Today

Tuesday's briefing: a religious-freedom nominee, AI's costs weighed, and a Synod race opens

By The FaithDaily Desk

Good morning. President Donald Trump nominated Cissie Graham Lynch to serve as the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Charisma News reported. Lynch is the granddaughter of the late evangelist Billy Graham and the daughter of Franklin Graham. She announced Tuesday morning on X that Trump had asked her to take the role.

Technology framed much of the day. Religion News Service reported that the dangers of artificial intelligence hung heavy over a Tuesday conference in Washington, including a faith-focused panel with evangelical, Catholic and Latter-day Saint leaders confronting what the technology could cost humanity. Separately, The Gospel Coalition published a review of two books on AI, praising both as readable and gripping.

In the Church of England, Anglican Ink reported that the Alliance released a short promotional video on 14 September, opening the General Synod election campaign. The video makes a deliberate bid to broaden the group's appeal beyond the orthodox networks that formed its original base.

On the Catholic Church, Religion News Service carried a commentary noting that two women now head major Vatican offices and a third will soon, while arguing that the church's culture problem lies closer to home. Religion News Service, carrying an Associated Press report, also noted that the pope commemorated the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with prayers for peace and for those who died, speaking in English at his Sunday blessing.

On questions of life, Charisma News, citing LifeNews, reported that the Netherlands euthanized a disabled child of nearly two — described as the country's first reported case involving a child between the ages of one and 12. The report said the child was not dying.

In U.S. policy and politics, Christianity Today reported on the backlash against a White House plan to pay stay-at-home parents. Charisma News reported that California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will not challenge former Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

Abroad and across the field, Religion News Service carried an Associated Press report of intensifying fighting in Yemen, including Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and Red Sea shipping. Religion News Service also published an explainer, from The Conversation, on the contested meanings of Zionism, and a commentary from Mary Ellen Giess on interfaith communities in Springfield responding to those hurt by immigration policy. Finally, Religion News Service named Philana Patterson as its Chief Content Officer.

Zoom out: Artificial intelligence ran through two of the day's stories — a Washington conference and a book review — as Christians weighed what the technology might cost.

What we're following

Religion News Service: At AI conference, religious leaders confront what technology could cost humanity Read it
Charisma News: Gavin Newsom Says He Won’t Challenge Kamala Harris for 2028 Nomination Read it
Christianity Today: The Backlash Against a White House Plan to Pay Stay-at-Home Parents Read it
Anglican Ink: The Alliance and the Vine: A Coalition of the Convinced Read it

Sources