Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: world leaders react to the encyclical, an African nation bans the burqa, and religious communities offer support to the congregation at Charleston.
ENCYCLICAL
Pope Francis Uses Encyclical To Deliver Moral Message On Climate Change
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2015/06/18/415537154/pope-francis-uses-encyclical-to-deliver-moral-message-on-climate-change
NPR's Melissa Block speaks to John Carr of Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Thought and Public Life about Pope Francis' call to moral action on climate change.
In the Footsteps of Popes Seeking Worldly Change
by Laurie Goodstein
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/world/in-footsteps-of-popes-seeking-worldly-change.html?ref=world&_r=0
Though many have accused Pope Francis of "meddling" in matters out of his realm, the Pope is actually following in the footsteps of generations of popes and bishops who have written documents to address social problems by applying religious teaching to them.
World Leaders React to Pope Francis’s Call for Action on Climate Change
by Jena McGregor
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2015/06/19/the-reaction-to-pope-franciss-call-for-action-on-climate-change/
Since the leaked draft of Pope Francis's highly anticipated papal document surfaced on Monday, world leaders, practicing Catholics, political candidates and countless others have been responding to his strongly worded call for action on climate change.
Pope’s Climate Change Stand Gets Uneasy Reception in Catholic Heartland of Poland
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/06/19/popes-climate-change-stand-gets-uneasy-reception-in-catholic-heartland-of-poland/
In the heartland of European conservative Catholicism, Polish Catholics greeted the release of the encyclical with some serious apprehensions. As major producers of coal, which they use to generate electricity, the Poles are heavily reliant on one of the main contributors to greenhouse gases.
AROUND THE WORLD
Islamic Scripture Is Not the Problem
by William McCants
Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-06-16/islamic-scripture-not-problem
Since Scripture alone cannot be held responsible for the acts of terrorists who fight in the name of Islam, we must not expect that reforming the religion will bring an end to acts of violence.
Another African Country Bans Islamic Veil for Women Over Terror Attacks
by Fredrick Nzwili
RNS
http://www.religionnews.com/2015/06/18/another-african-country-bans-islamic-veil-women-terror-attacks/
As the Islamic world experiences a rise in the number of women wearing the burqa, a traditional Islamic garment for covering the body in public, the dress code is being banned in some nations due to fear of possible connections with terror attacks. This week, Chad became the second African country to ban the full-face veil.
Saudi Muslims Mix Tradition With Shopping In Ramadan Celebration
by Deb Amos
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2015/06/18/415537182/saudi-muslims-mix-tradition-with-shopping-in-ramadan-celebration
While Ramadan is traditionally a month of fasting and prayer, Saudi Muslims are gradually turning the holy period into a display of consumerism and commerce.
DOMESTIC
Houses Of Worship Hit By Violence Offer Advice, Prayers For Charleston
by Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Sam Stein
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/18/faith-charleston-church-shooting_n_7613088.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
In the wake of the horrific shooting at the historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, officials from houses of worship that have suffered similar incidents offer advice to Charleston's traumatized congregation and community.
During Ramadan, Keeping an Eye Out for Fraudulent Halal Meat
by Josh Cornfield
Washington Post/AP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/during-ramadan-keeping-an-eye-out-for-fraudulent-halal-meat/2015/06/19/1d91cdd8-168a-11e5-8457-4b431bf7ed4c_story.html
For millions of Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan marks a time for ritual fasting during the day and, often, a large meal with friends and family after sundown. For those buying and selling ritually approved halal meat, it’s a time to pay close attention to ensure the food the observant are eating is exactly that.
Supreme Court Rules for Arizona Church in Sign Ordinance Case
by Lauren Markoe
Washington Post/RNS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/supreme-court-rules-for-arizona-church-in-sign-ordinance-case/2015/06/18/1ad2f77c-15f2-11e5-8457-4b431bf7ed4c_story.html
A tiny Arizona church with no permanent home prevailed at the Supreme Court on Thursday, when justices ruled that the Town of Gilbert must scrap strict rules prohibiting temporary signs from pointing worshippers to the church’s services.
Pope Francis Uses Encyclical To Deliver Moral Message On Climate Change
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2015/06/18/415537154/pope-francis-uses-encyclical-to-deliver-moral-message-on-climate-change
NPR's Melissa Block speaks to John Carr of Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Thought and Public Life about Pope Francis' call to moral action on climate change.
In the Footsteps of Popes Seeking Worldly Change
by Laurie Goodstein
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/world/in-footsteps-of-popes-seeking-worldly-change.html?ref=world&_r=0
Though many have accused Pope Francis of "meddling" in matters out of his realm, the Pope is actually following in the footsteps of generations of popes and bishops who have written documents to address social problems by applying religious teaching to them.
World Leaders React to Pope Francis’s Call for Action on Climate Change
by Jena McGregor
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2015/06/19/the-reaction-to-pope-franciss-call-for-action-on-climate-change/
Since the leaked draft of Pope Francis's highly anticipated papal document surfaced on Monday, world leaders, practicing Catholics, political candidates and countless others have been responding to his strongly worded call for action on climate change.
Pope’s Climate Change Stand Gets Uneasy Reception in Catholic Heartland of Poland
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/06/19/popes-climate-change-stand-gets-uneasy-reception-in-catholic-heartland-of-poland/
In the heartland of European conservative Catholicism, Polish Catholics greeted the release of the encyclical with some serious apprehensions. As major producers of coal, which they use to generate electricity, the Poles are heavily reliant on one of the main contributors to greenhouse gases.
AROUND THE WORLD
Islamic Scripture Is Not the Problem
by William McCants
Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-06-16/islamic-scripture-not-problem
Since Scripture alone cannot be held responsible for the acts of terrorists who fight in the name of Islam, we must not expect that reforming the religion will bring an end to acts of violence.
Another African Country Bans Islamic Veil for Women Over Terror Attacks
by Fredrick Nzwili
RNS
http://www.religionnews.com/2015/06/18/another-african-country-bans-islamic-veil-women-terror-attacks/
As the Islamic world experiences a rise in the number of women wearing the burqa, a traditional Islamic garment for covering the body in public, the dress code is being banned in some nations due to fear of possible connections with terror attacks. This week, Chad became the second African country to ban the full-face veil.
Saudi Muslims Mix Tradition With Shopping In Ramadan Celebration
by Deb Amos
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2015/06/18/415537182/saudi-muslims-mix-tradition-with-shopping-in-ramadan-celebration
While Ramadan is traditionally a month of fasting and prayer, Saudi Muslims are gradually turning the holy period into a display of consumerism and commerce.
DOMESTIC
Houses Of Worship Hit By Violence Offer Advice, Prayers For Charleston
by Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Sam Stein
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/18/faith-charleston-church-shooting_n_7613088.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
In the wake of the horrific shooting at the historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, officials from houses of worship that have suffered similar incidents offer advice to Charleston's traumatized congregation and community.
During Ramadan, Keeping an Eye Out for Fraudulent Halal Meat
by Josh Cornfield
Washington Post/AP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/during-ramadan-keeping-an-eye-out-for-fraudulent-halal-meat/2015/06/19/1d91cdd8-168a-11e5-8457-4b431bf7ed4c_story.html
For millions of Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan marks a time for ritual fasting during the day and, often, a large meal with friends and family after sundown. For those buying and selling ritually approved halal meat, it’s a time to pay close attention to ensure the food the observant are eating is exactly that.
Supreme Court Rules for Arizona Church in Sign Ordinance Case
by Lauren Markoe
Washington Post/RNS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/supreme-court-rules-for-arizona-church-in-sign-ordinance-case/2015/06/18/1ad2f77c-15f2-11e5-8457-4b431bf7ed4c_story.html
A tiny Arizona church with no permanent home prevailed at the Supreme Court on Thursday, when justices ruled that the Town of Gilbert must scrap strict rules prohibiting temporary signs from pointing worshippers to the church’s services.
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