c. 2005 Religion News Service
Religious Conservatives Praise Bush Supreme Court Nominee
(RNS) The nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers on Monday (Oct. 3) to the U.S. Supreme Court sparked applause from Christian conservatives, while a church-state separation group called for Senate scrutiny.
Since 1980, Miers has been an active member and Sunday school teacher at Valley View Christian Church, a non-denominational evangelical congregation in Dallas, according to Ree Bradley, an administrative assistant at the church. Miers also served on the missions committee, responsible for allocating funds to the church’s evangelical ministries throughout the world.
Tom Minnery, vice president of public policy for the Colorado-based conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, said he hopes Miers will carry her religious convictions into the court if confirmed.
“We hope her faith will have an effect upon her decisions; we hope her Christian worldview gives her a moral framework in which to rule upon the cases before the Supreme Court,” Minnery said in an interview.
Minnery said he appreciated that Democrats did not make an issue in Senate hearings out of the personal faith of John Roberts, a Roman Catholic Bush nominee who was confirmed as chief justice. “We hope the Democrats will refrain again during the Miers hearings,” Minnery said.
Other conservative Christian groups also had praise.
“She is bright, thoughtful and a consummate professional and I enthusiastically endorse her nomination,” said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice, in a statement.
Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, a Virginia-based evangelical Christian ministry, called Miers “a surprising, but inspiring choice” and a “woman of great integrity.”
But the Washington-based Concerned Women for America was more cautious.
“We give Harriet Miers the benefit of the doubt because thus far, President Bush has selected nominees to the federal courts who are committed to the written Constitution,” Jan LaRue, CWA’s chief counsel, said in a statement. “Whether we can support her will depend on what we learn from her record and the hearing process.”
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said since Miers has never been a judge, Senate questioning will be crucial.
“It is imperative,” said Lynn, “that the judiciary committee uncover her judicial philosophy and her views on the relationship between religion and government.”
_ Jason Kane
U.S. Envoy Raises Alarm on Inflammatory Literature in Mosques
(RNS) Karen Hughes, the U.S. undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, has raised concern about inflammatory literature reportedly found in American mosques.
According to media reports on Hughes’ trip to Saudi Arabia this week, Hughes told a group of Saudi journalists that the administration is concerned about a study that identified anti-Christian and anti-Semitic literature, connected to Saudi religious organizations, in American mosques.
“We are concerned that literature has been found in American mosques that has a message that is not tolerant, and we hope the people of Saudi Arabia will work with us as we try to deal with this issue,” she told reporters Tuesday (Sept. 27), according to Reuters.
During the same visit, Hughes critiqued the Saudi government’s ban on female drivers.
“I believe women should be free and equal participants in society,” she said to a group of several hundred women. “I feel that as an American woman that my ability to drive is an important part of my freedom.”
Hughes’ role as envoy is to improve the United States’ image in the Muslim world, and to explain the Bush administration’s policies to Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations objected to Hughes’ comments about intolerant literature, saying the remarks were based on what it considers to be a faulty study with an “inherent bias.”
“We don’t agree that there is widespread literature of that kind in mosques in America,” said Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR’s spokesman, referring to the January 2005 report by the human rights organization Freedom House that Hughes cited.
Hooper said the study has led to “anti-Muslim prejudice” directed against some mosques that say they never saw or displayed any of the literature in question.
_ Holly Lebowitz Rossi
Alabama State Senator: Hurricanes Were `Judgment of God’ on Sin
(RNS) Hurricane Katrina and other storms that battered the Gulf Coast were God’s judgment on sin, according to Alabama state Sen. Hank Erwin, a Republican from Montevallo.
“New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have always been known for gambling, sin and wickedness,” Erwin wrote this week in a column he distributes to news outlets. “It is the kind of behavior that ultimately brings the judgment of God.”
After touring Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., and Bayou La Batre, Ala., Erwin said he was awed and humbled by the power of the storm. But he wasn’t surprised.
“Warnings year after year by godly evangelists and preachers went unheeded. So why were we surprised when finally the hand of judgment fell?” Erwin wrote. “Sadly, innocents suffered along with the guilty. Sin always brings suffering to good people as well as the bad.”
William Willimon, bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, took exception with the state senator’s analysis.
“I have no idea what sort of senator or politician Mr. Erwin is, but he’s sure no theologian,” Willimon said. “I’m certainly against gambling and its hold on state government in Mississippi, but I expect there is as much sin, of possibly a different order, in Montevallo as on the Gulf Coast. If God punished all of us for our sin, who could stand?”
Erwin, a former conservative talk-radio host and now a media consultant and senator, is not alone in seeing God’s wrath at work in the storms.
The al-Qaida in Iraq group hailed the hurricane deaths in America as the “wrath of God,” and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan suggested the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina was divine punishment for the violence America had inflicted on Iraq.
Televangelist Pat Robertson said Katrina might be linked to God’s judgment concerning legalized abortion, and some rabbis suggested Katrina was retribution for supporting the Israeli pullout from Gaza.
Erwin said some hurricane victims were not singled out for harsh punishment but merely in the way of God’s judgment.
“If you are a believer and read the Bible, you know sin has judgment,” Erwin said. “New Orleans has always been know for sin. … The wages of sin is death.”
_ Thomas Spencer
Canadian Catholic Bishops Call for Tougher Policy on Predator Priests
CORNWALL, Ontario (RNS) The Catholic Church in Canada must get tougher with sexual predator priests and become more open, compassionate and accountable to abuse victims, says a special report by Canadian bishops.
The report, presented to about 70 bishops attending the annual Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), recommended that dioceses adopt rigorous measures for protecting children, including banning from public ministry any member of the clergy or pastoral staff convicted of sexual assault; adopting “diocesan mechanisms” to counter sexual abuse; and implementing procedures to evaluate the diocesan management of sexual abuse cases.
The sexual abuse of minors “is beyond any doubt one of the greatest tragedies brought to light over the past 25 years,” said the report from a committee of bishops, which was two years in the making.
Certain dioceses, it added, “persist in prolonging the legal process, thereby giving an impression of contempt for the victims.”
In response to an outpouring of anger from abuse victims the committee interviewed, the bishops’ report includes these recommendations:
_ Priests charged with abuse put on leave with pay.
_ Priests convicted of abuse removed from working with the community in any capacity.
_ An in-depth study of clergy’s living conditions, responsibilities, quality of spiritual and social life, housing, remuneration, perception of social status, and recreation, among other things.
_ A program to protect children through ensuring they are not alone with adults, as well as volunteer background checks, and pamphlets for children on sexual abuse.
_ An annual report by each bishop on abuse allegations that would periodically be included in a summary at the national level. This final report would be made public.
The task force reviewed a 1992 report on sexual abuse of minors by clergy. That report, titled “From Pain to Hope,” was never adopted as formal policy, though some dioceses have used it as a working guideline.
The latest proposals will be reviewed by the 16-member CCCB Permanent Council in November.
_ Ron Csillag
Woman Sues Christian School for Being Fired for Unwed Pregnancy
(RNS) An Alabama woman has sued a Christian school in federal court, claiming she was fired unfairly from her assistant teaching job while she was pregnant. The school contends her unwed pregnancy went against the values and religious principles taught there.
Tesana Lewis’ suit says she was hired Dec. 6, 2003, at Covenant Classical School in Hoover, Ala. She was fired four days later after officials learned she was pregnant. She was to help teach 12- to 20-month-olds.
Lawyers for the private religious school maintain Lewis was fired not because she was pregnant but because she was pregnant and unwed, which goes against the school’s Christian teachings. A federal court filing said Lewis would not assure the school she would stop her conduct of engaging in sex outside marriage.
“Biblically speaking, fornication is immoral,” the filing said.
Lewis’ attorney, David Arendall, states in a subsequent court filing that whether she was married or not, the school fired Lewis because she was pregnant, a violation of the federal Title VII, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, race and religion.
School lawyers Richard J.R. Raleigh Jr. and Clint L. Maze contend the school is private and exempt from the statute.
Arendall said Lewis had a baby boy, has moved to Texas and is about to get married.
The case was set to begin Oct. 11 before Senior U.S. District Judge William Acker Jr., but Lewis is asking for a delay until Oct. 18.
_ Val Walton
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Reports Membership Decrease
(RNS) Membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has continued its decades-long decline, with a loss of more than 25,000 people from 2003 to 2004, the denomination announced.
But at the same time, the church group’s congregations increased their total contributions by $51 million.
Congregations related to the St. Louis-based denomination reported 2,463,747 baptized members, a figure that is 25,189 fewer than 2003.
“Since 1972, our peak membership year, the Synod has lost some 317,000 baptized members,” said John O’Hara, research analyst for the LCMS.
Despite some sporadic increases, the denomination has seen far more annual declines. About 124,000 members left due to a schism within its ranks in the 1970s.
O’Hara is hopeful that the declining statistics will encourage more congregations to take part in denominational efforts aimed at increasing their sharing of the gospel.
Despite the membership losses, giving is on the increase. Church members gave a record $1.3 billion to the denomination. Giving also increased by $53 million in 2003 following declines the previous two years.
Of the $1.3 billion received in 2004, congregations directed $121.8 million for work outside their local communities.
The denomination had 6,151 congregations, which were served by 5,323 pastors, in 2004.
_ Adelle M. Banks
Religion Newswriters Association Announces Contest Winners
(RNS) Journalists from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune garnered top prizes from the annual contests of the Religion Newswriters Association.
Winners were announced Saturday (Oct. 1) in Miami.
Tim Townsend of the St. Louis newspaper won the Templeton Religion Reporter of the Year Award, which recognizes versatility on the religion beat and excellence in enterprise reporting. Jeffrey Weiss of The Dallas Morning News came in second, followed by Michael Paulson of The Boston Globe in third place.
Cathleen Falsani of the Chicago Sun-Times was the winner of the Supple Religion Writer of the Year Award, which recognizes a reporter’s grasp of the range of issues on the beat and writing skill. Douglas Todd of The Vancouver Sun in British Columbia took second place, while Paulson of The Boston Globe came in third.
The Templeton Religion Story of the Year Award went to a team from the Chicago Tribune for a 12-part series on Islam. That honor, created two years ago, showcases a single story or series on religion in the print media. The second-place winner was Jane Hoback of the Rocky Mountain News in Denver and third place went to Rob Amen of the Valley News Dispatch in Tarentum, Pa.
Other winners were:
_ Cassels Reporter of the Year, for religion reporting at newspapers with circulations of 50,000 and below: Maya Kremen of the Herald News of West Patterson, N.J., first place; Marshall Allen of the Pasadena Star-News in California, second place; Gloria LaBounty of The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro, Mass., third place.
_ Cornell Reporter of the Year, for religion reporting at mid-sized newspapers: Jennifer Berry Hawes of The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C., first place; Jean Gordon of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., second place; Virginia de Leon of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash.
_ Schachern Award for best religion pages or sections, small paper category: The Mobile (Ala.) Register, first place; The Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette, second place; the Deseret Morning News of Salt Lake City, third place.
_ Schachern Award for best religion pages or sections, large paper category: The Houston Chronicle, first place; The Dallas Morning News; second place; The Salt Lake Tribune, third place.
_ Chandler Award for Student Religion Writer of the Year: David Crow of The Davidsonian, Davidson College in North Carolina, first place; Abram Handler of the Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University in New York, second place; Maggie Carlson, The Journal of Webster University in St. Louis, third place.
_ Adelle M. Banks
Levada Wants to Discuss Issue of Communion, Support for Abortion Rights
VATICAN CITY (RNS) American Archbishop William Levada, the Vatican’s top official on doctrine, has recommended that bishops attending a worldwide assembly in Rome consider whether Catholic politicians who defy church teaching on moral issues are fit to receive Communion.
According to the Rev. John Bartunek, a priest designated to brief the English-speaking media on the proceedings, Levada cited “divisions” in the U.S. church over the issue _ an apparent reference to St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke’s decision to deny Communion to presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry during the 2004 election due to his abortion rights stance.
“I’d like to discuss how to address civil servants and politicians who may not respect church teaching and receive Communion,” Levada was quoted as saying.
Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, addressed the issue Monday (Oct. 3) before 200 bishops gathered in Rome for a synod officially dedicated to the Eucharist. The synod is closed to reporters.
The synod working paper, “Instrumentum Laboris,” says that politicians who legislate against church teaching are living in “mortal sin,” adding that “some receive Communion while denying the teachings of the Church or publicly supporting immoral choices in life, such as abortion, without thinking that they are committing an act of grave personal dishonesty and causing scandal.”
Bartunek said that Levada, the former archbishop of San Francisco, did not express a personal position on the issue, but asked bishops from other parts of the world to share their experiences.
_ Stacy Meichtry
After Financial Issue Surfaces, Mennonite President Resigns
GOSHEN, Ind. (RNS) Less than a week before he was announced as the new president of Mennonite Mutual Aid, Terry “Skip” Nagelvoort filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, unbeknownst to those who selected him for the position.
As a result, Nagelvoort’s position at the helm of the church-affiliated financial services and stewardship agency lasted less than eight weeks.
Nagelvoort, who became MMA president Aug. 1, resigned Sept. 21, effective immediately, following a board inquiry. MMA officials declined to comment on his departure, citing employee confidentiality, reported Mennonite Weekly Review. Nagelvoort also declined to comment.
He filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on June 29, with $9.1 million in liabilities and less than $50,000 in assets. His largest single liability, according to his petition, is $6.1 million to First American Bank of Des Moines for a letter of credit extended to Ramsgate, an Iowa-based holding company Nagelvoort owned with his son, Mark. Nagelvoort was president.
Among other liabilities are $1.265 million to Siouxland Economic Development Corp. of Sioux City, Iowa, for guaranteeing a business loan from First American Bank and a $500,000 lawsuit against Heller’s Carbonic West, a dry ice firm run by Ramsgate.
The bankruptcy might have also affected Nagelvoort’s legal status as an investment trader, MMA officials indicated to Mennonite Weekly Review.
Six days after filing for bankruptcy, Nagelvoort was introduced on July 5 as MMA’s new president at the Mennonite Church USA biennial convention in Charlotte, N.C. MMA is an agency of Mennonite Church USA but also serves other Mennonite and Anabaptist-related groups.
Denominational leaders had proclaimed their confidence in Nagelvoort, an investment banker and financial analyst who had worked for several Wall Street firms. “I am pleased that God has made Skip available … and that he was ready for that call,” Mennonite Church USA executive director James Schrag had told the convention.
Nagelvoort was a member of Presbyterian and Reformed churches prior to joining MMA but had said he resonated with Mennonite beliefs.
Acting president Steve Garboden, MMA’s senior vice president of health services and administrative services, said in a statement: “We will not be distracted from fulfilling our mission and purpose in the days ahead. Fortunately, MMA has a strong staff and leadership team with an excellent plan for moving forward during times of presidential and CEO transition.”
MMA, headquartered in Goshen, manages more than $1.5 billion in assets. Howard Brenneman had been president the last 14 years.
_ Rich Preheim
Quote of the Week: Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington
(RNS) “I look at these young boys who aren’t married yet; they’d be good priests. I was thinking Jack Roberts might be a candidate, but we might have to wait a few years.”
_ Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, joking about Jack Roberts, 4, the playful son of newly confirmed Chief Justice John Roberts. McCarrick was quoted by The Washington Times at the annual Red Mass, held Sunday (Oct. 2), a day before the Supreme Court began its session.
END RNS
