Anti-Vax Christian Radio Host Dies of Covid-19
Religious radio broadcaster Jimmy DeYoung Sr., who spread disinformation about the coronavirus vaccines, was killed by the virus. Read full piece
A Conservative Cardinal Who Criticized the Vaccine Caught COVID. Days Later, He was Put on a Ventilator.
Most days during the coronavirus pandemic, Cardinal Raymond L. Burke could be found strolling down the streets of Rome maskless and carrying rosary beads. The 73-year-old conservative cardinal was an early critic of social distancing and, later, an unabashed skeptic of the vaccine. Read full piece
Many Bible Belt Preachers Silent on Shots as COVID-19 Surges
Across the nation’s deeply-religious Bible Belt, a region beset by soaring infection rates from the fast-spreading delta variant of the virus, churches and pastors are both helping and hurting in the campaign to get people vaccinated against COVID-19.
Bless the Children: What Jesus Would Say About Getting a COVID-19 Vaccination
Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church: We who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine are being asked not just to protect ourselves, but also to protect children. So even if you don’t want to get the vaccine for yourself, do it for the children. Read
Why So Many White Evangelicals are Shifting from Vaccine Hesitance to Acceptance
In March, white evangelicals were among the groups ranking the lowest on vaccine acceptance; now more than half say they accept the COVID-19 vaccine. What changed? Read full piece
Over 200 Missouri Pastors are Preaching the Need for Vaccinations
KCUR’s “Up To Date” interviewed Word&Way Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor and two pastors, Darron Edwards of United Believers Community Church in Kansas City and Christopher Dixon of West Finley Baptist Church. Listen to full segment
Messages from Hell
Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor responds to critics of a Word&Way clergy statement urging Christians to get a COVID-19 vaccine. And Kaylor challenges the anti-vaxxer message of “faith over fear.”
Behind the Pulpit: Vicki Flippin
Senior Editor Beau Underwood interviews Vicki Flippin, who pastors First and Summerfield United Methodist Church in New Haven, Connecticut, for the latest installment of our “Behind the Pulpit” series intended to pull back the curtain on the minister’s life.
Russell Moore: Sickness, Death from COVID-19 Likely Reducing Some Vaccine Hesitancy
Russell Moore, Southern Baptist ethicist-turned-public theologian, said that knowing people who became seriously ill or died from COVID-19 may be causing some vaccine-hesitant individuals to change their minds.
Florida Church Reeling After Six Members Die Within 10 Days Amid Spike in Cases
For George L. Davis, a bishop at Impact Church in Jacksonville, getting vaccinated against the coronavirus was an act of faith. He says that he believes in divine creation, and that the shot is a miracle — a sign of God guiding scientists in their attempts