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Catholic bishops open meeting to criticism, discussion of Reddit
By Jack Jenkins — June 11, 2019
BALTIMORE (RNS) — At one point, a bishop asked for clarification on how to spell 'Reddit.'
App for the blind is the latest in Jerusalem’s effort to make holy sites accessible
By Michele Chabin — June 11, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — In recent months, pedestrian walkways through the oldest parts of the city have been reworked to make them wheelchair-accessible, and new technology is bringing holy sites to life for everyone.
New social media vetting for visa applicants can hurt American Muslims, advocates say
By Aysha Khan — June 11, 2019
(RNS) — Civil rights advocates say Muslim communities are particularly vulnerable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s newly expanded social media monitoring policies.
Women sex abuse survivors tell Southern Baptists: ‘Our family is sick’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — One woman, who said she was abused by her youth pastor and then her senior pastor, said the intervention of a trusted adult is crucial for survivors.
Most Southern Baptist women would welcome a woman pastor. It’s unlikely to happen.
By Ryan Burge — June 11, 2019
(RNS) — Official Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist teaching bars women from being pastors or priests. But some polling shows that many Catholics and Baptists would be fine with a woman pastor.
In my church, some of us voted for President Trump. All of us pray for him.
By Tish Harrison Warren — June 11, 2019
(RNS) — Recent public prayers for the president appear to understand prayer less as an ancient and mysterious spiritual practice than as a chance to endorse (or condemn) what we see in the world around us.
Ahead of major meeting, Catholic bishops face pressure to act on abuse crisis
By Jack Jenkins — June 10, 2019
(RNS) — The sex abuse scandal, which continues to roil the church from the parishes to the pope, will likely be the foremost topic of discussion at the three-day U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting (June 11-13).
Traditional Christians provoke debate within a new conservative coalition
By Charles C. Camosy — June 10, 2019
(RNS) — Despite a public space rigged against their version of the good, traditional Christians do manage to convince people with very different views of the truth of their claims.
The struggle to find silence in the ancient monastic world — and now
By Kim Haines-Eitzen — June 10, 2019
(The Conversation) — Christian monasticism developed in part because people were seeking the solace of quiet places. But for them, like us, it was a struggle.
Southern Baptist president says racial insensitivity shows disregard for the gospel
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — 'The gospel teaches us that there’s only one kind of person: human,' said J.D. Greear.
Southern Baptist report condemns ‘epidemic’ of abuse, looks at ways to assist victims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 8, 2019
(RNS) — The 'Caring Well' report also summarizes a range of next steps to address the issue for years to come, including educating congregations about abuse, preparing them to help survivors and fostering abuse prevention.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — June 7, 2019
(RNS) — This week’s gallery includes Eid al-Fitr celebrations around the world, the enthronement of a Metropolitan Archbishop, and more.
To DC Dykes, the Star of David is a nationalist symbol; to Jews it’s a sign of faith
By Yonat Shimron — June 7, 2019
(RNS) — For queer Jews, the rainbow flag with the Star of David has nothing to do with Israel. They say it’s a Jewish symbol and an ancient one at that, predating the modern State of Israel by more than 1,500 years.
Catholic bishops and laypeople may live in different news bubbles
By Jack Jenkins — June 7, 2019
(RNS) — Only 4% of bishops named MSNBC as their preferred news station, compared to 28% of Catholics overall who listed it as a source for information about government and politics.
In northern Nigeria, Muslims and Christians take small steps toward reconciliation
By Doreen Ajiambo — June 7, 2019
(RNS) KAMPALA, Uganda — Muslims and Christians in Nigeria have started small-scale attempts at reconciliation after years of ethnic and religious conflict.
