RNS Morning Report - Vatican says no to women preaching

Vatican says no to women preaching   Early on, Pope Leo XIV signaled support for women’s leadership in the Catholic Church, but a new Vatican decision released on Tuesday (June 23) barring laypeople, including women, from preaching the homily at Mass is testing how far that openness is likely to go.   RNS Vatican Reporter Claire Giangravè reports that the Vatican’s decision suggests Rome’s promises of greater lay and female participation, emphasized during the global Synod on Synodality, still have firm limits when it comes to the liturgy and ordained ministry.   “What this clarification really reveals is the extent to which the Vatican will go to try to stop the Holy Spirit,” the executive director of the U.S.-based advocacy group for women’s ordination and gender equality in the church, Kate McElwee, told Giangravè, adding that it “doubles down on exclusion instead of listening to the needs of Catholics today.”         Top Stories Vatican blocks women’s homilies, testing Leo’s view of women in church VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A Vatican ruling that bars laypeople, including women, from preaching the homily at Mass is testing the limits of Pope Leo XIV’s early signals of openness to women’s leadership in the Catholic Church. Pastor Saeed Abedini, former political prisoner in Iran, accused of abducting daughter (RNS) — The evangelical pastor says he feared for his daughter’s safety. The girl’s mother claims the pastor took the child without permission and is fleeing a criminal investigation. Feeling alienated from queer and Sephardic spaces, LGBTQ Jews build their own communities (RNS) — Through egalitarian prayer spaces, Shabbat dinners and advocacy, Sephardic and Mizrahi organizers are creating places where LGBTQ Jews can bring their full identities.  Who belongs in America? Five faith leaders on immigration, identity and America’s 250th (RNS) A new five-part video series by RNS asks prominent faith leaders and thinkers to weigh in on the questions at the heart of the American experiment. As Ebola spreads in war-torn eastern Congo, faith leaders adapt   (RNS) — As conflict and a deadly Ebola outbreak compound suffering in eastern Congo, pastors and church leaders are adapting worship, pastoral care and funeral traditions while helping communities navigate fear and misinformation.  Photos of the Week: Muharram, mud festival (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes Muharram observances, an annual mud festival in the Philippines and more. Opinion In JD Vance’s faith memoir, the most telling words are ‘My Way’ (RNS) — Vance seems to feel personally responsible for preventing anything from challenging his civilization or changing the church. Is it time to retire the term ‘Zionism’? (RNS) — Zionism is the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. But is that all it means? Two Jewish thought leaders have it out. ICYMI How women pastors became public enemy No. 1 in the SBC (RNS) — Southern Baptists have long believed that only men can be pastors. But for decades, the denomination took no action to expel churches where women pastors served. Then, in the middle of an abuse controversy, it became a denominational crisis. Growing ‘goon’ violence against churches in Kenya worries clergy (RNS) — Critics of Kenyan President William Ruto accuse politicians in his administration of hiring and protecting thugs to attack and intimidate opponents. 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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