NYC EXPLOSION-VICTIMS
NYC blast victims were church members
NEW YORK (AP) — Two people who died when a pair of buildings exploded in New York City Wednesday are being remembered as active members of their church.
Griselde (Grih-ZEHL’-dee) Camacho and Carmen Tanco were members of Bethel Gospel Assembly, located a few blocks from the explosion site.
Bethel associate pastor Gordon Williams says Tanco, who was 67, was a dental hygienist who had participated in church-sponsored medical missions to South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Nigeria. Camacho was a 45-year-old security officer who volunteered at the church.
The bishop who oversaw the Spanish Christian Church in one of the collapsed buildings says at least five members of that congregation were killed. Bishop Fernando Rodriguez says he was joined by families of the victims and dozens of pastors at a Thursday morning prayer vigil across from the blast site.
Sound:
305-a-09-(Ruth-Ann Winter, director of ministry relations, Bethel Gospel Assembly, in AP interview)-“Jesus in everything”-Ruth-Ann Winter, director of ministry relations at Bethel Gospel Assembly, says the two women were active members of the church. (13 Mar 2014)
< 304-a-11-(Ruth-Ann Winter, director of ministry relations, Bethel Gospel Assembly, in AP interview)-“with the Lord”-Ruth-Ann Winter, director of ministry relations at Bethel Gospel Assembly, says two members of the congregation were killed in Wednesday’s explosion. (13 Mar 2014) < 307-a-12-(Bishop Fernando Rodriguez, who oversees the Spanish Christian Church in one of the destroyed buildings, in AP interview)-“give them strength”-Bishop Fernando Rodriguez, who oversees the Spanish Christian Church in one of the destroyed buildings, says a prayer vigil was held Thursday morning. (13 Mar 2014) < 306-a-08-(Ruth-Ann Winter, director of ministry relations, Bethel Gospel Assembly, in AP interview)-“again one day”-Ruth-Ann Winter, director of ministry relations at Bethel Gospel Assembly, says the congregation was told of the women’s deaths Wednesday evening. (13 Mar 2014) < MALAYSIA-PLANE-TEXAS VICTIM Letter from family of Malaysia Airlines passenger is read on House floor WASHINGTON (AP) — Relatives of a Texas man who was aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight that went missing are asking for prayers as the search continues. Republican Congressman Michael Burgess, whose district is home to Philip Wood’s family, read their appeal and tribute to him Thursday in a House floor speech. They say he was “a man of God” who was generous and “cared about people, his family and above all, Christ.” They add that “as a family we are sticking together through Christ to get through this.” Philip Wood, an IBM executive who had worked in Beijing over the past two years, had recently returned home from Asia before his next assignment in Malaysia. In the letter, his family requests prayers for themselves and for all others who are involved “during this difficult time.” Sound: 354-a-05-(U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, in House floor speech)-“this difficult time”-Texas Congressman Michael Burgess reads part of a letter from a family in his district with a relative on the missing Malaysian airliner. (13 Mar 2014) < 352-a-05-(U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, in House floor speech)-“word was gold”-Texas Congressman Michael Burgess reads part of a letter from a family in his district with a relative on the missing Malaysian airliner. (13 Mar 2014) < 353-a-06-(U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, in House floor speech)-“above all, Christ”-Texas Congressman Michael Burgess reads part of a letter from a family in his district with a relative on the missing Malaysian airliner. (13 Mar 2014) < CONGRESS-POPE Speaker invites Pope Francis to address Congress WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner has invited Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress. Boehner says the pope has inspired millions with his pastoral manner and servant leadership. In a statement, Boehner highlights the pope’s call for protection of the most vulnerable — the ailing, the “impoverished and the unborn.” Vatican sources have said Francis might visit the U.S. in September 2015, when the church’s World Meeting of Families will be held in Philadelphia. That timing could also allow the pope to address the United Nations in New York. Boehner says he’s offering the pope an open invitation to put Washington on his itinerary. Pope Benedict XVI visited Washington and New York in 2008. Sound: 298-v-31-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–House Speaker John Boehner has invited Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (13 Mar 2014) < 299-c-18-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)-“session of Congress”-AP religion editor Steve Coleman reports that Pope Francis may be planning to visit the U.S. next year. (13 Mar 2014) < VATICAN-POPE Pope marks anniversary: “Please pray for me.” VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has marked his one-year anniversary with a simple tweet: “Please pray for me.” Francis’ appeal Thursday echoed his gesture on that rainy night one year ago when he came out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and introduced himself to the world. Rather than impart a blessing on the crowd below him, Francis asked first for a “favor” from the crowd, bowing his head and asking for the crowd to bless him. Francis has continued to ask for prayers, ending nearly each appearance with a similar request. Francis spent his anniversary tucked away on retreat south of Rome with senior Vatican cardinals and monsignors. The Vatican said nothing special was planned for his anniversary during the retreat, just prayer. AIR FORCE ACADEMY-RELIGIOUS DEBATE Religious advocate: Air Force cadets confused by Scripture removal COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A Christian legal advocate says Air Force Academy cadets report “mass confusion” following the removal of a Bible verse that a senior cadet had written on the white board outside his dorm room. Liberty Institute’s Mike Berry says he met with cadets and with a senior academy official, who told him that the senior cadet erased the Bible verse voluntarily after being mentored and counseled about whether displaying it was appropriate. Berry says the cadets he met told him that the white boards are commonly used for inspirational quotes, and they now wonder if they’ll face discipline for religious messages. He says Liberty Institute stands ready to defend cadets who believe their constitutional rights have been violated. Sound: 355-a-05-(Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, in AP interview)-“take it down”-Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, says he met with an Air Force Academy official about a cadet’s display of Scripture. (13 Mar 2014) < 357-a-12-(Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, in AP interview)-“gonna be disciplined”-Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, says he spoke with concerned cadets at the Air Force Academy. (13 Mar 2014) < 356-a-11-(Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, in AP interview)-“take it down (second reference)”-Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, says an Air Force Academy official told him that the cadet removed the Bible reference voluntarily. (13 Mar 2014) < 358-a-17-(Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, in AP interview)-“their favorite author”-Mike Berry, Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs, says display of the Bible verse shouldn’t have been controversial. (13 Mar 2014) < 307-a-11-(Mikey Weinstein (WYN’-steen), president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, in AP interview)-“and his name”-Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, says his organization received complaints from people at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (12 Mar 2014) < 308-a-12-(Mikey Weinstein (WYN’-steen), president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, in AP interview)-“church and state”-Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, says the cadet leader should not have written a Bible verse on a white board outside his room. (12 Mar 2014) < GOVERNOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST Hundreds attend governor’s prayer breakfast FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has told a crowd of hundreds that Jesus’ commands in the Bible to care for the vulnerable have guided his decisions in policy and budget. Beshear made his comments during the 49th annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. The two-term Democratic governor said Kentucky has been tested during his term, referring to the $1.6 billion in state budget cuts during the economic recession and a series of devastating tornados. But through it all Beshear said he has worked hard to make sure every community has access to quality education. Former University of Kentucky football star Jacob Tamme (TAM’-ee) was the featured speaker, fresh off an appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII as a tight end for the Denver Broncos. RELIGIOUS DISPLAYS Bill shields school religious displays from suits NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Legislation that would protect schools from lawsuits for allowing traditional winter celebrations and religious displays has been approved in the Tennessee House. The measure was overwhelmingly approved 83-4 on Thursday. The Senate version was unanimously approved 30-0 last month. The legislation says schools can display scenes or symbols associated with such celebrations on school property if the display includes more than one religion, or one religion and at least one secular scene or symbol. Messages that encourage adherence to a particular religious belief are prohibited. The proposal also allows students and school staff to offer traditional greetings such as “Merry Christmas,” ”Happy Hanukkah” and “Happy holidays.” Sponsors say some groups have threatened to sue over such displays and greetings, and the legislation would protect schools. GAY COUPLE-MANSION SALE Mass. AG backing gay couple in dispute with church BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed a court brief in support of a married gay couple who sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester for allegedly refusing to sell them a Northbridge mansion because church officials were concerned they would host gay weddings at the site. James Fairbanks and Alain Beret filed suit in Worcester Superior Court in 2012 after church officials pulled out of negotiations for the former retreat center. The Diocese has argued the state’s antidiscrimination laws don’t apply. Coakley argues the laws do apply to the “public, commercial sale of real property” by the diocese and that its religious rights aren’t burdened by the sale. Coakley also argues that the state’s interest in eliminating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation outweighs any burden on religious rights imposed by applying the antidiscrimination statute in this case. FILM-NOAH-BAN ‘Noah’ barred by censors in UAE, Qatar and Bahrain DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Officials say censors in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will ban the release of “Noah,” the upcoming big-budget Hollywood film featuring Russell Crowe as the builder of the biblical ark. Director of media content at the National Media Center in the UAE, Juma Al-Leem, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the movie will not be allowed in cinemas because it contradicts a generally agreed upon taboo in Islam of depicting a prophet. Paramount Pictures says that along with the UAE, censors in Qatar and Bahrain also have confirmed they will not release the film because it contradicts the teachings of Islam. Officials in Pakistan and Tunisia also say they doubt that their censors will approve the showing of “Noah.” Paramount added a disclaimer to its marketing material saying that “artistic license has been taken” after some Christians questioned the film’s accuracy. CHURCH-GAY MINISTERS Montana Supreme Court rules in church dispute HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Supreme Court says the property of Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls belongs to the minority of members who opposed the church’s split with its national denomination in 2010. The court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the church’s constitution requires 90 percent of members to vote for a split for the property to go with them. Seventy-one percent of Faith Lutheran members approved the break with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America after the denomination approved the ordination of gay ministers. They kept the church’s name and property. Half of those who voted to stay with the denomination formed the New Hope Lutheran Ministry, which sued for control of the church’s property and a foundation. The high court ruled the foundation is independent and not part of the church property. MORMON MISSIONARY KILLED-MICRONESIA Mormon missionary dies in Micronesia SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A 20-year-old Mormon missionary is dead after a fatal fall in Micronesia. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says Miller Edward Toa of Layton, Utah, died on Thursday. Toa was nearly halfway through his two-year mission. The Pacific Ocean region where he was serving includes Guam, Palau, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. The fatal accident marks the second missionary death of the year. Last year, 12 Mormon missionaries died in what was an abnormally deadly year for proselytizing members of the faith. There are usually only a few deaths of missionaries each year. The church has more missionaries than ever before with 84,600 men and women serving around the world.
