RNS Morning Report: More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three

Top Stories More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three (RNS) — Many Americans already had dropped out of church life before the pandemic. COVID-19 gave them a reason to let go completely, according to a new survey.   Faith leaders call for Putin to extend Christmas truce into a permanent cease-fire (RNS) — ‘There are always risks in peace. But there’s a bigger risk in war,’ said one pastor calling Ukraine to embrace the truce.   Faith leaders hold prayer vigils to mark second anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrection (RNS) — Christian leaders are serving witness against the ‘unholy’ and ‘political’ ideology of Christian nationalism that they say ‘helped inspire the deadly attack on the Capitol.’   Liturgy for Benedict’s funeral Mass highlights unity in divided church (RNS) — More than 50,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray for the emeritus pope, a smaller crowd than has attended the most recent papal funerals.   German cardinal guards Benedict’s intellectual legacy VATICAN CITY (AP) — Benedict entrusted his life’s theological works to Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, who has spent nearly two decades organizing them in a 16-volume, 25,000-page opus along the lines of Thomas Aquinas’ 'Summa Theologica.'   UN to hold emergency meeting on Israeli visit to holy site UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Tuesday’s visit by Israel’s new National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site has fueled fears of unrest. RNS Opinion 6 ideas for Mormons studying the New Testament this year (RNS) — From podcasts to YouTube channels to books, here’s my curated list of favorite (fun, even!) companions for studying the New Testament in 2023. ICYMI Haredi Jewish organization lashes back at New York Times over reporting on schools (RNS) — Agudath Israel accuses the newspaper’s investigation of yeshiva schools with threatening Haredi Jews’ safety and way of life at a time when antisemitism is rising.   Witchcraft isn’t scary on stereotype-busting ‘Comfy Cozy Witch Podcast’ (RNS) — Jennie Blonde says her message of comfort and coziness appears to be resonating not just with other witches, but with all people ‘who want to find a little bit more magick in their everyday.’ In Other News Funeral of Pope Benedict XVI – in pictures The meaning of the chaos in the house   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