Monthly Archives: June 2008
Presbyterians to debate gay pastors, same-sex unions
By Tracy Gordon — June 28, 2008
SAN JOSE, Calif.-The nation’s largest Presbyterian denomination is scheduled Friday to debate the possibility of ordination for non-celibate gays and lesbians. At its biannual General Assembly, representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will consider a move to allow openly gay clergy but keep its current rules intact after a delicate compromise approved two years ago […]
Church court finds Pa. bishop guilty of hiding abuse
By Tracy Gordon — June 28, 2008
PHILADELPHIA-A church court on Thursday (June 26) unanimously found the Episcopal bishop of Philadelphia, Charles E. Bennison, guilty of not responding appropriately to his brother’s sexual abuse of a teenage girl more than three decades ago. Bennison, 64, was convicted by the nine-member tribunal of “conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy.” Punishments could range […]
Va. judge sides with breakaway Episcopal churches
By Tracy Gordon — June 28, 2008
WASHINGTON-A Civil War-era law that lets Virginia congregations keep their property when leaving a denomination where a “division” has occurred is constitutional, a local judge ruled Friday (June 27). Fairfax County Judge Randy I. Bellows’ ruling was greeted as a victory by 11 congregations that seceded from the Episcopal Church last year over theological disagreements. […]
Walter elected new president of Evangelical Covenant Church
By Tracy Gordon — June 28, 2008
Gary B. Walter was elected the ninth president of the Chicago-based Evangelical Covenant Church on Wednesday (June 25) at the denomination’s annual meeting in Green Lake, Wis.
Russian Orthodox join U.S. Orthodox umbrella group
By Tracy Gordon — June 28, 2008
NEW YORK-For the first time in its 50-year history, an umbrella group of Eastern Orthodox Christian leaders now represents every American church in communion with the spiritual leader of world Orthodoxy.
Town asks court to decide upkeep of church cemetery
By Tracy Gordon — June 28, 2008
PALMYRA, Pa.-With residents calling it “pathetic” that no one is caring for a cemetery, town officials have asked the Lebanon County Court to decide who should be responsible for its upkeep.
So much to shout about
By Daniel Burke — June 28, 2008
Ira B. Tucker, whose soulful baritone put the hum in the Dixie Hummingbirds, passed away June 24, according to this Washington Post obit. Acts like James Brown emulated him, songwriters like Paul Simon adored him; The Gospel great sung “Jesus is Coming” with such fire you’d swear the savior would walk through the door, just […]
Last Love Guru post … I swear
By Kevin Eckstrom — June 28, 2008
So, by now we’ve all heard about the fuss over the Love Guru, the new Mike Myers films that some Hindus claim is offensive and denigrating to Hindus. The charge has been mostly led by self-professed “acclaimed” Hindu leader Rajan Zed, a Hindu activist in Nevada. A few Hindu groups thought it was all much […]
A price too high
By Kevin Eckstrom — June 28, 2008
The New York Times ran a sobering account of the high cost of being a Christian in Iraq. And it’s well worth the read. Reporter Andrew E. Kramer writes about the payments made by Iraqi Christians to militant Iraqi groups for protection. Andrew White, who oversees Anglican churches in Iraq, said much of that protection […]
Conservative U.S. archbishop to head Vatican high court
By Frances X. Rocca — June 28, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service VATICAN CITY _ St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke was named Friday (June 27) to head the Catholic Church’s highest court, a move that places an outspoken conservative in an important if not highly visible post. Burke, 59, will be the first American to serve as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal […]
Episcopal court finds Pa. bishop guilty of hiding abuse
By Tony Evans — June 28, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service PHILADELPHIA _ An Episcopal Church court on Thursday (June 26) unanimously found Bishop Charles E. Bennison guilty of not responding appropriately to sexual abuse committed by his brother against a teenage girl more than three decades ago. The 64-year-old Bennison, who has led the Philadelphia-based Diocese of Pennsylvania since 1998, […]
Christian lawyer praises God for Supreme Court decision
By Adelle M. Banks — June 28, 2008
Mathew D. Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law and founder of Liberty Counsel, picked the title of a patriotic song from World War II to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision Thursday that struck down the District of Columbia’s handgun ban. “‘Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition’ is the best way […]
Cleaning St. Peter’s Needs a Careful, Acrobatic Touch: 925 words, with optional trim to 800
By Frances X. Rocca — June 27, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service VATICAN CITY _ As the tomb of the first pope and the principal church of most of his 264 successors, St. Peter’s Basilica is Roman Catholicism’s greatest shrine. It’s also a treasure trove of artistic riches, with works by such artists as Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini. At over 600 feet […]
Burke to Rome, pronto
By Mark Silk — June 27, 2008
The appointment of St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke to head the Vatican’s highest court, effective at 5 p.m. today, has prompted the following assessment from Thomas Reese, S.J. of Georgetown University’s Woodstock Center (via a press release emailed around by Fr. Reese himself): “The appointment should make pro-choice Catholic politicians very nervous,” said Reese. “He […]
