GAY MARRIAGE-NATIVE AMERICANS
American Indian tribes dig in against gay marriage
CHEROKEE, N.C. (AP) β Even if a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year makes same-sex marriage the law, it would leave pockets of the country where it isn’t likely to be recognized any time soon: the reservations of some sovereign Native American tribes, including the nation’s two largest.
The influence of Christianity remains strong in many tribes more than a century after an era of mass conversions on reservations.
Eleven tribes with a total membership approaching 1 million won’t recognize marriages between two men or two women. Several explicitly declare that same-sex marriages are prohibited, and some have even toughened their stance.
In December, just weeks after North Carolina began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the state’s Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians updated its law to add language preventing gay couples from having marriage ceremonies performed on tribal land.
Tribes that don’t recognize same-sex marriage include the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and the Navajo Nation, with about 300,000 members each.
Sound:
213-v-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–Even if a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year makes same-sex marriage the law, it would leave pockets of the country where it isn’t likely to be recognized any time soon: the reservations of some sovereign Native American tribes, including the nation’s two largest. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (6 Apr 2015)
< BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING-BISHOPS Bishops say Tsarnaev should not receive death penalty BOSTON (AP) β Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley and his fellow Massachusetts Roman Catholic bishops say it would be against the church’s teaching to apply the death penalty to Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ((joh-HAHR’ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv). The statement Monday said Tsarnaev, “will never again have the ability to cause harm.” The bishops said they believe “society can do better than the death penalty.” The church opposes the death penalty in almost all cases, a position the bishops said was restated by Pope Francis last month. The statement came just before a federal court jury received Tsarnaev’s case. His lawyer has acknowledged his client took part in the 2013 bombings, but said he was influenced by his older brother. Three people were killed and more than 260 wounded in the attack. OBIT-TAYLOR Gardner Taylor, preacher and civil rights figure, dies at 96 NEW YORK (AP) β A pastor regarded as the dean of American preaching who played a key role in the civil rights movement has died. The Progressive National Baptist Convention says the Rev. Gardner Taylor died Sunday. He was 96 and lived in North Carolina. Taylor was the grandson of former slaves who gained national prominence as pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn. Taylor was known for his preaching voice, which experts compared to an organ with all the stops pulled out. Around 1960, he sided with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in a pivotal dispute among black clergy about whether King was too liberal. Taylor and King went on to help form the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Taylor was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 BILLY GRAHAM-STATUE NC resolution seeks Billy Graham statue at US Capitol RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) β Some General Assembly members say it’s time to honor North Carolina native Rev. Billy Graham with a statue inside the U.S. Capitol. His likeness would replace the statue of a former governor with links to the white supremacy movement over a century ago. Bills filed in the state House and Senate last week ask a congressional committee to approve the replacement of the statue of former Gov. Charles Aycock for one of Graham, the Charlotte-born evangelist now living in Montreat. Each state has two statues inside Statuary Hall. Federal law allows states to request changes. The 96-year-old Graham has preached in more than 185 countries and territories, offering counsel to U.S. presidents and participating in presidential inaugurations. Graham was at the forefront of the evangelical movement of the second half of the 20th century, particularly in the use of television and other technology to spread his Christian message. HOMELESS JESUS STATUE Gifts being left at homeless Jesus statue at Buffalo church BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) β The unveiling of a statue depicting a homeless Jesus sleeping on a park bench in downtown Buffalo, New York, has led people to leave money, food and other items at the bronze sculpture. The statue was unveiled last week outside St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, which raised money for the public art project through private donations. The work by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz shows a blanket-shrouded Jesus, identifiable only by the crucifixion wounds on his feet. WIVB-TV reports that soon after its unveiling Tuesday, offerings apparently meant for Buffalo’s homeless began showing up on the statue. Church members and clergy say the items have included money, food, books, a Buffalo Bills cap and a scarf. The church collects the items each day and donates them to a local organization that helps the homeless. Sound: 211-a-05-(Rachel Pinti, member, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, in interview)-“goes unnoticed sometimes”-Rachel Pinti, a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, says the statue depicting a homeless Jesus has touched a chord with people. COURTESY: WIVB-TV ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (6 Apr 2015) < 208-a-07-(The Rev. Will Mebane, interim dean, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, in interview)-“all been collected”-The Rev. Will Mebane, interim dean of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, says food, money and other donations have been left at the statue of a homeless Jesus. COURTESY: WIVB-TV ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (6 Apr 2015) < 209-a-09-(The Rev. Will Mebane, interim dean, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, in interview)-“it be used”-The Rev. Will Mebane, interim dean of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, says the homeless can help themselves to items and money left at the statue. COURTESY: WIVB-TV ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (6 Apr 2015) < 207-a-04-(The Rev. Will Mebane, interim dean, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, in interview)-“it would happen”-The Rev. Will Mebane, interim dean of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, says he’s surprised that gifts are being left at a statue depicting a homeless Jesus. COURTESY: WIVB-TV ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (6 Apr 2015) < 210-a-08-(Rachel Pinti, member, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, in interview)-“it through it”-Rachel Pinti, a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, says items left at the statue appear to be intended for the homeless. COURTESY: WIVB-TV ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (6 Apr 2015) < EASTER SERVICE-ROOF COLLAPSE Church shuttered after roof collapse during Easter service RAHWAY, N.J. (AP) β Officials have temporarily closed a New Jersey church following a roof collapse that occurred during an Easter Sunday service. But it’s still not clear what caused the collapse at the Korean Union United Methodist Church in Rahway. Officials say a separate congregation that rents out space at the church was staging a service there when the collapse occurred around 2 p.m. Congregants were reportedly singing when they heard a cracking sound from above and debris began falling down on them. Authorities say dozens of people were in the church at the time, including several children. Emergency responders helped several people get out of the church. One person was seriously injured, while about a dozen others had minor injuries. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. RELIGIOUS BIAS CLAIM Hamden firefighter, Jehovah’s witness, claims bias HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) β A Connecticut firefighter says he’s been harassed at his job because he’s a Jehovah’s Witness. The New Haven Register reports that Ray Pouncey has sued the Hamden Fire Department and the town of Hamden in federal court. He says he’s forced to work in a hostile environment and that the problem has been persistent since he refused to march in a Memorial Day Parade several years ago. He said he can’t do anything that could be considered worshipping a man-made object such as a flag. Pouncey said false allegations about his work have been lodged against him and he has filed complaints with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Town officials, including Fire Chief David Berardesca, wouldn’t comment. THREE KILLED-NORTH CAROLINA Man charged with killing 3 Muslims can face death penalty DURHAM, N.C. (AP) β A judge in North Carolina has ruled the man accused of killing three Muslim college students can face a death penalty trial. Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson Jr. ruled Monday in a hearing where a prosecutor described some of the evidence against Craig Stephen Hicks. Hicks is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the Feb. 10 killings of 23-year-old Deah Shaddy Barakat; his wife, 21-year-old Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha; and her sister, 19-year-old Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha. Police say the 46-year-old Hicks appears to have been motivated by a long-running dispute over parking spaces at the Chapel Hill condominium complex where he lived in the same building as Barakat and his wife. The victims’ families are adamant they were targeted because they were Muslims and have pushed for hate-crime charges. Sound: 216-c-26-(Michael Biesecker (BEE’-sih-kur), AP correspondent)-“to justify that”-AP correspondent Michael Biesecker reports that state prosecutors allege that Craig Stephen Hicks killed his Muslim next-door neighbors over long-standing parking dispute. (6 Apr 2015) < 214-c-21-(Michael Biesecker (BEE’-sih-kur), AP correspondent)-“Craig Stephen Hicks”-AP correspondent Michael Biesecker reports a North Carolina man charged in three deaths over an alleged parking dispute could face capitol punishment if he is found guilty. (6 Apr 2015) < 215-c-19-(Michael Biesecker (BEE’-sih-kur), AP correspondent)-“acts of violence”-AP correspondent Michael Biesecker reports a judge in North Carolina considered the allegations that Craig Stephen Hicks shot his neighbor Deah Shaddy Barakat, and then entered the apartment to shoot Barakat’s wife and her sister. (6 Apr 2015) < KENYA-UNIVERSITY ATTACK Kenyan airstrikes hit suspected militant camps in Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) β A Muslim member of Kenya’s parliament says work must be done to prevent Kenyan youths from becoming followers of extremism. Aden Duale says the al-Shabab extremists who claimed responsibility for killing 148 people Thursday at Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya “are not Muslims, and do not represent us.” But he said, “Some of our youth have fallen victim to this evil ideology.” Survivors said the gunmen targeted Christians and said they would spare Muslims and women, though there were numerous accounts of indiscriminate shooting. Duale said Kenyan Muslims want to disassociate themselves and their faith from what he called “these demented monsters.” Kenyan warplanes bombed al-Shabab across the border in Somalia Sunday and Monday, according to Kenyan officials. Sound: 145-a-13-(Aden Duale, politician from Kenya’s North Eastern Province, at news conference)-“from our midst”-Kenyan politican Aden Duale says he and the vast majority of other Muslims do not support the militants. (6 Apr 2015) < 143-a-08-(Aden Duale, politician from Kenya’s North Eastern Province, at news conference)-“this hideous act”-Kenyan politician Aden Duale condemns the Islamist fighters who killed 148 people in an attack last week on Christian students at Garissa College University. (6 Apr 2015) < 144-a-11-(Aden Duale, politician from Kenya’s North Eastern Province, at news conference)-“these demented monsters”-Kenyan politician Aden Duale says he and other Muslims condemn the actions of the militants who carried out the attack. (6 Apr 2015) < 138-a-14-(James Macharia, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Health, at news conference)-“all the bodies”-Kenyan health secretary James Macharia says the government has started work on positively identifying the victims, following reports athat several families were trying to claim the same bodies. (6 Apr 2015) < 137-c-19-(Christopher Torchia (TOR’-shuh), AP correspondent)-“official in Kenya”-AP correspondent Christopher Torchia reports residents in Garissa are turning to the Kenyan government to respond to the attacks. (6 Apr 2015) < 140-a-10-(Isaac Mutua Mutisya, father of a university student killed in the attack, in AP interview)-“or somebody else’s”-Isaac Mutua Mutisya says he’s trying to claim his daughter’s body for burial, but is having problems with the way the government handled identifications. ((“today” refers to Monday)) (6 Apr 2015) < 136-c-21-(Christopher Torchia (TOR’-shuh), AP correspondent)-“in the past”-AP correspondent Christopher Torchia reports the Kenyan military’s air strikes against Islamic militants in Somalia follow last week’s attack on a Kenyan college, which killed 148 people. (6 Apr 2015) < 135-c-16-(Christopher Torchia (TOR’-shuh), AP correspondent)-“Kenya’s Garissa town”-AP correspondent Christopher Torchia reports the Kenyan military has launched air strikes in Somalia against al-Shabab. (6 Apr 2015) < 139-a-13-(James Macharia, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Health, at news conference)-“of those bodies”-Kenyan health secretary James Macharia says forensics experts worked overnight to identify all of the victims through their fingerprints. (6 Apr 2015) < VATICAN-POPE-TODAY’S MARTYRS Pope to world: don’t ignore killing of Christians VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis is urging the international community to respond to the killing of Christians in several parts of the world, saying, “don’t look the other way.” The pope has been increasingly dismayed about what he has called “complicit silence” about the martyrdom of Christians. Speaking to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square Monday, the pope said “our persecuted brothers and sisters” were “slain, beheaded solely for being Christian.” Islamic extremists have targeted Christians in parts of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Pope Francis expressed hope that the international community “won’t remain inert before such unacceptable crimes, which constitute a worrisome erosion of the most elementary human rights.” GUNSHOT DURING MASS Legally carried gun accidentally fires at Easter vigil Mass ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) β The bishop of a Catholic diocese in Pennsylvania is discouraging people from carrying guns into churches after a weapon legally carried by a man accidentally discharged during a weekend Easter vigil Mass. Altoona police say the man was grazed by the bullet when the weapon snagged on his pants and fired around 11 p.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Mark Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown diocese says he’s glad no one was seriously injured. But he says “guns have no place in our cathedral or any of the other parishes in our diocese” because churches “must be an environment in which all feel safe.” Authorities are considering whether charges will be filed. They say the man has a permit and was legally carrying the weapon. HELICOPTER EGG DROP Del. church uses helicopter to drop 2K Easter eggs for hunt LAUREL, Del. (AP) β Most folks celebrating Easter hide eggs the old-fashioned way β on foot. A church in Delaware decided to take to the skies for the job. WMDT-TV reports that the Central Worship Center in Laurel used a helicopter to drop about 2,000 eggs over a field. Those were on top of 15,000 already on the ground for the 2,000 children who joined Sunday’s hunt. Pastor Tim Dukes says the egg drop is designed to show the community that the church loves them and wants “to be the type of ministry that walks with people through life.” Dukes says this is the fourth year the church did the helicopter drop and that it gets bigger every year. Next year, the church plans to use skydivers to drop eggs.
