Wednesday's News & Ideas - 3/26/2025
- Japan disbands Unification Church
- Pauli Murray webpage erased
- Seminary enrollment up
- Religious liberty report
- Easter in the East & West
- Flannery O’Connor’s 100th birthday
Japanese court disbands Unification Church in wake of Abe killing*
The New York Times: The assassination in 2022 of Shinzo Abe, the country’s former prime minister, led to an investigation into the group’s political ties and manipulation of its followers to raise funds.
Trump Administration erases page honoring trailblazing priest, lawyer and activist
Sojourners: Rev. Pauli Murray broke race and gender barriers in legal, ecclesial and social communities. The Trump administration is targeting gender nonconforming people like her.
Seminary enrollment is up, but some big seminaries are stalled
Ministry Watch: According to recent reports from ATS, Master of Divinity enrollment was down, though mostly in the mainline denominational schools. In 50% of evangelical schools, MDiv enrollment increased.
USCIRF report highlights little progress in religious liberty struggles globally
Religion News Service: The religious freedom watchdog urged the new Trump administration to appoint a new ambassador-at-large to address religious restrictions and persecution around the world.
How Easter could bring unity between Eastern and Western churches
Religion Unplugged: Easter will be celebrated this year on the same day by Christians across all denominations on April 20 — a rare quirk of the calendar that some see as an opportunity to set aside centuries-old disputes over the date of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Spark
Happy hundredth birthday, Flannery O’Connor!
After attending a new art show celebrating Flannery O’Connor’s birthday,* Jamie Quatro for The Paris Review writes, “The glitz and wit are a ruse, belying the deep suffering and darkness beneath the surface.”
*access is limited for nonsubscribers
