c. 2006 Religion News Service

McCarrick, in Parting Shots, Urges Greater Civility in Politics

WASHINGTON (RNS) Retiring Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who has spent five years as the Catholic Church’s unofficial liaison to both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, is urging Catholic politicians to end the “politics of bitter division and polarization.”

“For your sake and for the sake of our nation,” McCarrick said Tuesday (June 20), “we must restore greater civility to public discourse so that we attack problems, and not one another.”

McCarrick made his remarks at a private breakfast for about 25 Catholic members of Congress, just two days before he officially retires as archbishop of Washington and is succeeded by Pittsburgh Bishop Donald Wuerl.

In prepared remarks issued by his office, McCarrick did not dwell on the thorny issue of whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion, an issue he has grappled with for two years.

McCarrick made passing references to “a culture of life” and protecting “the innocent unborn child,” but urged lawmakers to focus on immigration, ensuring peace in the Holy Land and restoring civility in politics.

“We must try to break out of the war-room tactics, the daily recriminations, the impugning of motives, the endless cycles of political attack and counterattack,” McCarrick said.

On Friday (June 16), McCarrick warned his fellow bishops that “intense polarization and bitter battles of partisan politics” were seeping into the life of the church. He issued this warning in his final report as chairman of a task force on the church’s response to Catholic politicians.

A group of about 50 Catholic Democrats have met periodically with McCarrick on the issue of abortion, and earlier this year asked for more leeway in their support of abortion rights. McCarrick gently rebuffed them but vowed to keep talking.

McCarrick, 75, has also rejected calls from a handful of conservative bishops to deny Communion to dissenting politicians, especially former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. McCarrick said he did not favor a “confrontation” at the Communion rail.

McCarrick told the legislators “you probably haven’t seen the last of me” and hailed their work as “both a noble calling and a difficult challenge.”

_ Kevin Eckstrom

Jeb Bush Signs Tax-Exempt Law for Bible Theme Park

(RNS) Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has signed into law a bill that would grant theme parks that display, exhibit, illustrate and interpret biblical manuscripts the same tax-exempt status as museums.

The law is the product of a four-year legal battle involving the Holy Land Experience, a live-action biblical museum in Orlando, developed by Zion’s Hope, a nonprofit Christian ministry that oversaw it for its first four years.

Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan wanted the park to pay almost $1 million in back taxes since 2001, when it opened. Donegan refused to give it full tax exemption because he questioned the purpose of the museum.

“I think Holy Land itself is religious, but I’m not convinced that it serves a religious purpose like a church. I guess we’re going to have to find out the definition of a church. When you charge $30 for admission, is that a church?” Bill Donegan told the Associated Press.

Last year an Orange County Circuit Court ruled that the entire park couldn’t be taxed because it is used predominantly for religious purposes, but Donegan appealed the decision.

Bush signed the bill, sponsored by State Sen. Daniel Webster, on Friday (June 16). Donegan then backed off from the legal fight.

“We’re delighted for that, we don’t want to dwell on the past. I hope that we can develop a good relationship with (Mr.) Donegan,” said Dan Hayden, interim president for the Holy Land Experience.

Guests of the Holy Land Experience walk through a 15-acre walled city that depicts Israel during the life of Jesus. There are geographical replicas of historical sites and theatrical renditions of biblical events. Most notably, the park is home to a scriptorium where the oldest artifact is an approximately 4,350-year-old votive nail on which ancient Babylonian worshippers scribbled prayers to their gods.

The new law was a victory for Liberty Counsel, a national religious law firm that offered free legal assistance to the Holy Land Experience.

“Orange County sought to impose its own view of religious activities,” said Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “And had it won, every religious ministry would be subject to the changing views of county officials searching for more tax revenue.”

_ J. Edward Mendez

German Court Prohibits Driving in Restrictive Muslim Garb

BERLIN (RNS) German officials have no problem if drivers exceed 100 mph on the autobahn, but the German Federal Traffic Court has said it has a problem if drivers attempt to drive _ at any speed _ in certain traditional Muslim garb.

Garments such as burqas and chadors, which might inhibit a driver’s ability to see and hear properly, are not allowed while operating a vehicle, the court ruled Wednesday (June 14), according to the Berliner Zeitung (Berlin Newspaper).

“When one wears a burqa, one’s ability to drive is affected,” said a court spokeswoman. The court added that the ban had been the “de facto” policy before the ruling.

Both traditional garments cover the woman’s entire body. The burqa includes a gauze screen or veil that obscures the face.

The court was forced to make the statement after a German citizen in the state of North Rhein Westphalia specifically demanded a ban on people driving with burqas or chadors. The request worked its way through the government before ending up in front of the traffic court.

The ruling means that police throughout Germany will now be able to stop and pull over any person they see operating a vehicle while wearing garb considered to be dangerous to driving.

_ Niels Sorrells

Catholic Group Urges Indian Law Against Blasphemy

CHENNAI, India (RNS) A lay Catholic group has urged the Indian government to introduce “blasphemy legislation” to combat perceived threats from art works, books and films that repeatedly hurt the religious sentiments of various people.

The Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) asked the Indian president and prime minister to help in enacting a law against blasphemy, “regardless of any religion.”

The request comes on the heels of widespread religious opposition, including from Hindu and Muslim organizations, to “The Da Vinci Code,” which questioned the basic tenets of Christianity.

“Since artists and filmmakers don’t know where to draw the line, blasphemy laws should be passed in the country,” said CSF general secretary Joseph Dias in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on June 4.

Dias said legislation was needed because art, books and films have hurt the religious sentiments of different factions. Dias gave as an example the recent Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Although a section of the Indian Penal Code already contains provisions to punish those who offend religious feelings, Dias said the law is ineffective because a government sanction must be issued before the case can be prosecuted.

_ Achal Narayanan

Quote of the Day: United Methodist Pastor Dr. Scott Morris

(RNS) “The church ought to lead the way, not bring up the rear. If the church has to serve fried chicken in order to draw a crowd, then there is something wrong with the message.”

_ Dr. Scott Morris, physician and associate pastor at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tenn., commenting to United Methodist News Service. Morris is the director of the Church Health Center in Memphis.

KRE/LF END RNS