March 18, 2009
Catholic Politicians-Abortion
Archbishop: Pro-choice Catholics shouldn't receive Communion
WASHINGTON (AP) - Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP'-yoo) says politicians who won't take action to oppose abortion should neither call themselves Catholic nor take Communion.
Meeting with reporters in Washington, Chaput said the integrity of church teaching is more important than "the vanity or hurt feelings of an individual Catholic governor or senator or even vice president."
Vice President Joseph Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and influential senators like Edward Kennedy and John Kerry are Catholics who support abortion rights.
Chaput said, "They could make a difference if they acted like Catholics." Otherwise, he said, they shouldn't receive Communion because they're not in communion with the church.
Obama-Judges
Obama names controversial judge to appeals court
WHITE HOUSE (AP) - President Barack Obama has nominated federal Judge David Hamilton, who has issued controversial rulings on abortion and prayer, to the federal appeals court that reversed his decisions.
If confirmed, Hamilton will serve on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
In 2005, he banned the Indiana House of Representatives' practice of opening the chamber's business with sectarian prayers. Hamilton, the son of a United Methodist minister, ruled that prayers mentioning Jesus Christ or using terms such as "savior" amounted to state endorsement of a religion.
In 2003, Hamilton struck down part of an Indiana law requiring abortion clinics to inform women about alternatives to abortion in the presence of a physician or nurse 18 hours before the procedure.
The 7th Circuit court reversed both of those decisions.
Ten Commandments-Kentucky
Judge awards attorneys fees in commandments case
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled that two Kentucky counties must pay nearly $400,000 in attorneys' fees stemming from their defense of posting the Ten Commandments in courthouses.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Judge Jennifer Coffman ordered Pulaski and McCreary counties to pay the funds to two attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky.
The ACLU of Kentucky successfully challenged the displays in federal court in a legal battle that started a decade ago. But the attorney for the counties, two of the poorest in Kentucky, says they don't have to pay yet because parts of the case remain unsettled on appeal.
Mathew Staver of the Christian legal group Liberty Counsel, who represents both counties, said insurance companies may cover the legal bill if the counties ultimately have to pay.
TV-American Idol Faith
More than half of American Idol finalists have church links
LOS ANGELES (AP) - After "American Idol" finalist Kris Allen first stepped onto the stage of the Fox singing competition, the 23-year-old college student told his pastor that the stage lights and eager audience reminded him of being in church.
Two weeks into the finals, religion is playing a big role on the popular show. More than half of the remaining 11 finalists have regularly performed at places of worship. Three of those six contestants -- Allen, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver -- have worked as worship leaders in their respective churches.
Scott MacIntyre, Matt Giraud and Lil Rounds also have strong church connections.
Joining the contestants on last night's show was country music star Randy Travis, who has recorded several Gospel albums.
Pope-Africa
Pope says condoms won't solve AIDS in Africa
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) - Pope Benedict says condoms are not the answer to Africa's fight against AIDS.
As he began a weeklong trip to Africa, the pope told reporters that distributing condoms to fight AIDS actually "increases the problem."
He said a responsible and moral attitude toward sex would be more effective.
After arriving in Cameroon, Benedict said, "The saving message of the Gospel needs to be proclaimed loud and clear so that the light of Christ can shine into the darkness of people's lives."
On a continent largely ruled by dictators, the pope declared that "a Christian can never remain silent" in the face of violence, poverty, hunger, corruption or abuse of power.
Later this week, the pope will visit Angola before returning to Rome.
Guns in Church
Arkansas lawmaker to try guns in church bill again
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An Arkansas lawmaker says she'll try again to persuade a Senate panel to allow concealed handguns in churches and other houses of worship.
State Representative Beverly Pyle said she planned to present the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday an amended version of her proposal, which the panel rejected last month.
That measure would have removed churches and other houses of worship from the list of places where concealed handguns are banned in Arkansas. Only churches and bars are on that list.
Her revised bill would keep churches on that list, except for those that have specifically authorized someone to carry a concealed weapon.
Priest-Homeless
Turning 90, priest gives $15K to poor
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Father Maurice Chase has celebrated his 90th birthday by giving away cash.
The Roman Catholic priest handed out $15,000 Tuesday to hundreds of poor people outside a Los Angeles mission. Twenty wheelchair-bound people received crisp $100 bills, while the rest received $1 to $3 each.
He said, "I come out here to tell them that God loves them and I love them."
Chase has given away cash, plastic rosaries and blessings every Sunday on the same downtown corner for 24 years. A throng of several hundred people waits for him every week in the neighborhood where people live mainly in shelters and on the streets.
The money he hands out comes from donations he receives from people like Bob Newhart and the widows of Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra.
UN-Racism Conference
Draft for racism meeting drops ban on defaming religions
GENEVA (AP) - United Nations officials say Muslim-backed references to "defamation of religion" and Israel have been dropped from a draft being prepared for next month's world racism meeting.
The draft now speaks only of concern about the "negative stereotyping of religions" and does not single out Israel for criticism.
Muslim countries had demanded that free speech be limited to prevent criticism of Islam and other faiths. They also wanted to take Israel to task for its treatment of Palestinians.
Israel and Canada have said they'll boycott the Durban II conference in Geneva. The United States and Italy said they would not attend unless countries commit to a balanced declaration. The European Union warned it might stay away unless Muslim countries backed down.
Church Abuse
Cardinal testifies in California church abuse case
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles has testified in the case of two brothers who claim they were molested years ago by a parish priest.
Mahony was a high-level administrator in the Fresno diocese during some of the years George and Howard Santillan (sahn-tee-YAHN) claim they were molested by Monsignor Anthony Herdegen at a church in a small town north of Bakersfield, California.
The brothers filed their lawsuit in 2003 under a one-year window that voided the statute of limitations on old abuse claims in California.
Mahony is now head of the nation's largest Roman Catholic archdiocese. Tuesday's testimony was only the second time he has answered questions before jurors about alleged molestation by priests.
Amish-Outhouse Dispute
Amish farmer gets jailtime in outhouse dispute
EBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - An Amish farmer has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after refusing to bring a pair of outhouses into compliance with Pennsylvania sewage laws.
Andy Swartzentruber, of Ebensburg, cited his conservative religious beliefs in refusing to abide by a court order to make the privies used by schoolchildren compliant and pay a $500 fine.
Cambria County Judge Norman Krumenacker said he respected Amish religious beliefs but had no choice but to sentence Swartzentruber to jail and fine him $1,000 for being in contempt of court.
He also ordered the Amish school and outhouses on Swartzentruber's former property padlocked. About 18 children attend the school.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-03-18-09 0331EDT
