GAY RIGHTS-MORMON CHURCH
Mormon leaders call for measures protecting gay rights
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mormon church leaders are calling for a “balanced approach” in the clash between gay rights and religious freedom.
The church is promising to support some housing and job protections for gays and lesbians in exchange for legal protections for believers who object to the behavior of others.
It’s not clear how much common ground Mormons will find with this new campaign. The church insists it still opposes gay marriage and believes that sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman violates God’s law.
But Mormon leaders who held a rare news conference Tuesday said “we must all learn to live with others who do not share the same beliefs or values.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Nothing is achieved if either side resorts to bullying, political point scoring or accusations of bigotry.”
The Rev. Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention called the Mormon leaders “well-intentioned, but naive” about gay opposition to religious exemptions.
Sound:
255-a-12-(Neill Marriott, second counselor in the general presidency of the Young Women Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at news conference)-“laws of God”-Neill Marriott of the Mormon Church’s Young Women general presidency says the church hasn’t changed its doctrines. (27 Jan 2015)
< 256-a-10-(Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Mormon Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at news conference)-“discrimination and retaliation”-Mormon Church Elder Dallin Oaks says people of faith who oppose gay marriage should have legal protection.((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (27 Jan 2015) < 254-a-09-(Neill Marriott, second counselor in the general presidency of the Young Women Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at news conference)-“person’s sexual orientation”-Neill Marriott of the Mormon Church’s Young Women general presidency says the housing and employment rights of gays and lesbians should be protected. ((cut used in wrap)) (27 Jan 2015) < 257-a-10-(Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Mormon Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at news conference)-“accusations of bigotry”-Mormon Church Elder Jeffrey Holland calls for civility between advocates of gay rights and religious rights. (27 Jan 2015) < 253-w-26-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Mormon women’s leader Neill Marriott and church elder Dallin Oaks)–Mormon church leaders are calling for a “balanced approach” in the clash between gay rights and religious freedom. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (27 Jan 2015) < GAY RIGHTS-IDAHO Push for gay protections in Idaho stirs emotional debate BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho’s Episcopal Bishop Brian Thom has testified in favor of a bill that would add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the state’s Human Rights Act. At a packed hearing on the bill, Idaho’s only openly gay lawmaker, Democratic Rep. John McCrostie, asked the bishop, “Can you tell me where gay people come from?” Bishop Thom responded, “If you are gay, sir, then I believe God made you that way.” The room erupted in applause, causing Republican committee Chairman Tom Loertscher to bang his gavel and remind the crowd to follow the rules of decorum. Gay rights supporters face opposition not only from the state’s staunchly conservative legislators but also from Idaho’s deeply religious residents. Some said Monday that they fear the bill will force individuals and businesses with religious objections to provide services for same-sex weddings. PSALM-COUNTY PARK County stands firm, says it will keep sign with Bible verse GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Officials in a western Michigan county have voted to reinstall a park sign that quotes the Bible. The sign carries an excerpt from Psalm 19 declaring the glory of God. It was removed last year from Hager Park in Ottawa County’s Georgetown Township after complaints that public property was being used to promote religion. In a 9-2 vote Tuesday, county commissioners say the sign will return in one form or another. The family that gave land for the park is willing to put the sign elsewhere to end the controversy. If that happens, county Administrator Al Vanderberg says commissioners will erect a similar sign in the park. The sign has been in Hager Park since the 1960s. Ottawa County is along Lake Michigan and is a culturally conservative area, with many churches. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY-PHILADELPHIA American Bible Society moving from New York to Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The nonprofit American Bible Society is moving its headquarters to Philadelphia after almost two centuries in New York City. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the move being announced Wednesday by Mayor Michael Nutter will bring more than 200 jobs to the city. Society chief executive officer Roy Peterson tells the newspaper the decision to leave New York was “heart-wrenching.” But he says it’s the right thing for his staff because living in New York on a nonprofit salary is difficult and Philadelphia is more affordable. The society runs a worldwide Christian ministry and has a goal of translating the Bible into every language. It was headquartered in New York for 199 years. It now will be located steps away from Independence Mall, where the Liberty Bell is located. NO ALTAR GIRLS Catholic church in San Francisco to phase out altar girls SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Roman Catholic church in San Francisco has become one of a handful around the country to prohibit girls from being altar servers, a decision that has disturbed some parishioners. The Rev. Joseph Illo told KPIX-TV that he decided to train only boys to assist him at Mass when he was assigned to Star of the Sea Church last year because he thinks the primary purpose of altar service is preparation for the priesthood, which women are ineligible to join. In a statement posted on the church’s website, Illo says boys often lose interest in altar service when the programs are co-ed because “girls generally do a better job.” Girls and women have been permitted to serve Mass alongside priests since Pope John Paul II approved the practice in 1994. But a mixed-gender altar service is not a requirement, and the decision is usually left up to local bishops. San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone authorized Star of the Sea’s move to only having altar boys. Some churchgoers told KPIX they were unhappy with the change, calling it discriminatory. CONTINUUM HEALTH-BIRTH CONTROL 3 companies in Colorado exempted from contraception rule DENVER (AP) — A federal judge has exempted three Colorado companies from providing certain kinds of contraception under the federal health care law. The judge’s order cites last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that some companies with religious objections can avoid the contraceptive mandate. Tuesday’s order says Continuum Health Partnerships, Continuum Health Management and Mountain States Health Properties can’t be required to include contraception or sterilization in their health insurance because of their religious objections. Continuum Health Partnerships and Continuum Health Management operate independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care centers in Colorado. The federal government agreed to the order. POLAND-AUSCHWITZ ANNIVERSARY On Auschwitz anniversary, leader warns Jews again targets BRZEZINKA, Poland (AP) — The president of the World Jewish Congress, standing before 300 survivors of the Nazis’ most notorious death camp, has asked world leaders to prevent another Auschwitz. Ronald Lauder warned of a rise of anti-Semitism that has made many Jews fearful of walking the streets, and is causing many to flee Europe. Lauder made his bleak assessment on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, speaking next to the gate and the railroad tracks that marked the last journey for more than a million people murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau. He said his speech was shaped by the recent terrorist attacks in France that targeted Jews and newspaper satirists. One Holocaust survivor, 85-year-old Roman Kent, choked back tears, saying “We do not want our past to be our children’s future.” Sound: 200-a-13-(Prince Charles, in address to International Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering)-“in the future”-Prince Charles says atrocities continue to occur, so pausing to specifically remember Auschwitz and the Holocaust is as important as ever. (27 Jan 2015) < 206-a-12-(Ronald Lauder, president, World Jewish Congress, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“because they’re Jews”-Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, says anti-Semitism is rampant in Europe today, just as it was in the 1930s in Nazi Germany. ((note audio quality)) (27 Jan 2015) < 201-a-09-(Roman Kent, survivor, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“our children’s future”-Auschwitz survivor Roman Kent says he joins all survivors of the Nazi death camps in hoping that 70 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, rampant racism and anti-Semitism in Europe and elsewhere in the world are quashed. (27 Jan 2015) < 208-r-29-(String quartet, performing at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)–Sound of a string quartet playing for guests under an enormous tent over the gate and railroad tracks that marked the last journey for more than a million people murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz-Birkenau. (27 Jan 2015) < 203-a-16-(Roman Kent, survivor, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“moment is impossible”-Auschwitz survivor Roman Kent says his father told him to remember what he saw — a command Kent now calls superflous. (27 Jan 2015) < 205-a-24-(Roman Kent, survivor, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“of the Earth”-Auschwitz survivor Roman Kent says to the leaders of dozens of countries gathered for the commemoration that they must lead the charge against raging anti-Semitism and racism in Europe and other parts of the world. ((note length)) (27 Jan 2015) < 199-w-35-(Sagar Meghani (SAH’-gur meh-GAH’-nee), AP national security correspondent, with sound from Auchwitz religious service and ceremony, survivor Roman Kent and and World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder)–Survivors of the Nazis’ most notorious death camp are marking the 70th anniversary of its liberation. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports it comes amid the backdrop of what one Jewish leader calls the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. (27 Jan 2015) < 204-a-04-(Roman Kent, survivor, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“be a bystander”-Auschwitz survivor Roman Kent says not only must the victims be remembered, but an 11th Commandment should be added for those who did nothing about the threat against Jews before and during World War II. (27 Jan 2015) < 207-a-10-(Ronald Lauder, president, World Jewish Congress, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“country in Europe”-Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, says indviduals and whole countries turned a blind eye to Nazi Germany’s treatment of Jews. ((note audio quality)) (27 Jan 2015) < 202-a-18-(Roman Kent, survivor, at commemoration of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz)-“a single life”-Auschwitz survivor Roman Kent says he thinks of his time at the death camp nearly every day. ((note length)) (27 Jan 2015) < CEMETERY TOURS-VANDALISM Vandalism: No solo tourists in New Orleans’ oldest cemetery NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A historic New Orleans cemetery that may have started the city’s tradition of above-ground crypts will soon be off-limits to tourists on their own because of repeated tomb vandalism. Starting in March, entry to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 will be restricted to relatives of those buried there and others accompanied by a tour guide registered with the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, which owns the property. Spokeswoman Sarah McDonald says some unlicensed guides encourage people to deface tombs. She says other people have littered and camped out there. And in late 2012, someone covered the reputed tomb of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau with pink paint. Tour companies will have to show insurance and a city license, and pay the archdiocese up to $5,400 a year. ISLAMIC CENTER-RESIGNATION Dearborn mosque board asks resigning leader to reconsider DETROIT (AP) — Board members at a Detroit-area mosque that is among the nation’s largest and most influential say they are urging their religious leader to reconsider his resignation over a dispute with the organization’s board. Imam Hassan al-Qazwini told members of the Islamic Center of America last week that he wanted to resign but would reconsider if the board dissolved. The board took symbolic action Sunday to reject al-Qazwini’s resignation from the mosque in Dearborn, which is home to one of the country’s largest Arab-American and Muslim populations. Last year, unsigned letters to members began appearing that accused al-Qazwini of using donations from mosque members for projects run by his father in Iraq and also of having an extramarital relationship. Critics want the funds used to retire the mosque’s debt and for projects in Lebanon and other countries. Al-Qazwini, who is of Iraqi descent and from a family of American Shiite scholars, denies the allegations and said the rift is with board members of Lebanese descent. BUFFALO DIOCESE-INVESTIGATION SOUGHT 2 ask pope to investigate their diocese sex abuse complaints AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) — A woman who says she was groped by a teacher when she was a Catholic school cheerleader and a man who says a priest abused him beginning when he was 10 are asking Pope Francis to investigate the way a western New York diocese handled their complaints. The accusers say Diocese of Buffalo employees abused them. They say the state’s statute of limitations prevents them from filing legal complaints but they want the investigation to uncover other potential cases. Vanessa DeRosa says she was abused in middle school in 2002, when she was 12 or 13. Antonio Flores says a priest abused him for years beginning around 1973. They discussed the cases during a press conference Tuesday. Buffalo’s bishop says the cases were handled in accordance with diocesan policies. SPAIN-PRIESTS-ABUSE Spain: 10 priests indicted in abuse case of interest to pope MADRID (AP) — A judge in the Spanish city of Granada has indicted 10 priests and two Catholic lay workers in a sex abuse case that prompted Pope Francis to phone one of the alleged victims. According to the indictment filed Tuesday, the 12 are suspected of abusing four teenage boys in a priest’s parochial home between 2004 and 2007. The defendants are free on bail pending trial. Francis in November told reporters he received a letter documenting the abuse from one of the alleged victims and then called him, telling him to report it in person at the Granada diocese. Francis also said he wrote to the bishop and pressed him to launch an investigation. The suspects face possible jail time of more than 20 years each.
