpool this month.

Where does rabbi voice come from?

“Seinfeld” parodied it. It’s all over Woody Allen. But no one quite knows how the singsong lilt of the Jewish clergy began. Rich Cohen offers three explanations.

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For black women at church, it’s more than the Aretha eulogy

(AP) — For many black women, the Rev. Jasper Williams Jr.’s eulogy reopened wounds and sternly reminded them that black churches remain male-dominated institutions, where old-school resistance to women holding leadership roles is still alive.

NY clergy sex abuse may be sweeping but legal cases few

(AP) — Few criminal cases or lawsuits may come out of the New York attorney general's inquiry into clergy sex abuse allegations in the Roman Catholic Church, whatever its findings.

Banned from meeting in church, Rwandan worshippers gather at home

The government has closed about 8,000 churches and 100 mosques in what some say is a human rights violation. Now, many people are holding worship services in their homes.

More views from RNS

How Willow Creek exposed our sins

(RNS) — We must see the recent fall of pastors as an opportunity to have a new conversation about power in the American evangelical church.

The Mormon kids are all right

Yes, Mormon Millennials are leaving the LDS Church at higher rates than previous generations. But there's also a lot of reason for hope.

Why the Catholic Church can’t move on from the sex abuse crisis

(RNS) — Many Catholic bishops and priests are frustrated by the continued coverage of the sex abuse crisis in the media. They believe they have fixed the problem and the church should be able to move on. People will not let them move on until there is full disclosure of past abuse.