RNS Morning Report - Hegseth, Barron, evangelical leaders to join Trump event rededicating America to God

Speakers announced for “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving”   The lineup, as RNS reporter Jack Jenkins reports, appears to reflect the core of Trump’s base of conservative religious support: Speakers are almost entirely Christian and mostly evangelical, with some notable conservative Catholics, including Bishop Robert Barron and Cardinal Timothy Dolan.   “We’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks,” said Trump in announcing the May 17 event, which will be held on the National Mall.   Notably absent from the lineup are representatives from other non-Christian faiths, such as Islam or Indigenous spiritual traditions, or leaders from mainline Christian or historically Black denominations.   See the whole speaker list for the event, a public-private partnership with the White House and other government bodies, and read Jenkins full report below. Top Stories Hegseth, Barron, evangelical leaders to join Trump event rededicating America to God WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,’ is part of a series of events and initiatives meant to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Church trial date set for ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood (RNS) — Wood has filed a motion to dismiss the case, and the church court will hear arguments on that motion in May. Photos of the Week: Pope Leo in Africa, Bengali New Year (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes Pope Leo XIV in Africa, the Bengali New Year and more. AME Church clergy could recover $44M more in retirement scandal settlement (RNS) — ‘We still have defendants who are fighting, and we have more work to do, but this is a major step forward in this litigation,’ said lawyers involved in the case. Opinion The moral asymmetry in the war on Iran (RNS) — Since 2018, it is the U.S. whose actions have been belligerent and framed by communications that often include invectives and sweeping threats. An Iranian yeshiva bought a major Reform temple. It could be a blessing. (RNS) — A storied New York Reform synagogue sold its property to an Iranian yeshiva. There is more to the story than meets the eye. ICYMI A TPUSA tour stop triggered a pro-LGBTQ event at Baylor. Then came the Baptist blowback. (RNS) — In response to the ‘All Are Neighbors’ event, the Baptist General Convention of Texas will revisit its relationship with the Christian university. Pope Francis’ legacy in time, one year after his death VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A year after Pope Francis’ death, the enduring mark of his papacy is how he changed the Church’s understanding of itself — and its place in the world. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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