Cape Town (ENI). Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has admonished South Africans for not respecting one another, citing senseless crime, deaths at the hands of hijackers, rapes of children, violence by strikers, and students who damage their campuses. "Rights go hand in hand with responsibility, with dignity, with respect for oneself and for the other," said Tutu, delivering the annual memorial lecture for black consciousness leader Steve Biko, who died in 1977 while in police custody during the apartheid era. [450 words, ENI-06-0778]

Classes on Orthodox culture in Russian schools trigger debate

Moscow (ENI). Russia's school has began with debate raging about the appropriateness and efficacy of a course on Christian Orthodox culture amid reports that four regions were making it mandatory and another 11 introducing it as an optional subject. Opponents of the course say it is an effort by the Russian Orthodox Church to introduce religious instruction in schools in a manner comparable to the formerly mandatory study of communist ideology. Supporters say the course is inoffensive and is essential to understand Russian culture. [334 words, ENI-06-0777]

Zambian Catholic bishops sad about Milingo's excommunication

Lusaka (ENI). Zambia's Roman Catholic Bishops have expressed sadness for excommunicated, controversial former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo and they have called on the Church to pray for his return. "We, the Catholic bishops of Zambia are deeply saddened by this turn of events," the Zambian clerics announced, in a statement released by Archbishop Telesphore George Mpundu, the president of the country's bishops' conference. [324 words, ENI-06-0780]

Differences between Orthodox come to fore at meeting with Catholics

Moscow (ENI). An international gathering of Orthodox and Roman Catholic leaders held in Belgrade has offered signs of stabilising relations between the two traditions but also intra-Orthodox tension between Moscow and Constantinople, participants at the gathering say. The Orthodox and Catholic leaders gathered in Serbia to restart a dialogue that broke off in 2000 because of post-communist tensions in Eastern Europe over "uniatism", or the role of Greek-Catholic churches that are faithful to Rome but which practise the Byzantine liturgy. [379 words, ENI-06-0781]

Polish priest to use TV cash-filled suitcase for new church

Warsaw (ENI). A Roman Catholic priest who won 220 000 zloties (US$70 000) in a Polish television game show has said he plans to use the money for a new church in his parish that has been under construction for the past three years. "I watched the programme by accident, although there are no accidents in life, and I thought - why not give it a try," said the Rev. Tomasz Janicki, from Poland's central Radom diocese. "The bishop consented to my taking part and I planned from the very beginning to donate any winnings to the church." [261 words, ENI-06-0779]

28 September 2006

Tokyo (ENI). A Japanese pastor who opposes all war and American military bases in Okinawa, Japan, and who was arrested during a protest in front of a US Marine camp in Nago city, has been released from custody after staging a hunger strike. The Rev. Natsume Taira was arrested and faces charges of obstructing government officials in carrying out their duties. He and more than 20 others protested in front of the gate of the US Marine's Camp Schwab in Nago, Okinawa, an archipelago in Japan's southernmost prefecture. [495 words, ENI-06-0774]

Rebel Zambian archbishop rejects Vatican's excommunication

Rome (ENI). A Zambian archbishop excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church for ordaining four married men as bishops says he will not back down and that he intends to continue his campaign against mandatory celibacy in the church. "We do not accept this excommunication," Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo said at a press conference in Washington DC. [382 words, ENI-06-0773]

Malawi commission orders removal of Buddha statues at orphanage

Blantyre, Malawi (ENI). Malawi's Human Rights Commission has ordered a Taiwanese-funded orphanage to remove statues of Buddha from all dormitories, saying their presence amounts to brainwashing children into joining Buddhism against their will. The Amitofo Care Centre near Blantyre has statues of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in all the dormitories and an elaborate temple situated within the orphanage. [422 words, ENI-06-0775]

Christian leader urges compensation for north Uganda war victims

Nairobi (ENI). A Christian leader at the centre of peace making in East Africa has urged some form of compensation for the people of northern Uganda, after visiting the largest internally displaced person's camp in the region. "After visiting the Pabbo Camp and witnessing the appalling and disheartening state of the people there, it is my strong view that a form of compensation must be factored in," the Rev. Fred Nyabera, executive director of the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa. [323 words, ENI-06-0776]

27 September 2006

Berlin (ENI). German chancellor Angela Merkel has criticised as "self censorship" the cancellation of a Mozart opera in Berlin because of concern that a scene featuring the severed head of the Prophet Muhammad could lead to attacks by Muslims. "Self censorship because of fear is intolerable," Merkel said in an interview with the Hanover-based Neue Presse, following the decision of a Berlin opera house not to stage Mozart's opera, "Idomeneo", the German Protestant news agency epd reported. [457 words, ENI-06-0771]

New Russian Orthodox cathedral consecrated in once German city

Moscow (ENI). A new Orthodox cathedral has been consecrated in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, a city once known as Koenigsberg when part of the German territory of Eastern Prussia, was annexed by the Soviet Union after the Second World War. "Today this church is a symbol of Russia on Kaliningrad land, a symbol of Russia on its western boundaries and borders," said Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II at the consecration of the edifice attended by President Vladimir Putin. [395 words, ENI-06-0770]

Zambian church leader urges parties to accept election outcome

Lusaka (ENI). Zambia's church leaders have called for free and fair elections on 28 September and at least one group has urged the contesting parties to accept the outcome. Churches held countrywide prayers ahead of the poll and at one service the Council of Churches in Zambia challenged the contesting parties to accept the outcome of what voters decide. [271 words, ENI-06-0769]

New book on South Africa's Tutu pokes fun at his 'rabble rousing'

Cape Town (ENI). When Nelson Mandela was released from jail in 1990, he held his first press conference at the home of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town. Many people had expected Tutu to take up a political career, like other clerics who had been vociferous in opposing apartheid. "Tutu stayed away from the press conference and kept out of the formal [photo] shots. It was their day, not his," writes John Allen, a former South African journalist, one time trade union leader and press secretary for Tutu, in his authorised biography of the Anglican leader: "Rabble Rouser for Peace". [643 words, ENI-06-0772]

26 September 2006

Baguio City, Philippines (ENI). Church leaders in the Philippines say President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's government needs to learn to deal with dissent if it is to avoid a repeat of the iron-fist rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial rule 34 years ago. "For peace to reign in this land, the government must let democracy work rather than curtail it," Roman Catholic Bishop Carlito Cenzon told Ecumenical News International. "We need more participation, even from dissenters and critics, for real democracy to work." [361 words, ENI-06-0768]

Indigenous at Lutheran rally in Arctic Circle stress land rights

Karasjok, Norway (ENI). A group of indigenous people from all over the world has urged the Lutheran World Federation to establish a programme to help uplift the lives of a group of people often not accepted in mainstream societies. The question of land rights was strongly debated at the consultation called "An Indigenous Communion" in Karasjok, the capital of the Sami people, in northern Norway. Delegates left the northern Finmark territory in the Arctic Circle which was blanketed in snow, many of them to return to deserts or jungles. [437 words, ENI-06-0767]

Mozambique Anglican bishop urges Christians to work together

London (ENI). Christians must stop squabbling and face the common enemies of disease and poverty, Anglican Bishop Dinis Sengulane of Lebombo in Mozambique has said in London. He was celebrating the centenary of an Anglican association to help what are now former Portuguese colonies in southern Africa that are listed by international organizations as countries with some of the most difficult living conditions on earth in the 21st century. [380 words, ENI-06-0766]

25 September 2006

Rome (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has told diplomats from Islamic countries of his respect for Muslims, following a furore about a speech in which he quoted a 14th century Christian emperor who referred to "evil and inhuman" aspects of Islam. "I should like to reiterate today all the esteem and the profound respect that I have for Muslim believers," Pope Benedict told the ambassadors of Islamic countries accredited to the Holy See, as well as representatives of various Muslim communities in Italy. Christians and Muslims needed to learn to work together, Pope Benedict said, "to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence". [330 words, ENI-06-0764]

Indian Christians protest at new anti-conversion measures in Gujarat

Calcutta (ENI). Christian groups in India say that moves in the state of Gujarat to amend an existing anti-religious conversion law will further inflame communal tension. "The amendment, passed amidst enormous opposition, takes away the fundamental rights guaranteed to an individual," the Evangelical Fellowship of India said in a statement. "Only those converting to Islam and Christianity have to report to the government." The Gujarat legislature excluded Buddhism and Jainism from the scope of the law by declaring them to be branches of the Hindu religion, thereby exempting people converting to these faiths from the need to seek government permission. [281 words, ENI-06-0765]

22 September 2006

Singapore (ENI). Protests have erupted in eastern Indonesia after three Christian militants were executed by firing squad after being convicted of leading anti-Muslim riots six years ago. The executions went ahead despite pleas from world political and religious leaders including Pope Benedict XVI to Indonesian authorities to issue a stay of execution for the trio in Palu on religiously-divided Sulawesi island. [238 words, ENI-06-0761]

Hungarian churches warn of 'moral crisis' after street protests

Warsaw (ENI). Hungarian church leaders have urged politicians to show greater responsibility, following days of street protests calling for the resignation of the country's premier after he admitted telling lies about the economy. "We have observed with great concern the political processes of recent days," the country's Ecumenical Council of Churches, which has 10 Protestant and Orthodox denominations as full members, said in a statement. "They testify to frustration, and to a grave moral crisis which our country has been led into by the irresponsible conduct and lies of governing politicians." [355 words, ENI-06-0762]

Zimbabwe churches issue plan for debate to stem national crisis

Harare (ENI). Churches in Zimbabwe want a national debate to secure the future of the southern African nation that is blighted by its worst economic and political crisis since it gained independence from Britain 26 years ago. "Our nation is desperately in need of a physician, and that physician is none other than us the people of Zimbabwe," Roman Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical leaders stated in a document (http://www.africamission-mafr.org/zimbabwe.doc) that examines the crisis and offers proposals on the way forward. "As churches, we confess we have failed the nation because we have not been able to speak with one voice. We have often not been the salt and the light that the Gospel calls us to be. We, therefore, confess our failure and ask for God's forgiveness," they state. [334 words, ENI-06-0763]

Norway's Sami president says churches play key role for indigenous

Karasjok (ENI). The president of Norway's Sami people has told a gathering of indigenous people from throughout the world meeting near the Arctic Circle that the Church and religious communities play a vital role in promoting indigenous issues in her country and internationally. "The Sami parliament is deeply indebted for the work that religious communities perform locally, nationally, and at the international level to promote indigenous issues," said Aili Keskitalo in Karasjok, in northern Norway, the seat of the Sami parliament. The Sami are a group of indigenous people, most of whom inhabit the northern parts of Norway, but who straddle Finland, Sweden and Russia as well. [312 words, ENI-06-0760]

21 September 2006

Singapore (ENI). Indonesia reinforced its military presence in Sulawesi Island ahead of the planned execution of three Christians accused of leading anti-Muslim riots in May 2000. The three Christians were scheduled to be executed by a firing squad overnight on 21 September after being convicted of leading anti-Muslim riots on the island, where more than 1000 people have been killed in eight years of Christian-Muslim violence. Human rights activists say they were probably not the masterminds of the violence. The men, a farmer and two mechanics, deny involvement. [336 words, ENI-06-0758]

Canadian church opts for tap water in anti-privatisation campaign

Toronto (ENI). Members of Canada's largest Protestant denomination are going to drink tap water at meetings in future and not the bottled variety that has become institutionalised at gatherings, if church leaders have their way. United Church of Canada leaders say this stems from decisions taken at the general council of the church when the denomination's main decision-making body demanded an end to the privatisation of water. "Bottled water containers labelled with images of pristine natural environments are rapidly becoming a major threat to the environment and to our health," notes the Web site of Kairos, a social justice group supported by the United church and other Canadian denominations. [460 words, ENI-06-0756]

New religious movie label to entertain not proselytise, says media giant

New York (ENI). The US media giant Fox has announced plans to target the growing market of Christian movie-goers by establishing a religious-oriented label that will distribute DVD's and market a limited number of releases for film theatres. "We're in the business of entertainment, not proselytising," Jeff Yordy, a Fox vice-president, said in a statement. Underlining that point, several current Fox films now in US movie theatres, such as "The Devil Wears Prada" and "My Super Ex-Girlfriend", are comedies with the references to sex and other adult themes. Still, Yordy said, "We simply recognised that there was a hugely under-served audience and seized the opportunity to provide them with high-quality entertainment that reflects their values." [315 words, ENI-06-0759]

Church musician encourages Asians to eschew Western harmony

Kobe (ENI). Asian Christians need to learn to use traditional cultural elements to enrich their hymns, despite their long-standing preference for western melodies and words, according to one of the region's leading exponents of liturgical music. "The great majority of Asian Christians have internalised Western hymns so much that it is difficult for them to develop their own traditional hymns," says I-to Loh, general editor of "Sound the Bamboo", an Asian hymnal used by the Christian Conference of Asia. "However, the situation has been changing during the last two or three decades." [425 words, ENI-06-0757]

20 September 2006

Oslo (ENI). The Lutheran bishop of Oslo has offered support to Norway's small Jewish community after shots were fired at the synagogue in the Norwegian capital, and he urged citizens to be on their guard against manifestations of anti-Semitism. "It is a challenge to all believers, irrespective of religion and confession, to rally to the support of Jews in this situation," Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme said after shots were fired at the Jewish place of worship. [245 words, ENI-06-0753]

Christians and Muslims at odds over church at Beslan tragedy site

Moscow (ENI). Plans by a Russian Orthodox archbishop to build a church at the site of Russia's worst terror attack where hundreds of people died in 2004 has provoked the ire of a top Muslim cleric. The co-chairperson of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Nafigulla Ashirov, has condemned the plans by Archbishop Feofan, who says it is essential to build an Orthodox church at the site of the attack at Beslan in Northern Ossetia. Feofan's diocese includes Beslan, where more than 1100 adults and children were held captive in September 2004 for two days. The standoff ended in bloodshed after a battle between the hostage-takers and security forces that left more than 330 people dead, many of them children. [337 words, ENI-06-0754]

US Christian leader wants to reclaim faith from 'religious right'

New York (ENI). A new book by the general secretary of the US National Council of Churches (NCC) is a call to reclaim US religious life from the "far religious right", says its author, the Rev. Robert Edgar. "The politics of faith have been co-opted in the service of a political agenda defined by fascination with war, indifference toward poverty, and exploitation of God's creation for the benefit of a relative few," Edgar writes in an introduction to his book, "Middle Church: Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the Religious Right". He writes, "It is time for Middle Church - an umbrella term I use to refer to mainstream people of all faiths - to stand up to the far religious right and to embrace Christianity no less sincerely." [439 words, ENI-06-0755]

19 September 2006

Nairobi (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for mutual respect between followers of different religions, in a message mourning the killing of an Italian nun in Somalia that some observers have linked to the Pope's remarks about Islam. Benedict said he firmly deplored any form of violence, and he hoped the death of the nun would inspire "real fraternity among peoples in the mutual respect for the religious convictions of each other". Two days earlier, gunmen had shot dead 65-year-old nun Leonella Sgorbati and her bodyguard outside a children's hospital in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. [315 words, ENI-06-0752]

Papal apology would be 'intellectual surrender' says Protestant

Frankfurt/Main, Germany (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI is facing continuing calls for an unequivocal apology for remarks in a lecture linking Islam to violence, but such a step would be tantamount to "intellectual surrender" says a Protestant theologian in Germany. "Of course, an apology would be the quickest way for the Catholic Church to get back to normal," said the Rev. Martin Schuck of the (Protestant) Institute for Interconfessional Research in Bensheim near Frankfurt in a 19 September statement. "But this could lead to incalculable long-term harm. It would become almost impossible in future for prominent personalities to deliver academic lectures dealing with Islam." [415 words, ENI-06-0751]

Two Scottish churches sign agreement to discuss differences

London (ENI). Two Scottish Protestant churches have signed an agreement at Dublane cathedral near Stirling to help promote good relations between the denominations. The agreement, called a covenant, was signed by the moderator of the Church of Scotland's general assembly, Alan McDonald, and his counterpart from the United Free Church of Scotland, Andrew McMillan. "The purpose of this covenant is to promote good relations and communications between both denominations and in particular to give a greater understanding on the differences or perceived differences of each denomination," the Church of Scotland noted in a statement. [225 words, ENI-06-0749]

Zimbabwe churches turn to security firms as crime soars

Harare (ENI). Churches in Zimbabwe are increasingly turning to professional security firms to look after their properties following mounting thefts and burglaries. "Churches used to employ their own security guards," Martha Gumbo, a security firm spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Herald newspaper. "Now they are resorting to registered security firms after having lost valuable goods to robbers who have become more daring even by the day." Zimbabwe has experienced a rise in crime rates in recent years as the country reels under mass unemployment and record inflation which peaked at 1200 per cent in August. [356 words, ENI-06-0750]

18 September 2006

Rome (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has apologised for the furore caused by a lecture he made in Germany where he quoted a 14th century Christian emperor who had referred to the "evil and inhuman" aspects of Islam, an address that stirred ire from some Muslims, but also triggered debate about free speech. "I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims," the Pope said at his summer residence near Rome. "These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought." [661 words, ENI-06-0742]

Orthodox leader sure Pope will still visit Muslim-majority Turkey

Istanbul (ENI). Patriarch Bartholomeos I, the Istanbul-based Christian Orthodox leader, says he remains confident the Pope will visit Muslim-majority Turkey as planned in November despite the furore about the pontiff's speech in Germany. "The Turkish people are very hospitable, but most probably national and fanatical groups will hold demonstrations against the visit," the patriarch told a group of French religious affairs journalists who were visiting his official headquarters in Istanbul, which was once the Byzantine Christian capital of Constantinople. [577 words, ENI-06-0743]

Palestinian churches targeted in protests against Pope's remarks

Jerusalem (ENI). Palestinian churches in the West Bank and Gaza came under attack over the weekend following a speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he quoted remarks from a past era linking Islam to violence. In the West Bank town of Tul Karm, arsonists set fire to a 170-year-old church just before dawn, causing significant damage, local Christian officials said. On the same day, in the village of Tubas, another church was attacked with firebombs and partially burned. [399 words, ENI-06-0746]

Global protesters plead for international action on Darfur

London (ENI). Protests have taken place around the world calling for an end to violence in Sudan's western region of Darfur, the scene of a conflict between government-backed militias and rebel groups that has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. In London, Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders gathered outside the office of Prime Minister Tony Blair to offer prayers for peace in the three-year conflict that has led to the displacement of two million people. [339 words, ENI-06-0744]

Tributes to rights' activist and ENI contributor Andre Jacques

Geneva (ENI). Tributes have been paid to Andre Jacques, a prominent French Protestant human rights activist and former contributor to Ecumenical News International, who has died aged 81. "Andre's abhorrence of cruelty of all kinds but especially torture shone through his articles for ENI which he wrote from the standpoint of someone with a long commitment to human rights throughout the world," recalled ENI's Stephen Brown who got to know Jacques after the launch of the Geneva-based ecumenical news agency in 1994. [353 words, ENI-06-0745]

15 September 2006

Rome (ENI). The Vatican is facing protests after a speech by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Germany in which he quoted a statement by a 14th century Christian emperor who referred to "evil and inhuman" aspects of Islam. Protests have come from senior Muslim leaders in places including Britain, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey. Vatican spokesperson Federico Lombardi said the Pope's comments were not intended to "offend the sensibilities" of Muslims. [389 words, ENI-06-0737]

Religious leaders in Kazakhstan pledge to fight extremism

Warsaw (ENI). Representatives of Christian and other faiths have denounced extremist acts carried out on the basis of religion and they have appealed against "religious prejudices and stereotypes" at an international congress in Kazakhstan. "We condemn all forms of terrorism on the basis that justice can never be established through fear and bloodshed and that the use of such means in the name of religion is a violation and betrayal of any religion that appeals to human goodness and dialogue," the religious leaders said at the end of their meeting. [465 words, ENI-06-0739]

US summit of bishops fails to mend Anglican divide

New York (ENI). A meeting of bishops from the US Episcopal (Anglican) Church has failed to resolve a stalemate over issues such as the ordination of homosexuals and church authority that threatens to divide the US denomination into separate camps. "We had honest and frank conversations that confronted the depth of the conflicts that we face," noted 11 bishops in a statement following a summit requested by Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury who also heads the worldwide Anglican Communion. "We recognised the need to provide sufficient space, but were unable to come to common agreement on the way forward." [268 words, ENI-06-0736]

Pope installs second-in-command amid reports of Vatican shake up

Rome (ENI). Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has been installed as the Vatican's new secretary of state, the number two position that makes him the closest colleague of Pope Benedict XVI. The appointment comes during media speculation that the Pope is to embark on a major overhaul of the Vatican. Bertone, until now archbishop of Genoa, will succeed Cardinal Angelo Sodano in dealing with the day-to-day running of the Vatican bureaucracy. He was formally introduced to the position by Pope Benedict during a ceremony at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence near Rome. [419 words, ENI-06-0741]

Philippine nun says Christianity helped ruin indigenous culture

Manila (ENI). Human rights activists and members of the Filipino community in Britain conducted prayer vigils during a visit this week by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, urging action to end political killings of indigenous people, among others, in the Philippines. Recent killings of political activists have led to indigenous and community leaders in the Philippines becoming increasingly afraid to speak out against mining or logging projects, many of them on traditional ancestral lands of the country's 15 million indigenous peoples, Independent Catholic News reported. But according to some Roman Catholic leaders, indigenous people in the Philippines have not only faced the destruction of their lands through such excavation projects, but Christianity has also played a role in ruining their traditional culture. [423 words, ENI-06-0740]

15 September 2006

Rome (ENI). The Vatican is facing protests after a speech by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Germany in which he quoted a statement by a 14th century Christian emperor who referred to "evil and inhuman" aspects of Islam. Protests have come from senior Muslim leaders in places including Britain, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey. Vatican spokesperson Federico Lombardi said the Pope's comments were not intended to "offend the sensibilities" of Muslims. [389 words, ENI-06-0737]

Religious leaders in Kazakhstan pledge to fight extremism

Warsaw (ENI). Representatives of Christian and other faiths have denounced extremist acts carried out on the basis of religion and they have appealed against "religious prejudices and stereotypes" at an international congress in Kazakhstan. "We condemn all forms of terrorism on the basis that justice can never be established through fear and bloodshed and that the use of such means in the name of religion is a violation and betrayal of any religion that appeals to human goodness and dialogue," the religious leaders said at the end of their meeting. [465 words, ENI-06-0739]

US summit of bishops fails to mend Anglican divide

New York (ENI). A meeting of bishops from the US Episcopal (Anglican) Church has failed to resolve a stalemate over issues such as the ordination of homosexuals and church authority that threatens to divide the US denomination into separate camps. "We had honest and frank conversations that confronted the depth of the conflicts that we face," noted 11 bishops in a statement following a summit requested by Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury who also heads the worldwide Anglican Communion. "We recognised the need to provide sufficient space, but were unable to come to common agreement on the way forward." [268 words, ENI-06-0736]

Pope installs second-in-command amid reports of Vatican shake up

Rome (ENI). Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has been installed as the Vatican's new secretary of state, the number two position that makes him the closest colleague of Pope Benedict XVI. The appointment comes during media speculation that the Pope is to embark on a major overhaul of the Vatican. Bertone, until now archbishop of Genoa, will succeed Cardinal Angelo Sodano in dealing with the day-to-day running of the Vatican bureaucracy. He was formally introduced to the position by Pope Benedict during a ceremony at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence near Rome. [419 words, ENI-06-0741]

Philippine nun says Christianity helped ruin indigenous culture

Manila (ENI). Human rights activists and members of the Filipino community in Britain conducted prayer vigils during a visit this week by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, urging action to end political killings of indigenous people, among others, in the Philippines. Recent killings of political activists have led to indigenous and community leaders in the Philippines becoming increasingly afraid to speak out against mining or logging projects, many of them on traditional ancestral lands of the country's 15 million indigenous peoples, Independent Catholic News reported. But according to some Roman Catholic leaders, indigenous people in the Philippines have not only faced the destruction of their lands through such excavation projects, but Christianity has also played a role in ruining their traditional culture. [423 words, ENI-06-0740]

14 September 2006

Harare (ENI). Harare Anglican bishop, Nolbert Kunonga, a close ally of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, ordered all churches in his diocese to close on the Sunday before his 33rd wedding anniversary, and at celebrations he launched a blistering attack on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. The bishop held a prayer meeting and fundraiser at a sports arena to celebrate his wedding anniversary, but shut down the churches because he feared demonstrations from Anglicans who disagree with him. [437 words, ENI-06-0733]

Pakistan churches back call for inquiry into death of rebel leader

Thrissur, India (ENI). Churches in Pakistan are supporting demands for an independent inquiry into the death of a popular tribal leader, Akbar Khan Bugti, during an army operation. Unrest has been sparked by the deaths in August of 79-year-old Bugti, a former member of the Pakistan senate and governor of the Baluchistan province, and a number of his supporters while leading a revolt against the Pakistan government for the autonomy of Baluchistan. [381 words, ENI-06-0732]

Polish lawmakers sue over anarchists' Madonna caricatures

Warsaw (ENI). Members of Poland's governing Law and Justice party have sued a local anarchist group after it circulated billboard posters parodying the country's sacred Black Madonna icon. "Artistic freedom has to be limited in cases where it might offend others," Jan Libicki, a lawmaker belonging to the governing party, told the Gazeta Poznanska daily newspaper. "Religious symbols, the Virgin Mary and everything linked to the faith are delicate matters. If someone deliberately and maliciously seeks to violate them, they should be held to account." [277 words, ENI-06-0734]

Nigerian leader praises Catholics; pans 'religious manipulation'

Abuja (ENI). Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recently applauded the Roman Catholic church for its work, has also been warning against politicians he believes are manipulating the political process in the country along religious and ethnic lines. At his official residence on Obasanjo has applauded the "unique contributions" of the Catholic Church, Abuja Archbishop John Onaiyekan, and the church's management of the prestigious Loyola Jesuit College in the capital city, This Day newspaper reported. [267 words, ENI-06-0735]

13 September 2006

Geneva (ENI). World Trade Organziation chief Pascal Lamy has met in talks for the first time with World Council of Churches general secretary, Samuel Kobia, and members of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, a global Christian grouping fighting for trade justice. Lamy said after the talks at the WCC's headquarters in Geneva that the meeting was a "start" and he hoped to engage further with civil society and faith-based groups like the EAA. "We in the WTO, do believe that what we are working for, which is opening trade, does contribute to more justice," Lamy told Ecumenical News International after the meeting. [529 words, ENI-06-0730]

Pope at ecumenical service warns Christians on hiding their beliefs

Regensburg, Germany (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has joined German Christians of other denominations for a prayer service at Regensburg cathedral in Bavaria where he urged Christians not to hide their witness to God in a multi-religious age. "We know who God is through Jesus Christ," said Pope Benedict at the service during a six-day visit to his native Bavaria in southern Germany. Protestant and Orthodox clergy were present when he said, "In an age of multi-religious encounters we may be slightly tempted to play down this central affirmation or even to hide it. But then we helping neither the encounter nor the dialogue." [422 words, ENI-06-0731]

Lutheran bishop mediates between Namibia war veterans and Swapo

Windhoek (ENI). Lutheran leader Bishop Zephania Kameeta is acting as a mediator to settle grievances between Namibia's government and ex-combatants who fought for the now ruling Swapo party when it was a liberation movement waging a 23 year-guerrilla war against South African rule. Kameeta of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia has called on the government and the ex-combatants from Swapo (South West Africa People's Organization) to work together "in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding". [393 words, ENI-06-0729]

African churches seek strong presence at Nairobi's World Social Forum

Nairobi (ENI). Churches in Africa are planning a strong presence at the World Social Forum set for Nairobi in January 2007, the first time that the continent is the sole host for the gathering directed against exploitative globalisation. "It's important because it provides a platform that helps create a worldwide social force against poverty, oppression, injustice and social exclusion," said Anglican Bishop Pie Ntukamazina of Burundi who attended a meeting in the Kenyan capital to prepare for the global event. "The voice of the church can be most clear in expressing solidarity with the poor," said Ntukamazina. He warned it would be a waste of time if the Church was not sharpening its vision to challenge the world on problems facing disadvantaged communities. [381 words, ENI-06-0728]

12 September 2006

Nairobi (ENI). A Ugandan Roman Catholic archbishop is calling for a waiver on action against suspected war criminals in the north of his country while a senior United Nations says impunity for such people is unacceptable. Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu warned that sustaining International Criminal Court indictments for top rebel leaders could jeopardise peace talks taking place in Juba, Southern Sudan. [329 words, ENI-06-0726]

Polish cleric says Solidarity heroes should be honoured not shunned

Warsaw (ENI). A Roman Catholic archbishop has urged Poles to show greater respect for heroes of the Solidarity union, which led the struggle against communist rule, after government leaders declined to invite its former leader, Lech Walesa, to anniversary celebrations. "Solidarity was an expression of spiritual links, not class struggle," said Jozef Zycinski, the Archbishop of Lublin. "Today, no respect is shown any more for the person who united the creators of Solidarity. A commercialised version of Polish history is being raised to the level of revealed truth." [322 words, ENI-06-0724]

Zambian church leaders split over presidential candidate

Lusaka (ENI). Zambian church leaders are split on a preferred presidential candidate for the 28 September general elections with some backing incumbent Levy Mwanawasa while others oppose him. About 300 delegates to a meeting of the National Pastors' Consultative Forum, called to discuss the Church role in relation to the elections, resolved to support a presidential candidate who would uphold Zambia's "Christian Nation" declaration, among other things. The convenor of the forum, Bishop Simon Chihana, triggered an uproar when he said: "The Church should not support leaders who have many wives, smoke and do not subscribe to the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation." [374 words, ENI-06-0725]

Catholics to seek ideas of children at next German convention

Bielefeld, Germany (ENI). Germany's next Catholic convention, or Katholikentag, which gathers thousands of the faithful every two years is to include, for the first time, a special council bringing together children under 12 years of age. "This will be the first time that the convention reaches out to children," said Theodor Bolzenius, spokesperson of the Central Committee of German Catholics, the group that sponsors the five-day event. "We think that talking with children and young people is important for the church." The next convention is scheduled for May 2008 in Osnabrueck, northern Germany. [277 words, ENI-06-0727]

11 September 2006

New York (ENI). The United States has commemorated the fifth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks with vigils, worship services and commemorations, as some religious and political leaders are saying the country needs to take stock of its place in the world. "I can think of no better way to honour the memory of those who died on September 11 five years ago than by committing ourselves to working for a future in which the events of that day will not be repeated," said Frank T. Griswold, the presiding bishop of the US Episcopal (Anglican) Church in a statement. [409 words, ENI-06-0722]

Indian churches condemn attacks at Muslim shrine

Thrissur, India (ENI). Churches have joined in the widespread denunciation of three bomb blasts near to a Muslim mosque at Malegaon in the western Indian state of Maharashtra which left at least 31 dead and more than 200 injured. "We condemn this heinous act. The obvious motive was to trigger communal violence," the National Council of Churches in India, a grouping of 29 Orthodox and Protestant churches, said in an 11 September statement. [321 words, ENI-06-0721]

South African church leader calls for marriage law fair to all

Cape Town (ENI). The general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Eddie Makue, has urged the national government to quickly end discrimination which exists in the country's current Marriage Act. As it stands now, the law recognises only marriage between a man and a woman, and has been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, which has given the government until December to amend it. [507 words, ENI-06-0719]

Mission group in India still reeling from legal action

New Delhi (ENI). A six month legal battle against the Emmanuel Mission has financially devastated the work of the Protestant group, even though the high court in the Indian state of Rajasthan lifted restrictions and allowed it to resume its work, says a mission founder. "It is true that the damage to the ministries is irreparable by us," said M.A. Thomas, a founder of the Hopegivers International group, which supports the mission. He was quoted on the Web site www.newsblaze.com at the end of August. "Only God can heal it. Whatever we may be able to do, it would be only patchwork. But when God does it, it will be totally new." [308 words, ENI-06-0720]

Russian Orthodox groups protest Madonna's Moscow concert

Moscow (ENI). Ultraconservative Russian Orthodox organizations have declared a "holy war" against pop singer Madonna and demanded that religiously provocative songs be pulled from her "Confessions" tour Moscow concert. Ahead of the 12 September concert, dozens of protesters last week called the singer a witch, then stabbed and trampled on a poster of her. They objected in particular to her performing in a crown of thorns in a pose imitating Jesus' crucifixion. Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders across Europe have also greeted Madonna's tour with outrage. [460 words, ENI-06-0723]

8 September 2006

Berlin (ENI-epd). Muslims in Germany must fully recognise the country's legal order, says German Protestant leader Bishop Wolfgang Huber, who has also urged deeper dialogue with Islam, including theological discussion on questions such as suicide bombers. Huber, who heads the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), said in an interview with the German Protestant news agency epd that such a recognition required the innermost conviction by Muslims, "that all humans have the same dignity and the same rights, women just as much as men". He noted that the Shariah, or Islamic law, cannot apply in Germany. [436 words, ENI-06-0715]

German-born Pope Benedict XVI to return to Bavarian roots

Trier, Germany (ENI). Pope Benedict VXI on 9 September starts a six-day official visit to Bavaria retracing his early steps in Germany on the road to Rome in what many believe will be a last farewell. It is only the third foreign trip of his papacy and will have a private character, despite two open-air Masses. Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, grew up in the Roman Catholic-majority southern state of Bavaria and is immensely popular there, being seen as a son of the soil. [424 words, ENI-06-0717]

Kenyan Christians, Hindus and Muslims unite on constitution changes

Nairobi (ENI). Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders in Kenya have united to reject "piecemeal" amendments of the constitution before the 2007 elections saying they do not go far enough, while pledging to mobilise for the inclusion of their followers' voices. Their united stance comes as politicians have warned the faiths to refrain from taking part in the constitutional review debate as clerics have pressed for more far-reaching reforms than the politicians appear prepared to recommend. [332 words, ENI-06-0718]

Brother Roger did not 'convert' to Catholicism, says Taize

Geneva (ENI). The Taize community in eastern France has rejected claims reported in the French newspaper Le Monde that its Swiss-born Protestant founder, Brother Roger Schutz, who died last year, had a secret conversion to Roman Catholicism. "This article gave credence to and reproduced the claims of a small newsletter issued by Catholic traditionalist circles that misrepresents Brother Roger's true intentions and defames his memory," Brother Thomas of the Taize community told Ecumenical News International by email. [405 words, ENI-06-0716]

6 September 2006

New Delhi (ENI). Church activists have joined others in decrying the Sri Lankan government for rejecting a report by truce monitors that blamed the government forces for the massacre of 17 aid workers belonging to a French NGO in August. "The government response to the peace monitors' report is totally unacceptable," said Jehan Perera, executive director of the National Peace Council, which has churches as members. "The atmosphere of immunity is getting worse," Perera told Ecumenical News International. [316 words, ENI-06-0713]

Anglican archbishop Israeli Jewish leaders sign dialogue accord

London (ENI). The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and Israel's two chief rabbis, Shlomo Amar and Yona Metzger, have signed an agreement mapping out their future dialogue. "What we've agreed today will provide a framework within which both practical and sometimes challenging issues can be discussed on the basis of mutual trust and respect," Williams, the leader of the global Anglican Communion, stated after signing the agreement with Amar, the chief Sephardi rabbi, and Metzger who represents Ashkenazi Jews, who mostly come from Europe. [341 words, ENI-06-0711]

WCC says core role is Christian unity, but inter-faith relations vital

Geneva (ENI). The world's largest grouping of churches says it is giving high priority to inter-faith peace initiatives and it is to strengthen its office of inter-religious dialogue. World Council of Churches general secretary, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, told journalists at the conclusion of a meeting in Geneva of its main governing body, that WCC leaders had decided to place a special emphasis on the churches working for peace in the Middle East. [425 words, ENI-06-0712]

Taize founder converted to Catholicism claims French bishop

Paris (ENI). Brother Roger Schutz, the Swiss-born Protestant founder of the Taize community in eastern France, who died last year, converted to Roman Catholicism in 1972, says the former Catholic bishop of the diocese where the ecumenical community is located. "Brother Roger told me himself that he was Catholic," Bishop Raymond Seguy, who retired in April from the diocese of Autun where the Taize community is based, was quoted as saying in the French newspaper Le Monde. [380 words, ENI-06-0714]

5 September 2006

Geneva (ENI). The Rev. Soritua Nababan, a Christian leader in the world's most populous Muslim nation, says the stereotyped idea of Islam tied to "oil and terror" should be rejected and he believes strengthening Muslim moderates in their own communities through dialogue can help reduce conflict. One of the eight presidents of the World Council of Churches, Nabadan knows conflict. "I was a freedom fighter against the Dutch as a schoolboy," in Indonesia, he noted. But, he said, "I have an idea to widen Christian-Muslim relationships dictated by the centuries-long paradigm of Crusade against Islam, or jihad, or Islamic war." [414 words, ENI-06-0706]

World church grouping calls for UN 'war crimes' probe in Middle East

Geneva (ENI). The World Council of Churches has called for a United Nations investigation into possible war crimes committed during the Lebanon-Israel conflict, and into the transfer of arms used in violations of human rights. In a statement, the WCC central committee said it was "alarmed at violations of international law on armed conflict by the combatants in this war and by the international community's failure to ensure the protection of civilians and the proportionate use of military force". It was also alarmed "by the Israeli military's extensive use of cluster munitions in south Lebanon particularly when a cease-fire was already imminent". [447 words, ENI-06-0707]

World church group calls for action against HIV stigma

Geneva (ENI). The world's biggest church grouping is urging religious leaders to examine behaviour, attitudes and actions that stigmatise people living with HIV and AIDS, while also calling on churches to adopt workplace policies inclusive of HIV-positive people. "While the churches have been on the front line of care and support for people affected by the pandemic, many of us have also been complicit in stigmatising and marginalising people living with HIV and AIDS by our silence, our attitudes, our words and our deeds," the main governing body of the World Council of Churches said in a statement. [454 words, ENI-06-0709]

More WCC members now pay their membership contributions

Geneva (ENI). Three-quarters of the 348 members of the World Council of Churches paid membership contributions in 2005, compared with 55 per cent in 1999, the main governing body of the world's biggest church grouping has been told. "I am pleased to confirm that the overall financial situation is positive," the Rev. Anders Gadegaard, the moderator of the WCC finance committee told the 30 August-6 September central committee meeting before his committee's report was adopted. [417 words, ENI-06-0708]

Catholics open second Christian university in Malawi

Blantyre (ENI). The Catholic University of Malawi, located at Montfort in the southern district of Chiradzulu, which opened in August, is now the second Christian-run institute of higher learning in the central African nation. "We want to let people know that when we say education is Catholic, it is not catechism. We want to discuss issues that can assist us in improving our schools," said the Rev. Julio Felin, parish priest for the Roman Catholic St. Francis Church in the capital Lilongwe. Northern Malawi's Presbyterian-run University of Livingstonia earlier this year notched four years as the first Christian-run university in Malawi and now boasts an enrolment of 500 students. [319 words, ENI-06-0705]

4 September 2006

Cape Town (ENI). Seven years ago, the man who now heads the South African presidential office, the Rev. Frank Chikane, gave only lukewarm acceptance to an amnesty granted to apartheid's last law minister, Adriaan Vlok, and a former secret police commander, for the 1988 bombing of the headquarters of the South African Council of Churches. But he appeared much more enthusiastic in describing as genuine the action of Vlok in coming to the presidential office on 1 August, towel in hand, to wash the feet of Chikane, who was SACC general secretary at the time of the bombing. [430 words, ENI-06-0703]

Churches can chivvy economic justice dialogue, says ex-WCC head

Geneva (ENI). Following the collapse of World Trade Organization talks aimed at securing new rules for international commerce, the World Council of Churches has heard it can advance economic justice by promoting dialogue between religious, political and economic groups. "At a time when this kind of policy orientated dialogue is becoming more and more difficult or even breaking down altogether in the broader secular context, it may be the special vocation of the WCC together with its ecumenical partners to create the space and conditions for the dialogue," the immediate past WCC general secretary, the Rev. Konrad Raiser, told a meeting of the church grouping's main governing body in Geneva. [461 words, ENI-06-0700]

Somalia could spark regional conflict, warns WCC leader

Geneva (ENI). The conflict in Somalia could lead to a wider conflagration in Africa, a senior leader of the World Council of Churches has warned. "We are very concerned about the situation in Somalia," WCC general secretary, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, told journalists during the meeting of the church grouping's main governing body in Geneva. "What is happening in Somalia could open up new expressions of conflict in the Horn of Africa, an area that has not known peace for many years." [319 words, ENI-06-0701]

Palestine, Israeli religious heads fail on message, but back Kyoto pact

Kyoto, Japan (ENI). Despite failing to issue a joint statement on Middle East peace, Israeli and Palestine religious leaders who met at a world interfaith conference in Kyoto backed a protocol for religious people to assume responsibility for confronting violence in their own communities. After meeting behind closed doors during the conference, they did not agree to issue a joint message, said the Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, inter-religious development director for the World Conference of Religions for Peace after the four day gathering ended. "But they expressed their willingness to support the Kyoto Declaration," noted Sugino, who comes from the of the Buddhist Rissho Koseikai group. [548 words, ENI-06-0704]

Israeli bombs united Christians and Muslims in Lebanon says envoy

Geneva (ENI). Lebanon's minister of culture, Tarek Mitri, says the 34 days of fierce fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah movement forged unity between the country's Muslims and Christians, despite many people questioning why the war started. The Lebanese minister was speaking to journalists during a meeting of the main governing body of the World Council of Churches where he was responsible for Christian-Muslim dialogue from 1991 to 2005. [820 words, ENI-06-0699]

1 September 2006

Moscow (ENI). Speaking during ceremonies to mark the 15th anniversary of the declaration of Ukraine's independence, President Viktor Yushchenko has urged the creation of a united, local church to guarantee his country's spiritual independence. "The people will welcome the creation of a united, local Orthodox Church," Yushchenko said in a speech in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev following a service of prayer on the anniversary of Ukraine's independence. [293 words, ENI-06-0695]

Namibia churches back campaign to pay each citizen US$14 a month

Windhoek (ENI). A coalition of Namibian church and non-governmental organizations is sticking to its campaign for the government to overturn its decision not to give an unconditional monthly grant of 100 Namibian dollars (US$14) to each citizen below retirement age. "Such a grant is necessary until the country's high income disparities are addressed," said the Rev. Phillip Strydom, the general secretary of the Council of Churches in Namibia, on behalf of the coalition for the Basic Income Grant. He noted: "The grant would only require two per cent of the gross domestic product, which is quite affordable." [340 words, ENI-06-0698]

German Bishop Margot Kaessmann 'recovering well' from surgery

By Anli Serfontein Trier (ENI). Bishop Margot Kaessmann of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover is recovering well from breast cancer surgery performed on 30 August, a statement released on the church's Web site has stated. Kaessmann is known for her many years of involvement with the World Council of Churches and media reports stated she had received messages of support from around the world, including from Nobel Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, WCC general secretary, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, and Lutheran World Federation general secretary, the Rev. Ishmael Noko. [241 words, ENI-06-0697]

Building work threatens rare flower in town of Jesus, warn activists

Jerusalem (ENI). Israeli environmentalists and botanists are protesting against plans to build a new neighbourhood in the Galilee town of Upper Nazareth as they say it will lead to the extinction of the rare Nazareth Iris flower. The wild irises, which are native to Nazareth and surrounding hills, have been disappearing for years due to construction in Upper Nazareth, which overlooks Jesus' home town of Nazareth. [268 words, ENI-06-0696]

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