RNS Morning Report: 200 witnesses to testify in ‘Vatican trial of a century’

Top Stories 200 witnesses to testify in ‘Vatican trial of a century’ on financial scandals VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A trial that began a year ago has so far heard from 10 witnesses.   A church was ordered to rescind its gay deacon. Now it weighs its next step. (RNS) — Neland Avenue is not the only congregation in the Christian Reformed Church to welcome LGBTQ members. But now it’s being singled out.   Will La Luz Del Mundo persist with leader behind bars? (RNS) — It’s incredibly difficult to leave a religious organization that’s given followers a worldview that says, ‘we are God’s chosen,’ experts note.   Orthodox Christian web forum blocked by Russia over Ukraine coverage (RNS) — The website’s readership has more than doubled since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.   Former education minister in Brazil is jailed in graft probe BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — The former minister is an evangelical pastor himself.   NBA’s Biyombo brings Congo to the pope after trip canceled VATICAN CITY (AP) — 6-foot-9 Biyombo towered over the Argentine pope, even as he stood for photos.   SC medical ethics law prompts concerns re: LGBTQ health care (AP) — South Carolina joins several other states that have moved recently to protect 'conscience' objections for medical providers. RNS Opinion Why nonsense stories about the pope resigning keep popping up (RNS) — Francis can still perform his papal duties as long as his mind is clear.   The theological ethicist who didn’t mince words (RNS) — Remembering a journalistic encounter with James Gustafson.   Spirituality and service play essential and understudied roles in mental health (RNS) — Given the walls biomedical psychiatry has run into, it’s time to pay attention to the connections experts are drawing among spirituality, service and mental health.    In the world’s largest democracy, people of faith aren’t free (RNS) — Alarming new data shows hundreds of violent attacks are being carried out against Christians in India.   Answering the refugee crisis as a matter of faith (RNS) — Faith groups are usually the first responders when people are displaced, and the last.   Supreme Court says ‘yes’ to state funds at religious schools in Maine case – but consequences could go beyond (The Conversation) — Once again, the court has expanded the legal ways that public funds can be used for students at religious institutions. ICYMI Buddhist leader in Bhutan fully ordains 144 women, resuming ancient tradition (RNS) — Damcho Diana Finnegan, an American Tibetan Buddhist nun, called the ordination ceremony ‘a major step towards ending the institutionalized inequality between men and women in Tibetan Buddhism.’   Poll: Americans’ belief in God is dropping (RNS) — In the latest Gallup Poll, belief in God dipped to 81%, down 6 percentage points from 2017, and the lowest since Gallup first asked the question in 1944. In Other News A pro-religion court One of earliest known mosques found in Israeli desert, say experts 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