Seminary enrollment is up

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.