Papal takedown

Vatican - A woman in a red hooded sweat shirt leaped over a wooden barrier, grabbed Pope Benedict XVI's vestments and pulled him down as he was making his way to the altar in St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate Christmas Eve Mass. The Pope lost his miter and staff as he fell. Cardinal Roger Etchegaray was also knocked down during the incident and was taken to a hospital for a check up. The Pope resumed his walk to the altar and began the mass.

He made no reference to the attack and in his homily he urged the world to "wake up" from selfishness and petty affairs, and find time for God and spiritual matters. "Conflict and lack of reconciliation in the world stem from the fact that we are locked into our own interests and opinions, into our own little private world."

Following the assault, Vatican spokesman Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the woman appeared to be mentally unstable and had been taken into custody by Vatican police.

Egyptian apparition

Cairo, Egypt - The first sighting happened on December 10th. At 8:30 pm, a Muslim man was having coffee at a local shop in Al-Warrack, a poor neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt, when he noticed a strong light coming from the Warrack church. Others noticed and also saw a bird circling in the sky. Around 2 am, a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared in her blue and white robes. Hundreds of people rushed out of their homes to capture the event with the cameras in their mobile phones. Now as many as ten thousand gather nightly to witness the appearance.

Kawkab Munir Shehata holds she was cured of blindness in her left eye by the Blessed Mother. "I felt immense pain which lasted about quarter of an hour. Then I was ecstatic to find out that I could see clearly," said Kawkab. "You see, my left eye is even better than my right one now."

Father Fishay, a local priest, feels "Maybe her appearance is to bring people closer together, maybe it will bring about the end of the state of tension between Muslims and Christians and an end to extremism."

Art censorship

Texas, USA - A letter warning of a potential federal lawsuit by the Liberty Legal Institute stems from a Texas college's alleged censorship in one of the art classes. The controversy arose when a student was allegedly prohibited from making crucifixes in a not-for-credit ceramics class. According to the student, he was told by an Eastfield College instructor that he was not allowed to make religious items. "The whole point of art is to express who you are," said student Joe Mitchell, aged 69 and a retired auto worker. "I felt humiliated and that my spirituality was being demeaned."

The Eastfield ceramic's program chairman issued a memo which stated making religious icons "demeans the goals of" the program, which seeks to encourage original, creative work by students. The college's policy requires all items must be approved in advance by the instructor.

Modern art history is replete with works that would probably violate the school's policy - from Duchamp's fountain (a urinal) to Warhol's soup cans among more famous examples.

Protestant vandalism

Japan - More than 50 different acts have vandalism against Protestant churches since last September have investigators and Christian clergy on heightened alert. All incidents occurred at night, usually involving bricks or fire extinguishers lobbed to smash windows. Churches and other religious facilities belonging to Protestant groups in Osaka (38 attacks), Hyogo (12), Kyoto (3) and Shiga (3) prefectures in the Kansai region of Japan seem to be the only targets. One night had seven attacks in different areas.

"As a fellow person of religion, I am very disturbed by these incidents," said an official for the Shinshu Otani-ha Buddhist sect. Masayuki Kiryu, professor of criminal psychology at Kansai University of International Studies said, "it is hard to imagine that a church or seminary could draw the wrath of so many people," concluding it was unclear whether the attacks were carried out by a single actor due to the wide area involved.

Ancient manuscript displayed

Scotland - The Celtic Psalter is Scotland's oldest known book and will be on display for the next three months (till March 14th) at the University of Edinburgh's library. Until now, this rare manuscript has been carefully guarded under lock and key and has only been made available to a handful of scholars.

The 11th century tome contains hand-written psalms in latin and is illustrated with Celtic and Pictish imagery. "It is a riot of colour. You would think someone had gone over it with a felt-tip pen," said librarian, Joseph Marshall. "People have been reluctant to show it, but now we have a special display case, and really this is the book's first public outing in 1,000 years."

Experts speculate the psalter was created by monks in Iona who are also thought to have been involved in the creation of the Book of Kells - one of the most famous of all illuminated manuscripts.

Priest murdered

Congo - Armed men broke into the presbytery in the Kabare (the Sud-Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) and killed Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor Daniel Cizimya. He was shot in the head.

Kinshasa Archbishop Pasinya has condemned the attacks stating, "Everything leads us to believe that this violence was directed intentionally against the Catholic Church and its mission of peace and reconciliation."

Two days after Cizimya's brutal murder, Sister Denise Kahambu was shot and killed by three armed men in an attack on a Trappist monastery north of Bukavu.

"The archdiocese has fallen victim to an act of barbarism," said Monsignor Pierre Bulambo, vicar general. Two months ago, two priests were "imprisoned like rats" when attackers set fire to their presbytery, according to Bulambo. "The Congolese are fed up of crying and dying," he said about a growing wave of anti-Christian violence.

Vigil for slain nun

India - A candlelight vigil has been held for 33 year-old Yankyi Dolma, a Buddhist nun attached to the Kardze Lamdrag nunnery who died in a hospital in Chengdu from her injuries sustained from being beaten by security personnel of the Chinese People's Armed Police during her participation in a peaceful protest against the Chinese government held in the Kardze market square last March. The nun was reportedly handing out hand-written pamphlets when she encountered government police. She died in the early morning hours of December 6th.

The vigil was held in Dharamshala, India - home to many Tibetans living in exile. Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people gathered to chant religious hymns in memory of the fallen nun.

The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy has called for an impartial investigation of the tragedy. Another nun, Sonam Yangchen, was also beaten and arrested during the initial incident.

In the footsteps of Jesus

United Kingdom - A new film presents evidence that Jesus spent time in the West Country part of Britain before beginning his Biblically documented public life. A teen-aged Jesus went to the Cornish towns of Penzance, Falmouth, Looe and St- Just-in-Roseland and Glastonbury in Somerset with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph had business with a number of Cornish mines.

Christ studied mathematics with the Druids and built a mud and wood church in Glastonbury which he then then dedicated to his mother, according to the movie. "And Did Those Feet" was made by Dr Gordon Strachan, an Edinburgh University professor of architecture, as well as, a Church of Scotland minister and Ted Harrison - who has worked as a religious correspondent for BBC News.

This documentary film also provides circumstantial evidence suggesting that Britain was a center of learning for any wealthy, young Palestinian at that time. The period between the ages of 12 and 30 in the life of Christ were not covered by the New Testament gospels.

Religious leaders convene

Australia - An estimated 8,000 delegates from some 80 countries are expected to attend The Parliament of the World's Religions in Melbourne, Australia, running until December 9th. Rabbis, Islamic scholars, Hindu philosophers, Buddhist monks and Christian leaders will discuss issues ranging from the eradication of poverty to rights of self-determination for indigenous peoples.

Special focus will given to the misunderstanding of Muslim beliefs and traditions. Conference director and Presbyterian minister, Dirk Ficca, said, "we want to give reputable Islamic scholars and leaders the chance...to share what they believe Islam is all about."

Environmental sustainability will also be a topic of importance. The symbolic premise is to bring people together to share ideas and talk about their beliefs. The event is convened every 5 years.

Buddhist festival

Lalitagiri, India - A two-day festival Buddhist festival - named Buddha Mahotsav - drew monks and scholars, among others, to the Buddhist monastery in Lalitagiri, India, home to a well-known, giant Stupa. Sculptures there date back to the 1st century.

“The aim of the festival is to spread the message of peace and love among the people and to educate them about the teachings of Lord Buddha," said Mr Mihir Jena, the festival chairperson.

Buddhists from as faraway as Norway were in attendance. Processions, prayers, chants, meditation sessions and holy offerings to Buddha were among the many activities participants engaged in. Colorful dances and photo exhibitions were also part of the festival's observances.

For centuries, Lalitagiri, the sole one in eastern India, has remained a prime pilgrimage center for Buddhists from around the world as it is home to a sacred relic of Buddha.

Empty spirits find new spirit

Texas, USA - Empty wine and beer bottles are finding a new role in the hands of an artistic priest. Father Jairo Lopez hand cuts the bottles into small pieces he will then use in mosaics and he compares his art to his church community. "The colors, textures and materials of a mosaic, that's my parishioners. They are all of different styles, sizes and cultures. The community is one big mosaic," Father Lopez says. His mosaics have "become part of my prayer life, my spirituality."

Marble, tile and granite often keep company with the glass pieces. It is time-consuming work, sometimes taking hundreds of hours to complete a single piece.

Most of his time is taken up with his day job as a priest to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Marble Falls, Texas, though Tuesdays - his day off - he usually dedicates to mosaic art.

A cowboy church

Kansas, USA - At the intersection of Highways 24 and 59, not far from the college town that is home to the University of Kansas, is a yellow-and-white stripped tent. It is a place of God but lacks pews and stained glass windows. The congregation often drive pickups, sometimes pulling a horse trailer - and the minister wears jeans. He leads his flock in front of an altar emblazoned by a cross with a horseshoe in the center. Rev. Terry Newell's Crossroads Community Church is for those who are often more cowboy than not. It is a small group of churchgoers, 100-135 attending regularly, but it is a place where they share a common faith and common interests.

"Well, the reason I attend here is...the fellowship that I've experienced...plus the fact that the people here have a common interest in riding horses," said Bill McCall.

The church even had a full-on rodeo last July. Pastor Newell believes his cowboy church, "would be a great way to reach the Western culture."

Record price for monk's work

Hong Kong - An artwork depicting a journey by 18 monks through a mountain landscape and accompanied by mythical animal consorts by Wu Bin, a 16th century Ming dynasty painter and Zen monk at the Qixia Temple in Nanjing, has brought a record price of $24.8 million at a Beijing sale making this is the highest price ever paid for a Chinese painting at auction. The final price was almost 8 times the pre-sale estimate. 

The scroll, "Eighteen Arhats," is typical of the work of Wu Bin who often painted Buddhist monks and priests performing magical rituals and healing ceremonies. The work was once owned by the emperor of Qianlong whose own calligraphy adorns the piece. 

A "letter leaf" calligraphy by the 11th century Song Dynasty poet, Zeng Gong, gaveled in at $15.9 million. Zeng Gong was considered a founder of the one of the eight great schools of Chinese philosophy.

Apology for massacre

New York City, USA - A reconciliation ceremony held by America's oldest Protestant church centered around an apology to Native Americans for massacring them 400 years ago. The Rev. Robert Chase of the Collegiate Church - started in 1628 in then-New Amsterdam as the Reformed Dutch Church - admitted, "We consumed your resources, dehumanized your people and disregarded your culture, along with your dreams, hopes and great love for this land." 

The solemn rite was held on Native American Heritage Day, the day after Thanksgiving, in front of the Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan in New York City. This area is where Dutch colonists built a fort in Lenape tribal territory near what is now called Broadway. Four congregations compose the Collegiate churches in New York City including the landmark Marble Collegiate Church on Fifth Avenue once led by the late Rev. Norman Vincent Peale - a renown religious leader. 

Ronald Holloway, the chairman of the Sand Hill band of Lenapes, reminisced that Dutch colonists "were hacking men, women and children to death. After 400 years, when someone says 'I'm sorry,' you say, 'Really?'"

Stealing Buddha's heads

Thailand - At least 20 heads have been stolen from statues of the Buddha in the World Heritage province of Ayathaya, Thailand. Police have vowed to redouble efforts to catch the thieves and thwart future thefts. 

"It's already sinful to steal from temples. It's much worse to steal ancient relics," said deputy national police chief Jongrak Juthanond. "The thieves are cursed and those who buy them are cursed, too." 

Phra Athikansadaeng Premasilo, the Wat Dong Wai temple's 77-year-old abbot was understandably upset about the recent theft of seven heads from sandstone Buddha images. He said, "When the monks woke up for morning prayers, it was still dark and we didn't notice anything until we found the dogs dead. They poisoned the dogs in the middle of the night before stealing the statues." 

The police are working with monks to discuss ways to improve sites' security including higher fences and barred windows. Installing security cameras is also part of the recommendations. "We believe there is a rise in demand in the antique markets abroad where people like to decorate their living rooms with these images," Police Chief Jongrak speculated.

Loan sharks rankle religious

London, England - Representatives from temples, mosques, synagogues and churches, together with more than 2,000 others plan to call on politicians to impose a 20% cap on interest rates. 

London Citizens, a group representing more that 150 faith congregations and charities are concerned about those whose lives have been decimated by legal loan sharks who, they claim, impose predatory lending rates on ordinary people struggling to make ends meet. 

“Despite a massive taxpayer bailout of the banks, ordinary people across London have been forced into the hands of legal loan sharks in order to gain access to credit,” said Paul Regan, a trustee of London Citizens. This has been caused by a lack of access to credit from banks. The group proposes making borrowing at interest rates of 50 or 500 per cent illegal.

All that is fair

Mumbai, India - 300 priests gathered with Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, to work on a fairer policy regarding postings to churches and access to to the Archbishop's time. Transparency is key. A cloud of favoritism has been suspected by many priests when it comes to assignments to "better" churches. 

Public relations officer of the diocese, Father Anthony Charanghat, announced, "To ensure that transfers are just and equitable, the conference of diocesan and priest will advise on transfers." The average tenure at a parish is 6 years. Priests were also encouraged to spend more time studying the scriptures and less time exploring the latest technologies, i.e., the web. Charanghat said, "People can seek professional guidance elsewhere but spiritualism is something we impart." 

Magic tattoos

Cambodia - For centuries, people in Cambodia have endured hours of discomfort to get mystical tattoos they believed would give them magical powers. Magical tattoos are reputed to have many powers. Soldiers got them to repel bullets or to achieve invisibility to enemies. Others had them to bring good luck or to be more popular. An adviser on mores and customs at Cambodia’s Buddhist Institute said, “Tattoos were really popular among Cambodian men in the past. Almost every Cambodian male was tattooed.” 

Tattoo artist, Chan Trea pointed out that few of those who know how to do magic tattoos remain among the living. The skin art is done by traditional healers or Buddhist monks who use special needles and recite magic spells. Hindu gods, characters from Pali and Sanskrit, or supernatural creatures are the usual images. "I guess, in the future, things like magic will be very rare in this country,” said Trea.

Polish nun reveals Papal punishment

London, England - A Polish nun who worked in the private papal apartments has disclosed that Pope John Paul II put himself through bodily penance as "remorse for his sins." Sister Sobodka said, “We would hear it - we were in the next room at Castel Gandolfo. You could hear the sound of the blows when he flagellated himself. He did it when he was still capable of moving on his own.” 

The flagellation (whipping) was also confirmed by a former papal secretary, Bishop Emery Kabongo. “He would punish himself and in particular just before he ordained bishops and priests. Before passing on the sacraments he wanted to prepare himself." 

This is all part of a Vatican investigation by officials from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as part of the process that could lead to sainthood for the late Pope. The Vatican refused comment saying, “The investigation and documentation is still secret and as such we can make no comment on it until the final report is published.”

Vagabond philosopher likes caves

Moab, Utah, USA - The "Peace Pilgrim" has lived without money for almost 3 decades but faced a recent dilemma - a book deal. Daniel Suelo, a vagabond philosopher following in the sacred tradition of sadhus - India's wandering monks, has lived without food or shelter, unless offered, as he walked some 25,000 miles across North America. 

He has blogged about his three-decade, penniless odyssey using library computers but harbors no illusions that the world will ever follow his example forsaking money to go live in caves. Suelo says, "I do this to show that we are in a culture that believes our happiness comes from things outside ourselves, rather than within. You can be happier with less." 

In regards to a book, the publisher hesitated when cave-dwelling Suelo asked the book be made available at no cost to interested readers and he refused to accept any payment. Now, he is being interviewed by an author who is writing a book about him.

Monk manga

Hachoiji, Japan - A manga marketing strategy is being used by the late-16th century Ryohoji temple. The Buddhist temple put up a manga-inspired sign at the entrance and has girls clad in maids outfits as greeters in an attempt to use Japanese pop culture to bring in more visitors and generate more interest. Manga is a form of Japanese comics and usually associated with certain stylistic traits. "I'm a manga generation who grew up watching them on television. I have little resistance to manga....I wanted to tell the people that temples are a fun place to visit," said Shoko Nakazato, the temple's head monk. 

To date, it has proved a success. Previously, the temple had no visitors on a weekday but now it counts around 30 people. "I came over because this temple has been the talk of the Net," said Mitsutaka Adachi, a 26-year-old telecom software programmer, one of many first-time visitors to the ancient temple. Ryohoji is also selling a card with cartoon characters which allows buyers to download three-minute motion pictures on to their mobile phones of chief monk Nakazato chanting prayers.

Monks mark anniversary

Kaesong, North Korea - Marking the 908th anniversary of the death of Jawoon, the monk who founded the Cheontae Order (South Korea's second-largest Buddhist sect), a gathering was held at a temple in Kaesong, North Korea. The ceremony was attended by monks from both the South and North in a continuation of civic exchanges between the nations. South Korean Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said, "This shows that inter-Korean exchange and cooperation proceeds in a normal manner." 

The Cheontae Order helped North Korea restore a temple in Kaesong in 2005. Annual joint ceremonies have since been held there by monks from the two sides. Last year, ties between the countries were tense so no ceremony took place. It is hoped that this ceremony will help in restarting the previously established tradition and further peaceful relations between the countries.

Walking saint goes marching in

Belgrade, Serbia - "The walking saint" has walked away and hundreds of thousands gathered to say goodbye with a somber funeral procession in Belgrade, Serbia. Patriarch Pavle, the leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church through its post-Communist revival and the Balkans' bloody ethnic conflicts in the 1990s has died at the age of 95 after an extended hospitalization for heart and lung problems. Since 1970, he has been leader of the 7-million member church. 

Funeral prayers were held at Belgrade's Church of St. Michael the Archangel, or Saborna Crkva in Serbian, where Pavle's body lay in an open casket. Estimates of up to a half-million Orthodox believers, many from neighboring Bosnia and Montenegro, were made by state television as to the number attending the funeral procession. 

Crowds joined Serbian leaders and clergy in a solemn procession to the St. Sava Temple, the biggest Orthodox Christian church in the Balkans, where a public mass was held to honor Pavle. The Serbian saint was finally placed to rest during a private ceremony at a monastery located in Belgrade's suburbs.

Minister offends Sikhs

Punjab, India - His attempt to placate the Sikh community in his own country may have backfired when Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper paid a visit to the Golden Temple, the most significant place of worship for Sikhs - located in the city of Amritsar, in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. 

During the visit, the prime minister’s aide, Alisa Mohammed, declined the prasad (a gracious gift, usually edible, that is believed to contain a blessing) when it was given to her. The Prime Minister followed suit, which was interpreted as a rebuff. Harper also declined partaking in langar, a tradition in which all people would sit on the floor together, as equals, to eat the same simple food. 

After Harper had left the holy city, the community voiced its displeasure at the way the prime minister and staff had conducted themselves. One official put it into these words, “It is for the first time that we have suffered such humiliation at the hands of a foreigner."

No Jains allowed

Rajasthan, India - In its announcement, a public conference organized by Anoop Mandal touted, “It is a public program and people from all communities and religions are welcome — except Jains, of course.” The Anoop Mandal group has made no secret of their position “against the doing of the Jain community.” The Jain community has responded. Jasmin Shah, a Jain community leader, says the government should not allow the event the Anoop Mandal group is hosting saying, “It is an anti-Jain cult, which is specifically targeting the Jain monks," and that the group, "viciously abuses the Jain community in its scriptures like Jagathitkarni." The Jagathitkarni claims Jains are behind global warming through the use of "Black magic." 

Anoop Mandal is suspected of being behind the deaths of two Jain monks who were recently run over on roads in Rajasthan, India. Started in 1920 by Anoop Das, from its inception the Anoop group has projected Jains as outsiders, exploiters and non-Hindus.

Monks run over

Rajasthan, India - Anti-Jain bigotry is suspected to be behind the deaths of two Jain monks who were struck and killed in road accidents near Nakoda in Rajasthan, largest state of the Republic of India. Jain community members point to a group called 'Anoop Mandal' as being behind the so-called accidents. Pundit Maharaj Saheb said, "the state [Rajasthan] has failed to control the vicious propaganda against Jainism, because of which Jains have to suffer a lot. As there is no direct evidence of anybody's involvement in the accidents, we cannot name anybody. But we had similar experiences in the past where Jain monks were beaten up by 'Anoop Mandal' members." 

The national leader of Anoop Mandal has denied that the organization had any role in the death of the Jain monks. Jain religious leaders are not convinced and have demanded a police probe into the deaths.

Come together, the Beatles once sang

United Kingdom - The first official Interfaith Week is underway in the UK with the government's blessings. It began with a 'Mitzvah Day 2009' on Sunday, during which Jewish charities, schools, and synagogues from five different countries joined forces with local churches, mosques, and temples to perform good deeds. Monday was 'International Day for Tolerance' and ceremonies were opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Secretary of State, the Chief rabbi and religious leaders from around the country were in attendance. 

To date, various events have included Jewish and Hindu children planting a vegetable garden together, synagogue members joining with Hindu monks to clean a local park, and Jewish children and Muslim youth leaders working on arts and crafts projects for care homes. An interfaith pilgrimage and a football game between Muslim imams and Christian vicars are also part of the events designed to build greater understanding between believers and to help people of different faiths learn about each other’s beliefs.

Geek speak about religion

Vatican - God-fearing geeks feel that church marketing is lagging behind the times and various religious leaders are concerned about missing out on opportunities offered by the explosion in social networking. 100 religious delegates attended a recent meeting - ‘The Internet Culture and Church Communications’ - which took place at the Vatican between November 12-15. The delegates met with representatives from Facebook, Google, YouTube and Wikipedia. One religious participant opined that the internet is “as important as the invention of the printing press" and went on to point out that just as the printing press helped make the Bible available to everyone who could read, the internet can make the Gospel accessible to everyone who uses the internet. 

One church-marketing internet company advises, "Get with it churches, synagoges, ashrams and temples. The Internet is the Word and it is the Way. Typos, cheesy logos, and bad clip art aren't helping the cause."

United we stand

Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, USA - 16 Christian schools around the Minneapolis-St Paul area have banded together to raise awareness of the educational advantages offered students and to dispel public misconceptions about private education. The schools belong to different religious denominations but are working together to offer learning alternatives even in the face of challenging economic times. 

Sue Beuning, admissions director at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska pointed out, "people do have the impression that private schools are for rich families, and that's just not the case." Each school has financial aid and scholarship programs to assist students. In the past, the schools have operated in a more competitive relationship. This marks a change where there is a coming together for a common cause - the benefits of a Christian-based education.

Scientologists attacked again

Australia - Torture, coerced abortions, embezzlement and blackmail are just some of the accusations tabled by Australian Parliament Senator, Nick Xenophon, against the Church of Scientology. Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has voiced "concerns" about “grave allegations” against the Church since these explosive charges were revealed. Xenophon told the Senate, “Scientology is not a religious organization, it is a criminal organization that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs. Letters received by me which were written by former followers in Australia contains extensive allegations of crimes and abuses that are truly shocking - crimes against them and crimes they say they were coerced into committing.” 

In a statement, the Church responded, "Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts of their experiences in the Church." It went on to say the allegations "are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner" and that the Senator is cowering behind parliamentary privilege to avoid libel laws.

Let them eat cake

Wichita, Kansas, USA - Religious bigotry may be behind the withdrawal of the proposal to open a second Lord's Diner in Wichita, Kansas. Every day for 8 years, the Lord's Diner has served a hot meal to 400-500 hungry people in its existing location. 

The Catholic charity offered to open a second location where it would occupy a vacant, city-owned building that was formerly a Boys and Girls Club in the city's north end but was met with stiff opposition from a small, but vocal group of mostly African-American citizens. They claimed the area was already adequately serviced by their own area churches - except none of those churches provide a daily meal opportunity. 

The Lord's Diner would have purchased the property outright and renovated it for use. Now building remains empty with no other foreseeable plans in the pipeline, though the charity's opposition claimed the Diner's moving into the area would hamper revitalization efforts and attract the wrong crowd into the largely black community.

Old church raised from dead

Botswana - A church in Botswana will receive renovation to its original state, thanks in part to a $44,000 from the American Embassy in Gaborone. Located in Old Palapye - now called Malaka - the church was built in the 1890's. The area has a rich and ancient history with rock paintings, stone cairns, circular foundations, verandas, stonewalls, red ochre pottery, iron implements of archeological importance and is near the sacred Moremi Hills, where the Tswapong gods are believed to live. 

In 1889, Old Palapye was one of the largest towns in southern Africa, home to a population of around 30,000 people but drought and illness caused abandonment of the area in the early 1900's. When work is completed, it is planned the church will be managed as a heritage site and museum under a community trust. 

Area villagers will also be allowed to use the old London Missionary Society location as a place of worship.

Merry Nazimas

Cologne, Germany - Tree ornaments shaped like Iron Cross medals and swastikas, swastika-shaped cookie cutters and instructions on how to bake Germanic-themed breads and cakes are just a small part of an exhibition at the National Socialism Documentation Centre in Cologne, Germany. Selected objects from a large family collection of memorabilia document the Nazis' attempt to redefine Christmas and exploit the holiday for propaganda purposes. 

"Christmas was a provocation for the Nazis - after all, the baby Jesus was a Jewish child," said Judith Breuer, "The most important celebration in the year didn't fit with their racist beliefs so they had to react, by trying to make it less Christian." Judith and her mother, Rita, have spent years collecting the pieces from flea markets.

Sticks and stones

Bristol, UK - Religious and racial intolerance has been documented by two BBC reporters of Asian origin who posed as a Muslim couple. For 8 weeks, they lived in a housing estate in Bristol, England, using hidden cameras to film instances of what they were subjected to. In one instance, an 11-year-old boy threatened the female member of the team, Tamanna Rahman - who wore a hijab headscarf and acted as if she spoke very little English - with a brick as he tried to steal her purse. Rahman also documented being pelted with glass and stones. 

Pretending to be a part-time painter and decorator, Amil Khan - the male reporter - was punched in the head by a local man. The reporters captured over 50 instance where they were degraded both religiously and racially with rebukes relating to terrorism, "Taliban" and "jihad." Much of the affronts came from children and teenagers. 

The footage has been turned into a documentary titled "Hate on the Doorstep" and was aired by the Panorama show on the BBC.

Forest of utopian dreams

Somerset, UK - Tobias Jones and his wife sold their house in Bristol and bought a 10-acre woodland in Somerset County in the southwest of part England with the plan of creating a communal shelter for people facing a period of personal crisis. 

"I want charity, in the old cliche, to begin at home, to be an integral part of our lives – not just something we do with loose change once in a while," says Jones. "The sermon on the mount might actually be a manifesto for life, rather than a few nice ideals to take out for a spin on a Sunday morning." 

They have spent 5 years visiting or living on similar communities and Jones has written a book titled "Utopian dreams : in search of the good life" on communal living, so the family feels prepared for the new venture.

Banning architecture?

Switzerland - A campaign to ban minarets in Switzerland has provoked heated reactions from across the globe. Though Mosques are a part of the Swiss landscape - there are over 100 dotted around the country but only 4 have minarets - opposition to future minarets remains firm. Muslim organizations have invited the public into their mosques in hopes of countering public fears and prejudices. 

Minarets are a symbol of Muslim political power according to the Swiss People's Party - the largest party in the Swiss parliament which is due to vote on the issue on November 29th. Zurich's city council allowed the use of a controversial poster that urged a minaret ban saying the campaign posters were protected by free speech. 

A Swiss opinion poll recently reported that 51% of those questioned would reject the proposed ban. Switzerland is home to an estimated 400,000 Muslims.

Similar sins of the secularists

Ireland - Separation of church and politics is “unrealistic” and “naive” according to John Bruton, former EU ambassador to Washington. “As long as religious belief exists, and there is every reason to believe it will always exist," Bruton said to guests in Dublin last night at an event jointly hosted by the Jesuit quarterly review "Studies" and the Catholic think tank, the Iona Institute. 

In his address, he warned that secularists “should beware of committing the same errors of immoderation, of the sort they justly condemn in churches in the past, in pursuit of their own cause today. For example, to seek to use the power of the state to remove every symbol or sign of religious belief from the public space would be just as immoderate as were past efforts to harness the powers of the state to push one religion on people.”

More racist than Hitler

Italy - Excerpts from  a diary kept by Mussolini's mistress reveal the Italian dictator was a rabid anti-Semite and vowed to destroy all Jews - also referring to them as reptiles. He proudly claimed his hatred preceded even Hitler's whom he called a "softy" even though he was moved by the warm reception he felt he'd received by the German dictator at the 1938 conference in Munich. "I have been a racist since 1921. I don't know how they can think I'm imitating Hitler," Mussolini proudly boasted in August 1938 according to the diary. 

Mussolini also ravaged Pious XI for the Pope's criticism of Fascism and the Nazis. Claretta Petacci wrote the diaries between 1932 and 1938 which historians agree are authentic. "Secret Mussolini" will include excerpts and the book is due out this week. Partisans shot Petacci and the dictator in 1945.

Taking to the streets

Cornwall, UK - An effort to help people who are homeless, injured or drunk has church-goers taking to the streets in a number of towns in the county of Cornwall in the U.K. The "Street Pastor" scheme began in Camborne and has spread to include Torbay, Ilfracombe, Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay, Falmouth, St Austell and Truro and has spread to include towns and cities in the county of Devonshire. 

In some areas, robbery fell by a third, reported violence fell by 18%. Sexual offenses and vehicle crime also dropped markedly. Teams volunteer street pastors from area churches patrol town centers on weekend nights and are supported by local police.

Gardening for greater good

Dallas, Texas - Projects across the Dallas, Texas area saw volunteers planting bushes, preparing a community garden, laying sod, cleaning up litter and painting houses in a variety of efforts done for the purpose of bringing together members of denominations across the theological spectrum to focus on the common good. 

More than 1,00 people participated in 10 different projects sponsored by Sojourners, a Washington, D.C. based ministry, which also worked with local church and ministry leaders on the issues of reducing homelessness and supporting public education. This is the second Sojourners "Justice Revival." The first was held in Columbus, Ohio.

Motorcycle for medical help

Ghana - In a program to help bring healthcare to all, Koforidua Diocese of the Anglican Church in Ghana has given a new motorcycle to be used to undertake outreach programs in villages surrounding Kwahu-Jamase. All Saints Church of Denmead in the United Kingdom is a partner to the African Diocese. Bishop Quashie also presented a water tank and items to be used for the construction of a water closet toilet. Father Asomani, Director of the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization, said next year the organization would begin a malaria prevention program including distribution of treated mosquito nets.

Poles nix ban of crucifix

Poland - In response to the European Court of Human Rights ruling against crucifixes in Italian classrooms, the President of Poland said his country will never agree to removing that object from their classrooms in Poland. "Nobody in Poland will accept the message that you can't hang crosses in schools," said President Kaczynski during Independence day celebrations. Religious symbols were banned from public buildings under Communist oppression but became part of an expression of democracy after the fall of Communist domination. 

Former President, Lech Walesa, also weighed in, "We must respect minorities but also protect the rights of the majority." Around 90 percent of Poles are Catholic and attend church regularly. 

Don't blame poor for flood

Philippines - The Philippines' Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has defended the poor urban families living along the waterways saying that those who live in squatter communities are often tradespeople, market vendors, janitors, housekeepers bus drivers and even teachers and policemen who can't afford other housing. Rosales condemned high real estate prices that are “far beyond the reach of our poor and many of the middle class.” The proliferation of squatter communities in Manila has been blamed for floods resulting from storm "Ondoy" which killed hundreds and drove thousands to shelters. 

Cardinal Rosales said the government can't, “simply order people off the waterways,” but needs to restructure the urban land use policy “so that the poor may have the possibility to have security of tenure in our cities where their livelihood is found.”

Keys to success

Malaysia - Hindu religious leader, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, revealed what he holds are the tools for success in life at a recent seminar in Malaysia. Bodhinatha said, “Having a good profession, nice house and a family is not an indicator of true success.” The keys to true success in life are enduring happiness, affirmations, worship at temples, learning from mistakes, steadfastness and giving. He said, “enduring happiness resides in one’s soul and can be experienced through meditation, worship and helping others. Repeating a statement of affirmation, such as ‘I have a new job’ several times a day, and visualising the environment of your new office will lead to a successful offer. Our state of mind and how we approach a situation can have a significant impact.” 

Bodhinatha said selfless service was a means to happiness. Although presented from a Hindu perspective, he hopes his advice is considered suitable for those of different faiths, particularly individuals seeking improvement in their home life, academic studies and business affairs.

The spirits be with you

Manchester, UK - Spiritualist, Alan Power, who believed psychics could help solve crimes was forced out of his job as a trainer with the Greater Manchester Police Authority. Now, Judge Peter Clark has upheld a previous ruling that the spiritualist beliefs were consistent with being religious and dismissed a police appeal. A previous judge ruled that the beliefs, “are worthy of respect in a democratic society and have sufficient cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance to fall into the category of a philosophical belief for the purpose of the 2003 regulations (England's Employment Equality [Religion or Belief] Regulations Act 2003)." The spiritualist said, “Its fantastic. It proves that spiritualism is a religion worthy of respect.” 

According to the 2001 census, spiritualism is the eighth largest faith group in Britain, with 32,000 adherents and more than 300 churches. Mr. Power added, “I have not claimed any costs. I am not claiming compensation. It is about hurt feelings. I expect my religion to be respected.” 

United we stand

Australia - In a historic alliance, Australian religious leaders took a stand on climate change. Rabbi Kamins of the Council of Progressive Rabbis; Reverend Professor James Haire, director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture; Ikebal Patel, president of Australian Federation of Islamic Councils; Kanti Jinna, vice-chairman of Hindu Council of Australia; Bhante Sujato, executive of Australian Sangha Association; Sister Geraldine Kearney, of Australian Catholic Religious; and Bhikkhu Sujato, of the Buddhist Council of NSW were all united in expressing deep concern and in creating a public stance on this important environmental concern. 

“The foundation of all the great religions was built upon us being custodians and caring for the earth. Australia and other developed countries need to address their historical responsibility,” said Thea Ormerod, chair of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.

The mix of Church and State

Kenya - Protestant churches in Kenya have prepared a bill that would institute minimum reforms in the event a new constitution is not enacted. All presidential appointments would be subjected to parliamentary approval as a way of checking the powers of the president, the offices of the Attorney General and that of the Director of Public Prosecutions be established as separate and independent offices with security of tenure, and a pre-defined parliamentary calendar be set as part of the constitution. The National Council of Churches of Kenya also proposes radical surgery of the judiciary. "We are keen to work to build consensus which fulfils the dreams and aspirations of all Kenyans," said NCCK secretary general Rev. Karanja.

Are we really alone?

Vatican City - The Vatican is interested in the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Director of the Vatican Observatory, Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, says, “The questions of life’s origins and of whether life exists elsewhere in the universe are very suitable and deserve serious consideration." Thirty scientists from the U.S., France, Britain, Switzerland, Italy and Chile attended a conference called by the Catholic Church to study the possibility of extraterrestrial alien life, its implications and how scientific disciplines can explore the issue. 

Astronomy professor at Arizona University, Chris Impey, commented,  “There is a rich middle ground for dialogue between the practitioners of astrobiology and those who seek to understand the meaning of our existence in a biological universe.” The Church's stand is that believing the universe might host aliens, even intelligent ones, does not contradict a faith in God.

No tags for Jesus

South Carolina, USA - The South Carolina state legislature approved a automobile license plate with the words "I Believe" above a cross in front of a stained glass window in 2008. Several hundred people have currently registered to buy the plates A lawsuit was brought by Americans United on behalf of several individuals and Hindu and American-Arab groups contending the license violated separation of church and state. District judge Cameron Currie agreed ruling it amounted to state endorsement of a particular religion in violation of the First Amendment and ordered the state not to issue the plate. 

Lt Governor Andre Bauer had argued that given the state already permitted 103 speciality vehicle plates it was ridiculous Christians couldn't have one too.

Priests protest pesticides

Philippines - Concern that the spraying of pesticides on banana plantations in the Philippines is indiscriminately harming people, livestock and other crops has prompted Church leaders to call for a permanent ban on the practice. Urging President Arroyo to exercise a sense of motherly care for the future generations, the Philippines Catholic Church stated, "We are one with all affected people of Mindanao in working for deliverance from this immoral practice of aerial spraying that infringes upon human health and dignity." 

Cardinal Rosales and other bishops have also voiced opposition to the Laiban Dam project which would stand on a seismic fault line and submerge almost 70,000 acres of valuable forest.

Offering plate coupons

Pennsylvania, USA - Parishioner, Stacey Middleton of the Philadelphia Cathedral had an idea. Since demand at the church's food pantry is overwhelming, she began asking other members of the congregation to bring in coupons to help the less fortunate who are struggling to make ends meet. She reasoned people could be shown how to use coupon buying power to save money. Middleton saved 75 percent on a recent shopping trip thanks to coupons and donated some of what she bought to a women's homeless shelter. Other church members are following her example. 

“By this happening in our church, people not only give me donations, and give me the coupon flyers as donations, but they have also begun to bring more food. Because it’s so easy," she says.

Native American month celebrated

New York, USA - In America, Thanksgiving Day is filled with thoughts of turkey, travel and traditions. November is also Native American month - a time to celebrate and understand the traditions and spiritual beliefs of all indigenous people who have called the North American continent home long before European immigrants arrived on the scene. This year's theme is "Pride in our heritage, honor to our ancestors." The Clarkson Integrator university newspaper in Potsdam, NY has joined in by publishing the Creation story shared by tribes of the Iroquois Nation in an editorial.

Dalai Lama visits site of refuge

India - The Dalai Lama is visiting the town of Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Tens of thousands are flocking to hear him speak. The 300-year-old monastery there is considered one of the most influential outside of Tibet. It was a place of refuge for the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet 50 years ago. On Sunday, the Dalai Lama emphasized, "My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brotherhood and nothing else." A number of devotees from neighboring Bhutan are also among those gathered.

Methodists to teach Hinduism

Indiana, USA - Prestigious U.S. DePauw University will offer a new course called "Modern Hinduism" in which students will study the rise of Hinduism from the colonial period to modern day. "The main objective is to encourage an understanding of the embedded nature of modern Hinduism within the historical matrices of culture, society, politics and economics in South Asia," the University said in a statement after the course was approved by its faculty. 

DePauw is a prestigious, private national liberal arts college with a Methodist heritage founded in 1837 and located in Greencastle, Indiana.

Church feared unholy

Joburg, South Africa - The Central Methodist Church in Joburg (Johannesburg), South Africa is facing charges that it is a center for all things unholy including dying babies, prostitution and continuing brawls. After the Gauteng Legislature's health and social development committee visited the church, and chairwoman Molebatsi Bopape said she would recommend that it be closed. 

The church has been a shelter for people without an alternative, but also a source of crime and some shocking new allegations of sexual abuse of women and children according to DA Jack Bloom who says it is, "a situation that has got way out of hand." A number of women leave their babies at the church will the go out drinking or engage in prostitution.

Children are the damned

Nigeria - An increasing number of young children have been denounced by evangelical churches in Nigeria who have accused the children of being witches. Those churches have been characterized as renegade local branches of international franchises. The result is that many of those accused children are then tortured and killed by parishioners who take literally the Biblical exhortation, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." 

Poor education and poverty have laid the foundation for this situation along with the rapid growth of evangelical Christianity. The Mount Zion Lighthouse, part of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is one church responsible for accusations. 

Statistics indication around 1,000 children have been murdered and over 15,000 accused.

The devil made them do it

Philippines - Evil exists and the devil is not about to change his ways are what prompted a seminar on spiritual direction, deliverance ministry and exorcism in Ormoc City in the province of Leyte, Philippines. Sponsored by the Alliance of the Holy Family International (AHFI), it was attended by the clergy from Calbayog, Borongan, Naval and Palo. AHFI spiritual director Fr. Edgardo Arellano says, "The greatest influence of the Devil is to convince even bishops and priests that he no longer exists.” The archdioceses of Manila and Palo, and the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna have exorcism offices. 

The Catholic Rite of Exorcism calls for a Church-approved exorcist to consult modern medicine and rule out the possibility of a mental and psychological disorder before proceeding. A person may be considered possessed when they exhibit the following signs: he or she speaks other languages they didn't know, exhibits extraordinary strength, knows about hidden or secret things, and is averse to anything sacred.

When getting stoned can kill you

Somalia - A man in in the port town of Merka, Somalia, was stoned to death for adultery. 300 people watched on as 33 year-old Abas Hussein Abdirahman was executed by the al-Shabab Islamist group. The man's pregnant girlfriend has been spared until she gives birth. This is the third execution by stoning this year. Those incidents included two men accused of spying and a 13 year-old girl, killed for being raped. Somalia's new President, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has condemned the group for spoiling the image of Islam by killing people and harassing women. "Their actions have nothing to do with Islam," the President said.

God, save us from elephants

Oklahoma, USA - A couple had an unusual encounter on their way home from church in Enid, Okla. While driving back to their wheat farm after services, they sideswiped an elephant. The animal had escaped from a nearby circus. Bill and Deena Carpenter escaped injury but the pachyderm didn't fare so well as it suffered a broken tusk and possible broken leg. The tusk punched through the side of the Carpenter's SUV. "The good Lord was with us," Carpenter said. The elephant was treated by vetenarian, Dr. Dwight Olson, who found the injured animal hiding in the bushes, then it was transferred to the veterinary school at Oklahoma State University for follow-up procedures.

Church is elevated

India - A church which has long been preserving a portion of the holy dress of St. Mary will soon be elevated in designation to that of a cathedral. St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church in Angamaly, India will be given the status of ‘Sunoro Cathedral’ (church where a holy relic is kept) by the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Zaka I. It will be the first such designation in the Jacobite church. In connection with the famous ‘Annidha Festival’ on November 15, the official declaration will be made at a public function to be held on the church premises.

Jesus, queen of heaven

Scotland - Jesus, Queen of Heaven is new play stirring intense controversy in Glasgow. It portrays Jesus as a transsexual woman. A woman who was formerly a man wrote the play and stars in the lead and only role. Christian evangelicals were joined by Roman Catholics in picketing the Tron Theatre where the play opened this week. This is a sequel for the playwright who also authored, God's New Frock, a partly autobiographical production about growing up as a male and trying to suppress the impulse to become a woman. 

The author/actor has expressed disappointment at the public's reaction and says she had imagined the son of God alive in the present day as a transsexual woman, and is attempting to present how "she" would relate the parables under this transgendered identity.

God's dogs

Los Angeles, Calif. - The Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles departed from the traditional service and featured one targeting pet owners. Rev. Tom Eggebeen felt this would help build his congregation so he turned God's house into a dog house. The 30-minute service featured canine prayers, an offering of dog treats and even individual doggie beds. Eggebeen says he believes the strong connection between an owner and his or her dog is a form of God's love. He hopes his idea will draw new followers and help his church reconnect with the community.

Some suicides allowed church burial

India - Priests with the Catholic Church in India will now perform burial services for "non-scandalous" suicide deaths, which are now viewed by the Church as being committed as a result of chronic mental illness, depression or sudden emotional outburst. Life is God's property and to destroy it is to assert dominion over what is God's according to the Church. 

Previously, the body was only allowed to the main gate of the church for prayers before interment. There would be no religious rite at the burial. Babu Joseph, the spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India pronounced, "If the priest wants to give a simple burial, he will be allowed to, provided it is not a scandalous suicide."

Green Patriarch meets with Obama

Washington, D.C. - The "Green Patriarch," Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, met with U.S. President Obama on Tuesday. Of primary concern was climate change and other environmental ills. After the meeting, His All Holiness affirmed to a crowd at Georgetown University, "We view with alarm the dangerous consequences of disregard for the survival of God's creation." The Orthodox Church, which has its seat in Istanbul, is comprised of some 300 million Christians. The patriarch has been in the U.S. since October 20th. He got the nickname 'Green Patriarch' from Al Gore.

Crook sentenced in Church swindle

Los Angeles, Calif. - Curtis D. Somoza, 41, of Westlake Village bilked South Los Angeles churchgoers out of $44 million in an insurance scam. The Los Angeles Federal Court sentenced him Tuesday to 25 years in federal prison after he'd pled guilty to charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and other crimes.

Prosecutors charged that Somoza and co-defendant, Robert Coberly, got 63 men to invest in a company they claimed would buy life insurance policies for a church-based organization but used the money to buy a racing boat, a Ferrari and other luxuries.

March for Jesus

Sao Paulo - The annual "March for Jesus" drew an estimated 1.5 million in Brazil. Uniting faithful from hundreds of Brazilian evangelical churches, this is the event's 17th year and featured Christian bans, local celebrities and a number of preachers to the stage set up at a central Sao Paulo plaza. Organized by the Reborn in Christ Church, the theme was "March to Topple Giants," which organizers said refers to the evangelicals' crusade against discrimination and misunderstanding in Brazil.

Feeding the Poor

Ghana - Over 20,000 people in the Gomoa East District in Ghana have been fed by the Swedru Central Assemblies of God Church, in partnership with the Eliza Rovere Ministries from the United States. 

Rev. Arkoh-Nunoo said the time had come for the churches to spend some of their collections and other proceeds to cater for the people, especially the underprivileged. He called for the church to assist in the creation of jobs and wealth for the people and not to rely on the government alone in order to reduce poverty.

Nun found dead on Navaho reservation

Arizona - Sister Marguerite Bartz, 64, a nun with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament has been found dead in her residence at a church in a small community on the Navajo Indian reservation near the Arizona-New Mexico border. She ministered for the Diocese of Gallup. 

A search is on for her beige 2005 Honda CR-V with a New Jersey license plate. The FBI is investigating. The public's assistance is sought as to any relevant information pertaining to the death.

Court outlaws crucifixes

France - A ruling against crucifixes in Italian classrooms has been handed down by the the European Court of Human Rights. The Strasbourg court opined that the display of a cross ran counter to the child's right to religious freedom, violates the parent's rights to educate their child as they saw fit and also restricted the rights of children to believe or not to believe. 

The Italian government says it will appeal against the decision. Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a "symbol of our tradition."

South African Church leaders meet

South Africa - The National Church Leaders Consultation in Johannesburg, South Africa saw Church leaders promise to continue the fight against disease and crime. The leaders of Church communities were urged to increase their efforts at building a healthier, more caring society and in strengthening the morals and ethics of the people in their church communities. 

HIV/AIDS was touted as a scourge bedeviling the nation. Statistics were presented from a number of sources showing that South Africa needed a mass mobilization for testing, treatment rollout and prevention. 

The conference involves most of the heads of Christian denominations and Church leaders in South Africa. It takes place twice a year.

Swastikas sprayed on Jewish deli

Dallas, Tex. - Natalie's Kitchen and International Market, a kosher restaurant, was victim to swastikas and obscenities spray painted on the building in Far North Dallas. Police are investigating it as a hate crime. A Reform synagogue in Sherman was also victim to a burglary and vandalism last week. In that case, police got a tip and two men were arrested in connection with the crime. That incident appeared to be an alcohol-related crime of opportunity and not an act of hate. 

In hopes to avoid just these kinds of problems, Natalie's owners have kept a low profile and have no external signs indicating it as a Jewish establishment. Elements of the graffiti indicate it is not the work of an organized anti-Semitic group.

Hope to avoid controversy

Olympia, Wash. - Controversy wracked the holiday season last year so this year the state of Washington will bar any and all religious displays in the Capitol in Olympia. Previously, atheists countered a Nativity scene with one of their own displays with other displays following including a Festivus pole based on a holiday celebrated by a Seinfeld character in the comedy series. There will still be a holiday tree featured inside the rotunda.

Hawaiians celebrate Saint

Hawaii - In the mid-1800's, Father Damien cared for exiled leprosy patients in Hawaii when no one else would. Ships delivering the sick dumped them offshore and forced them to swim ashore. There were no hospitals or doctors or housing. Father Damien came to the island, cared for the sick, built homes and planted trees. He eventually contracted leprosy himself suffered and died from it. 

Now he has been canonized by the Catholic Church though he has long been considered a saint by the people of Hawaii who are celebrating the designation with the arrival of a relic from the priest.

Hoping Our Lady will Knock

Ireland - Close to 10,000 people gathered Saturday at the Basilica in Knock, Ireland, in hopes of witnessing a visitation from the Virgin Mary, as predicted by Joe Coleman, a Dubliner who describes himself as a visionary of the Blessed Mother. Coleman said the visitation would be visible only to those with an open heart. Earlier this month, 5,000 gathered under similar circumstances. Some said they saw the sun dancing in the sky. The first Knock apparition of Our Lady's was in 1879. 

The Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, issued a statement clarifying the church’s view, "It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and...is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena."

Halloween is a holy day

With all the hullabaloo over Halloween many forget that Oct. 31 is also Protestant Reformation Day. On this day in 1517, a monk named Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses (Disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum) on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. In his theses, Luther displayed his displeasure with what he felt was clergy abuse in the selling indulgences to the poor. Luther felt the sale of indulgences was a violation of the sacrament of confession and penance, and that sinners they could find absolution through the purchase of indulgences - an indulgence being like "time off for good behavior in a sentence" for a sin - was false. Contrition for sin should be genuine, not bought or sold. Ultimately, his act led to a split in the Catholic Church.

Religion in America recalibrates

A new study by the University of Chicago shows private religious practices such as prayer are on the rise in a kind of recalibration, or redefining, of what it means to be religious in America. There is also an increase in the number of people who believe in an afterlife and greater tolerance for those who question or shun religion. The report also revealed a weakening of weekly attendance of religious services. 73% believe in an afterlife; 59% pray daily; 26% attend traditional services.

Sacred Mayan site discovered

An ancient sacred island is home to a Mayan site that archeologists estimate to date to around 250 A.D. The island is now submerged in a Guatemalan lake and is resting some 50 feet below the water's surface. The site was only discovered 12 years ago by a diver. So far, 6 ceremonial monuments and 4 altars have been found along with the ruins of small houses crammed full of religious items confirming its significance.

Work is worship ethic encouraged

Basaveshwara, an Indian mystic (1106-1167), believed work is worship and fought against the practice of caste system in India while championing a firm belief in a universal concept of God and envisioning a society that flourished enriching one and all. Many great yogis and mystics of the time joined his movement enriching it with the essence of divine experience in the form of Vachanas (sacred hymns in Kannada) that define a new way of looking at God and life. Father D’Silva of Infant Jesus Church in Shimoga, India, urged the people to follow those principles when he inaugurated the Sammelan on Friday, an event which serves to support the view that all religions can coexist in harmony.

Pastor run down in run over case

Former pastor, Randall Foos, of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick, Washington has been arrested in connection with killing a 19-year-old girl with his car in 2003. The young woman was riding her bike when his vehicle ran into the back of it. Foos was arrested in Clark County, Nevada. He had failed to appear in court after losing his latest appeal in the homicide conviction.

Pastor popped for prostitution

New Evangelical Church minister Raymond Sams, 52, was busted by by police in a prostitution roundup. Sams, who is the Chicago church's Youth Pastor, Associate Minister, Assistant Superintendent, Elder and heads the prison ministry has now found himself on the wrong side of the law after soliciting a prostitute who turned out to be a police officer working in a covert capacity.

Grave crisis in London may need double-deckers

London faces a grave crisis. In a city that has been inhabited for 2,000 years, the idea of double-decker burials is an option for some cemeteries since space is an ever-increasing premium. Britain is already a crowded island and the challenge to find room for the departed with so many of the living has already led to having one of the world's highest cremation rates. In much of the country it is illegal to reuse a grave.

Pastor warns of occult in Ghana

Senior pastor, Rev. Francis Osei, of the Christ Missions International Church in Ghana is encouraging fellow pastors to warn youth of the dangers of occultism. He says the nation can ill afford to see the younger generation fall into potential psychiatric problems as a result of engaging in esoteric rituals. Osei proposes churches make visits to schools to provide counseling to encourage responsibility and discourage immorality.

Religious statue to be restored

Christ the Reedemer, the 78 year-old statue with outstretched arms that overlooks Rio de Janeiro, is slated for major restoration. Catholic Archbishop, Ornani Tempesta, estimates the renovations will take 4-6 months. The statue was designed by Brazilian engineer, Heitor da Silva Costa, and sculpted by French sculptor of Polish origin, Paul Landowski. Small brooches of the statute will be sold at all of Rio's 252 parishes to help pay for the work. Vale, a Brazilian mining firm, will also bear some of the expense.

Marriage ceremonies help Indian poor

8,000 couples, including 878 tribal couples from the Koya and Konda Reddy tribes, were wed under a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) sponsored program. Churches and temples were the venues for the mass marriages. Many of the weddings were performed at four halls in the temple town of Bhadrachalam, India, a Hindu site for pilgrimages. The State government sponsored `mangala sutras’ for the Hindu couples and rings for their Christian counterparts. A feast was arranged with government funds for the couples and their relatives after the marriage ceremonies were concluded.

Former pastor charge with torture and sex crimes

152 charges have been brought against the former pastor of the Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Andalusia, Alabama. Ralph Lee Aaron, a 54-year-old, is alleged to have sexually abused and tortured young boys on various camping trips. Pornographic images were also found on the man's computer, some possibly of his victims. He is being held on a $24.2 million bond in the Covington County Jail.

German Lutherans elect woman to head Church

German Lutherans have chosen Bishop Margot Kaessmann to head their church. Despite some controversy due to the facts that she is a woman and a divorcee, she also has a reputation as a supporter of closer dialogue between Catholics and Protestants and as a modernizer. The German Church says the election sends a signal to the Church worldwide that God calls us to leadership without consideration of gender, color or descent.

Estimated half-Billion abortions performed

The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice reproductive think tank, has published a 10 year survey which found there had been a drop in the world abortion rate from 45.5 million abortions in 1995 to 41.6 million abortions in 2003. No matter what side of the abortion issue one may stand, the fact is that the equivalent of the entire population of the United States, Canada and Mexico was aborted during that 10 year period.

Episcopal Bishop to be present for Hate Bill signing

Washington, DC. USA - The Episcopal Bishop of Wyoming, Rt. Rev. Bruce Caldwell, will be present at the signing of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act by Pres. Obama today. The legislation was spurred in part by the murder of a University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard, who was admittedly gay. Confusion still exists as to the true motives of the two men convicted of the murder, though many hold it was a hate crime against a homosexual.

Stinking garbage taints temple

Calcutta, India - A stinking garbage vat continues to make it foul presence known despite repeated pleas from the leaders of a Buddhist temple located in the heart of Calcutta. The open garbage vat was located in the temple's backyard by the Calcutta Municipal Corporation, only a few feet from the 117-year old temple building, its secondary school and a healthcare unit for the poor. The mayor says it’s wrong to have a vat near a place of worship or a school, but has done nothing about it. 

Nobel prize winner to speak at Buddhist symposium

Washington, DC. USA - Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell is an expert on such matters as matters of nuclear armament, international security, ethics and preventing deadly conflict. He will be one in a series of distinguished speakers to present at the SGI-USA Buddhist Cultural Center in Washington, DC. as part of the Culture of Peace Distinguished Speaker Series. East-coast Buddhists hope this will be a landmark event in the ongoing quest for world peace and nuclear disarmament.

Baptist youth minister skips court date on sexual assault

A Bridgeport, Conn. church youth advisor, charged with assaulting a 16-year-old girl he was counseling about sexual abstinence last May, has skipped out on his court date. The victim was a member of the People Learning Under God group according to Deputy Police Chief Michael Harry. 31 year-old youth pastor, Vernitt Hoheb, gave the victim a ride home after a PLUG meeting and drove to a deserted back parking lot of a fitness gym where he assaulted the girl. The court has ordered the former youth minister of the Mt. Aery Baptist Church to be rearrested.

Church of Scientology convicted in France

The Church of Scientology has been convicted of fraud by a French court. The church's leader was given a two-year suspended sentence and fined 30,000 euros in a case centering around a woman's claim she was mentally manipulated into donating a large sum of money to the the organization. France refuses to recognize the church as a religion and classifies it as a sect.

Religious repression list of top offenders

In a new survey, 8 countries have been noted to be of special concern due to their limits on religious freedom. Those countries are North Korea, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Eritrea. The rankings are a result of indications of government repression or restrictions in regards to limitations or bans to the practice of faith by the country's population.

Astrophysicist ignores Pope

Astrophysicist, Stephen Hawking, quoted the late Pope John Paul II as saying, "It's OK to study the universe and where it began. But we should not inquire into the beginning itself because that was the moment of creation and the work of God." Hawking said the Pope made the comment at a Vatican-sponsored cosmology conference where Hawking has just presented a paper on the origins of the universe.

Man mad over spirits' departure

Pastor Simon Abekai is alleged to have led a team of seven other church members in storming a witchdoctor's home. The police in Kumi, Uganda, are holding the group and plan to charge them with tresspass. The victim, Tukei Okuni, says the preacher and his group came to his home while he was away. He returned to find them saying prayers and singing which drove his mayembe (spirits) away, which has resulted in serious financial loss. The pastor said his group was chasing away demons that disturb area residents.

Global South Bishops decline Pope's offer

The Global South group of conservative bishops, which claims to represent 35 million Anglicans, has declined Pope Benedict's invitation to join the Roman Catholic Church. Urging fellow believers to reform the Anglican Communion and to stand firm in cherishing Anglican heritage. There have been deep divisions over the issue of gay clergy and liberal reforms in the church. The consecration of a gay Episcopal bishop in 2003 sparked off a crisis that has shaken the Anglican Communion ever since.

Pastor put out with potheads in parking lot

Pastor Jim Misiuk of Calvary Chapel Lake Forest in Lake Forest, Ca. is put out with teens playing loud music and partying with pot in the church parking lot. The problem has increased since a medical marijuana dispensary moved to the neighborhood. Police have been called a number of times. Church members have also taken the issues to the City Council citing that when the teens are asked to go they become belligerent.

When confronted, the teens say they are waiting for friends who are getting product at nearby Earth Cann Wellness Center. Church member, Edward Smith, told the City Council that it appears to be easy to obtain a medical marijuana card. Smith said, "I have four children aged 19 to 12. All my children know how to get a medical marijuana card. I feel bad for people with Cancer and AIDS but this clinic is being abused. Lots of people are partying down there."

Jamaican artistes see concerts cancelled

Jamaica's dancehall fraternity has seen a number of its events cancelled due to pressure by the gay community because some of the artistes have been critical of the homosexual lifestyle. A number of church leaders have come out in support of the performers while condemning the actions of international gay rights groups that are responsible for the immense pressure causing the concert cancellations.

When the gays took their lifestyle into the public domain they opened themselves for criticisms according to Pastor Bobby Wilmot of the Joy Town Community Development Founda-tion. 

Bishop Delford Davis of the Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore said his message to the DJs would be to continue to spread the message that a lifestyle of homosexuality is immoral and wrong.

For whom the bells toll

Climate change is for what the bells toll - in churches across Massachusetts. The plan is to ring bells 350 times, the number that represents the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide parts per million in the earth's atmosphere. Other planned events include compact fluorescent light bulb distribution at an Episcopal church and a sustainably-grown dinner at a Unitarian church.

Atheists persuasive in debate

Ignoring the long history of charitable and social work done over the centuries by the Catholic Church and figures from St. Francis to Mother Theresa, two atheists spoke convincingly to a crowd at a public debate in London in an attempt to convince listeners that the Church maltreated children and that priests were sexually dysfunctional. 

A vote at the debate's conclusion held 1,876 for the atheists and 268 for the participating Nigerian Archbishop, Onaiyekan.

New Jersey priest murdered

One day after police held a public safety seminar at St. Parick's Church in Chatham, New Jersey, a priest was found slain in the Church's rectory. The body of the Rev. Ed Hinds was found and had wounds consistent with a homicide. The day preceding the discovery, police sponsored an event in which they photographed and fingerprinted children for their protection. 

The priest, in his clerical robes, was stabbed 32 times in the rectory kitchen where he had been brewing a cup of coffee. Father Hinds' body was discovered after he failed to appear for the morning mass. A janitor has been arrested and charged with the murder.

Archbishop's treasure discovered

A treasure composed of coins, goblets, rare medallions  have been found at the bottom of the River Wear where it loops around Durham Cathedral. Originally collected by Michael Ramsey, a former Archbishop of Canterbury who died in 1988. The discovery of over 300 artifacts has been specifically linked to Ramsey due to specific items known to have belonged to him, including a gold coin known to have been given to the Archbishop by a Japanese Buddhist leader. Officials speculate the items may have been stolen from Ramsey.

Video evangelism a growing movement

Nearly 27,000 people attend 13 campuses scattered from Arizona to New York, for religious services. The ministry itself is headquartered in Edmond, Okla., and is the second-largest Protestant church in the United States. LifeChurch is a multisite church using satellite technology to beam its services to various location. Although TV evangelism has been around for some time, this new wave of ministering includes meeting places for the faithful to gather.

Orthodox Christian Leader visits US

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, arrived in New Orleans on Tuesday to preside over the eighth Religion, Science and the Environment Symposium. he is also slated to visit New York, Georgia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. over the course of his trip and is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.