c. 2005 Religion News Service

Pope Causes Stir by Urging Crucifixes in Public Buildings

ROME (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI touched off a vocal debate among Italian political leaders and in the media by saying Monday (Aug. 15) that crucifixes should be displayed in public buildings.

During a homily to mark the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome, Benedict departed from his written remarks and said, “It is important that God is great among us both in our public lives and our private lives.”

He paused for a moment and then concluded, “In public life, may God be present through the symbol of the cross in public buildings.” Without God, Benedict said, people lose their “divine dignity” and become the product of “a blind evolution.”

The issue has been a divisive one in Italy, where a 1924 law requires schools to display a crucifix in each classroom. State hospitals also display crosses, but government offices are void of crosses in public areas, though they can be displayed in individual offices at the discretion of employees.

Most major Italian newspapers ran editorials or columns discussing Benedict’s comments, with the debate generally split along political lines between those who echoed the pontiff’s views and those who said that government and religion should remain separate.

Romano Prodi, the former president of the European Commission and the leading political opposition figure, interrupted his August holiday to appear on Italian television Monday night, urging a separation.

“I can appreciate the pope’s viewpoint, but I do not think Italy should be in the business of endorsing one faith over all others,” Prodi said.

But a spokesman for the office of Rocco Buttiglione, the former minister whose candidacy for the European Commission was derailed by his conservative Catholic views on homosexuality and the role of women, applauded the pope’s statement.

“I know that Pope Benedict understands that if there is too much separation between a person’s government and their faith that the result can be a damaged society, a Godless society,” the spokesman told RNS.

Since returning from vacation in the Italian Alps, Benedict has spent most of his time at the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo, the summer home for popes dating back to 1596, when Clement VIII purchased it.

Benedict leaves on Thursday (Aug. 18) from Castel Gandolfo for World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany.

_ Eric J. Lyman

Groups Lobby Bush on Prostitution

WASHINGTON (RNS) More than 100 organizations have urged President Bush to “stand firm on legislation and policies” to ensure that groups receiving certain federal funds provide written proof that they oppose prostitution.

Without naming specific organizations, the letter to Bush criticizes groups that demonstrate any lenience toward prostitution by, for example, providing condoms to prostitutes or conducting AIDS education programs.

“Under the guise of anti-trafficking or anti-HIV/AIDS activities, some (non-governmental organizations) incredibly continue to prop up the practice of prostitution instead of rescuing the victims,” said the letter, signed by the National Association of Evangelicals and the Southern Baptist Convention, among others.

“Their flawed ideology asserts that being subjected to degradation, disease and death through prostitution is somehow a positive choice meriting endorsement by society and enshrinement in law.”

The solution, the letter argues, is enhanced government oversight of organizations receiving federal grants.

“We recommend that you direct political appointees in appropriate agencies to oversee the research of the stated policies … and to disqualify noncomplying organizations,” the letter says. “Grantees should also be prevented from thwarting the clear mandate of the U.S. Congress and the president by passing funds to subgrantees that undermine the anti-prostitution policies of the United States.”

The letter also denounces organizations that promote “harm reduction” approaches toward prostitution and forced sexual slavery.

“Superficial `harm reduction’ approaches that focus on condoms, unionization and negotiation training rather than rescuing victims can never protect the hearts and souls of prostituted, traumatized women and children,” the letter says. “ … Groups that favor accommodating prostitution against rescuing prostituted victims cannot possibly represent American citizens and the U.S. government as federal grant recipients.”

_ Hugh S. Moore

Dallas Pastor Tapped to Lead Pittsburgh Seminary

(RNS) The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl III, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas, has been chosen as the new president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

He will replace the Rev. Dr. Carnegie Samuel Calian, who is retiring after 25 years. Carl will become president-elect on Oct. 1 and take office on Feb. 1, 2006.

John S. Isherwood, a member of the seminary’s board of directors and chair of the presidential search committee, said Carl was chosen out of a pool of more than 100 potential candidates.

“Dr. Carl brings to the office of president a deep commitment to Jesus Christ, along with a rare combination of academic scholarship and teaching experience,” Isherwood said, adding that Carl has “phenomenal communication skills, a wealth of pastoral, administrative and leadership gifts, and a remarkable record of solid fundraising.”

Carl said his experience at First Presbyterian in Dallas gave him the expertise he needed to head the seminary.

“I’ve been pastoring a very diverse congregation at First Presbyterian,” Carl said. “I’ve enjoyed bringing people from different groups and backgrounds together.”

The Rev. Lee Hinson-Hasty, the denomination’s coordinator of theological education, said that Carl’s skills as a listener would be a welcome addition to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

“Because he is a scholar and a preacher and a unifier, I think he will bring those gifts from the parish and the pulpit into the presidency,” Hinson-Hasty said. “We look forward to having him as a partner.”

_ Hugh S. Moore

Orthodox Leader to Visit U.S. Next January

(RNS) The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, will make a pastoral visit to the United States early next year, church officials announced.

Bartholomew, of Istanbul, will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, Fla., during his Jan. 4-8 visit. He will also visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans.

The Feast of the Epiphany in the Orthodox Church commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. The Tarpon Springs service is one of the country’s largest. After a priest blesses the water, scores of young men dive into the water to recover a cross from the depths.

The Greek Orthodox cathedral outside Tampa is celebrating its 100th anniversary, as well as the 100th anniversary of the local Epiphany rites.

Bartholomew last visited the United States in 2004. As ecumenical patriarch, Bartholomew leads the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians and is considered the first among equals of the Orthodox hierarchs.

_ Kevin Eckstrom

Quote of the Day: Clarence Davis, Homeless Atlanta Man

(RNS) “All through the Bible, they were begging. Begging was way back there in the Bible days.”

_ Clarence Davis, an opponent to a proposal, adopted Monday (Aug. 15), that limits begging in parts of downtown Atlanta. He was quoted by USA Today.

KRE/JL END RNS