The Slingshot: Salvadorans in churches; Stressed Anglican priests; Thai elephant battle

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CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, holds a rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. The Trump administration is ending special protections for Salvadoran immigrants, forcing nearly 200,000 to leave the U.S. by September 2019 or face deportation. El Salvador is the fourth country whose citizens have lost Temporary Protected Status under President Trump, and they have been, by far, the largest beneficiaries of the program, which provides humanitarian relief for foreigners whose countries are hit with natural disasters or other strife. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)


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Need to know: Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Salvadorans at risk of losing immigration status find support in churches

Churches are working with advocacy groups and faith-based coalitions to offer assistance to Salvadorans who will lose their temporary protected status next year.

Stressed-out Anglican priests turn to trade unions for support

Faced with demanding congregations, piles of paperwork and disciplinary procedures they often feel are unfair, Church of England priests are turning to British trade unions for support.

Pope meets with abuse survivors, weeps with them in Chile

Francis apologized for the “irreparable damage” suffered by the victims as his visit was met with church burnings and protests.

Renowned Buddhist scholar faces jail for ‘criticizing’ Thai monarchy

Sulak Sivaraksa, an internationally known Buddhist social activist and scholar, questioned the outcome of a battle fought from the backs of elephants 400 years ago.

Nonbelievers turn to prayer in a crisis, poll finds

The British poll also found that one in five adults pray while doing household chores or cooking, 15 percent pray while travelling, and 12 percent pray during exercise or other leisure pursuits.

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