United Methodist bishops affirm protests, call members to pray twice daily for eight minutes, 46 seconds
RNS United Methodist bishops are calling members of the global denomination to “take a stand against the oppression and injustice that is killing persons of color” after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and other black people. In a written statement released on Monday, bishops called all United Methodists to name racism and white […]
US coronavirus cases now over two million – Reuters tally
Reuters Total US coronavirus cases surpassed two million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as health officials urge anyone who took part in massive protests for racial justice to get tested. Nationally, new infections are rising slightly after five weeks of declines, according to a Reuters analysis. Part of the increase is due to […]
Race protests spark calls for Arab states to end “exploitative” migrant worker system
Amman, JordanThomson Reuters Foundation Global anti-racism protests sparked calls on Monday for Arab countries to abolish an “exploitative” system of sponsorship for migrant workers that has been likened to modern slavery. About 23 million migrants, mostly from poor African and Asian countries, work in the Arab world under a system known as ‘kafala’ that generally […]
Southern Baptist President JD Greear says “black lives matter”
RNS In a speech offered in lieu of his address at the denomination’s canceled annual meeting, Southern Baptist Convention President JD Greear called for members of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination to declare that “black lives matter”. “We realise that, especially in a moment like this one, we need our brothers and sisters of colour,” Greear […]
Rising violence against women in Latin America confirms fears of abuses in lockdowns
Mexico City, MexicoThomson Reuters Foundation Violence against women has soared in Latin America during the coronavirus pandemic, with a 50 per cent increase in domestic abuse reports in Colombia alone, a top aid group said on Tuesday, confirming fears that lockdowns would put many women in danger. Femicide, the murder of women because of gender, […]
Overfishing on the rise as global consumption climbs – UN agency
London, UKReuters More than a third of the fish stocks around the world are being overfished and the problem is particularly acute in developing countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said in a report on Monday. The FAO said in a biennial report that tackling the issue would require several measures including stronger […]
Martin Gugino is a Catholic peace activist, not an “Antifa provocateur”, friends say
RNS Is Martin Gugino an Antifa provocateur? Or a beloved Catholic peace activist who was the victim of police brutality in Buffalo, New York? Martin Gugino bleeds on the sidewalk after being shoved by two Buffalo police officers Thursday, 4th June, in Buffalo, New York. PICTURE: Video screengrab via WBFO A Tuesday morning (9th June) […]
No water or work: Climate stress pushes Indian delta-dwellers to the edge
SUBRATA NAGCHOUDHURY, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on the plight of people living in India’s Sundarbans delta region…
Trump faith advisers say the President did the right thing by visiting church last week
Washington DC, USRNS Informal evangelical Christian advisers to President Donald Trump have long championed religious freedom as a key issue that should be embraced by the administration, often arguing passionately against government infringement on religious activities. That’s why some have framed the President’s recent 1st June photo-op in front of St John’s Episcopal Church, in […]
Essay: I’ve always suffered racism. Becoming a Christian didn’t make it easier
In an adapted excerpt from the book ‘Uncommon Ground’, TRILLIA NEWBELL, director of community outreach for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, recounts her experiences with racism and how Christians need to respond…