RNS Morning Report: Hillsong pastor Brian Houston resigns after revelations of indiscretions

Quote of the Day “We don’t know the future, we don’t know how long the war will last, how long our home community will be enlarged, be international and ecumenical (presently we host Orthodox and Baptists) and for how long the supplies will last, but we do take one day at a time.” – the Rev. Marcin Borządek Top Stories Hillsong pastor Brian Houston resigns after revelations of indiscretions with women (RNS) — In a statement posted on its website Wednesday, the board said it had accepted Houston's resignation and acknowledged 'there will be much emotion at this news.'   $100 million media campaign depicts human side of Jesus in outreach to skeptics (RNS) — ‘We want people to be talking about Jesus and the gospel, and Christians having the opportunity to start conversations with people who've seen ads,’ said missiologist Ed Stetzer.   These 5 clergywomen found each other 12 years ago. They still text every day. (RNS) — At a time when reports of clergy burnout and clergy misconduct are soaring, this group has been able to forge a tight collegial peer group to help them navigate challenges, avoid pitfalls and find joy and fulfillment in their calling.   Cubs owners denounce racism after backlash over bid for Chelsea football team (AP) — The Ricketts family's attempt to buy the team belonging to a Russian oligarch has gotten pushback from team members and fans objecting to Joe Ricketts' three-year-old Islamophobic comments.   Polish Catholic community houses Ukrainian refugees as US agencies urge action (RNS) — More than 3 million people have fled the war in Ukraine into neighboring countries, according to the United Nations’ refugee agency.   Gold ring stolen from St. Nicholas statue in Italian church ROME (AP) — A thief broke into the Basilica of St. Nicholas in the southern city of Bari overnight, stealing a gold ring from a finger of a statue.   Russian talking point: Blaming US for Ukraine church split (AP) — “You cannot call it a religious war, but it has a religious dimension,” said the Rev. Cyril Hovorun. RNS Opinion At Jackson hearings, ‘What is your faith?’ becomes a gotcha question (RNS) — In SCOTUS confirmation fights, belief furnishes a ground for score-settling and partisan whining.   Pope Francis reforms the Vatican Curia. Here’s hoping he’s not done. (RNS) — Reforming the Vatican bureaucracy should not be a rare, revolutionary event.   Who are the Jesuits? (The Conversation) — The Jesuits are among the Catholic Church’s most influential religious orders but no strangers to controversy.   Kyiv’s Jews, persecuted under Polish-Lithuanian, Russian, Nazi and Soviet regimes, now face the onslaught of Putin’s forces (The Conversation) — A Kyivan Jewish scholar explains the long history of Jews in Kyiv and how they thrived, despite hostilities.   Why is Russia’s church backing Putin’s war? Church-state history gives a clue (The Conversation) — The war in Ukraine is just the latest chapter in a long, tangled relationship between the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church. ICYMI At confirmation hearing, Lindsey Graham grills Ketanji Brown Jackson on faith (RNS) — The exchange revealed that Jackson identifies as a nondenominational Protestant.   Fallout over LGBTQ spouses at Calvin University captures broader evangelical divide (RNS) — A same-sex wedding led the university to split with its longtime research center over Christian teaching on sexuality. In Other News The Exorcism of God review – a big gaudy altarpiece of demonic horror Australian megachurch co-founder resigns over complaints of unwelcome behavior to women Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend