RNS Morning Report: Remembering faith leaders who died in 2022

We are in the home stretch of our fundraising campaign – and we need you to help us across the finish line. Will you donate before the end of the year to show your support of our nonprofit newsroom? Top Stories Remembering faith leaders who died in 2022: preachers, writers and interpreters of faith (RNS) — In this year we lost people who were known for their political office but for whom religion played roles expectedly and unexpectedly.   How the war in Ukraine dominated this year’s online searches for Bible verses (RNS) — YouVersion reported that users' engagement with the Bible rose by 55% this year in Ukraine, which neighboring Russia invaded in February.   UMC’s North Georgia Conference blocks church departures (RNS) — The regional body is alleging the spread of “defamatory” misinformation about the UMC and its disaffiliation procedure.   How does the Vatican plan a retired pope’s funeral? (RNS) — When Benedict announced his retirement in 2013, he opened a decade of uncharted pontifical territory.   Retired Pope Benedict XVI is ‘very sick,’ Pope Francis says, and asks for prayers (RNS) - The 95-year-old pope emeritus' health declined in the early hours of Wednesday, the Vatican said. RNS Opinion Reasons for despair — and hope — for traditional religious views’ place on campus (RNS) — Examples of toleration by secular orthodox institutions create room for optimism.   Frank Pavone, Leonard Feeney and the long story of Catholic fundamentalism (RNS) — The defrocking of the anti-abortion crusader is the latest chapter in an old story. ICYMI In Haiti, a crisis of violence, chaos, and cholera goes largely ignored by outside world (RNS) — Charities do what they can to help the impoverished nation, but international action is needed to bring order and restore infrastructure, experts on the ground say.   The 10 most significant Jewish news stories of 2022 (RNS) — Though dogged by a pernicious antisemitic wave, the news from the Jewish world had its share of hopeful moments. In Other News A Christmas conversation about Christ In Britain, there’s more to the day after Christmas than Boxing Day sales   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