Monday’s round up

Religious leaders from around the world, including the U.S., are in Copenhagen to press heads of state to adopt a plan to combat climate change. An Episcopal gay rights leader accused the head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams, of “fanning the flames of homophobia.” On Sunday, Williams said the election of a lesbian […]

Religious leaders from around the world, including the U.S., are in Copenhagen to press heads of state to adopt a plan to combat climate change.

An Episcopal gay rights leader accused the head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams, of “fanning the flames of homophobia.” On Sunday, Williams said the election of a lesbian as a bishop in Los Angeles “raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole.” A former Florida Episcopal bishop who lamented the denomination’s leftward drift was ordained a Catholic priest last week.

Anti-abortion Senators plan to push for an amendement barring federal funding of abortion in the health-care reform bill but it’s doubtful it has the votes to pass. The Obama administration is concerned about homegrown terrorism from Muslim extremists. A federal court in California said the white supremacist movement is not a religion.


A number of Catholic sisters are continuing to challenge the Vatican investigation of their orders and refusing to answer some of Rome’s questions. America’s first Vatican ambassador, appointed by Reagan, died on Saturday. More than 500 people in the Pacific Northwest have filed sexual abuse claims against Oregon Jesuits, and the church said it has exonerated a Long Island priest close to Giuliani who was accused of molesting a teenager. D.C. archbishop Donald Wuerl is experiencing a case of deja vu in his fight with the city over domestic partner benefits.

Federal prosecutors are paying a psychologist $500,000 to testify that Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper is religious, not crazy. “He clothes his defense in a religious document,” said the psychologist, “he’s making his best argument.” Sarah Palin says America has been “touched by God” and can be touched again if people pray for it. A Pittsburgh priest charged with possessing (adult) porn said his computer was touched by a virus.

Pope Benedict XVI will meet with Irish leaders over a searing report that unveiled that the church had been covering up abuse of children for decades. The pope encouraged world leaders meeting in Copenhagen to adopt sober and responsible lifestyles. A Catholic bishop declined an invitation to become the first Catholic bishop since the Reformation to sit in the House of Lords. A Buddhist nun has raised 70 adopted children.

Picture is of the Rev. Mary Glasspool, who was elected as a bishop in Los Angeles on Saturday.

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