Religious Studies News communicates important events of the field and examines critical issues in education, pedagogy, research, publishing, and the public understanding of religion. Sometimes that involves sharing what others are writing about the field and these issues.
In Open Tabs, RSN editors will share the articles they’ve been reading and thinking about. If you have recommendations for articles, podcasts, or other media you’ve recently encountered that examine issues that fall under the purview of RSN, email us.
What We’re Reading
“Hospital Chaplain Shares What End-Of-Life Patients Regret Most”
Published February 24, 2026, in Religion Unplugged
In this Q&A by conducted by Elizabeth Eisenstadt Evans for Religion Unplugged, Sumreen Chaudhry, a staff chaplain at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with backgrounds in Buddhist studies, art history, and Islamic theology, shares what he has learned about how dying patients approach their grief. From the article:
“When I’m with people near the end of their lives, what I most often witness is not fear of death itself, but grief over unfinished relationships and or unexpressed parts of the self. Many people grieve time they now see as wasted on what felt urgent in the moment but unimportant in hindsight — work that eclipsed connection, worry that crowded out presence, obligations that pulled them away from what actually nourished them. Alongside this is grief for words left unsaid, tenderness withheld, and versions of themselves they didn’t feel permitted to become.”
“33 historically Black churches receive $8.5 million in preservation grants”
Published February 24, 2026, in Religion News Service
In this story, Adelle M. Banks reports on the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarding $8.5 million in grant funds to 33 historically Black churches with deep ties to the Civil Rights Movement. From the article:
“‘America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable legacy of our nation’s historically Black churches,’ said Brent Leggs, executive director of the fund and strategic adviser to the CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in a statement. ‘They are essential civic institutions that have anchored democracy, community leadership, and collective care for generations. By investing in their preservation today, we are safeguarding not just historic buildings and architecture, but a living legacy of resilience and social progress for the future.'”
“UT Head of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Speaks Out”
Published February 19, 2026, in The Austin Chronicle
In this story, Brant Bingamon interviews Lisa Moore, chair of UT-Austin’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department, who speaks out about the university’s sudden decision to dissolve her department and three others — including African and African Diaspora Studies and Mexican American and Latina/o Studies — folding them into a single new department, a move critics say is politically motivated and part of a broader right-wing effort to dismantle ethnic and gender studies programs at Texas universities. From the article:
“”A degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is comparable to, or better than, any other liberal arts degree. And liberal arts degrees are comparable to STEM degrees after 10 years. It’s a degree where you have a lot more flexibility in the job market than if you’re a particular kind of engineer. So really, this is just a display of dominance from the top down, to say, ‘We don’t have to take into account the thinking, the history, the contributions of Black people, of Latino people, of women, of LGBTQ people anymore. We’re tired of doing that. And now we’re just going to shut it down.'””
And Listening to….
“A Black, gay Catholic priest on living authentically”
In this episode of The Spiritual Life podcast, Fr. Bryan Massingale speaks about the values of authenticity and integrity in his life and ministry.
News Source
