Tuesday's News & Ideas - 6/7/2022

Legal claims shed light on founder of faith group tied to Amy Coney Barrett
The Guardian: Examination of People of Praise comes as Supreme Court seems poised to reverse Roe v Wade.

Woman buoyed by support after viral pastor confrontation
Associated Press: Bobi Gephart wanted the church community to know the truth and had no idea the video, recorded by a family member in the congregation, would generate such a viral response.

Secularism doesn’t have to be bad
Christianity Today: Understood rightly, it offers the best hope of keeping pluralistic societies peaceful and free.

As Ukraine’s Catholic Church responds to war, Polish clergy play key role
National Catholic Reporter: When a group of Polish archbishops paid a “solidarity visit” to Ukraine in late May, they deplored the cruelty and destruction being meted out against its people, and criticized oversimplified hopes of dialogue and mediation with Russia.

La Luz del Mundo church leader pleads guilty to sex abuse charges*
Los Angeles Times: Just days before his long-awaited trial was set to start, La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing girls from his congregation, a stunning reversal for a man who followers believe is an “apostle” appointed by God.

The Spark

It’s been 50 years. I am not ‘napalm girl’ anymore.
Napalm sticks to you, no matter how fast you run, causing horrific burns and pain that last a lifetime,* Kim Phuc Phan Thi writes at The New York Times. 

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