“Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly” ends
After a 20-year run, PBS’ award-winning weekly series Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly will air its final episode Feb. 24. The program was founded by Bob Abernethy in 1997 and celebrated its 1,000th episode on Nov. 18, 2016. The show was known for its reputable reporting, documentary segments and interviews with dignitaries and prominent faith figures, including the Dalai Lama, former President Jimmy Carter, author Max Lucado and evangelist Billy Graham.
Namibian churches hope to “pray gay away” Religious makeup of Congress
While the number of Americans who claim no religious identity continues to rise, 91 percent of representatives in the current Congress self-identify as Christian, according to the Pew Research Center. This number is about the same as in 1961. However, Congress is becoming less Protestant. Today Congress is 56 percent Protestant and 31 percent Roman Catholic, a change from 75 percent Protestant and 19 percent Catholic in 1961. Of today’s Congress, 291 of the 293 Republicans identify as Christian, and 80 percent of the Democrats identify as Christian while the remaining 20 percent identify as Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim.
Roof ruled competent for sentencing
A federal judge ruled Jan. 2 that Dylann Roof can serve as his own attorney. Roof was convicted in the June 2015 attack that killed nine African- American parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel issued his order after hearing from a forensic psychiatrist, who met twice with Roof, that the “defendant remained competent to stand trial to self- represent.”
Episcopal-Lutheran partnership marks 15 years
2016 marked the 15th anniversary of Episcopal- ELCA full communion. After nearly 30 years of dialogue, on Jan. 6, 2001, the Episcopal Church and the ELCA agreed to work for joint mission and allow clergy to serve between the two churches. While both maintain autonomy, the “call to common mission” has promoted collaboration and dialogue between the two church bodies. In December, Episcopal News Service ran a “Called to Common Mission” series, highlighting the partnership’s work. Read the series at
ens.org.
Sodomy between men remains a crime in Namibia, though the law hasn’t been enforced. But gay condemnation is common, Religion News Service (RNS) reported. A few denominations, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia, “tolerate” LGBT Christians, according to RNS. But most do not. In response to this culture, the faith-based nonprofit Tulinam was created to provide safe spaces for sexual minorities in Namibian churches and encourage discussion of religion and sexuality.
Angolan communities seek land rights
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) reported that more than 30,000 people are benefiting from its land rights project in Angola. In 2015 the LWF introduced a three-year rights project to protect Angolans’ livelihoods through securing land rights, a major issue in the country. In LWF workshops and training, Angolan communities are encouraged to formalize their lands to avoid expropriation. The LWF has also focused in particular on improving women’s access to land deeds.
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Photo courtesy of Reuters/Jonathan Ernst
Photo: LWF/S. Oftadeh
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