Lead story
Editor's note:
While public opinion in Europe has almost unanimously denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Orthodox clergy there are walking a somewhat finer line. The Russian Orthodox parishes across the continent are in a bind, as the church’s head, Patriarch Kirill, has vocally supported the war. They must choose whether to stay loyal to the church leadership in Moscow or to express their dissent, with its incumbent risks. One such parish in Amsterdam this past weekend reportedly became the first Western Orthodox church to break ties with Moscow over the invasion, as reported by RNS correspondent Tom Heneghan in Paris. Additionally, a number of Russian Orthodox clergy in Europe — and in Russia — have issued statements denouncing the war. Meanwhile, among the casualties of Russia’s invasion may be Pope Francis’ yearslong campaign to strengthen the Catholic Church’s bonds with Russian Orthodox Christians.
Religion News
Russia-Ukraine war: Some pastors wonder about “end of days”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted some of America’s most prominent evangelical leaders to raise a provocative question. By David Crary/The Associated Press
Yeshiva University basketball team ends unforgettable era
An unforgettable three-year, four-season era for Yeshiva University men’s basketball team has come to a close. The team representing an Orthodox Jewish institution grabbed headlines and inspired the Jewish people. By Luis Andres Henao and Jessie Wardarski/The Associated Press
As the four martyrs are one step closer to sainthood, Salvadorans in the United States hope the designation could inspire the Catholic Church to center the poor and marginalized. By Alejandra Molina/Religion News Service
Hijab bans deepen Hindu-Muslim fault lines in Indian State
Muslim students in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have found themselves at the center of a debate over hijab bans in schools. By Sheikh Saaliq/The Associated Press
Thousands of churches close every year. What will happen to their buildings?
As congregations shrink and close, church leaders must decide whether to give their buildings a second life. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service
Commentary and Analysis
On Purim, Jews celebrate having overcoming their darkest hours. By Avi Shafran/Religion News Service
The Irish government recently declared a national holiday for St. Brigid. A medieval historian explains her fascinating life and history. By Lisa Bitel for The Conversation
More consumers are being drawn to simpler, stripped-down burial practices for environmental, religious or practical reasons. A Christian theologian describes what’s behind the trend and what a natural burial entails. Read the full interview here.
Judith Kaplan became the first American bat mitzvah in 1922. The Jewish coming-of-age ceremony has become more popular for girls ever since. By Lisa Joffe for The Conversation
The Jewish holiday of Purim, being celebrated on March 17 this year, has an interesting tradition of satirizing life in yeshivas. By Zev Eleff for The Conversation
A Ukrainian serviceman takes a photograph of a damaged church after shelling in a residential district in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, March 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click the button below to subscribe.
- This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
- The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment