c. 2008 Religion News Service
N.Y. teachers vote to strike during pope’s visit
NEW YORK (RNS) Teachers from 10 New York Catholic high schools have approved plans to strike while Pope Benedict XVI visits New York later this month.
The Lay Faculty Association, a union representing about 420 teachers in schools from Poughkeepsie to Staten Island, wants the Archdiocese of New York to agree to a new three-year contract with improved pay, pension plan and health benefits.
The teachers have been working without a contract since Aug. 31. Negotiations between the union and the archdiocese reached a stalemate in December.
The teachers do not hold Pope Benedict responsible for the dispute, but striking during his visit will draw wider attention to the problem and pressure the archdiocese to make a deal, said Henry Kielkucki, union business manager.
“This is not against him,” he said. “It’s so people know what’s going on. It will continue even after he leaves, if we still don’t have a settlement.”
Archdiocese officials said the most recent contract presented to the teachers is “very generous,” and strongly criticized the decision to strike.
“If the teacher’s union does seek to use the occasion of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI … as an occasion of protest and as an occasion of division, I think that’s an insult to Pope Benedict and an insult to the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of New York,” said Joseph Zwilling, the spokesman for the New York archdiocese.
The union’s previous strike, in 2001, lasted 17 days.
_ Nicole Neroulias
Ted Turner joins religious groups to fight malaria
(RNS) Media mogul Ted Turner has partnered with Lutherans and Methodists to launch a $200 million dollar campaign to fight malaria in Africa, telling the United Nations General Assembly “you’ve got to have faith to build a better world” and that he regrets past negative remarks against religion.
In the 1980s, Turner called Christianity “a religion for losers” and in 2001, the CNN founder asked employees who had ashes smudged on their foreheads for Ash Wednesday if they were “Jesus freaks,” saying they should work for Fox.
Turner, who said he has become more tolerant in recent years, is now urging businesses and nongovernmental organizations to work together with philanthropic leaders and faith communities to address global challenges.
Turner’s United Nations Foundation launched the project to fight malaria on Tuesday (April 1) with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the United Methodist Church.
“Religion is one of the bright spots as far as I’m concerned, even though there are some areas, like everything else, where they’ve gone over the top a little, in my opinion,” Turner told The Associated Press. “But I’m sure God, wherever he is, wants to see us get along with one another and love one another.”
The new project aims to stop the estimated 1 million deaths caused by malaria every year, with a special emphasis on how poverty contributes to the spread of the disease.
The money will be used for prevention, treatment and improving health care in at-risk areas for the disease through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, according to Turner’s United Nations Foundation.
The United Methodist Church will raise $100 million. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will raise between $75 million and $100 million.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided an additional $10 million grant to help promote the campaign in churches. Together, the Lutheran and Methodist groups have more than 15 million members in the U.S.
_ Brittani Hamm
Ministry launches `adopt a terrorist’ prayer campaign
(RNS) An Army Reserve chaplain has decided to do his individual part in the war on terror: He’s co-founded an Internet ministry to pray for terrorists.
“Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer” was launched in March and features a catalog of photos of people designated by the FBI or the State Department as participants in or sponsors of terrorism.
“In a sense, it’s a spiritual conflict and we’re not using spiritual resources,” said Thomas Bruce, a co-founder and spokesman for the ministry at http://www.myatfp.com. “I felt that the church of Jesus Christ was not engaged.”
Bruce, whose ministry is based in Colorado Springs, Colo., said he was inspired to start the effort after attending a conference of Christian military ministries last year. Soon, he will have to leave the work to other co-founders _ who include a retired school administrator and a retired Coast Guard officer _ when he is deployed to Iraq.
Bruce’s voice is on the two-minute YouTube video that promotes the idea of praying for terrorists.
“If they start converting, as did the Apostle Paul, then terrorism as a strategy for advancing militant Islam will fail and the whole world will know something spectacular about the one true God,” he says in the video.
The Web site encourages readers to choose from a catalog of dozens of photos of people labeled as “at-large” or “captured” terrorists or terrorism sponsors. Each photo includes a link to more information, such as an FBI poster.
“Select and pray daily for a change in the heart of your chosen terrorist!” the site recommends. “Enlist others to join this initiative!”
Bruce said he has received mostly positive reactions to the project.
“Some people are very enthusiastic and can’t wait to participate,” he said. “No one has told me that it’s stupid or wrong, but some have told me it won’t be for them.”
_ Adelle M. Banks
Leaders urge Obama to make religion speech
WASHINGTON (RNS) The first Muslim elected to Congress on urged Sen. Barack Obama to show “transcendant leadership” by tackling issues of religion _ including allegations that Obama is a Muslim _ in the same way he addressed racial divisions.
“Religious pluralism is under threat,” Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., said at a forum on Capitol Hill on April 3. “A candidate who could pull off a speech (on religion) that would allow us to be who we are, and at the same time tolerate others and be proud of the religious diversity of this country would be a great service.”
According to a Pew Research Center poll published last month, one in 10 Americans believe Obama is a Muslim, despite denials from Obama and his campaign and his well-publicized membership at a Chicago megachurch.
The Rev. Jim Wallis, a progressive evangelical leader, praised Obama’s handling of his former pastor’s controversial statements in his March 18 speech on race, and called on the senator to “do the equivalent” on relations with Islam.
“He should say, `I am Christian, but this is my stance toward Muslims,”’ Wallis said during the forum, sponsored by the World Economic Forum and Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs.
“Religion can appeal to our demons or our angels,” Wallis said. “It would be risky to give a speech on religion, but if that speech appealed to our better angels, it would be an act of leadership.”
John Esposito, a professor of religion and international affairs at Georgetown University, said that it may be “politically understandable” why Obama has not focused the Muslim issue, he will ultimately “lose out” if he does not address it head-on.
“Just as his minister gave him the occasion to set out an inspiring vision (on race), he has the opportunity to show us what America is about as a multi-religious society.”
_ Andrea Useem
Court dismisses Baptist church-state case
(RNS) A federal court has dismissed a 10-year-old legal challenge brought by Kentucky taxpayers who questioned government funding of a Baptist social service agency.
The case involving Sunrise Children’s Services, formerly known as Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, initially centered on the dismissal of Alicia Pedreira, who the agency learned was a lesbian. In 2001, a federal judge in Louisville, Ky., dismissed her claims of religious discrimination.
Pedreira and other taxpayers continued the suit, claiming that public funds were used for services “infused with the teachings of the Baptist faith.”
Citing a recent Supreme Court decision, the same judge again ruled in favor of the agency, saying that the taxpayers did not demonstrate standing, or their right to sue the government.
In Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Supreme Court ruled last June that taxpayers affiliated with an atheist group did not have standing to challenge President Bush’s faith-based initiative.
“We find that the claim of the taxpayers in this case is comparable to that in Hein,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Simpson III in a March 28 opinion.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union had represented the taxpayers in the case.
The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said lawyers are considering an appeal.
“It is a very sweeping reading of what I thought was a narrow ruling by the Supreme Court last year,” Lynn said.
_ Adelle M. Banks
Civil War-era law pertains to Episcopal dispute, judge rules
(RNS) A Virginia court has ruled that a Civil War-era law applies to a property dispute between the state’s Episcopal diocese and 11 congregations that have seceded from it.
The statute in question, which dates to 1867, relates to the settlement of property when there is a division in a church or religious society.
“The Court finds that the evidence of a `division’ within the diocese, the (Episcopal Church), and the Anglican Communion is not only compelling but overwhelming,” wrote Judge Randy I. Bellows of the Fairfax County Circuit Court.
The 11 breakaway churches have gathered as the Anglican District of Virginia. They are now fighting with the Virginia diocese and the Episcopal Church over who gets to keep church property, which has been estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars.
“We are pleased with this initial victory today,” said Jim Oakes, vice chairman of the district. “We have maintained all along that the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia had no legal right to our property because the Virginia Division Statute says that the majority of the church is entitled to its property when there is a division within the denomination.”
The Diocese of Virginia, in a statement, noted that the court has not made a decision on the property issues on this matter and still has constitutional matters to address at a May 28 hearing.
“We strongly believe that, while we may have theological disagreements within the Episcopal Church, those disagreements are ours to resolve according to our faith and governance,” the diocese said.
_ Adelle M. Banks
Religious freedom panel urges Bush to boycott Beijing games
WASHINGTON (RNS) A federal religious freedom watchdog panel has urged President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics unless “there is substantial improvement” in China’s treatment of Tibet.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said China must open “direct and concrete talks” with the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhism, before Bush attends the opening ceremonies.
If those talks do not occur, the nine-member commission called on Bush to first visit the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, and urged Bush to request a meeting with Chinese political prisoners or dissidents during his visit.
“For too long, the Chinese have employed a `security’ approach to Tibetan Buddhism _ preferring repression, control of leadership decisions, castigation of the Dalai Lama and `patriotic education’ over freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion,” said the panel’s chair, Michael Cromartie.
“That approach is no longer viable; in fact, it is counterproductive.”
Tensions flared last month between Tibetans and Chinese forces after peaceful protests against Chinese control grew violent. On Sunday (April 6), the Dalai Lama called the recent violence the result of “pent-up physical and mental anguish of the Tibetans and the feelings of deep resentment against the suppression of the rights of Tibetan people.”
The idea of boycotting the opening ceremonies has been floated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. On Monday (April 7), White House spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters Bush still plans to attend.
The religious freedom panel called on China to end all “patriotic education” programs of Tibetan monks, allow open expressions of devotion to the Dalai Lama and repeal laws that say Beijing must approve new lamas.
“Religious freedom cannot be ensured without recognizing the authority of the Dalai Lama, his centrality to the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhists, and their steadfast loyalty to his leadership despite severe restrictions,” Cromartie said.
_ Kevin Eckstrom
Hagee responds to `extremist’ slam
(RNS) The Rev. John Hagee on Monday (April 7) defended himself against accusations from the leader of the nation’s largest Jewish movement that he is an “extremist” who does not deserve support from U.S. Jews.
Speaking on a conference call from Israel, Hagee said that statements accusing him of making critical comments about the Catholic Church and being insensitive to Muslims were taken out of context.
The criticism came from Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, in a speech last Wednesday (April 2) in Cincinnati.
“It saddens me that Rabbi Yoffie failed to exhibit the very (sensitivity) of which he spoke,” said Hagee.
Yoffie also charged that Hagee’s vision of Israel “rejects a two-state solution, rejects the possibility of a democratic Israel, and supports the permanent occupation of all Arabs now controlled by Israel.”
Hagee responded, saying, “Israel is not a vassal state of the U.S. They are a free and independent democracy whose citizens should determine their own destiny.”
He said that his lobby group, Christians United for Israel, does not attempt to force U.S. policy on Israel and only asks the government “not to press Israel to make concessions that she does not wish herself to make. We do not … seek to tell the Israelis what to do.”
Hagee, a San Antonio megachurch pastor and influential evangelical leader, angered some Catholics last year with his book, “Jerusalem Countdown” _ a book that some groups said linked the Catholic Church with the Nazi Holocaust.
Hagee has denied claims that he described Catholicism as a “a false cult” and a “apostate church.”
“I am deeply disappointed that Rabbi Yoffie could repeat this false charge without even bothering to check his facts. Had he done so, he would have found that I had never called the Catholic Church these names.”
_ Jonathan Rubin
New Orleans plans to downsize Catholic churches
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Archbishop Alfred Hughes is asking his Catholic flock, including those far from the flood zone, to prepare for a reorganization of Catholic life befitting a church deeply damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
In a letter read from nearly 140 pulpits at weekend Masses, Hughes characterized the 215-year-old Archdiocese of New Orleans as a “missionary diocese” after Hurricane Katrina. He said “all sectors will share in some of the sacrifices involved” in a massive restructuring plan to be unveiled Wednesday (April 9).
Hughes offered no hint of which churches might be affected, but said one new parish will be created, some will be merged, some closed and others reduced to mission status.
No more Catholic schools will reopen “at this time,” he said.
Across the archdiocese, about two dozen churches are open in name only, their damaged church and school buildings shuttered and their parishioners attending designated neighboring parishes until the permanent recovery plan is announced.
Last fall, church planners asked pastors and their lay advisory councils to measure the health of their parishes and to consider their futures for the next few years in the context of their larger neighborhoods.
The archdiocese must chart a course through a post-Katrina landscape, with 20 percent of the region’s 491,000 Catholics still gone, some neighborhoods thinly populated and $120 million in uninsured flood losses to churches, schools and other buildings.
_ Bruce Nolan
NCC projects big costs due to global warming
(RNS) Global warming will force faith organizations to significantly increase spending on humanitarian efforts _ including refugee resettlement, feeding the hungry and disaster relief _ according to a new study by the National Council of Churches.
More financial resources and volunteer services will be needed due to global climate change, which is expected to increase the lack of food, shelter and water available, especially among the poor, the study said.
“Individuals or communities living in poverty in developing countries tend to rely on their surroundings more for their day-to-day needs,” said Tyler Edgar, associate director of the NCC’s Climate and Energy Campaign. “These people are more likely to go down to a local river or stream to bring water for their family. With climate change, those systems are extremely vulnerable.”
The report “Climate and Church: How Global Climate Change Will Impact Core Church Ministries” uses data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to quantify the financial effects of global climate change on church ministry efforts.
The NCC’s Church World Service and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, for example, will need to increase funding six-fold to support nearly 83,000 additional refugees coming to the U.S.
Also, in order to maintain current service levels, churches will need to double their spending on food security in developing countries and increase funding for hurricane disaster and relief by more than 40 percent, the study said.
“Our churches contributed over $150 million to Katrina relief alone. In the aftermath, we decided we had to do some hard financial planning for future humanitarian efforts.” said NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon. “If we, as churches, are to fulfill our call to minister to those in need, we have to wake up to the implications of global warming.”
_ Brittani Hamm
Quote of the Week: Author Deal Hudson
(RNS) “He said, `Deal, how can people think I am anti-Catholic when my wife is an ex-Catholic, and a third of my congregation are former Catholics?’ I bit my tongue. … When we met later … I explained that Catholics don’t like being reminded of all those who have left the Church.”
_ Author Deal Hudson, writing in a column on InsideCatholic.com about his recent three-hour conversation with Rev. John Hagee, pastor of a San Antonio megachurch, who has been criticized for stances viewed as anti-Catholic.
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