ABDUCTED MISSIONARY
US church says missionary kidnapped from Nigerian compound
SEATTLE (AP) — An American missionary has been kidnapped in Nigeria, according to her sponsoring denomination.
The Free Methodist Church says on its website that it received a report Monday that the Rev. Phyllis Sortor (SOHR’-tur) was kidnapped from the Hope Academy compound in Emiworo. The message from Bishop David Kendall says U.S. officials are working with Nigerian authorities to find and rescue her.
Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria and most victims are returned unharmed.
According to the church website, Sortor works with a child sponsorship ministry and recently opened a school for the children of Fulani herdsmen, who are Muslim.
The Rev. Brenda Young, lead pastor with Cornerstone Free Methodist Church in Akron, Ohio, says she’s been working with Sortor on projects to get clean drinking water to people in Nigeria. Young says she’s sure that Sortor “will handle herself as a follower of Christ, as a lover of people and as a loyal American.”
Sound:
249-a-09-(The Rev. Brenda Young, friend and supporter of abducted missionary, in AP interview)-“be with her”-The Rev. Brenda Young, a friend and supporter of the Rev. Phyllis Sortor, says the abducted missionary was fearless. (24 Feb 2015)
< 248-w-31-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Rev. Brenda Young, a friend and supporter of the abducted missionary)–An American missionary has been kidnapped in Nigeria, according to her sponsoring denomination. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Feb 2015) < 251-a-08-(The Rev. Brenda Young, friend and supporter of abducted missionary, in AP interview)-“could do it”-The Rev. Brenda Young, a friend and supporter of the Rev. Phyllis Sortor, says the abducted missionary is a strong Christian. (24 Feb 2015) < 250-a-14-(The Rev. Brenda Young, friend and supporter of abducted missionary, in AP interview)-“follower of Christ”-The Rev. Brenda Young, a friend and supporter of the Rev. Phyllis Sortor, says people all over the U.S. are concerned about the abducted missionary. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (24 Feb 2015) < ISLAMIC STATE Dozens of Christians abducted by Islamic militants in Syria BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State militants staging house-to-house raids in northeastern Syria have abducted at least 70 Christians, many of them women and children, while thousands of others have fled to safer areas. The captives’ fate was unclear Tuesday, a day after they were seized, and relatives said mobile phone service was cut off and land lines also were not going through, adding to the fear and uncertainty about their loved ones. Heavy fighting was reported in the area. The Islamic State group has a history of killing captives, including foreign journalists, Syrian soldiers and Kurdish militiamen. Most recently, militants in Libya affiliated with the extremist group released a video purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians. 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The Oregon labor department says a judge rejected the Kleins’ contention that the state’s discrimination laws violate their religious freedom. Investigators for the state Bureau of Labor and Industries have recommended that the Kleins each pay $75,000 in damages. A hearing will set the amount next month. Aaron Klein told reporters he believes Christians “have an obligation to the next generation to stand up for our constitutional freedoms, not given by man but given by God.” Sound: 300-a-08-(Aaron Klein, Oregon baker, at news conference)-“God, and stand”-Oregon baker Aaron Klein says he and his wife may not win their legal fight. (24 Feb 2015) < 298-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Oregon baker Aaron Klein)–Two Oregon bakers who may have to pay $150,000 in damages to a lesbian couple for refusing to bake them a wedding cake say they’re taking a stand for religious liberty. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Feb 2015) < 299-a-08-(Aaron Klein, Oregon baker, at news conference)-“given by God”-Oregon baker Aaron Klein says he and his wife are defending their religious liberty. (24 Feb 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-NORTH CAROLINA NC considers exempting some from gay-marriage duties RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Some North Carolina lawmakers say court officials should be exempt from carrying out duties related to marrying gay couples that would conflict with their religious beliefs. Legislation has been introduced in response to federal judges overturning the state’s gay-marriage ban in October. The measure approved Tuesday by the Senate judiciary committee allows magistrates to refuse to preside at same-sex weddings. It also allows assistant and deputy registrars of deeds to not issue marriage licenses. It also prohibits them from acting in all civil marriages. 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Central to the case is that applicant Samantha Elauf never explicitly voiced her religious views or her need to wear a headscarf on the job, although the assistant store manager who interviewed her correctly assumed Elauf was a Muslim who dressed as she did for religious reasons. Abercrombie & Fitch has since changed its policy on headscarves and settled similar lawsuits elsewhere, but continues to fight Elauf’s discrimination claim. Muslim, Christian and Jewish advocacy organizations have weighed in on Elauf’s side, as have gay-rights groups. Sound: 357-v-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–The Supreme Court is considering a Muslim woman’s employment discrimination claim today. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Feb 2015) < 358-c-20-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)-“to be hired”-AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports that the case explores when an employer must take steps to accommodate the religious beliefs of a worker or job applicant. 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BRITAIN-BISHOPS’ LETTER Catholic church urges Britons to participate in election LONDON (AP) — Roman Catholic bishops in Britain have joined their Church of England counterparts in urging the faithful to vote in the forthcoming national election, and to consider a range of social issues before casting their ballots. The open letter issued Tuesday appealed to Catholics to “think about the kind of society we want here at home and abroad.” Though the letter did not urge Catholics to vote for a particular party, it outlined issues for them to consider, such as policies on abortion, climate change and fair pay. The letter noted that “people are not merely economic units to be exploited.” Church of England bishops recently called for a fresh moral vision for Britain as they issued a 52-page letter arguing that every Christian should vote on May 7. 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Sound: 206-a-15-(Menachem Margolin (meh-NAHKH’-ehm mar-GOH’-lihn), director general, European Jewish Association, in AP interview)-“hire a guard”-Rabbi Menachem Margolin of the European Jewish Association says a lack of action from European governments to protect Jews in Europeis a factor in their decision to organize self-defense training. (24 Feb 2015) < 205-a-14-(Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs (BEEN’-yoh-meen YAH’-kuhbs), chief rabbi of the Netherlands, in AP interview)-“and face reality”-The Netherlands’ chief rabbi, Binyomin Jacobs, says European rabbis have gathered in Prague to get training in self-defense and first aid — a response to recent attacks against Jews. (24 Feb 2015) < CIRCUMCISION-ORAL SUCTION NYC, Orthodox Jews reach deal on circumcision suction ritual NEW YORK (AP) — New York City says it has reached agreement with members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community over a tradition known as oral suction circumcision. Health officials have linked the practice to 17 cases of infant herpes since 2000 as a result of people ritually sucking blood from the wounds on the infants’ penises. Mohels are the people who perform circumcisions. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s (dih BLAH’-zee-ohz) administration says they’ll no longer be required to obtain signed consent forms before the rites. If an infant is found to have herpes afterward, a rabbinical coalition will identify the mohel and he’ll undergo DNA testing. If the mohel is found to have infected the infant, he’ll be banned from performing the ritual. Oral suction circumcisions first came under scrutiny during Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, which required consent forms.
