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Need to know: Friday, May 12, 2017
Vice President Mike Pence met privately with top Russian cleric
Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Moscow, who chairs the Russian Orthodox Church’s external relations department, spoke about combating terrorism with the VP backstage at evangelist Franklin Graham’s Washington summit on religious violence against Christians.
Mural of saintly pope kissing devilish Trump appears in Rome
A life-size mural depicting Pope Francis with a saintly halo kissing President Donald Trump sprouting devil’s horns appeared on a wall near the Vatican on Thursday, less than two weeks before they are due to meet. By Friday, it was scrubbed.
Mormons scale back involvement with Boy Scouts. What’s behind it?
Mormon leaders are trying to “create and maintain youth programs that do a better job of keeping LDS young people tied to the church,” writes RNS columnist Jana Riess.
Islamic law in Indonesian province could mean lashes for gay couple
If found guilty the men will be the first to be caned for gay sex under a Shariah code implemented two years ago in Aceh province.
A Dalit community looks to escape the caste system by converting to Buddhism
“As long as they remain Dalits and untouchables, they are going to get this treatment of humiliation and discrimination and violence,” said one convert.
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Latest news from RNS
Pope sends video message of peace ahead of Fatima visit
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Speaking in Portuguese, the pope defined his two-day official visit to the Catholic shrine May 12-13 as a 'pilgrimage of hope and peace.'
Nuns help expand coverage and care in Rwanda’s health system
(RNS) In a poor, Rwandan village, four Kenyan sisters from the Little Daughters of St. Joseph Congregation run a health clinic, and build trust in a country still recovering from genocide and civil war.
Franklin Graham calls persecution of Christians ‘genocide’
The controversial preacher and son of the Rev. Billy Graham described violence against Christians in the Middle East and Africa as part of a larger, global antagonism toward the faith.
More views from RNS
Five rational arguments why God (very probably) exists
(The Conversation) While the number of Americans who believe in God diminishes, the rational probabilities for the existence of a supernatural God have risen, writes Robert H. Nelson.
Is racism reasonable? Americans seem to think so
(RNS) I thank God for the reasonable witness of Alton Sterling and every other person who protests the unjust brutality of the black body by the state.
Will JFK’s grandson become our first Jewish president?
A new category: Jews-by-surprise. It says more about us than about them.
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