Front Page

The Bible Beats Manchester United and Justin Bieber to Top of the Facebook Charts

April 15, 2011 – Figures published by allfacebook.com this week revealed that more people are actively engaging with the "The Bible" than any other page on leading social media site Facebook. With Easter only days away it seems that the world's best-selling book is also making a massive impact in the digital world. With more than 6 million ‘fans' it has beaten other hugely popular pages including those of sports teams like Manchester United and celebrities like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. The Anglican who oversees The Bible's Facebook page, United Bible Societies' Jane Pleace, expressed her excitement at seeing the Bible's message spreading across this leading social media platform.

Convergence of Earth Day, Good Friday Highlights Church's ‘Green' Ministries

April 13, 2011 – As Holy Week quickly approaches and Good Friday and Earth Day coincide, the Episcopal Church has compiled liturgical, educational and other resources for incorporating earth-care themes into services and celebrations. "This year Earth Day falls within Holy Week, specifically on Good Friday, a profound co-incidence," said Mike Schut, economic and environmental affairs officer for the Episcopal Church. "To fully honor Earth Day, we need to reclaim the theology that knows earth is ‘very good,' is holy. When we fully recognize that, our actions just may begin to create a more sustainable, compassionate economy and way of life."

Easter Message

2011 Easter Message from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

April 12, 2011 – So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (Matthew 28:8) Mary Magdalene and Mary walked to Jesus' grave, expecting to find death. It's understandable. Images of violence filled their minds. Thoughts of their vulnerability and mortality deadened their spirits. Death had become the defining story of their lives. Instead of death, the women met a resurrection messenger who said, "He is not here: for he has been raised, as he said." As they hurried to tell others, the risen Jesus met them. They were changed. Now resurrection, not death, would define their lives.

General News

Theologians Criticize Bishops' Handling of Book Critique
CTSA Board Defends Elizabeth Johnson

April 8, 2011 – The board of directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America issued a statement April 8 faulting the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine for not following the bishops' own established guidelines in assessing a book by one of the society's more prominent members. The statement took issue with the committee for not having contacted Fordham University professor of theology St. Joseph Sr. Elizabeth Johnson during its study of her book Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God, a popular theology text.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA:
Presiding Bishop Leads Service of Repentance for Sin of Racism, Slavery

April 11, 2011 – Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori celebrated and preached at a Service of Repentance, Healing and Reconciliation April 9 at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Asheville, marking the end of a two-year period of study and conversation on the sin of racism in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. More than 500 people attended the service, during which Western North Carolina Bishop G. Porter Taylor acknowledged the church's participation in slavery and the long oppression of Afro-American people. Taylor formally apologized for these sins and asked for forgiveness.

Ecumenical News

BETHLEHEM: Ecumenical Chrism Mass Makes Full-Communion History

April 15, 2011 – A traditional annual Chrism Mass, in which clergy renew their ordination vows and anointing oils are blessed, took on a historic note April 14 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem Bishop Paul Marshall invited the Rev. Samuel R. Zeiser, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and the Rev. David E. Bennett, president of the Eastern District of the Moravian Church in North America, to join him in celebrating the Mass at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Editorial Page

Someone Lost the Keys to the Asylum

April 13, 2011 – The United States has always had its share of nutcases and shady characters in public life. In other words, Donald Trump is nothing new, and his presidential campaign package of absurd claims isn't without precedent. Neither are bigots who burn, shoot and shout. Hatred is never far below the surface in many people's lives. What strikes me as new is that for some reason, we now take these people seriously.

Spanish News

Clausuran Por Segunda Vez Obra Del Ejército De Salvación

12 abril 2011, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – De manera arbitraria, y por segunda vez en menos de dos meses, las autoridades locales de la delegación Xochimilco clausuraron la construcción del edificio principal que pretende construir el Ejército de Salvación, a pesar de que cuenta con todos los permisos para edificar lo que sería su escuela de cadetes y un centro de ayuda para personas de escasos recursos, según se hizo público ayer aquí.

Iglesia Catolica Pide Perdón Por Abusos Sexuales Y Toma Medidas Para Prevenirlos

11 abril 2011, CONCEPCIÓN, Chile – Con la participación de 31 obispos se realizó la Asamblea Plenaria de la Conferencia Episcopal de Chile los días 4 al 8 de abril, que fue presidida por el Arzobispo de Santiago, Ricardo Ezzati. Esta conferencia tenía gran importancia por los sucesos de abusos sexuales de sacerdotes y religiosas que han estremecido al país, como el caso más emblemático del sacerdote Fernando Karadima ex párroco del Bosque, acusado de abuso de menores y condenado por la justicia del Vaticano.

Cristianos Son Incentivados a Festejar Pascua En Fecha Común

15 abril 2010, GINEBRA, Suiza – El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), pastor Olav Fykse Tveit, exhortó a los cristianos a dar a la celebración de la Pascua de este año un toque más ecuménico y a que se comprometan en la búsqueda de una fecha común para la Pascua. En este año, la Pascua de las tradiciones orientales y occidentales ocurre en la misma fecha (24 de abril). "En un mundo dividido por la pobreza y por la violencia, es importante tener un sólo testimonio del Cristo crucificado y resucitado en acciones y palabras," dice Tveit.

Iglesia Metodista Rechaza Baja De Edad De Imputabilidad Reafirmando La Responsabilidad Social

11 abril 2010, MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Ante el debate social por la seguridad y un proyecto de baja de edad de imputabilidad-como supuesta medida de solución de la inseguridad-, la Iglesia Metodista en el Uruguay (IMU) dio a conocer una declaración pública firmada por su Presidente, pastor Raúl Sosa. La preocupación por la seguridad es cada vez mayor en nuestra sociedad, e indudablemente esta demanda no sólo es legítima sino, también, absolutamente necesaria para alcanzar una saludable convivencia social, reza el documento.

Preocupada La Iglesia Católica Por Situación Crítica De Las Cárceles

12 abril 2010, SAN SALVADOR – La iglesia Católica salvadoreña reaccionó este domingo ante el informe del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos de América, correspondiente a 2010 sobre los derechos humanos en el país centroamericano, al señalar la inseguridad que se vive en las prisiones calificando la situación de "grave." El arzobispo de esta capital, monseñor José Luis Escobar Alas, dijo estar preocupado por la situación de hacinamiento y los malos tratos, "incluso muertes por negligencia o por alguna acción indebida."

Termina Proceso Penal Contra Sacerdote Luterano Y Campesinos Acusados Falsamente

15 abril 2011, CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Tras haber sido suspendida en dos ocasiones, ayer por fin se llevó a cabo la primera audiencia en la que fueron escuchados por el Juez Emilio Sánchez, ocho defensores de las fuentes de agua ubicadas en la Montaña de las Granadillas, Zacapa, quien, después de oír a las partes involucradas y evaluar las pruebas testimoniales y documentales presentadas por estas, los desligó del proceso y les absolvió de los delitos imputados por falta de evidencias.

National News

Wisconsin ELCA Bishops Seek Compassion for All in Proposed State Budget

April 14, 2011, CHICAGO – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) bishops who serve the six synods of Wisconsin said the proposed 2011-2013 budget for the state should treat all people with dignity and not place "undue challenges on those who can least afford those burdens." The bishops made the comment in an April 13 letter they sent to Gov. Scott Walker and members of the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, in which they called for "compassion for the poor." The bishops, who represent 468,000 ELCA members in 809 congregations, wrote to Walker and the state lawmakers as they concluded preliminary hearings this week on a $59.2 billion proposal.

ELCA Disaster Response Sends Emergency Grant for Red River Flooding

April 13, 2011, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through Lutheran Disaster Response, sent a $10,000 emergency grant to Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota for immediate response to the flooding along the Red River and its tributaries. Lutheran Disaster Response is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. During the past weekend, the Red River crested at Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., at 38.75 feet, about two feet short of the record level set in 2009, said the Rev. Kevin Massey, director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response. Levees protected both cities from widespread flooding.

Post Office Honors Dorothy Height

April 15, 2011 – Throughout the U.S. civil rights movement, Dorothy I. Height often kept to the background and worked tirelessly behind the scenes for racial equality and women's rights. But now Height's name is front and center on a Washington, D.C., landmark. The U.S. post office near Union Station has been renamed in honor of the longtime United Methodist, who died on April 20 last year at the age of 98. The post office is the first federal building in the district to bear the name of an African-American woman, according to The Associated Press.

International News

Archbishop Milingo Ordains Nyeri Bishop in Elaborate Ritual

April 9, 2011 – Controversial clergyman Emmanuel Milingo on Saturday consecrated a Bishop of the Restored Universal Apostolic Church in Nyeri. Father Peter Njogu Kibutu was elevated to a bishop of the church at a ceremony at Ruring'u stadium, attended by his family, including his wife, Mary Karimi. Archbishop Milingo, who is Zambian, hit the headlines when he renounced celibacy and married Maria Sung in 2001. As a result, he was excommunicated from the church. During Saturday's ceremony, the new bishop was taken through a consecration similar to what mainstream Catholic bishops go through.

Alliance Consultation Ends in Nairobi, next One to Be Held in South America

April 16, 2011 – The Anglican Alliance's inaugural assembly ended in Nairobi with a consensus on the way forward in development, advocacy and relief. Key development priorities proposed by the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) were agreed by the assembly.

Japanese Dioceses Send People to Help in Disaster-Affected Areas

April 15, 2011 – The overall impact of earthquake and tsunami according to the government has been: Death: about 13,200 people; Missing: about 14,300 people; Displaced: about 167,000 people; Totally demolished homes: 52,800 homes. Most damage has been caused by the tsunami rather than earthquake itself. In addition we are facing the potential impact of nuclear radiation caused by malfunction of the nuclear power plant. We are experiencing many aftershocks with some of them causing more damage to already weakened structures.

For China, the Vatican Has a New Strategist, Archbishop Hon

April 4, 2011, ROME – At the end of last week, almost at the same time, two prominent representatives of the Catholic Church, both Chinese, expressed two different judgments on the difficult moment which the Church is going through in China. The first is Cardinal Joseph Zen Zekiun, former bishop of Hong Kong, now retired but still highly attentive to what is happening in his country. On Friday, April 1, Cardinal Zen published on "Asia News,' the online agency of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, a vehement accusation against the "triumvirate" that allegedly wants to replicate with China the Ostpolitik practiced in the last century by the Vatican with the communist regimes.

Egyptian Baha'is Seize Opportunity to Discuss Their Nation's Future

April 10, 2011, CAIRO – In a contribution to the sweeping changes now under way in their society, Egyptian Baha'is are calling for a far-reaching consultative process about their country's future. In an unprecedented open letter, the Baha'is of Egypt say the nation must look beyond expedient solutions and existing models in other societies, and seek instead "a new, truly progressive approach." Making an "enlightened choice" could influence the course of human development in the entire region, and even impact the world, the letter says. Such an approach would include engaging all concerned people – especially the young – in a national conversation, by which they would become protagonists of their own development.

Retired Uganda Bishop Speaks at UN, Calls for Global Decriminalization of Homosexuality

April 11, 2011 – Retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, an outspoken activist for human rights and equality in Uganda, delivered a presentation at the United Nations in New York on April 8 calling for the global decriminalization of homosexuality as a way to make progress in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. "The criminalization of homosexuality remains the most significant barrier that needs to be dismantled to reduce the spread of AIDS," said Senyonjo, during a panel discussion that formed part of an informal interactive hearing at the U.N. "We need to make our laws and agreements more binding. We need to ask if our laws or beliefs help or prevent the spread of HIV and hinder or support families caring for loved ones." Senyonjo noted that more than 80 countries still criminalize homosexuality "and see it as a crime against God and nature.