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(RNS) — With his British accent, stylish suit and gracious charm, Elder Patrick Kearon could have just walked off the set of “Downton Abbey,” the hit PBS television show.

He’s a man coming to grips with his calling in life — as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the highest leadership roles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“This is not a role we apply for,” Kearon said in a video interview with Religion News Service. “You don’t seek it. It’s a big shock and extraordinary when it happens. Dealing with that takes time.”

When he was offered the new role in December — which comes with a lifetime appointment — one of the first things Kearon did was list other more qualified people. After accepting the role, he got back to work, hopping on a plane to give a commencement speech at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. RELATED: New Mormon apostle is a bridge builder, and a Brit

The 62-year-old Kearon, who holds both British and Irish citizenship, is the first adult convert to be named an apostle in more than a century, according to church officials. Raised in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, where his father worked, he became a Latter-day Saint in his twenties.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (Photo © 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.)

He’s best known for a talk he gave about refugees during the church’s 2016 general conference. At the time he was overseeing much of the church’s work in Europe, where a refugee crisis was dominating the news. He said any church leader in his position would have been talking about that issue at the time.

“I believe there are more refugees in the world now than there were then. We as the church will continue to try to help where people are displaced for whatever reason, and to bring some healing, food and shelter,” he said. 

Kearon added that he hopes the humanitarian work done by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue to grow in the years to come.

“We hope to expand each year because, goodness knows, there’s need,” he said.

Kearon comes across as a true believer — someone who believes the church’s message about love — with an earnest hope and concern for other people. In a series of interviews with the media this week, he was asked about some of the most troubling issues facing all religious groups, including abuse.

“There is no question in my mind that the abuse of a child or the deliberate abuse of anyone is the most heinous crime and must not be tolerated in any form,” he told the Associated Press. “We must all be much better — regardless of which religious group or denomination — in caring for those who have been victims of those crimes,” he said, adding that the goal is to help them heal, and to “move beyond just surviving that ordeal.”

Kearon told the Salt Lake Tribune that the church hoped to treat LGBTQ members in the same way Jesus did, by blessing them, and talked of the church’s efforts to keep young people engaged through its programs for high school students and college-age church members.

He told RNS the church’s core message — that people are beloved children of God — can help heal American culture, which remains divided and polarized. And if people believed they are loved and valued, he said, they would be more willing to get involved in faith groups and in helping their neighbors.

Elder Patrick Kearon delivers BYU–Hawaii’s commencement address on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, almost immediately after being appointed the newest apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Video screen grab/BYU-Hawaii)

“Sure, people drift away from religion,” he said. “Well, I hope that some will drift back, and I hope some will run back. If you’re without faith at the moment, please come back. We’ll try and do better.”

In his new role, Kearon will, along with his fellow apostles, help shape church policy, oversee church programs and travel the world to give guidance and encouragement to church members.

The new role, he said, has made him even more aware of his shortcomings — and how much he still needs to grow to meet the demands of the job. The job — like any position of authority or power — comes with risks, he said, as leaders can be filled with pride or can be tempted to misuse their power for their own benefit.

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of other faithful leaders and to remain grounded in his faith.

“So long as I think about who I’m answering to, that’ll help. But sure, we’re all vulnerable to those risks.”

 

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Matt Gaetz: Speaker Mike Johnson will request report into Trump’s attorney general pick is kept secret

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Matt Gaetz: Speaker Mike Johnson will request report into Trump's attorney general pick is kept secret

US House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will “strongly request” a report into allegations of sex trafficking against Matt Gaetz, who is the president-elect’s choice of attorney general, should not be released.

Mr Johnson said he was against publishing the House Ethics Committee report on Mr Gaetz, 42, who if approved by the Senate will become the nation’s top prosecutor once Donald Trump is sworn in as president on 20 January.

That’s despite Mr Gaetz having previously faced a nearly three-year Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. He denies the allegations and has not faced criminal charges.

Mr Gaetz has also never worked as a prosecutor and has only worked in law for a few years at a local level.

He stepped down from Congress after Mr Trump announced him as his attorney general pick.

His resignation brought the investigation by the House Ethics Committee to an end – two days before it had been expected to release its report into the trafficking claims.

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Why is Matt Gaetz a controversial pick?

House Speaker Mr Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said of the probe: “I’m going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report, because that is not the way we do things in the House.”

Politicians of both parties on the Senate Judiciary Committee have said they want to see the report on Mr Gaetz, as part of a Senate confirmation process for cabinet nominees that would start next year with public hearings.

Democrats have described the MAGA loyalist as “a gonzo agent of chaos” and his appointment a “red alert moment for our democracy”, while some Republican senators have also raised doubts about his suitability for the role.

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Mr Johnson said he planned to urge House Ethics Committee chairman Michael Guest not to provide the report to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee,” said Mr Johnson, who returned on Friday morning from meeting Mr Trump at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

“I think it’s a terrible breach of protocol and tradition and the spirit of the rule,” he added. “I think that would be a terrible precedent to set.”

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Mr Johnson had said on Wednesday that as Speaker he could not be involved in deciding whether or not to release the report.

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Jake Paul v Mike Tyson: How to watch, undercard and event details

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Jake Paul v Mike Tyson: How to watch, undercard and event details

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is taking on one of boxing’s greatest-ever fighters tonight in former undisputed world champion Mike Tyson.

The heavyweight bout is being labelled by some as Paul’s toughest test yet, despite the 30-year age gap between him and Tyson.

The fight was originally scheduled for 20 July, but was delayed after Tyson fell ill on a flight due to an ulcer flare up in May.

It’s going to be a co-main event alongside a highly-anticipated rematch between undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano.

Katie Taylor, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano, from left, pose for photos during a news conference promoting their upcoming bouts. Pic: AP
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(Left to right) Katie Taylor, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano. Pic: AP

Here’s everything you need to know about the hotly anticipated fight and how to watch.

Who are the fighters?

Jake Paul, 27, is an American YouTube star who made a name for himself on social media platform Vine. He made his professional boxing debut in 2020.

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His most high-profile fight so far was his clash with Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy Fury last year, which he lost by split decision.

“The Problem Child” has since defeated former UFC contender Nate Diaz, professional boxer Andre August, former Gold Gloves champion Ryan Bourland and most recently MMA fighter Mike Perry to earn himself a boxing record of 10-1.

“Iron Mike” Tyson, 58, retired from professional boxing in 2005 with a 50-6 record and as a former undisputed heavyweight champion.

The legendary fighter, who knocked out 44 opponents during his career, returned to the ring after 15 years in 2020 for a bout against fellow boxing icon Roy Jones, which ended in an unofficial draw.

Mike Tyson (black trunks) fights Roy Jones, Jr in 2020 bout. Pic: Joe Scarnici/USA TODAY Sports
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Mike Tyson (left) fights Roy Jones Jr in 2020 bout. Pic: Joe Scarnici/USA Today Sports via Reuters

Tyson’s fighting skills place him among the best heavyweight boxers of all time, but the age gap between him and Paul along with some potential ring rust are expected to level the playing field.

When is the fight and where will it be?

The bout is due to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday 15 November. The 80,000-seat capacity stadium is home of the Dallas Cowboys and is the biggest NFL stadium in the US.

The event is set to begin at 1am GMT on 16 November, with Taylor v Serrano scheduled for 3am GMT and Tyson v Paul at 4am GMT.

AT&T Stadium is shown in the fog before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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AT&T Stadium. Pic: AP

How can I watch it?

It will be aired on Netflix in what will be the first live fight ever on the streaming platform.

Jake Paul, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2021, said his company signed with Netflix because it is “the biggest streaming platform in the world”.

Fellow MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian added: “Partnering with Netflix for this deal presents an unparalleled opportunity to bring Jake Paul v Mike Tyson to the world on an unprecedented scale.”

Do I need to pay for the fight?

Some good news for Netflix users; there is no additional cost for the streaming platform’s subscribers.

It’s not a pay-per-view event, but you won’t be able to watch it unless you have a Netflix account, which costs between £4.99 and £17.99 depending on what sort of plan you subscribe to.

Can I buy tickets?

Tickets are still available throughout the stadium via SeatGeek, with prices for regular seats ranging from $60 (£47.32) to about $7,400 (£5,914).

What are the rules?

The Texas Athletic Commission has sanctioned it as a professional fight which will count on the pair’s boxing records, but it has put some sanctions in place due to Tyson’s age.

There will be eight rounds lasting a maximum of two minutes rather than three, and both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the usual 10-ounce.

What you need to know about Taylor v Serrano

Taylor and Serrano produced an epic when they became the first ever women fighters to headline at Madison Square Garden back in 2022, with the former edging a split decision that could have arguably fallen either way after 10 rounds.

Now over two years on from one of the greatest fights in the history of female boxing, undisputed super-lightweight world champion Taylor, 38, will put her belts on the line against unified featherweight champion Serrano, 36.

Katie Taylor, left, and Amanda Serrano pose for photos during a news conference in May. Pic: AP
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Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano during a news conference in May. Pic: AP

The contest will mark a step in three weight classes from Serrano’s usual featherweight division as she seeks the biggest win of her glittering career.

Taylor will enter 23-1 having avenged her loss to Chantelle Cameron in May last year by winning November’s rematch via majority decision to become undisputed super-lightweight champion and a two-weight undisputed champion.

Serrano is meanwhile 46-2-1 having won all four of her fights since losing to Taylor, most recently beating Danila Ramos via unanimous decision after their 12-rounder in October.

Who is on the undercard?

There are five other fights on the bill besides the two co-main events – and two of them will see titles on the line. Here’s how it looks:

  • Mario Barrios v Abel Ramos – WBC welterweight title
  • Shadasia Green v Melinda Watpool – WBO super-middleweight title
  • Lucas Bahdi v Corey Marksman – lightweight
  • Bruce Carrington v Dana Coolwell – featherweight
  • Neeraj Goyat v Whindersson Nunes – middleweight

‘The fight of a lifetime’

Paul is not typically known for showing respect to his opponents. In the lead-up to his last fight against Tommy Fury, which he lost on points, Paul said Tyson Fury’s brother “boxes because he was told to do so by his dad”.

“He doesn’t have that real heart, that real fighter inside of him,” he added.

Few, however, would question Mike Tyson’s credentials, with Paul having adopted a more respectful approach to promoting the fight so far.

“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever – the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time,” he said, adding: “This will be the fight of a lifetime.”

In a face-to-face posted on his YouTube channel on 10 November, Paul said winning would be “bittersweet” due to the respect he has for Tyson, but said it was “my time to shine”.

‘I plan to finish him’

Critics of the fight have said there is simply too big of an age gap between the two, with Tyson falling ill in May stoking talks over the fight being a mistake for the 58-year-old.

But the veteran has insisted he still has fuel left in the tank, claiming his body is “in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s”.

“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said – promising to “finish him” and his boxing career.

During the face-to-face, Tyson warned: “I’m not going to lose. I can’t even fathom losing.

“I think he thinks this is going to be a very easy night. It’s not going to be an easy night.”

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Low and inside: O’s will again alter LF dimensions

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Low and inside: O's will again alter LF dimensions

BALTIMORE — The Orioles are ready to adjust their wall in left field again.

The team moved the wall at Camden Yards back and made it significantly taller before the 2022 season. General manager Mike Elias said Friday the team “overcorrected” and will try to find a “happier medium” before the 2025 season.

The team sent out a rendering of changes showing the wall moved farther in — particularly in left-center field near the bullpens — and reduced in height.

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