c. 2007 Religion News Service

Ailing D. James Kennedy Resigns Florida Pulpit

(RNS) The Rev. D. James Kennedy, who used his Florida-based television ministry to establish himself as a leading voice for religious conservatives, has retired from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale.

Kennedy, 76, suffered a cardiac arrest in late December and has not returned to his pulpit of more than 48 years since falling ill.

“We thank the Lord for his faithfulness to my father over nearly one-half century, through the impact this church has made in the lives of people in this congregation and community and the influence he has had on countless individuals around the world through radio and television,” his daughter, Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy, said in a Sunday (Aug. 26) announcement of her father’s retirement.

Kennedy started the congregation, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America, in 1959. He became a well-known Christian broadcaster through his presidency of Coral Ridge Ministries, which broadcast his sermons.

“As Dr. Kennedy retires from the scene of active ministry, I praise God for giving the church this man of vision so committed to the kingdom of God,” said Frank Wright, president of National Religious Broadcasters. “With his godly wisdom, his courageous heart and his consistent example, he has inspired millions to love, follow and serve Jesus Christ.”

Leaders of Coral Ridge Ministries have begun plans to broaden its audience of 3 million to 30 million by 2012, by using Kennedy’s teachings on television, radio, the Internet and in print.

But other ministries founded by the ailing broadcaster have closed or gained new ownership.

Coral Ridge Ministries closed the Center for Reclaiming America, which fostered grass-roots action among conservative Christians, in April. The Center for Christian Statesmanship, a Washington-based ministry to Capitol Hill employees, closed at the same time, but reopened two weeks later under the auspices of Kennedy’s Evangelism Explosion International.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Progressive Nuns Want Bush, Cheney Impeached

(RNS) A progressive group of U.S. nuns has called on Congress to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney because of their roles in the war in Iraq.

“The National Coalition of American Nuns is impelled by conscience to call you to act promptly to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for … high crimes and misdemeanors,” the group wrote in a letter written on behalf of its board members.

The letter says impeachment is warranted for their “deceiving the public under the false pretense that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction” and “destroying” the reputation of the United States and the good will of other nations.

“The time for impeachment is now _ before the example of George W. Bush’s regime is set in stone,” they wrote. “Future generations will thank you for preserving the freedom of our nation and its relation to the entire human community.”

The coalition was founded in 1969 for individual nuns dedicated to issues of social justice and human rights.

The letter was approved during a mid-August meeting of the board, held in Chicago. During that same meeting, the board unanimously adopted statements opposing all war and affirming peacemaking efforts.

“Rather than continuing support of a just war theory, a more compassionate church would oppose all war and teach peacemaking skills for all levels of government and interpersonal conflict resolution,” the statement reads.

The board also adopted statements pledging to work to “moderate the impact we make on planet Earth,” and supporting nuclear disarmament and relief efforts for the poor in Africa.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Quote of the Day: The Rev. Paula White of Tampa, Fla.

(RNS) “It’s not the end of the story for Randy or Paula or maybe even Randy and Paula.”

_ The Rev. Paula White, senior pastor of Without Walls International Church, standing before her Tampa, Fla., congregation on Thursday (Aug. 23), with her husband, the Rev. Randy White, as they announced their plans to divorce. She was quoted by the St. Petersburg Times.

KRE/LF END RNS