RNS Morning Report: 14 individuals linked for first time to Catholic sex abuse scandal

RNS is the national expert at covering religion and belief – but we can’t do it without you. As a nonprofit, we depend on your support. Will you help our newsroom continue to thrive? Top Stories 14 Northern California clergy, religious linked for first time to Catholic sex abuse scandal (RNS) — A window for filing new lawsuits under a 2019 California law for decades-old abuse will close Dec. 31.   Ye’s Trump dinner is a high point for Catholic nationalists’ influence campaign (RNS) — The meeting of Ye, Nick Fuentes and Donald Trump was a win for an extreme, Catholic-leaning subset of Christian nationalism.   Credibility of key prosecution witness questioned in Vatican financial trial (RNS) — Prosecutors said they will investigate Monsignor Alberto Perlasca after evidence emerged that his testimony was influenced by a source well known to Vatican insiders.   Report: Giving to larger churches dropped last year, even as charitable donations rose (RNS) — Churches with budgets under $2 million saw giving go down by 8%, while those with budgets of more than $20 million saw giving go down by 2.5%.   Vatican Swiss Guard slayings back in spotlight with new book (RNS) — The mother of a Swiss Guard member accused of fatally shooting his commander hopes the Vatican might be ready to acknowledge that its original investigation was flawed.   In a Wisconsin town, voters fear for America under attack HUDSON, Wisconsin (AP) — In pockets of America, the U.S. government orchestrated COVID-19 fears to cement its power, the IRS is buying up huge stocks of ammunition and former President Barack Obama may be the country’s most powerful person.   Holocaust survivors offered DNA tests to help find family NEW YORK (AP) — The New York-based Center for Jewish History is launching the DNA Reunion Project, offering DNA testing kits for free through an application on its website.   Mistrial after jury deadlock in Danny Masterson rape case LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge declared a mistrial after jurors, who were leaning strongly toward acquitting the “That ’70s Show” actor, deadlocked following the monthlong trial in which the Church of Scientology played a supporting role. RNS Opinion Why Americans are leaving their churches (RNS) — For sociologist Stephen Bullivant, the question is why it took so long for the religious exodus to happen.   Whoever wins in Georgia, democracy already won the midterms (RNS) — We ignore the victory of the peaceful and orderly elections at our own peril. ICYMI Census: Christians a minority in England; non-religious grow LONDON (AP) — Fewer than half the people in England and Wales consider themselves Christian, according to the most recent census — the first time a minority of the population has followed the country's official religion.   SBC President Bart Barber says predecessor Johnny Hunt is unfit to return to ministry (RNS) — ‘They don’t care,’ said abuse survivor and longtime advocate Tiffany Thigpen after hearing that a group of pastors announced that a former SBC president accused of sexual assault was restored to ministry. Johnny Hunt’s return reveals the challenges the nation’s largest Protestant denomination has in addressing sexual abuse. In Other News Antisemitism is on the rise, and it’s not just about Ye Billboard declares Kanye West year’s top gospel artist just as he’s praising Hitler   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 at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend