RNS Morning Report: United Methodists redefine marriage, end official condemnation of homosexuality

Top Stories United Methodists redefine marriage, end official condemnation of homosexuality CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — A condemnation of homosexuality that has riven the denomination for 52 years was eliminated from the United Methodist Church’s rule book.   Priests prepare to bring synodality from the Vatican to parishes around the world (RNS) — Even as some Catholics look at the synod with skepticism, others don’t know what it means or haven’t heard of it at all. Pope Francis is tasking parish priests with changing that.   Police arrest Polish teenager suspected of throwing firebombs at synagogue WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Police in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency arrested the 16-year-old Polish male in Warsaw on Wednesday evening.   Catholic leaders, urging cease-fire, call on Biden to halt weapons shipments to Israel (RNS) — ‘As U.S. Catholics, we recognize our country’s contribution to the present violence and to the ongoing systemic injustices in Israel-Palestine,’ the letter reads. RNS Opinion The countercultural joys of a big family (RNS) — Outsiders often look upon large Orthodox Jewish families with scorn, others with pity.   Renewed hopes for ecumenical date for Easter could spell end to longest-running culture war (RNS) — The ordering of time became a fight about the ecclesiastical implications of scientific discovery and societal change. ICYMI How a beloved worship song became the theme song of Christian nationalism (RNS) — ‘How Great Is Our God’ has long been one of the most popular worship songs in Christian churches. Since 2020, it’s also become a theme song for Christian nationalist protesters.   Azerbaijan named among religious freedom violators by religious liberty watchdog (RNS) — The commissioners recommended the State Department also retain the dozen countries that are currently designated as ‘countries of particular concern.’ In Other News Trump polls ahead of Biden among Catholic voters with shift in Hispanic vote As abortion looks like a key issue in 2024, voters more divided by party than ever   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. RNS 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