RNS Morning Report: In Israel, a tense Rosh Hashana with empty chairs at the holiday table

Top Stories In Israel, a tense Rosh Hashana with empty chairs at the holiday table JERUSALEM (RNS) — Iran’s massive missile attack Tuesday on Israel put a further damper on the holiday. Home Front Command’s decision to limit the number of people who can congregate could make it difficult for many Israelis to attend synagogue services.   Cecelia Williams Bryant, AME Church minister and mentor to clergy, dies at 77 (RNS) — ‘I am not the person I am today without her prayers and love, which have been my north star throughout my life,’ said the Rev. Jamal Bryant of his mother.   Pope Francis leads church in asking forgiveness for its sins on eve of Vatican summit VATICAN CITY (RNS) — ‘We are only allowed to look down on a person to help them get up,’ Pope Francis told young people at the penitential ceremony.   Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victims ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Francis used his only Mass in Belgium to publicly demand that priests who abuse young people be punished, and that the church hierarchy stop covering up their crimes. He praised the courage of victims who came forward about their abuse in improvised remarks to a crowd of some 30,000 at Brussels’ King Baudouin stadium. RNS Opinion There is a Christian movement to welcome the stranger (RNS) — A growing number of very diverse Christians are confronting the white Christian nationalism that is supporting Donald Trump.   The God Gap abides, up to a point (RNS) — But the way we measure it seems increasingly problematic.   ICYMI In warning for Trump, evangelical Christian leaders urge ‘biblical principles’ on immigration (RNS) — The letter had cautions for both parties, but its authors appeared especially frustrated by the Trump campaign's recent rhetoric regarding immigration policy and immigrants.   In a sacred time on the Jewish calendar, Israeli rabbid ponder theology of Oct. 7 attack (RNS) — 'The challenge,' said one rabbi, 'has been the attempt to understand why God did this to us, or where was God on Oct. 7?' In Other News California sues hospital for denying patient an emergency abortion Judge sides with U-Md. pro-Palestinian group, clears way for Oct. 7 vigil   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