The great global caregiving crisis

Israeli strikes kill 22 in Gaza, two die in church late pope often spoke to

Reuters: Israeli forces killed at least 22 people in attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including two people who died in a strike on a church that late Pope Francis used to speak to regularly, medics and church officials said.

Religion News Service: Attack on West Bank Christian town stirs calls for Israeli government to curb settler violence

Judge orders government to admit more refugees whose flights were canceled

Religion News Service: According to the government, as many as 12,000 refugees had made travel plans to the U.S. before the refugee freeze. They may all press their case now.

Inside the grassroots fight against Trump’s deportation machine*

Rolling Stone: Armed with phone cameras and training, these groups stand between immigrants and ICE.

The great global caregiving crisis

Deseret News: The U.S. is aging into a caretaker shortage. So is the rest of the world.

At least 21 Christians arrested in Iran under ceasefire, heightened persecution

Baptist Press: Iran is increasingly persecuting Christians under its ceasefire with Israel, arresting at least 21 believers, raiding house churches and promoting incendiary propaganda, according to religious freedom advocate Article 18.

Evangelicals for America apologizes, takes down anti-Trump Billy Graham ads 
Religion News Service: The ads, which contrasted the words of renowned evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham with those of President Donald Trump, racked up millions of views ahead of the 2024 election.

Episcopal leaders tell clergy to preach the gospel, not endorse candidates 
Episcopal News Service: Bishops in at least six dioceses of The Episcopal Church have issued statements on how their clergy should act in light of a recent change in federal tax policy regarding endorsing candidates.

The church I led closed a year ago. I’m still not over it 
Deseret News: After Ryan Burge’s small Baptist church in Illinois closed, people came forward with advice. Not all of it was good.

A tireless Jesuit keeps alive a pilgrim path for St. Ignatius 
The Associated Press: The pilgrim path, which recreates the life-changing journey that transformed Íñigo the man-of-arms into Ignatius the man-of-God, is kept alive by a lone Jesuit.

The gay minister who inspired Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’* 
Sojourners: Gaga’s hit was inspired by an upbeat tune featuring a largely unknown Black gospel singer who responds to critics with a refrain that was a head-turner for its time: “I’m happy. I’m carefree. And I’m gay. I was born this way.”