RNS Morning Report: In India’s holiest city, Hindus worship the nation of India

Top Stories In India’s holiest city, Hindus worship the nation of India VARANASI, India (RNS) — The Bharat Mata mandir in India’s holiest city has come to represent an ideology that many in Narendra Modi’s constituency hold — a distinctly religious allegiance to the personified mother goddess of India.   When churches find out about alleged abuse, calling the police is not enough (RNS) — The pastor of a prominent Little Rock, Arkansas, church is under fire for not telling his congregation about an abusive former staffer, even after the person had been charged by police.   Church for ‘nones’: Meet the anti-dogma spiritual collectives emerging across the US ATLANTA (RNS) — These spiritual communities discard doctrine, prefer questions over answers and have no intention of converting anybody to anything.   Historic Vatican sentence leaves questions about the power of the pontificate VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Don’t expect Vatican police to arrest Cardinal Angelo Becciu anytime soon. RNS Opinion Come Monday, it’ll be all right, as we close another Advent season (RNS) — Jimmy Buffett’s early Catholic formation enabled him to use both head and heart in life and songwriting.   Pope Francis’ approval of blessings for LGBTQ+ couples is a historic gesture, according to a Catholic theologian (The Conversation) — In emphasizing the church’s love for all, including people in LGBTQ+ relationships, the pope has sidestepped thorny doctrinal issues. ICYMI On same-sex blessings, some Catholics celebrate change while others point to limits VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican’s declaration allowing blessings for ‘irregular’ couples seems to have deepened an already strong divide between conservatives and progressives in the church.   For years, an oil drill site stood in the heart of a South LA neighborhood. Now a park may rise in its place. (RNS) — 'God is giving us beauty for ashes,' said Parks, president of Redeemer Community Partnership. In Other News Hamas leader visits Cairo, a sign of movement on possible Gaza truce and hostage swap Bethlehem cancels Christmas, but local pastors still expect a holy night   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