Law and Religion Headlines
Thursday, 30 April 2020
Italian churches prepare to resume funerals after eight-week ban
(Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency)
War-torn Yemen reports first virus deaths stoking fears
(Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
Covid-19: Why religion will look different
(Philip Fountain and Geoffrey Troughton, Newsroom New Zealand)
The centrality of religious liberty
(Peter Berkowitz, Real Clear Politics)
"We don't want people starving to death before they get the coronavirus"
(lucie Starr: Exclusive interview with the Cardinal Archbishop of Bangui in Central African Republic, La Croix International)
The secret group of scientists and billionaires pushing a Manhattan Project for Covid-19
(Rob Copeland, The Wall Street Journal)
Reflections on Freedom of Religion or Belief during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
(CEC Thematic Group on Human Rights, Conference of European Churches)
Organizations call for release of Iran’s female prisoners of conscience and political prisoners
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
Calls for release of prisoners of conscience in wake of Covid19
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
The growing calls for China’s accountability for Covid19 response
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
Temperatures rising quickly - church-state conflicts in Italy and USA
(Marc O. DeGirolami, Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
NYC mayor takes heat after lashing out at Jewish funeral
(Marina Villeneuve, Michael Hill and Karen Matthews, Associated Press)
Faith played major role in life of New York ER doctor who took her own life: What was it?
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Catholic media highlights trend in young people gravitating towards faith during pandemic
(Clemente Lisi, GetReligion)
Moldovan PM backs restrictions on religious services amid Covid-19 pandemic
(Interfax-Religion)
Reacting to packed Orthodox funeral, New York City mayor warns ‘the Jewish community’ and faces swift backlash
(Philissa Cramer, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
French bishops question government’s decision to maintain ban on religious ceremonies
(Catholic Culture.org)
For people with dementia, the coronavirus pandemic is a nightmare
(The Economist)
Is Sweden doing it right?
(Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times)
Belgian-Dutch Study: Why in times of COVID-19 you should not walk/run/bike close behind each other.
(Jurgen Thoelen, Medium)
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
WEBINAR, 28 April 2020 (8 am EDT): Leading in the New Normal of a Pandemic World
(Professor Dr. Azza Karam, Professor Dr. William Storrar and others, Religions for Peace International)
Leading in the New Normal of a Pandemic World (concept paper)
(Center of Theological Inquiry, Religions for Peace International)
Religions for Peace organizes interfaith moment for hope and solidarity
(Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ, Vatican News)
Katherine Marshall: messages of religious leaders have “extraordinary importance”
(Marcelo Schneider, World Council of Churches)
Advancing a disability-inclusive response to COVID-19
(Syovata Shalon Kilonzo, World Council of Churches)
Beating coronavirus requires faith leaders to bridge gap between religion and science
(Katherine Marshall, The Conversation)
As states release reopening plans, churches prepare for the future with caution
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News | InDepth)
Hungarian journalists fear coronavirus law may be used to jail them
(Shaun Walker, The Guardian)
Observatoire de l'état d'urgence sanitaire et du confinement
(Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme)
Germans have right to protest during coronavirus pandemic: court
(Joseph Nasr, Reuters)
What relaunching the churches might look like over the next 3–12 months
(Ed Stetzer and Josh Laxton, The Exchange)
In Aceh, Indonesians pray at mosque but bring their own rugs
(Yayan Zamzami, Associated Press)
Pope urges virus lockdown obedience amid church-state debate
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Church sues Virginia governor over 10-person gathering limit
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Chincoteague church files lawsuit against Gov. Northam over gathering ban
(Carol Vaughn, Eastern Shore Post)
Study shows extent of COVID-19 restrictions on religious services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Most states have religious exemptions to COVID-19 social distancing rules
(Virginia Villa, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
Attorney General warns against COVID-19 orders that violate civil rights
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
AG Barr pushes back on violations of civil liberties
(Liberty Counsel)
Amsterdam’s Jewish nursing home has lost over 20% of its residents to COVID-19. Could it have done more?
(Cnaan Liphshiz, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Slavic Pentecostals, coronavirus and California politics make a confusing mix at Sacramento Bee
(Julia Duin, GetReligion)
German bishops expect decline in church tax revenue due to COVID-19
(Catholic News Service, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Is a global pandemic a de minimis hardship? EEOC guidance on covid-19 and religious accommodation
(The National Law Review)
Greek church demands government ease controls on religious services
(Anthee Carassava, VOA)
Nancy Pelosi uses scripture to support call for prisoner releases amid pandemic
(Milton Quintanilla, Christian Headlines)
Monday, 27 April 2020
Covid-19: Experts warn of potential wave of extremism
(Aggrey Mutambo, Daily Nation)
In a pandemic, a Buddhist chaplain's Zen practice become purpose
(Micah Danney, Religion Unplugged)
Christian colleges face uncertain future, existential threats amid COVID-19
(Steve Rabey, Religion Unplugged)
For lessons on closed house of worship, look at 1918 flu pandemic
(Bobby Ross Jr., Religion Unplugged)
Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine defines the format of the 'quarantine' Ramadan
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Ugly Reports of Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism Linked to COVID-19 Crisis
(Daily Highlight, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Africa adapts to new taste of Ramadan under Covid-19 lockdown
(Christina Okello, RFI)
Muslims in France prepare for muted Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown
(Christina Okello, RFI)
Accumulation of people on holidays and at religious services is the most dangerous thing that can happen today, - the President
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Sickness amid the cedars: The Lebanese were watching for the virus. But the outbreak in this secluded and stunningly beautiful place was not what they’d expected.
(Sarah Dadouch, The Washington Post)
Church donations have plunged because of the coronavirus. Some churches won’t survive.
(Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
Jewish history explains why some ultra-Orthodox communities defy coronavirus restrictions
(Joyce Dalsheim, The Conversation)
From pews to patients – churches have long served as hospitals, particularly in times of crisis
(Adam J. Davis, The Conversation)
Coronavirus: conspiracy theories and fake videos fuel rise in Islamophobia
(Imran Awan, The Conversation)
Religious freedom attorneys pick their battles amid pandemic
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)
Mosque’s makeshift morgue shows virus toll on UK minorities
(Jo Kearney and Jill Lawless, Associated Press)
Military chaplains pivot to serve soldiers in virus outbreak
(Sarah Blake Morgan, Associated Press)
Court says drive-in church services are reasonable compromise for covid-19 limits
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Settlement reached with Kansas churches challenging covid-19 limits on services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Legal Spirits Episode 022: Church closings in the time of coronavirus
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
How the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints responds to the COVID-19 emergency (Responding to: Religious action on COVID-19: Efforts in the field)
(Coby Vail, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Italian bishops threaten break with government over Mass
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
In spat over Mass, Italy’s PM may need the bishops more than they need him
(John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Thinking with Ryan Burge: Why it would be dangerous for most churches to reopen
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Those seeking lessons on locked houses of worship can study the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)
China's religious persecution in the time of coronavirus
(Susan Crabtree, Real Clear Politics)
Engaging religious leaders in public health policy
(WortFM Radio)
Daily Highlight #53: Japan’s Religious Communities React to COVID-19
(Katherine Marshall, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Saturday, 25 April 2020
Virus divides as Ramadan begins under lockdown
(Edited by Anna Jones, https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52391744)
New podcast: Faith-based colleges face coronavirus crisis (and hard identity questions, too)
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Indian Muslims face stigma, blame for surge in infections
(Aniruddha Ghosal, Sheikh Saaliq and Emily Schmall, Associated Press)
Welsh Government: Coronavirus update
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Bishops criticize immigration restrictions, say they will hurt families
(Julie Asher, Catholic News Service)
Malema defends cops asking Muslims defying lockdown in South Africa: ‘Muhammad is bigger than the president?’
(Charles Cilliers, The Citizen)
In Albania, Ramadan under lockdown revives memories of communism
(France 24)
In Pakistan's fight against Covid-19, religion might not be helping
(Huma Yusuf, CNN International)
'This is exactly what we want to be doing': A friar's life in Brooklyn during coronavirus
(Christine Rousselle, Catholic News Agency)
Trump signs $484 billion coronavirus relief bill into law
(Anugrah Kumar, The Christian Post)
Minority council potentially to be formed
Iraq's health system meets the challenge of coronavirus
(Lujain Elbaldawi, Al-Monitor)
Friday, 24 April 2020
Live Video Replay CLE, 24 April 2020 • COVID-19 Insurance Suits: Insurance Coverage Issues Raised by Coronavirus Losses
(Federal Bar Association)
A priority in a pandemic: The vulnerable first
(Editoral Board, The Christian Science Monitor)
A butcher by name, this Muslim surgeon saves lives across battle lines
(Ken Chitwood, Religion Unplugged)
Wondering where God is during this pandemic? (On Queen Elizabeth)
(Terry Mattingly, Religion Unplugged)
Muted celebrations as Britain's Queen Elizabeth turns 94
(Reuters)
Texas: Hotze's legal fight against Harris County stay-at-home order to continue in state district court
(Jasper Scherer and Robert Downen, Houston Chronicle)
Mississippi city revises limit on drive-up church amid virus
(Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press)
Updates on religious liberty lawsuits over stay-at-home orders
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
20 percent of church entities that applied received SBA loans to maintain staff
(Dennis Sadowski, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Trump Administration helps churches survive shutdowns
(Brian Burch, Real Clear Religion)
Pakistan’s government is caught between a mosque and a hard place
(Michael Kugelman, Foreign Policy)
Tajikistan tells farmers to avoid ramadan fast, cites disease and need to work
(Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty)
New York City to provide 5L free halal meals during Ramzan
(India Post)
Americans are divided by religion on who should get critical care if there is a shortage of ventilators
(Stephanie Kramer, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
‘Never mentioned religion, my side not heard,’ says Mumbai man held for refusing parcel by Muslim delivery boy
(Harshil Mehta, Swarajya)
Email Subscription
The International Center for Law and Religion Studies maintains a Law and Religion Headlines service covering news about freedom of religion or belief internationally. All interested may subscribe to this service, free of charge, using the link below.
Subscribe