c. 2000 Religion News Service
Pope Deplores Violence in Middle East, Indonesia
(RNS) Pope John Paul II, in his annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) message Monday (Dec. 25), deplored the continuing violence in the Middle East, saying the clashes between Israelis and Palestinians “stain with blood the difficult path to peace.”
The 80-year-old Roman Catholic pontiff appeared weary and his speech was slurred, making it difficult to understand, according to wire service reports from Vatican City. Just hours earlier, John Paul, breaking with tradition, had celebrated a midnight Christmas Mass before tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square. Usually the Mass is held indoors.
John Paul also expressed dismay at the series of Christmas Eve bombings of churches in Indonesia in which 15 people died and nearly 100 were injured.
“And what are we to say about countries _ I am thinking particularly about Indonesia _ where our brothers and sisters in faith, even on this Christmas Day, are undergoing a tragic time of trial and suffering?” John Paul asked.
The pope also lamented what he called the “endless streams” of refugees from conflicts around the world and, as he has in past Christmas messages, denounced abortion and euthanasia.
“We cannot but recall today that shadows of death threaten people’s lives at every stage of life, and are especially menacing at its earliest beginning and its natural end,” he said.
But the pope said that no matter how dismaying events in the world appear, Christmas is a time of hope.
“Yet however dense the darkness may appear, our hope for the triumph of the light which appeared on this holy night at Bethlehem is stronger still,” the pope said.
Clerics Ask U.N. to Help Safeguard Religious Sites
(RNS) Six American religious leaders have asked the United Nations General Assembly to declare its support for the protection of religious sites threatened by civil wars and other internal conflicts around the world.
“This cuts across whether you are a Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jew,” Rabbi Arthur Schneier of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation told The New York Times. “It’s something within the nature of the human beast that if you really want to hurt a faith community, that seems to be the most sensitive, most vulnerable focus.”
The appeal, delivered to the United Nations shortly before Christmas, noted the United Nations had declared the coming year as the year for dialogue among nations.
“A basic premise for dialogue is respect for holy sites that are sacred to religious believers and are a precious heritage for our civilization,” the appeal said.
In addition to Schneier, signers included Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; the Rt. Rev. Richard Grein, Episcopal bishop of New York; Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, Roman Catholic archbishop-designate of Washington; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Armenian Church of America and Iman Mohammad Mostafa Ibrahim Jumeiah of the Islamic Center of New York.
Indonesian Leader Condemns Church Bombings
(RNS) Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has condemned a series of Christmas Eve bombings at Christian churches that killed 15 people and injured more than 100 others.
Wahid, a Muslim scholar, labeled the bombings as contrary to Islam and said they were aimed at dividing the country along religious lines. Indonesia is predominantly Muslim with Christians making up about 9 percent of the nation’s 210 million people.
Although no group has taken responsibility, government security forces said that “well organized terrorists” were behind the attacks, the Associated Press reported. In the past, Wahid has accused supporters of the former dictator Suharto of being behind the violence in an effort to divide the country and instill a sense of uncertainty.
“We don’t need to fear anyone, including terrorist groups,” Wahid said. “The country can’t be afraid or intimidated. It must defend all religions.”
Over the past two years, sectarian violence, mostly in the eastern Moluccan islands once known as the Spice Islands, have resulted in the death of some 5,500 people of both faiths.
The new bombings, however, took place in nine cities, including Jakarta.
Spring Arbor Distributors Names New President
(RNS) Spring Arbor Distributors, a major distributor to Christian retailers, has named a new president.
Stephen W. Arthur, executive vice president and general manager of Ingram’s Publisher Resources, is president effective Jan. 1. Spring Arbor is an operating unit of Ingram Book Group.
Arthur succeeds Fran Salamon who recently resigned to accept an executive position with Thomas Nelson, a Christian publisher based in Nashville, Tenn.
Arthur has worked with Ingram since 1993.
_ Adelle M. Banks
Two Christian Artists in Rock, Rap Groups Died in December
(RNS) Two artists with ties to Christian rock and rap groups died unexpectedly in December.
Kevin Mills, a former bass player with Newsboys from 1992 to 1994, was killed Dec. 3 in a motorcycle accident in Hollywood, Calif. He was 32, the Associated Press reported.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kevin Mills,” said Peter Furler of Newsboys, a Christian rock group, in a statement. “He was a vital part of the Newsboys’ history and remained a close friend. … He will be deeply missed.”
Regis Irving, 34, of the gospel rap group God’s Original Gangstaz, died Dec. 19 from complications stemming from strep throat, Grapetree Records announced. Known as Mr. Reg. N.I.C.E., his group was affiliated with the record company from 1995 to 1999. “The Christian music company lost a true soldier and comrade,” said Knolly Williams, president of Grapetree Records, in a statement. _ Adelle M. Banks Quote of the day: Laura Hirsch, St. James, N.Y. (RNS) “Everybody from every denomination, even atheists, came out to help us because they believe in what we’re doing. It’s a real gathering of the community.” _ Laura Hirsch, St. James, N.Y., speaking of the public’s response after a menorah that was part of public display was vandalized on Dec. 25. She was quoted by the New York Times on Dec. 26. DEA END RNS
