Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 4 August 2021
Weekly Highlight #167: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Vaccine hesitancy and religious action; New tensions and conflicts
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Irish Catholic bishops reject pandemic ban on sacraments
(Shawn Pogatchnik, Politico)
Monday, 2 August 2021
Covid-19 in South Africa: Employers who enforce mandatory jabs could end up in court, say labour experts
(Tebogo Monama, News24)
8th Circuit: Challenge to church capacity limits dismissed on mootness and standing grounds
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Religious groups eye legal challenges to Delta variant restrictions and vaccine mandates
(Ariane de Vogue, CNN)
Friday, 30 July 2021
White Evangelicals resist Covid-19 vaccine most among religious groups
(Ian Lovett, The Wall Street Journal)
Vaccination required to make a spiritual retreat in France
(Matthieu Lasserre, La Croix International)
Religious leaders weigh reinstating mask mandates and whether they could upset some members
(Sarah Pulliam Bailey, The Washington Post)
Church to Governor in Texas: Don’t blame immigrants for Covid
(John Lavenburg, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
NSW Labor pushes for religious leaders to receive exemption from stay-at-home orders
(Dominica Funnell, Sky News)
CEC video features responses to human rights in the times of COVID-19
(Conference of European Churches)
Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Religious identities and the race against the virus: (Wave 2: June 2021)
(PRRI)
Friendly persuasion: Religious push raises COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, survey says
(Mark Kellner, The Washington Times)
Clerics back Covid jabs as govt fights misinformation
(Gadiosa Lamtey, The Citizen)
A pastor's take: Why religion won't fix vaccine hesitancy in Tennessee | Opinion
(Susan Thistlethwaite, Tennessean)
Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across US
(David Crary, Religion News Service)
Vatican Increasing ‘Liquid’ Assets As It Faces Financial Impact Of Pandemic
(Hannah Brockhaus, Eurasia Review)
Weekly Highlight #166: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Continue to Multiply
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Free Exercise challenges to Illinois COVID orders dismissed as moot
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Maine church asks Supreme Court to block state from enforcing Covid restrictions due to Delta
(Ariane de Vogue, CNN)
Monday, 26 July 2021
Muslims mark Eid al-Adha holiday in pandemic’s shadow
(Mariam Fam, Religion News Service)
Indonesian Muslims mark grim Eid amid devastating virus wave
(Niniek Karmini, Religion News Service)
With more than a million children orphaned by COVID-19, faith-based groups look to mobilize support
(Emily McFarlan Miller, Episcopal News Service)
9th Circuit: COVID closure of private schools may have violated due process rights of parents
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
French bishops call out Holocaust comparison from anti-vaxxers
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Slave labor shames India's claims of progressive development
(Saji Thomas, Union of Catholic Asian News)
'Larger public interest': HC rejects plea to allow Parsi final rites of COVID-19 victims
(Akhil Oka, Republic World)
Friday, 23 July 2021
Weekly Highlight #165: Religious Gatherings; Vaccines; Faith After COVID-19
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
The Weekly Round-Up: Migrant Rights, Virginity Testing and Racism
(Calia Randall, UK Human Rights Blog)
Vaccine passports and places of worship
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19: Church in Wales – updated guidance, Level 1
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Church of England Guidance – Step 4
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 24 July
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
6th Circuit Hears Arguments On Masking Requirement For K-5 Religious Schools
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Christian child welfare ministries urge churches to help children left orphaned by pandemic
(Emily Wood, The Christian Post)
Religions unite to fight Covid as Myanmar crisis worsens
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
With more than a million children orphaned by COVID, faith-based groups look to mobilize support
(Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service)
Like many hajj traditions in a pandemic year, Zamzam water gets a reboot
(Joseph Hammond, Religion News Service)
Friday, 16 July 2021
They’re coming for the judges…again.
(Rosalind English, UK Human Rights Blog)
In many COVID hot spots, a pattern: High concentrations of white evangelicals
(Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)
Olympic athletes asked not to visit Tokyo churches
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Study finds 221,000 Catholics left the church in Germany during pandemic
(Catholic News Service)
COVID-19 takes toll on Catholic clergy in hard-hit countries
(Luis Andres Henao and Jessie Wardarski, Associated Press)
COVID-19: Church of England “Step 4” guidance
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19: Church of England update
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19: Church in Wales update
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19: Revocation of regulations in England
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
D.C. Baptist church wins lawsuit over COVID-19 worship restrictions
(Anne Stych, Religion Unplugged)
Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Olympic athletes to be barred from Tokyo churches due to Covid
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Religious conservatives won the legal battle over COVID-19, but not the war
(Jenna Reinbold, Religion & Politics: Fit for Polite Company)
Bishops in Venezuela decry use of COVID-19 vaccines not recognized by WHO
(La Croix International)
Plaintiff lacks standing to challenge Michigan covid order exemption for worship services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Weekly Highlight #164: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Wary Southern pastors; interfaith unity in Singapore; vaccine hesitancy in Zimbabwe
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Russian Orthodox leader says refusing vaccine is a sin
(Jeanne Leblay, La Croix International)
COVID-19: Church of England update
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
France requires "health passport" for bars, restaurants -- but not for attending Mass
(Jeanne Leblay, La Croix International)
Monday, 12 July 2021
Mosques in Moscow to be closed to believers on Eid al-Adha
(Interfax-Religion)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 17 July
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Friday, 9 July 2021
For another year, the world’s most famous door-knocking ministry will stay home
(Alejandra Molina, Religion News Service)
AP photos: Scarf, comb show changes to Hindu cremation rites
(Anupam Nath, Associated Press)
Venezuelan bishops to address country's situation during plenary assembly
(Cynthia Perez, Catholic News Agency)
Alabama bishop talks of hesitancy, conspiracy perceptions, Black Americans resistance to COVID-19 vaccines
(Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
D.C. agrees to pay $220,000 in legal fees to Baptist church that sued over coronavirus restrictions
(Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
Unregulated gathering outside former South African president Zuma's home sparks calls to reopen churches
(Cebelihle Bhengu, Sowetan Live)
Wednesday, 7 July 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Catholic, named 2021 Humanist of the Year
(Kathryn Post, The Washington Post)
The impact of COVID-19 on women
(JoAnne Wadsworth, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
Battling the Coronavirus in Zimbabwe when religion and public health collide
(Gamuchirai Masiyiwa, Evidence Chenjerai, Linda Mujuru, Zimbabwe Situation)
Utah's governor: 'Politics is becoming religion in our country'
(Nick Niedzwiadek, Politico)
Despite vaccinations, more than 25 percent of US churchgoers not planning in person attendance: Survey
(Ecumenical News)
Breaking the silence: Clergy address pandemic’s surge in domestic violence: Op-Ed
(Katie Givens Kime, Religion News Service: Opinion)
Nepal: Churches struggle as COVID-19 claims 130 pastors
(Eurasia Review)
Weekly Highlight #163: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: COVID-19 storms shift location; vaccine challenges and religious freedom concerns
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Monday, 5 July 2021
COVID rules for NSW churches- exemption issued, though not necessary
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 10 July
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Friday, 2 July 2021
Vatican seeks all-out effort to combat vaccine hesitancy
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Tanzanian president asks Catholic bishops for help to fight COVID-19
(La Croix International)
Covid-19: Religious organisations in South Africa support ban on gatherings
(Nicole McCain, News24)
Thursday, 1 July 2021
WEBINAR, 1 July 2021, (6PM CEST): The impact of COVID-19 on women
(G20 Interfaith Forum)
Wednesday, 30 June 2021
WEBINAR, 30 June 2021: The impact of Covid-19 on churches
(Conference of European Churches)
Millions skipped church during pandemic. Will they return?
(David Sharp, Associated Press)
Weekly Highlight #162: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Religious bodies vs. governments; faith vs. the pandemic
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
COVID restrictions on NSW churches
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)
Washington lawmaker wears Star of David in vaccine protest
(Associated Press)
Religion and diplomacy important to COVID-19 vaccination efforts, scholars and policymakers say at Georgetown event
(Lily Erickson, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Friday, 25 June 2021
US law: vaccination requirements and religion
(Robert Iafolla, The Washington Post)
Religion does not make you exempt from lockdown rules in South Africa, churches told
(The Citizen)
Random COVID screening in parochial schools not an Establishment Clause violation
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Wednesday, 23 June 2021
Testimony submitted to the Senate committee hearing on Health Education, Labor and Pension: Vaccines: America's Shot at ending the Covid-19 Pandemic
(Curtis Chang, United States Senate)
Wisconsin courts end COVID suspension of prison religious services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Indian Hindus turn to honoring ‘corona goddess’ to quell pandemic
(Bhavya Dore, Religion News Service)
Weekly Highlight #161: COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions: Vaccine Equity and Hesitancy; Religious Freedom and COVID-19
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
One Nevada church settles, other pressing COVID-19 lawsuit
(Associated Press)
Monday, 21 June 2021
Think again: Religion in the wake of the pandemic
(Cynthia G. Lindner, The University of Chicago Divinity School)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 26 June
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
The Protestant cases and COVID-19
(Jeffrey B. Hammond, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Wednesday, 16 June 2021
Street preacher lacks standing to challenge COVID restrictions
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vietnam: Religious leaders call for prayer, fairness over church-linked COVID outbreak
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Archdiocese of Los Angeles issues new guidelines to fully reopen parishes
(Alejandra Molina, Religion News Service)
Weekly Highlight #160: COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions: Masks and secularism; vaccine rates; nationalism and COVID-19
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
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