The Slingshot: Accused priests; released priest; decapitated priest statue

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FILE–In this Dec. 20, 2016, file photo, Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester speaks at the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in Albuquerque, N.M. Wester announced Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, he was releasing the names of priests and religious leaders who have been found guilty of sexually abusing children after decades of pressure from victims and their family members. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras, file)


Need to know: Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Archdiocese of Santa Fe releases names of accused priests

Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester announced the release of the names in a letter to parishioners after decades of pressure from victims and their family members.

Abducted Indian priest rescued in Yemen after 18 months

The Rev. Tom Uzhunnalil was abducted by militants in March 2016 when they attacked a home for senior citizens, killing 16 people, including four nuns.

Israeli court annuls law exempting religious from military

The move could reignite long-standing tensions between Israel’s politically powerful ultra-Orthodox community and the secular Jewish majority.

‘Neo-Protestant’ challenge seen in France’s political upheaval

French writer Regis Debray warns of a religious shift that could change France’s traditional “Catholic/secular” political culture.

Junipero Serra statue beheaded, splashed with red paint in Central California

The statue was vandalized in a similar fashion as another statue of the Roman Catholic saint in Monterey last year.

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Life in a fishbowl: Survey gives voice to pastors’ spouses

The vast majority of U.S. Protestant pastors’ spouses have good things to say about being married to a pastor, but many also report feeling isolated and worrying about their finances.

Pope asks ‘pro-life’ Trump to rethink young migrant decision

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Australian ad promotes lamb as fit for the gods, offending some Hindus

The ad’s sponsors, who wanted to show how gods and people of many faiths can enjoy lamb, failed to realize that the Hindu god at the table would be a vegetarian.

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Who cares for the pastor’s spouse?

(RNS) — Clergy spouses make a profound and unique commitment to their faith. Yet far too often, they struggle in isolation and silence, writes Jacob Lupfer.

The new cost of doing business: Toeing the line on politically correct beliefs

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Reforming Catholic liturgy should be like updating software

Over its 2,000-year history, the Catholic liturgy has constantly changed in response to new situations and cultures. Like the software we all use, it must continue to be updated and adjusted to the people and cultures of today.

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