Ecumenicalnews

• German president takes Russia to task for 'war of aggression' at global church gathering
  Germany's President, Frank Steinmeier, has taken aim at Russia as he stressed that the leadership of the Orthodox Church of Russia justifies and supports the war of his country's political leadership in Ukraine.
• Pope Francis says he plans to meet Russia's Patriarch Kirill in Kazakhstan
  Pope Francis plans to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, in September at an interreligious meeting in Kazakhstan as many in the world live in hope that the confidante of Vladimir Putin can play a role in getting Moscow to cease its war in Ukraine.
• South African theologian to take helm of World Council of Churches in 2023
  South African theologian and academic Rev. Jerry Pillay will take over as general secretary of the World Council of Churches in January 2023, the WCC has announced.
• Saddleback pastor Rick Warren names his successor ahead of his September retirement
  Pastor Rick Warren, considered one of the most influential Evangelical Christians in the United States as leader of the Saddleback Church, has announced his successor when he retires in September.
• Act on food crisis now, urges WHO special envoy at churches-led meeting
  The world faces a global crisis on food exacerbated and brought to the fore by the war in Ukraine, but humanity can and must take remedial steps in economic and climate justice, a World Council of Churches-led meeting has heard.
• US House Speaker Pelosi barred from Catholic communion for supporting abortion
  San Francisco's Catholic archbishop, Salvatore Cordileone, has said U.S, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may no longer receive the holy sacrament of Communion in the archdiocese, because she supports abortion rights.
• Killing of Palestinian-American journalist sparks call for independent investigation
  Recent events in Palestine and Israel have, tragically, again underscored the critical need for a just peace in the region, for both Palestinians and Israelis, the World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Ioan Sauca has said.
• Hong Kong police release 90-year-old cardinal Joseph Zen on bail after arrest under China's security law
  One of the most senior Catholic clerics in Asia, Cardinal Joseph Zen and three others who helped run a now-disbanded Hong Kong fund for protesters who were arrested on charges of "collusion with foreign forces," were later released on bail.
• Liverpool mayor says Franklin Graham is a 'hate preacher;' Christian Today writer says 'not so'
  The mayor of England's Liverpool metro region, Steve Rotheram, is calling for the removal of bus ads promoting an upcoming evangelistic event featuring U.S. pastor Franklin Graham, who opposes same-sex marriage, accusing him of being a "hate preacher," but a Christian Today writer asks who is stirring up the pot of intolerance.
• 36 new recruits sworn in for world's smallest army, Swiss president in attendance
  As the smallest army and one the world's oldest standing armies May 6 is always a special day because the force welcomes in new recruits from Switzerland to serve the Roman Catholic pope.