c. 2006 Religion News Service
Pope Says Terrorism Could Lead to `Clash of Civilizations’
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday (Jan. 9) warned that the rise of Islamic terrorism, countered by the use of unchecked military force, was leading the world toward a “clash of civilizations.”
In a foreign policy address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps, Benedict said the “temptation to use overpowering violence” to deal with religious and ethnic disputes was fueling extremism around the world.
“Those who are committed to truth cannot fail to reject the law of might, which is based on a lie and has so frequently marked human history, nationally and internationally, with tragedy.”
Although the Vatican has been publicly critical of unilateral military action taken by Israel against Palestinian militants and by the United States in Iraq, Benedict on Monday appeared to direct the force of his criticism at faith-inspired terrorist activity.
Noting that the world’s attention “has rightly been drawn to the danger of a clash of civilizations,” Benedict said “the danger is made more acute by organized terrorism, which has already spread over the whole planet.”
“No situation can justify such criminal activity, which covers the perpetrators with infamy,” he said. “It is all the more deplorable when it hides behind religion, thereby bringing the pure truth of God down to the level of the terrorists’ own blindness and moral perversion.”
Amid heightened concern for the health of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Benedict said the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict provided a “paradigmatic illustration” of the cultural standoff, making the region “a nerve point of the world scene.”
“The State of Israel has to be able to exist peacefully in conformity with the norms of international law,” Benedict said. “Equally, the Palestinian people has to be able to develop serenely its own democratic institutions for a free and prosperous future.”
Benedict also emphasized a need for broader religious freedoms in some parts of the world. Although he did not name any countries, the appeal appeared to underline the Vatican’s ongoing push to expand the rights of Christian minorities in predominantly Muslim countries. The Vatican has also offered to re-establish diplomatic relations with China once the country embraces a broader definition of religious freedom.
_ Stacy Meichtry
Texas Governor Supports Teaching of Intelligent Design
(RNS) A letter from Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s office advocates the teaching of intelligent design in public school classrooms, but Perry’s office and the state school board chairwoman say there are no plans to push for curriculum changes.
Kathy Walt, the governor’s press secretary, told The Dallas Morning News that Perry supports the teaching of intelligent design “much as the theory of evolution is now taught” in Texas schools.
Perry’s position came to light because of a letter sent by his office last month to an East Texas constituent who asked the governor whether he backed the teaching of intelligent design, a theory that says the universe and living things are so complex an intelligent agent must be behind them.
The letter from Perry’s office stated that it would be a “disservice to our children to teach them only one theory on the origin of our existence without recognizing other scientific theories worth consideration.”
The letter noted that a Pennsylvania federal judge’s recent ruling prohibiting a school district from requiring the teaching of intelligent design probably would be appealed.
“Once the courts have spoken with finality and clarity, Texas schools will abide by that decision,” the letter said.
But Walt said the governor’s office was merely responding to a constituent’s question and has no plans to seek legislation that would require the teaching of intelligent design in science classes.
“We try to respond to all letters that ask the governor’s positions on issues,” Walt told The Dallas Morning News. “He has always supported providing students with alternative theories as part of the effort to teach critical and analytical thinking skills.”
Tincy Miller, chairwoman of the Texas State Board of Education, noted that board members voted in November 2003 against endorsing only biology textbooks that presented the most qualified characterizations of evolution, with words such as “may” or “could.”
“We had a huge discussion; it was just put to bed,” Miller, R-Dallas, told the American-Statesman. “We teach evolution in Texas.”
_ Bobby Ross Jr.
Editors: To obtain a photo of the interfaith service described below, go to the RNS Web site at https://religionnews.com. On the lower right, click on “photos,” then search by subject or slug.
Lutherans, Methodists Join at Communion Table
CLEVELAND (RNS) They sang together. They prayed together. And then several hundred Lutherans and United Methodists shared a Communion meal together in an historic sign of unity for the two mainline Protestant denominations.
Lutheran Bishop Marcus Miller and United Methodist Bishop John Hopkins stood on either side of the Communion table Sunday (Jan. 8) at First United Methodist Church in Cleveland as members of their flocks approached in silent reverence.
The service celebrated a new national agreement on Eucharistic sharing between the two denominations and the commitment of Lutheran and Methodist leaders here to work together.
“All too often, we’ve described ourselves by what we’re not rather than who we are,” said Miller, representing the 93,000-member Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in his homily.
“The world that God loves yearns for a body of Christ that is united in Christ.”
Church leaders said the celebration will encourage other congregations to have similar services and to engage in a new dialogue on what it means to share the sacrament.
“If it doesn’t work on the local level, it doesn’t work,” Hopkins, spiritual leader of the 182,000-member East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, said of efforts toward Christian unity.
For some people in the pews, the agreement is long overdue.
“I think it was a splendid idea,” said Clarence Walker, an 80-year-old United Methodist. “I’ve always believed denominations aren’t important. Christ is important.”
Last summer, the Churchwide Assembly of the 4.9 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America overwhelmingly approved a Eucharistic sharing agreement that welcomes 8.3 million United Methodists to receive Communion in their churches. The plan had already received unanimous approval from the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
Members of some churches, such as Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, do not practice general intercommunion. They say unity must be achieved before they can celebrate the sacrament together. Lutheran and United Methodist officials have said that sharing the Eucharist can be a means to achieving greater unity, rather than the end of the process.
_ David Briggs
Editors: To obtain photos of Bishop Pilla, go to the RNS Web site at https://religionnews.com. On the lower right, click on “photos,” then search by subject.
Cleveland Catholics Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Retiring Bishop
CLEVELAND (RNS) Northeast Ohio celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bishop Anthony M. Pilla’s installation in a joyous service made bittersweet for some with the knowledge he is approaching retirement.
Pilla, 73, is a native son of Cleveland who became president of the national bishops conference and started a national dialogue on the human costs of suburban sprawl.
Amid the smell of incense and the majestic choral singing of the hymn “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow,” a smiling Pilla followed a candlelight procession featuring several cardinals and bishops and about 250 priests into a packed St. John Cathedral Friday (Jan. 6).
In emotional remarks at the end of Mass, Pilla addressed diocesan priests _ “My proudest boast is, I am one of you,” he said _ and thanked “the good people” of the diocese for their support.
He got a standing ovation at the end of the service. Pilla, who has had health problems in recent years, recently revealed he wrote the Vatican, offering to retire.
No retirement date has been set for the bishop, who is awaiting a response from the Vatican.
Silver Jubilee celebrations are scheduled throughout the diocese this year. In his homily Friday, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington said Pilla has found great joy in the people of the diocese. “Today, Cleveland remains one of the great dioceses of our country,” McCarrick said.
_ David Briggs
Quote of the Day: Pastor Herbert H. Lusk II of Philadelphia
(RNS) “Don’t fool with the church, because the church has buried many a critic, and all the critics we have not buried we’re making funeral arrangements for.”
_ Pastor Herbert H. Lusk II of Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia, speaking to those who questioned his Sunday (Jan. 8) hosting of “Justice Sunday III” to draw attention to the nomination process of Supreme Court Justice nominee Samuel Alito. He was quoted by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
MO/JL END RNS
