All posts filed under: Current Affairs

A call to the Academy for leadership in an emerging AI moment

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Artificial Intelligence / Current Affairs / Science

It is clear that we are facing the rise of a new and profoundly disruptive technology. It’s not clear if this is going to be similar to other major disruptions or if this is unique. I’m not convinced anyone is able to honestly answer that by the way. There has been a great deal written reacting to what people perceive the challenge to be, but I’m not aware of any broad, careful, reflective scholarly engagement […]

9/11 and the 25th Anniversary

Current Affairs

Today has been heavy, hard for many of my friends; weighty for the rest of us. We’re remembering a moment when this nation changed, when the world order changed and neither for the better – at least not that we can see with the light given us today. We took a long moment of silence and reflection in Morning Prayer as we gathered around the altar in diocesan house. We started spontaneously sharing stories; where […]

The looming crisis of widespread food shortages

Current Affairs / World Mission

From Hormuz to Asia’s Cradles – Tom McDermott The world’s primary monitors of food security are now on “red alert.” Within the last 48 hours, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have labeled the conflict a “crisis multiplier.” The FAO warns that the loss of urea and ammonia shipments from the Gulf is a direct threat to future yields, while the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) projects that […]

Archbishop of Canterbury calls for members of the Anglican Communion to join Pope Leo in calling for peace

Current Affairs

I stand with the Pope in call for peace, says Archbishop of Canterbury “I urge Anglicans across the Church of England and the Anglican Communion to join with His Holiness in raising our voices for peace and justice throughout the world,” Archbishop Mullally said in the statement, released on Thursday afternoon. “I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace. As innocent people […]

Why what leaders say about things matters

Current Affairs

Presidential words can turn the unthinkable into the thinkable − for better or for worse From the Conversation: Presidential rhetoric matters for reasons that go beyond persuasion or style. It helps arrange reality. It tells the public what is serious, who is dangerous, whose suffering counts, and what forms of violence can be described as necessary. President Barack Obama did this in 2012, when he was speaking at a vigil to honor the shooting victims […]

Prayers desperately needed

Current Affairs

We are in a moment when rhetoric is in danger of spinning out of anyone’s control. Given that there seems to be a lack of will or courage to stop the escalation among those who directly have the ability to do so, this is a moment for deep prayer. “O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away […]

Pray for Peace and an end to War today

Current Affairs / Religion

Please join with all of us in prayer today: Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Military Strike on Iran – The Episcopal Church Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be […]

When the light seems far away.

Current Affairs

We are all in shock. A mass shooting event has happened here in Rhode Island, on the campus of Brown University. It’s something we feared but hoped would never happen. We are devastated by the loss of the inspiring lives cut short. We pray for the members of the Brown community who were wounded, for those who have been harmed, and for the whole school community as they live into the nightmare of these days. […]

Prayers for Providence

Current Affairs

Dec 13 2025 As we gather across the Diocese of Rhode Island this Sunday morning, following a mass shooting event in Providence late this afternoon, and which is still unfolding as I ostensibly this; I ask that we pray for all the victims of this violence, all those whose lives have been impacted and the first responders and medical personnel. I offer this prayer, written by Bishop Rob Hirschfeld: Give us courage for the facing […]