c. 2007 Religion News Service
Questions Linger as Bush Announces Envoy to Islamic Countries
(RNS) Hoping to improve America’s negative image in the Muslim world, President Bush said he will appoint a special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, a political group of 57 nations home to more than 1 billion Muslims.
But at least one expert warned that while many Muslims will welcome the envoy, others will see it as just another empty gesture from an administration they say is at war with Islam.
“Some will say the damage done is far more complex and the solutions go beyond just setting up an envoy,” said Qamar-Ul Huda, a senior program officer for religion and peacemaking at the United States Institute for Peace, a think tank.
Speaking Wednesday (June 27) at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., Bush said the special envoy “will listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states and will share with them America’s views and values.”
While much of the Islamic world sympathized with America after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, that support has plummeted in recent years over Iraq, Afghanistan, and U.S. policy toward the Israeli/Palestinian disputes.
But the envoy, Bush said, would also advocate for American views and stress what the United States has done in the Muslim world. Indeed, Bush used the announcement to remind Muslims of American help to Indonesia, Pakistan and other Muslims countries struck by devastating natural disasters in 2005.
Bush also blamed Islamic extremists for suppressing religious freedom in the Muslim world, and promised to help Muslims defeat them.
“We must help millions of Muslims as they rescue a proud and historic religion from murderers and beheaders who seek to soil the name of Islam.”
More than 24 hours after Wednesday’s announcement, the OIC had yet to respond to the administration’s proposal. A State Department spokesman said he did not know if members of the Islamic group _ including nations such as Iran and Sudan that do not have diplomatic relations with Washington _ would have to approve accepting the envoy. The OIC’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York, as well as the Pakistani ambassador to the U.N., whose country now chairs the OIC, could not be reached for comment.
_ Omar Sacirbey
Catholic Bishops Unveil Pro-Marriage Ad Campaign
DENVER (RNS) The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a series of radio and television spots and a corresponding Web site aimed at anyone who needs help with marriage, with a special emphasis on Catholics.
During the launch of the multimedia campaign here on Wednesday (June 27), Archbishop Charles Chaput cut into a white wedding cake while onlookers sipped champagne.
“We’re calling people to be for their marriage and committed to their spouse, family and the institution itself,” said Chaput.
The campaign is part of a larger marriage initiative approved by the bishops in 2004 as a response to debate about same-sex unions, a high divorce rate, the declining rate of marriage and a rapid rise of non-married cohabitation.
The lighthearted radio and television spots feature responses to the question, “What have you done for your marriage today?” The answers range from taking care of the baby to sending a love e-mail to not yelling at a spouse.
Interviews were done on the street in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Providence, R.I., and Austin, Texas.
The first batch of 30- and 60-second spots are available to television and radio stations across the country immediately and the rest will be rolled out over the next 18 months. Since they are public service announcements, the campaign is relying on radio and television stations to play the messages, although some dioceses may purchase local airtime.
The Web site (http://www.foryourmarriage.org) provides practical help to couples, said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the bishops’ conference. The site offers video footage of the interviews, articles on marriage and links to other marriage resources.
_ Susie Ma
Methodists, Presbyterians, Brethren Report Lower Numbers
(RNS) Three mainline Protestant denominations _ the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Church of the Brethren _ have experienced steady decreases in U.S. membership rolls, continuing long-term trends, according to separate June reports.
A “state of the church” report issued by the UMC said its U.S. membership fell to 7.9 million _ a loss of nearly 6 percent _ from 1995 to 2005. In Africa and Asia, however, Methodist numbers are growing, with 200 percent increases on each continent during that decade.
UMC membership dropped about 1.4 percent in 2006, according to the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches.
Active membership in the Presbyterian Church (USA) fell by more than 46,000, to 2.27 million in 2006, according to the church’s Office of the General Assembly. Almost 1,000 fewer adults, and 230 fewer children, were baptized by the church last year, the church said.
Several large congregations have left the PC(USA) this year, choosing to affiliate with the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church instead.
The Church of the Brethren reported a 1.4 percent decrease in membership last year, to about 128,000. Membership fell by a similar percentage in 2005, the church said.
_ Daniel Burke
Quote of the Day: Focus on the Family President James Dobson
(RNS) “I was also uncomfortable with the depiction of our most righteous God as an ordinary man who, though endearing and warm, danced and performed funny miracles. … I was taught at my mother’s knee that God is profoundly holy, and we are to approach Him with deep reverence.”
_ Focus on the Family President James Dobson explaining why he can’t endorse “Evan Almighty,” a new movie that provides a modern take on the biblical story of Noah. Dobson was quoted by Plugged In Online, Focus on the Family’s entertainment review site.
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