RNS Morning Report: Southern Baptists end first day of annual meeting with key questions hanging

Top Stories Southern Baptists end first day of annual meeting with key questions hanging The nearly 13,000 messengers left the convention hall not knowing the fate of Saddleback Church, which is appealing its removal from the denomination, or about the future of abuse reforms.   German curator on a mission to return silver heirlooms stolen from Jewish families by the Nazis The Bavarian National Museum is returning 111 silver objects at the that the Nazis stole from Jews during the Third Reich in 1939.   After two years, Vatican financial trial closes preliminary stage Vatican prosecutors will lay out their indictment beginning in mid-July, when they will detail charges against the 10 defendants and their involvement in the investment that squandered millions in Vatican funds.   SBC messengers reelect Texas pastor Bart Barber to a second term as president Barber was an unlikely candidate for president when he first ran in 2022. His election seems to indicate that Southern Baptists approve of the direction the convention is going. His reelection marks the third time a candidate backed by the Conservative Baptist Network has been defeated. RNS Opinion The sins of our gun-obsessed society are being visited on our children   Our children need their grownups to fight to make their homes and schools safe.   ICYMI Reparations campaign takes new forms with Bible study, Juneteenth march 'The case for restitution and restoration is laid out across the Old Testament and New Testament,' reads the introduction of the National Council of Churches' study.   Vexed by quailing attendance, sex abuse and internal feuds, SBC takes on women pastors More than 12,000 local church representatives, known as messengers, will gather in New Orleans, ready to do their denomination's business. In Other News Losing his voice gave this singer a new appreciation for God — and being alone Anglican leader does not have to be ‘white guy from England’, says Justin Welby   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