Law and Religion Headlines

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Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Few will hear the shofar blown indoors this Rosh Hashanah. So rabbis are taking to the streets.
(Cathy Alter, The Washington Post)

Mask-in-school requirement challenged on Free Exercise grounds
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Coronavirus in Ohio: Parents sue health department director Lance Himes over K-12 school mask mandate
(Jackie Borchardt, Cincinnati Enquirer)

Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue will be closed for the High Holidays for the first time
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

English bishop urges Catholics to come back to churches
(Catholic News Agency)

Clarification of NSW COVID rules for churches- separate buildings
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)

Canadian bishops to discuss pandemic’s future impact on Church
(Brian Dryden, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

John MacArthur’s COVID-disbelieving church loses round 1
(Mark Silk, RNS Column: Spiritual Politics)

High Holy Day services and gatherings: UK's COVID-19 checklist
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)

COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance (II)
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Catholic mission sees covid-19 as latest challenge in an uphill vocation
(Claire Giangravé, The Washington Post)

Monday, 14 September 2020

Vatican urges return to in-person Mass as soon as possible
(Associated Press)

New COVID-19 legislation and guidance: to 19 September
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Saturday, 12 September 2020

Mass return: Wisconsin dioceses lift Sunday dispensation
(Catholic News Agency)

Friday, 11 September 2020

Pope Francis: Promote the common good to heal wounds of coronavirus crisis
(Catholic News Agency)

In India, a Baul mystic is singing COVID-19 advice to rural communities
(Priyadarshini Sen, Religion Unplugged)

Mariners Church, one of America’s largest churches, announces reopening for in-person services
(Leonardo Blair, The Christian Post)

More than 2K Christians gather in ‘worship protest’ after they are shut out of Seattle park
(Leonardo Blair, The Christian Post)

California ban on indoor religious services upheld
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

1st Circuit hears oral arguments in COVID-19 worship service limitation challenge
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

First Circuit Court of Appeals hears case involving Calvary Chapel
(WABI News)

Argentine archbishop laments ‘double standard’ as numbers allowed at Mass reduced
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Global COVID-19 parables: What responsibility do faith groups have to the larger society?
(Ira Rifkin, GetReligion)

Judge grants injunction barring John MacArthur, Grace Community Church from meeting indoors
(Alejandra Molina, Religion News Service)

The continuing fight for religious liberty in the age of COVID-19
(Jeremy Dys, Courier Journal)

Thursday, 10 September 2020

WEBINAR, 10 September 2020 (10am EDT): Dueling Pandemics: Faith, HIV, and COVID-19
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Church of England: Places of worship and new restrictions
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

“Worship” unaffected by new restrictions in England
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Physicians tell justices not to disturb lower-court ruling that eased access to abortion pill during pandemic
(Amy Howe, SCOTUSblog)

The Covid-19 pandemic in Muslim countries
(Caterina Gagliardi, DIRESOM: Religion, Law and COVID-19 Emergency)

Weekly Highlight #122: Looking Toward Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19
(COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)

Dutch priests fear people won’t return to Mass post-pandemic
(Francesco Paloni, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

How COVID-19 has disrupted Judaism’s most sacred High Holidays
(Trent Toone, Deseret News Faith)

Calcutta archbishop invokes Mother Teresa, says don’t forget poor during pandemic
(Nirmala Carvalho, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Monday, 7 September 2020

Faith leaders step in to provide humane treatment of incarcerated individuals during covid-19
(The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID))

SF archbishop: City’s worship restrictions show ‘callous unconcern’ for spiritual needs
(Jonah McKeown, Catholic News Agency)

As Africa’s COVID-19 cases rise, faith is put to the test
(Rodney Muhumuza, Associated Press)

New COVID-19 legislation and guidance: to 12 September
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Thousands of Israeli couples cannot marry due to COVID-19
(Jeremy Sharon, The Jerusalem Post)

Pope Francis says pandemic is ‘a wake-up call’ to care for creation
(Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency)

‘Kayak Church’ gathers Pennsylvania church in person — and on the water — amid pandemic
(Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service)

Friday, 4 September 2020

AP Photos: Around the world, faith in the summer of COVID-19
(Associated Press)

Nepal protesters defy virus lockdown, clash with riot police
(Binaj Gurubacharya, Associated Press)

Nevada church resumes court battle over COVID-19 rules
(Scott Sonner, Associated Press)

With mosques closed during the pandemic, Muslim converts navigate their new spiritual path online
(Hira Qureshi, The Washington Post)

Why masks are a religious issue
(Leslie Dorrough Smith, The Conversation)

Should churches like John MacArthur's resist COVID-19 restrictions?
(Paul Marshall, Religion Unplugged)

COVID-19: The essential problem with state-faith relations
(Brie Loskota and Najuma Smith-Pollard, The Hill)

Federal appeals court rejects Illinois Republicans’ challenge to COVID-19 group limits
(Erin Napoleon, Jurist)

7th Circuit: COVID-19 order exempting religious services is valid
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

COVID-19 highlights the need for active involvement of religious leaders and religious institutions in society in Iraq
(Religious Freedom Institute)

Ramaphosa holds virtual meeting with interfaith leaders to fight COVID-19
(Devdiscourse)

Aerosol and droplet generation from singing &c
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Cardinal predicts Church, Europe will be ‘weaker’ after pandemic
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

WCC and Vatican appeal for greater solidarity with other faiths
(Jonathan Luxmoore, Church Times)

Pope Francis calls for solidarity at first audience with pilgrims after lockdown
(Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency)

Wednesday, 2 September 2020

Kentucky AG says closing religious schools in COVID pandemic is unconstitutional
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

In Kenya and South Africa, church leaders condemn theft of COVID-19 funds
(Tom Osanjo, Religion Unplugged)

Tamil Nadu government issues SOP for re-opening of religious places
(Deccan Chronicle)

Ethical principles for the just allocation of a covid-19 vaccine
(Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)

Refugee camps have avoided the worst of the pandemic. That could be about to change.
(Miriam Berger, The Washington Post)

This new 600-page book contains Jewish laws of coronavirus, from hand-washing to drug trials
(Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt, Forward)

Weekly Highlight #121: Adaptations, Impacts, and Emerging Debates
(COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)

Weekly Highlight #120: Global to Local: Ricocheting Impacts of COVID-19
(COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)

Weekly Highlight #119: Keeping Communities Safe and Respected
(COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)

Weekly Highlight #118: Taking Stock in the Midst of Mourning
(COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)

Evangelical leaders talk COVID restrictions, religious freedom
(Meagan Clark and Mattie Townson, Religion Unplugged)

A Muslim community group in Hartlepool has made over 2,000 meals for those in need during the pandemic.
(Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK)

1 in 5 churches facing permanent closure within 18 months due to COVID-19 shutdowns: Barna pres.
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)

Monday, 31 August 2020

Shiite Muslims mark holy day of mourning in virus’ shadow
(Mariam Fam and Bassem Mroue, Associated Press)

AP Photos: Pandemic casts pall over Muharram in Kashmir
(Dar Yasin, Associated Press)

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION IN BLOG WEBINAR, deadline 31 August 2020: Law, Religion, and Coronovirus in the United States: A Six-Month Assessment
(International Center for Law and Religion Studies)

Amid virus lockdowns, prison ministry groups had to adapt
(Associated Press)

CBCP leads interfaith initiative to help Filipinos survive the pandemic
(Hanah Tabios, Manila Bulletin)

Imam of Kaliningrad Region's only mosque dies of coronavirus
(Interfax-Religion)

New COVID-19 legislation and guidance: to 5 September
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Could religious exemptions trump a COVID-19 vaccine mandate? Well, that depends
(Ross D. Silverman, The Conversation)

Why freedom of religion won’t likely trump public health interests with a future COVID-19 vaccine
(Renae Barker, The Conversation)

Holy Communion in the Church of England in light of the coronavirus pandemic
(Christopher Grout, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)

Shincheonji’s latest plasma donation raises questions on treatment from South Korean government
(Religion News Service Opinion)

What happens when pandemic locks down a globe-trotting pope?
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)

Friday, 28 August 2020

Ukrainian border guards refuse to let dozens of Hasidim pilgrims into country
(Interfax-Religion)

Interfaith action plays key role in addressing Africa’s challenges
(Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ, Vatican News)

Christians: Let’s unite in pandemic to fight injustices
(Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press)

Judge halts federal rule that diverts coronavirus funding to private schools
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)

Welsh Government guidance for reopening community centres
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)

Malawi traditional leader orders chiefs to dissolve lockdown child marriages
(Charles Pensulo, Reuters)

South Africa Catholics stage Day of Prayer over women’s plight in COVID era
(Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Amid surge in COVID-19, Iraq's Shia mourn Imam Hussein
(Sinan S Mahmoud, Al Jazeera)

Australian bishops join discussion on morality of possible COVID-19 vaccine
(Catholic News Service)

Update on COVID-19 rules for churches- weddings and services in Australia
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)

Hindus work around coronavirus to celebrate god Ganesh, remover of obstacles
(Lauren Frayer, National Public Radio)

Wednesday, 26 August 2020

Religion & the pandemic: A call beyond the here & now
(Azza Karam, Secretary General, Religions for Peace International, Inter Press Service)

Ukraine restricts Hasidic pilgrim trips to Uman
(Interfax-Religion)

WCC contributes to G20 Interfaith Forum on Africa hosted by KAICIID
(Devdiscourse)

Coronavirus – Africa: World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator contributes to G20 Interfaith Forum on Africa
(Socialnews.xyz)

Women traditional leaders could help make sure the pandemic message is heard
(Peace A. Medie, Adriana Biney, Amanda Coffie, and Cori Wielenga, The Conversation)

With closed churches, open beaches, California surfer ministry hits the waves
(Liza Vandenboom, Religion Unplugged)

Kenyan Muslims grapple with COVID-19 restrictions on burials
(Tom Osanjo, Religion Unplugged)

Court enjoins DOE rule favoring funding of private schools under CARES Act
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

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