RNS Morning Report - Republicans question faith of Dem pastor candidates

'They're not real pastors': As clergy run as Democrats, Republicans question their faith   As the 2026 midterm elections feature a wave of clergy running as Democrats for congressional seats, Republicans are increasingly turning to faith-based attacks to question their religious legitimacy.   Ordained ministers and seminarians running as Democrats have become frequent targets of accusations of heresy, “wokeness” and even blasphemy. At a recent Iowa campaign event, GOP congressional candidate Joe Mitchell labeled Democratic pastors “PINOs” — “Pastors in Name Only” — arguing they do not preach the “true gospel.”   “It’s a sign that they are really scared they’re gonna lose this seat,” the Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran pastor running for Congress in Iowa, told RNS National Reporter Jack Jenkins.   The rhetoric comes as at least five Democratic clergy candidates have secured congressional nominations. At least seven current and former pastors, all evangelicals, have also launched campaigns for Congress as Republicans this year, but with less success.         Top Stories ‘They’re not real pastors’: As clergy run as Democrats, Republicans question their faith (RNS) — 'It's a sign that they are really scared they're gonna lose this seat,' the Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran pastor running for Congress in Iowa, said. She is part of a wave of religious figures running as Democrats for congressional seats. Church leaders not bound to report sexual abuse confessions, Arizona Supreme Court rules (RNS) — Arizona justices unanimously ruled on Thursday (July 30) that trial courts couldn’t interfere in church leaders’ decision to report sexual abuse cases disclosed in confession, according to their own interpretation of religious doctrine. Archbishop Mullally ends Africa tour with calls for healing from church’s role in slavery NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The trip marked Mullally's first visit to Africa and highlighted the Church of England's controversial reparations fund to address its historic links to slavery. Opinion Why are so many young women leaving Mormonism? (RNS) — More than half of young adult women who grew up LDS have now left. Many are reacting against politics, purity culture and powerlessness. I grappled with the purpose of Muharram majalis for years. I now get why it matters. (RNS) — Muslims have been blessed with an awareness and a heritage where grief will never allow us to forget about injustice. And by paying respect to our history's magnanimous personalities, we see that we, too, can make a difference. ICYMI Broken Arrow mosque leaders sue over alleged discrimination (RNS) — 'They did not want Muslims here, so they made up a reason, and in doing so, they violated the law,' said Meghan Murphy, an attorney with CAIR's Legal Defense Fund. The liturgy wars are back. Spoiler: They never left. VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As prominent prelates clash over the traditional Latin Mass, Pope Leo XIV’s response may reveal his deepest instincts about authority, unity and tradition. 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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