c. 2007 Religion News Service

Beloved French Priest Abbe Pierre Dies at 94

PARIS (RNS) Abbe Pierre, a Capuchin monk who became one of France’s most beloved and popular figures, died of a lung infection in Paris Tuesday at the age of 94.

The man known simply as Abbe Pierre wore many hats: priest, resistance fighter, lawmaker _ and, most famously, champion of the homeless who founded the international nonprofit, Emmaus.

“All France is deeply touched,” French President Jacques Chirac said in one of many tributes that poured in throughout the day. “She has lost an immense figure, a conscience, an incarnation of good.”

Born Henri Groues to an affluent family in 1912, Abbe Pierre became a Capuchin monk as a young man. But he left the monastery after just six years. He joined the French resistance during World War II, helping Jews hide from the Nazis, and later became a deputy in France’s National Assembly.

But it was during a bitter winter in 1954 that Abbe Pierre became a household name in France. After a woman died of cold on the streets, the priest took to the airways, pleading in a radio message for the nation to open its heart _ and its homes.

“Tonight, the message must go out across France to shed light on those who are suffering so they see these simple words: That whoever you are come in, eat, sleep, find joy again. We love you,” Abbe Pierre said at the time.

Abbe Pierre also made practical requests for donations of blankets, tents and cooking stoves for that cold winter. The drive pushed the French parliament to pass legislation to create 12,000 new shelters for the homeless.

Emmaus, the nonprofit he launched in 1949, today has chapters in more than 50 nations.

At home, Abbe Pierre became a regular figure on television talk shows and topped a yearly popularity poll _ ahead of politicians, rock stars and movie idols _ until he finally dropped out of the running.

His relaxed views on marriage and women in the priesthood clashed with those of the Vatican; in 2005, he suggested he had broken the vows of chastity in a “fleeting” manner.

Still, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, head of the French bishops’ council, lauded the priest in a statement Monday for his “engagement and humanity … a source of hope for us.”

_ Elizabeth Bryant

Wiccan Ex-barista Sues Starbucks Over Religion

PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) A former Starbucks barista in Hillsboro, Ore., has sued the coffee giant, saying it discriminated against her based on her Wiccan religion.

In a complaint filed Jan. 8 in U.S. District Court in Portland, Alicia Hedum said a manager at Starbucks’ Hillsboro Landing cafe asked her to remove her Wiccan cross several times, even though other employees, including the manager, wore Christian crosses.

Hedum accused Starbucks of retaliating by refusing to promote or transfer her, reducing her hours and scrutinizing her “minor tardiness.”

A Starbucks spokesman said she was unaware of the lawsuit.

Wicca, a nature-based religion sometimes described as a form of witchcraft, has been the subject of other employment discrimination cases. A Wiccan member of the Industrial Workers of the World union complained last year to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that a New York City Starbucks discriminated against her based on religion.

Hedum worked for Starbucks from March 2004 until her Aug. 29, 2005, dismissal. Hedum’s suit also accused the retailer of retaliation, wrongful discharge and workers’ compensation discrimination.

Hedum’s attorney, Craig Crispin, did not make her available for comment.

_ Brent Hunsberger

Update: British Airways Reverses Stance on Religious Jewelry

LONDON (RNS) Britain’s biggest airline, stinging under criticism from religious and political leaders, has reversed its ban on employees’ openly displaying religious items such as crucifixes.

British Airways created a furor, and reportedly lost a number of customers, when it told Nadia Eweida, a Christian check-in worker at London’s Heathrow airport, that the cross she wore on a necklace violated its dress code because it could be seen.

BA chief executive Willy Walsh, after first defending the uniform policy, announced the about-face after he said the airline had “unintentionally” found itself at “the center of one of the hottest social issues in current public debate” in Britain.

The airline said on Friday (Jan. 19) that effective Feb. 1, it is changing its dress code “to allow a lapel-pin symbol of faith, such as a Christian cross or a Star of David, with some flexibility for individuals to wear a symbol of faith on a chain.”

Criticism of BA’s restrictive policy on the open wearing of religious jewelry has ranged all the way to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who told the airline that “there are battles really worth fighting,” but that this was not one of them. The airline, he said, should “do the sensible thing.”

At one point, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had threatened to sell the Church of England’s $18 million worth of stock in the airline. After the policy reversal, he said he was “grateful that BA have listened to the deep concerns that have been expressed about this issue.”

Walsh conceded that during an internal “review,” “comparisons were made between the wearing of a cross around the neck and the wearing of hijabs, turbans and Sikh bracelets,” which are allowed under company policy.

“Our uniform is one of the most powerful symbols of our company and heritage,” Walsh said. “This modification will enable staff to wear symbols of faith openly without detracting from the uniform.”

_ Al Webb

Oklahoma Churches to Pray ‘Round the Clock for State

TULSA, Okla. (RNS) As Oklahoma enters its centennial year, two dozen churches here have joined together to pray for the state and the city around the clock for the entire year.

Oklahoma became a state Nov. 16, 1907.

Some of Tulsa’s largest churches, from several denominations, are participating in the 24-7 prayer cycle.

The Rev. Mark McAdow, pastor of prayer and evangelism at Asbury United Methodist Church, said the goal is to “saturate Tulsa and the state with prayer, as a unified Body of Christ.”

He called the prayer project “a rare opportunity for us to cross denominational lines and be united in prayer for the state and the city.”

The 24-7 prayer started at midnight New Year’s Eve at Believers Church. Earlier that day, a torch was lit that will be carried each week to the participating churches. Each will schedule people to pray in one-hour slots around the clock for one week.

The Rev. Roger Nix, pastor of Believers Church, said enough churches have signed on to cover the first six months of 2007, and more are interested. If fewer than 52 churches participate, some will schedule more than one week of prayer.

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, staff workers at Believers Church covered the prayer slot from 2 until 3 p.m.

In a dimly lit prayer room with scribbled prayer requests glowing under black lights on a black wall, Debbie Tietsort prayed that “all the churches will come together and love you in one accord, without denominational barriers.”

Kathy Ruddick said after the prayer time that she believes God has a purpose for every city. “I think Tulsa is meant to be a healing place,” she said.

_ Bill Sherman

Quote of the Day: The Rev. Nicholas Kao Se-tsean

(RNS) “Forgo anger, tobacco, intoxication and gluttony in favor of exercise, humility, charity, prayer and patience.”

_ The Rev. Nicholas Kao Se-tsean, who, at 110 years old is believed to be one of the world’s oldest Roman Catholic priests, on his secrets for long life. He was quoted by Ecumenical News International.

KRE END RNS