POPE-CUBA
Pope meets Fidel Castro after warning against ideology
HAVANA (AP) β Pope Francis has met with Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro after urging thousands of Cubans to serve one another and not an ideology, a subtle jab at the communist system.
The Vatican described Sunday’s 40-minute meeting at Fidel Castro’s residence as an informal conversation about big issues facing humanity, including Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment and the global economic system. The pope met later with the retired revolutionary leader’s brother, Raul, who succeeded him as president.
Francis visited the Castros after celebrating Mass in Havana’s main plaza on his first full day in Cuba. Later Sunday, he met with seminarians and clergy at Havana’s cathedral.
Francis will travel to eastern Cuba and pay homage to the nation’s patron saint, a 400-year-old statue of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, before departing Tuesday for Washington, the first stop on his U.S. visit.
Sound:
230-v-35-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–Pope Francis has met with Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro after urging thousands of Cubans to serve one another and not an ideology, a subtle jab at the communist system. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (20 Sep 2015)
< 217-c-21-(Michael Weissenstein (wy-zehn-STYN’), AP correspondent)-“of each other”-AP correspondent Michael Weissenstein reports Pope Francis used his homily to try to promote harmony among Cubans in these changing times. ((note length)) (20 Sep 2015) < 218-c-19-(Michael Weissenstein (wy-zehn-STYN’), AP correspondent)-“not incredibly enthusiastic”-AP correspondent Michael Weissenstein says Pope Francis has received a positive and enthusiastic reception from the Cuban people. (20 Sep 2015) < 215-c-13-(Michael Weissenstein (wy-zehn-STYN’), AP correspondent)-“including the environment”-AP correspondent Michael Weissenstein reports Pope Francis has met both with Cuban leader Raul Castro and, later, with his brother Fidel, the leader of Cuba’s revolution and long-time president of the country. (20 Sep 2015) < POPE-CUBA Pope holds service with Cuban clergy HAVANA (AP) β Pope Francis has presided over a vespers service in Havana’s 18th century Immaculate Conception and San Cristobal cathedral. Bells rang out and a few hundred excited and sweaty priests and sisters clapped and shouted “Francisco!” as the pope arrived. An organ broke into a celebratory hymn. During the service, Francis spoke off-the-cuff at length for the first time during his trip to Cuba, breaking from prepared remarks to deliver a sermon that focused extensively on the importance of poverty to the Roman Catholic Church. He also warned of the dangers of falling prey to the temptations of wealth. In Francis’s words: “Our dear mother church is poor. God wants it poor, as he wanted our Holy Mother Mary to be poor.” The cathedral boasts a large bronze statue of St. John Paul II, who became the first pope to visit Cuba in 1998. Sound: 268-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Cuban clergy and Pope Francis)–Pope Francis has received a hero’s welcome from Cuban clergy at Havana’s cathedral. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. ((opens with sound)) (20 Sep 2015) < 248-r-07-(Sound of Pope Francis, speaking to clergy during Vespers service at Havana’s cathedral)–Sound of Pope Francis, speaking to clergy during Vespers service at Havana’s cathedral. (20 Sep 2015) < 249-r-15-(Sound of Cuban clergy cheering, as Pope Francis arrives for Vespers service at Havana’s cathedral)–Sound of Cuban clergy cheering as Pope Francis arrives for Vespers service at Havana’s cathedral. (20 Sep 2015) < 250-r-18-(Sound of choir singing, during Vespers service with Pope Francis at Havana’s cathedral)–Sound of choir singing during Vespers service with Pope Francis at Havana’s cathedral. (20 Sep 2015) < 247-r-07-(Sound of Pope Francis, speaking to clergy during Vespers service at Havana’s cathedral)–Sound of Pope Francis, speaking to clergy during Vespers service at Havana’s cathedral. (20 Sep 2015) < POPE-ST. PATRICK’S Cardinal and worshippers anticipate pope’s NY visit NEW YORK (AP) β New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and worshippers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral are anticipating Pope Francis’ visit later this week. After Sunday morning’s Mass, there was a line to buy commemorative coins with the pope’s likeness. Dolores Moynahan, who was visiting from Florida, bought several of the five-dollar souvenirs for friends back home. She says Francis’ focus on love and charity makes her want to bring back mementos. David Matocha (mah-TOH’-kah), a Catholic from Texas, said that while he won’t be in New York for the pope’s visit, he’ll be there “spiritually.” Cardinal Dolan said Francis will preach a familiar message of love for God, love for neighbors and helping those in need. The pope will lead worship at St. Patrick’s on Thursday evening after beginning his U.S. trip in Washington. On Saturday, Francis will travel to Philadelphia to take part in the church’s World Meeting of Families. Sound: 202-a-11-(David Matocha (mah-TOH’-kuh), worshiper from Texas who was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in AP interview)-“be here spritually”-David Matocha of Texas attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and will be gone by the time Pope Francis arrives — still, he feels the positive vibe. (20 Sep 2015) < 205-a-09-(Tami Graham, worshiper from Pennsylvania who was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in AP interview)-“away from that”-Tami Graham, who was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, says she hopes Pope Francis’ visit inspires people. (20 Sep 2015) < 201-w-35-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Dolores Moynahan of Florida, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral)–St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York was a flurry of activity today, with worshipers anticipating Pope Francis’ visit. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (20 Sep 2015) < 204-a-11-(Margie Vasquez, worshiper from Texas who was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in AP interview)-“of people need”-Margie Vasquez, who was buying a Pope Francis commemorative coin at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, thinks the pope’s visit will give a spiritual boost to a lot of Americans. (20 Sep 2015) < 203-a-13-(Maureen Peel, worshiper from London who was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in AP interview)-“very special occasion”-Maureen Peel, who was buying a Pope Francis commemorative coin at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, says it will be nice to take it home as a memento. (20 Sep 2015) < POPE-OBAMA-YOM KIPPUR Pope to visit White House on Yom Kippur Jewish holiday WASHINGTON (AP) β Pope Francis’ historic visit to the White House next week is leaving some Jews out. The spiritual leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics heads to the White House on Wednesday to meet with President Barack Obama. It’s the first stop on the pope’s first trip to the U.S. But Wednesday is also Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year for Jews. The White House says members of the Jewish community will be able to participate in other parts of the pontiff’s Washington, D.C., visit, and the New York and Philadelphia legs of his trip. Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday and make other stops in the nation’s capital before he heads to New York. CHURCH-SHOOTING-ALABAMA 3 people hurt in Alabama church shooting; suspect arrested EAST SELMA, Ala. (AP) β Authorities say a man has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting his girlfriend, their baby and a clergyman at a church in East Selma, Alabama. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson says 26-year-old James Junior Minte of Selma was arrested after opening fire during services at the Oasis Tabernacle Church. Selma Police say witnesses told them that Minter entered the church and sat in the front row between his 24-year-old girlfriend and the baby, then pulled out a handgun and started shooting. The girlfriend fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand. The church’s pastor, who is 61, then grabbed Minter and was shot in the leg. Members of the congregation helped subdue Minter and managed to wrest away his gun, according to police. Minter then ran out of the church, but was captured by police less than a mile away. The pastor was taken to a local emergency room for treatment, while the woman and baby were taken to a hospital in Birmingham. The victims are in stable condition. Sound: 231-c-12-(Jonathan Landrum, AP correspondent)-“East Selma, Alabama”-AP correspondent Jonathan Landrum reports three people were hurt in shooting at a church in Alabama. (20 Sep 2015) < 233-c-09-(Jonathan Landrum, AP correspondent)-“a mile away”-AP correspondent Jonathan Landrum reports police say that 26-year-old James Minter shot his girlfriend, their baby and a clergyman, before church-goers were able to stop the attack. (20 Sep 2015) < 232-c-21-(Jonathan Landrum, AP correspondent)-“in the leg”-AP correspondent Jonathan Landrum reports 26-year-old James Minter was arrested for allegedly shooting his girlfriend, their baby and a clergyman during Sunday services at a church in Alabama. (20 Sep 2015) < GOP 2016-CARSON-MUSLIM RESPONSE Muslim group condemns Carson comment, calls for repudiation WASHINGTON (AP) β The nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group says lawmakers from across the political spectrum should repudiate Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson’s comments that the Islamic faith is inconsistent with the Constitution and that he would not agree with a Muslim being elected president. Ibrahim Hooper is a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations and says the Constitution expressly prohibits a religious test to qualify for elected office. Hooper says Carson’s comments show he is not qualified for the presidency because he cannot hold such views about a religion and at the same time say he will represent Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. Carson said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he would advocate that voters not put a Muslim in charge of the United States. Sound: 267-a-16-(Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), in AP interview)-“about African Americans”-CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper says Ben Carson’s views on Muslims are surprising from an African-American presidential candidate. (20 Sep 2015) < 266-a-15-(Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), in AP interview)-“lowest common denominator”-CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper says GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson should withdraw from the race, after saying he doesn’t believe that a Muslim should be president. (20 Sep 2015) < 265-a-16-(Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), in AP interview)-“he should withdraw”-CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper says GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson’s remark that a Muslim should not be elected president suggests that Carson doesn’t understand or believe in the constitution. (20 Sep 2015) < 179-a-09-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in interview)-“it should matter”-Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says, in some circumstance, a candidate’s religious faith should matter to voters. (Carson did not specify in what way he believes Islam runs counter to constitutional principles.) COURTESY: NBC’s “Meet the Press” ((mandatory on-air credit)) (20 Sep 2015) < 181-a-20-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in interview)-“I’m with them”-Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says he doesn’t believe a Muslim should be elected president, but he says Congress is OK depending on the person’s policies. (Carson did not specify in what way he believes Islam runs counter to constitutional principles.) COURTESY: NBC’s “Meet the Press” ((mandatory on-air credit)) ((note length of cut)) (20 Sep 2015) < 178-a-07-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in interview)-“agree with that”-Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says he does not believe the Islamic faith is consistent with the U.S. Constitution, or that a Muslim should be be president. (Carson did not specify in what way he believes Islam runs counter to constitutional principles.) COURTESY: NBC’s “Meet the Press” ((mandatory on-air credit)) (20 Sep 2015) < 180-a-08-(Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidate, in interview)-“on, what, anybody else’s”-Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says he thinks Muslims should be eligible to serve in Congress, but he doesn’t think a Muslim should be president. (Carson did not specify in what way he believes Islam runs counter to constitutional principles.) COURTESY: NBC’s “Meet the Press” ((mandatory on-air credit)) (20 Sep 2015) < EPISCOPAL FUTURE Legal issues in Episcopal split going to SC Supreme Court CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) β South Carolina’s highest court is to hear arguments this week in the acrimonious split in the state’s Episcopal churches. The conservative Diocese of South Carolina left the denomination in 2012 amid differences over theological issues, including the authority of Scripture and the ordination of gays. The diocese then sued to protect its identity and $500 million in church property. Parishes in the region that didn’t leave the national church are in a diocese now known as The Episcopal Church in South Carolina. Circuit Judge Diane Goodstein, after a three-week trial, ruled earlier this year that the departing diocese still owns its name, symbols and property. The national Episcopal Church and the almost 40 congregations now comprising The Episcopal Church in South Carolina are appealing Goodstein’s decision to the state Supreme Court. The justices have scheduled arguments in Columbia for Wednesday. SAUDI-HAJJ-SECURITY Saudi Arabia says 100,000 troops to secure this year’s hajj MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) β Saudi Arabia has deployed 100,000 security personnel to oversee the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage that begins on Tuesday. A spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry, Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, said the arrangements are needed to secure one of the largest pilgrimages in the world amid the multitude of threats the hajj faces. Al-Turki spoke exclusively to The Associated Press from the Interior Ministry’s security headquarters for the hajj, located in the sprawling tent city of Mina just a few miles outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca that houses Islam’s holiest site, the cube-shaped Kaaba. Roughly 3 million people from around the world are expected to converge at the Kaaba, in Mina and other nearby areas for the hajj, which lasts about five days. It is series of rituals meant to cleanse the soul of sins and instill a sense of equality and brotherhood. All able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the hajj once in their lives.
