Saturday, August 13, 2022

The history behind the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua

In Rome, a setback for Father Vincent Capodanno sainthood cause

Consultants to the Vatican office tasked with judging possible saints have recommended the suspension of Capodanno’s cause, though his backers are appealing the decision they say is only preliminary.

The history behind the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua

How did the Central American country come to such a crisis?

Germany denies refuge to Christian convert from Iran

The European Court of Human Rights has dismissed the case of an Iranian convert to Christianity, who is appealing his deportation from Germany back to Iran, on the grounds of religious freedom.

Salman Rushdie attacked at lecture in New York

The author Salman Rushdie, whose novel “The Satanic Verses” led to a call for his assassination from Iran’s Supreme Leader in 1989, was stabbed in the neck on Friday while onstage in New York state.

Globe Theatre’s new spin on ‘non-binary’ Joan of Arc detracts from her heroism and dignity, Catholics say

The production will portray the French heroine as a “queer” character who refers to herself with “they/them” pronouns.

Who is the mother of Israel?

‘Hamilton’ team protests after church production adds Christian themes*
The New York Times: A church in Texas changed several lyrics in its unauthorized staging of the megahit musical, softening language and inserting religious messages.
Religion Dispatches: Despite vastly different values, evangelical ‘Hamilton’ connects secular left and Christian right

Fear turns to shock among Albuquerque Muslims as police say the shooter is a Muslim
NPR: The suspect is well-known to the Muslim community in Albuquerque, multiple people told NPR. He regularly came to the same mosque that the victims had attended.

Churches are forgiving medical debt for pennies. Yours can too.
Sojourners: At First Presbyterian Church, in Durham, NC, forgiving medical debt is about more than helping those in need. It’s about paying back a different kind of debt — one deeply rooted in the history of their region, and the nation.

Preserving stories of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh friendships through India’s Partition
Religion News Service: Descendants of those who experienced the Partition of Punjab in 1947 come together to share stories of interfaith collaboration after 75 years of religious animosity in India and Pakistan.

Who is the mother of Israel?*
Christian Century: In the Hebrew Bible, God’s love is maternal.

Charlottesville five years after Unite the Right

Charlottesville five years after Unite the Right

By Alvin Edwards

Clergy in a Virginia city had mobilized before white nationalist protests resulted in the murder of a counterprotester and injuries to dozens of others. A pastor and civic leader reflects on what has changed.

Truth telling, confession and redemption

Q&A with Chris Furr

In a conversation with a fellow pastor and friend, the author of “Straight White Male” discusses his book and the path away from patriarchy and white supremacy that the church could offer.

Saint Augustine’s slave play

Saint Augustine’s slave play*
The Point: Slavery in Augustine isn’t a matter of mere semantics or a rogue translator; it underpins his work in ways that can’t be easily excised.

New York City’s largest evangelical church plans billion-dollar development
Christianity Today: The Brooklyn congregation and its pastor A.R. Bernard hope the Jane Jacobs–inspired urban village will be a model for other cities.

Why the largest US Lutheran denomination apologized to a Latino congregation
Religion News Service: It’s been a ‘perfect storm’ of charismatic personalities and a heightened awareness of racism, all brewing in one of the country’s whitest denominations.

How we approach reporting on smaller U.S. religious groups
Pew Research Center: When it comes to religious affiliation, our surveys include respondents who identify with dozens of groups – not just large ones such as Protestants, Catholics and people with no religion, but also smaller ones in the U.S.

Removing hurdles for religious college athletes*
Inside Higher Ed: New state laws are ensuring college and school athletes are allowed to wear clothing with religious significance along with their team uniforms.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Affordable housing is part of a more just world

Q&A with Russell Pierce

Facing rapid gentrification and expanding needs, the nonprofit Housing for New Hope adapts and innovates to work with people who need shelter, says its executive director.

I can’t hug, but I can listen: My experience as a death doula during COVID-19

By Wylin D. Wilson

A death doula trained to help people who are dying and grieving drew upon the Black church tradition of “tarrying” during the pandemic.

Truth telling, confession and redemption

Q&A with Chris Furr

In a conversation with a fellow pastor and friend, the author of “Straight White Male” discusses his book and the path away from patriarchy and white supremacy that the church could offer.

Freedom Schools offer a summer of possibilities for the next generation

By Leslie Quander Wooldridge

Grounded in history, the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools face the future by forming students from kindergarten through high school.

Strategy questions:

• How does your congregation nurture the holistic well-being of children and families in your community?
• What can your congregation learn from the Freedom Schools model of formation and community engagement?