I know I’m about a week behind, but how exciting is it that baseball is back!?
You know it’s early because my Texas Rangers and tmatt’s Baltimore Orioles both have winning records. How long can that last? (Shall we pray?)
Speaking of America’s favorite pastime, I hope you caught (pardon the pun) Clemente Lisi’s recent post titled “Opening Day memories: Was Jackie Robinson's Methodist faith part of his epic life story?”
But enough about balls and strikes.
Let’s dive into the Friday Five:
1. Religion story of the week: Wilton Gregory’s appointment as the new Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., was the biggest news on the Godbeat this week.
Washington Post religion writer Michelle Boorstein didn’t mince words in her assessment of the choice:
In response to feedback on the tweet, Boorstein added:
See coverage by the Post, The Associated Press, CNN, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and America magazine.
2. Most popular GetReligion post: Our most-clicked item this week was Editor Terry Mattingly’s commentary noting that a Washington Post story on the devastated United Methodist left reflected only one side of the story.
“I’m looking forward to a Post story that addresses the other side of this debate,” he wrote.
3. Guilt folder fodder (and more): Here’s a story that we haven’t mentioned but should: The coverage of potential Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and the religious left.
The Washington Post’s Sarah Pulliam Bailey had a piece recently focused on Buttigieg’s faith outlook.
Also, this Daily Beast article on how conservatives have no idea how to handle Buttigieg is interesting.
4. Shameless plug: Our own Julia Duin posted this morning on news coverage of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ shift on baptizing gay members’ children.
If you missed Duin’s analysis, be sure to check it out.
5. Final thought: Um, that Ed Stetzer fellow sure knows how to stir up a conversation on the tweeter, right?
Happy Friday, everybody! Enjoy the weekend!