RNS Morning Report: What to expect at the funeral Mass for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI

Top Stories 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.’   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.   What to expect at the funeral Mass for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI (RNS) — Benedict XVI’s funeral Mass will be a first even in the centuries-old history of the Catholic Church.   Former Paris archbishop target of sexual assault probe PARIS (AP) — Michel Aupetit, who unexpectedly resigned in December 2021 after admitting to an “ambiguous” relationship with a woman in 2012, denies any wrongdoing, his lawyer said. RNS Opinion Let’s celebrate the Epiphany with an eye on the future (RNS) — In the West, the Epiphany is about the Magi. In the East, it is about the baptism of the Lord. But it is also about the second coming of Christ.   Pope Benedict XVI leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy (The Conversation) — Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church at a crucial time and had to confront a growing sexual abuse scandal.   Is this antisemitism, or something else? (RNS) — It’s not Jew hatred. But even still, it stings. ICYMI Congress’ new class has much higher percentage of Christians than American public (RNS) — Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent from Arizona, remains the only member of the new Congress who uses the description of religiously unaffiliated.   An image of the Prophet Muhammad ignites an academic storm (RNS) — An instructor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, showed a 14th-century painting of Muhammad. A Muslim student objected. The instructor was let go. In Other News Iran warns France over ‘insulting’ cartoons depicting supreme leader Ali Khamenei UAE calls for UN meeting after Israeli minister’s visit to Al Aqsa Mosque compound   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