RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Religious freedom facing increased threats, US report finds
WASHINGTON (AP) β The State Department says the Islamic State group is at the head of a campaign of attacks by militant groups on religious freedom in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and beyond.
In this year’s International Religious Freedom Report, the State Department notes that in the territories of its would-be caliphate, the Islamic State group has forced ancient Christian communities to convert, pay a ruinous tax or die, while kidnapping, selling, enslaving and raping thousands of women and children on the basis of their faith.
Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters that religious liberty “demands that the practitioners of one faith understand that they have no right to coerce others into submission, conversion or silence, or to literally take their lives because of their beliefs.”
The report noted that Christians, Muslims and others face routine official harassment in China.
211-w-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Secretary of State John Kerry)–The State Department says the Islamic State group is at the head of a campaign of attacks on religious freedom in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and beyond. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (14 Oct 2015)
< 212-w-30-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Secretary of State John Kerry and Rabbi David Saperstein, U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom)–The State Department’s new report on international religious freedom cites a broad range of persecution around the world. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (14 Oct 2015) < 196-a-09-(Secretary of State John Kerry, at news conference)-“slavery, or death”-Secretary of State John Kerry says the Islamic State group and its affiliates are guilty of vicious attacks on religious liberty. (14 Oct 2015) < 197-a-11-(Secretary of State John Kerry, at news conference)-“sold into slavery”-Secretary of State John Kerry says the Islamic State group and Boko Haram are among the world’s worst persecutors. (14 Oct 2015) < 200-a-13-(Rabbi David Saperstein (SAP’-ur-steen), U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, at news conference)-“their home communities”-Rabbi David Saperstein, the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, says an ancient Christian community has been wiped out in parts of Iraq controlled by the Islamic State group. (14 Oct 2015) < 199-a-11-(Rabbi David Saperstein (SAP’-ur-steen), U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, at news conference)-“their religious beliefs”-Rabbi David Saperstein, the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, says religious persecution has worsened in the last few years. (14 Oct 2015) < 198-a-08-(Secretary of State John Kerry, at news conference)-“finger at God”-Secretary of State John Kerry says groups like the Islamic State and Boko Haram claim a divine right to enslave or kill religious minorities. (14 Oct 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY Judge orders governor to address altered marriage licenses LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) β A federal judge has ordered Kentucky’s Democratic governor to weigh in on whether altered marriage licenses issued by Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis’ office are valid. Davis opposes same-sex marriage for religious reasons. She spent five days in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of a federal court order. When she got out of jail, she changed the licenses to remove her name and to say they were issued under the authority of a federal judge. The American Civil Liberties Union questioned the validity of the licenses and asked Bunning to order Davis to reissue them. Terry Sebastian, spokesman for Gov. Steve Beshear, said yesterday that the state has recognized the licenses as valid. Sebastian said Beshear will file a response and abide by the court’s decision. CHURCH KILLING Police: Brothers were beaten in church to make them confess sins NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (AP) β Police in New Hartford, New York, say two teenage brothers were brutally beaten in church β one of them fatally β in an effort by their parents, sister and other members of the congregation to force them to confess their sins and seek forgiveness. Police Chief Michael Inserra says 19-year-old Lucas Leonard and his 17-year-old brother, Christopher, were pounded with fists Sunday at the Word of Life Church when a “counseling session” meant to explore their spiritual state turned violent. Authorities say they were beaten in the abdomen, genitals, back and thighs. Lucas died and his brother was hospitalized in serious condition. Six church members, including the brothers’ parents and sister, have been arrested. The parents, Bruce and Deborah Leonard, were charged with manslaughter in Lucas’ death. Four other adults were charged with assault in the younger brother’s beating, including the victims’ sister. All have pleaded not guilty. 290-a-14-(James Constantine, neighbor who knew 19-year-old Lucas Leonard who was fatally beaten in church)-“is too bad”-James Constantine, a neighbor who knew the teen who was fatally beaten, says he’s sorry the 19-year-old victim wasn’t able to get away from his family and the church. (14 Oct 2015) < 291-a-18-(James Constantine, neighbor who knew 19-year-old Lucas Leonard who was fatally beaten in church)-“the street again”-James Constantine, a neighbor who knew the teen who was fatally beaten, says he hopes the parents and church members responsible for his death are punished. ((note length of cut)) (14 Oct 2015) < 287-a-07-(James Constantine, neighbor who knew 19-year-old Lucas Leonard who was fatally beaten in church)-“at home, right?”-James Constantine, a neighbor who knew the teen who was fatally beaten during a church counseling session, says the parents and fellow church members should be locked up for the alleged violence. (14 Oct 2015) < 288-a-16-(James Constantine, neighbor who knew 19-year-old Lucas Leonard who was fatally beaten in church)-“it’s a tragedy”-James Constantine, a neighbor, says the family and the children are very nice, and the 19-year-old who died was recently pet-sitting for him. (14 Oct 2015) < 213-w-36-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Police Chief Michael Inserra, New Hartford Police Department)–Officials say two teenage brothers were brutally beaten in church, one of them fatally, in an effort by their family and other church members to get them to atone for their sins. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (14 Oct 2015) < 215-a-11-(Police Chief Michael Inserra (ihn-SEHR’-uh), New Hartford Police Department, at news conference)-“ask for forgiveness”-New Hartford Police Chief Michael Inserra says the beatings were part of what members considered a “counseling session.” COURTESY: WKTV ((mandatory on-air credit))((note audio quality; cut used in wrap)) (14 Oct 2015) < Sound: (3:06 a.m. audio feed) MEGACHURCH-LAWSUIT Ohio megachurch, insurer at odds over lawsuit settlement COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) β Lawyers for a central Ohio megachurch and its former insurance company are squaring off in the Ohio Supreme Court over payment of a $3.1 million settlement in a lawsuit over the alleged beating of a toddler at the church. The Columbus Dispatch reports that the issue is whether the insurer must pay $1 million of the judgment in a church daycare employee’s alleged beating of a 2-year-old boy. Grange Mutual Casualty Co. argues that it’s not responsible for paying the money under a clause in its policy with World Harvest Church that excludes coverage for acts of abuse or molestation. The company is fighting an appeals court ruling that found the insurer was liable to help pay the judgment awarded to the parents of the child. VATICAN-FAMILIES Pope begs forgiveness for ‘scandals’ hitting Rome, Vatican VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis is asking forgiveness for recent scandals that have hit Rome and the Vatican. The pope didn’t cite specific examples in his off-the-cuff request for pardon at the start of yesterday’s general audience, but the past week has seen its share of problems. On the eve of Francis’ big meeting on the family, a Vatican monsignor came out as gay. Then Rome’s mayor resigned amid scandal and criticism by the church. And recently, a leaked letter revealed grave concerns by a dozen cardinals about the way Francis’ synod was being run. Francis said: “I want in the name of the church to ask forgiveness for the scandals which recently have hit Rome and the Vatican. I ask forgiveness.” The pope added, “Jesus is a realist, and he says that it is inevitable that scandals happen, but woe to the man who causes such scandals.” CATHOLIC HOSPITAL-STERILIZATION ACLU files complaint after hospital denies sterilization GRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP) β The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a formal complaint against a Catholic hospital in Michigan that won’t allow a doctor to perform sterilization surgery on a woman who has brain tumors. The Detroit News and The Flint Journal report that the complaint was made to Michigan’s Licensing and Regulatory Affairs office. It says Genesys hospital in Grand Blanc won’t allow Jessica Mann’s doctor to give her a tubal ligation when she gives birth through a scheduled Oct. 24 cesarean section. Mann, who is 33, wants to prevent future pregnancies due to health risks. A spokesman for Genesys’ parent company, Ascension Health, told The Associated Press last month that the company follows the “ethical and religious directives” of the Catholic Church. CHURCH CLOSING DISPUTE Parishioners evicted from closed church after 11-year vigil BOSTON (AP) β Parishioners of a long-closed Roman Catholic church south of Boston have lost their appeal of a ruling that orders them to end their 11-year, around-the-clock vigil inside the building. The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed a judge’s ruling yesterday that parishioners at St. Frances X. Cabrini Church in Scituate (SIH’-choo-eht) are trespassing on property owned by the Archdiocese of Boston. The archdiocese shuttered the church in 2004 as part of a reorganization effort, and the parishioners have occupied it since. In March, the archdiocese sued to evict them. In its ruling, the appeals court acknowledged the parishioners’ “heartfelt beliefs” that they are entitled to remain in the church “as an exercise of their freedom of religion.” But the court agreed with the lower court’s conclusion that they are trespassing. Members of a nonprofit organization set up to save the parish said they plan to review legal options with their attorney. BISHOP ON THE RUN Bishop finishes 21st marathon, raises money for legal help SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) β The head of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, is a bishop on the run. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki completed his 21st marathon in 21 years on Sunday. He finished the 26.2-mile Springfield Marathon in just under 4 hours and 50 minutes. Paprocki asked supporters to donate “money for justice.” More than $10,000 was collected for the Lex Cordis Endowment Fund. It helps Catholic Charities Legal Services of Springfield assist low-income parishioners obtain pro bono legal services. Local attorneys volunteer their services to the clients. Paprocki got the program started. He says everyone deserves competent legal representation regardless of ability to pay. Another $10,000 was raised for the Chicago Legal Clinic endowment fund, which Paprocki helped establish. It has helped hundreds get legal help with problems from domestic violence to immigration status. POLYGAMOUS TOWN-BIRTH DECLINE Birth rate declines sharply in polygamous town SALT LAKE CITY (AP) β The number of babies born in a polygamous town on the Utah-Arizona border sharply declined from 2009 to 2013 β a time period when jailed church leader Warren Jeffs ordered a halt to all marriages and sexual relations between those already married. Health department records show only 42 babies were born in the sister cities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona in 2013 β down 11-fold from the 467 births in 2009. The majority of residents belong to a sect known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS, that practices polygamy under the belief that it brings exaltation in heaven. That teaching is part of the legacy of the early Mormon church, but the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abandoned the practice in 1890 and strictly prohibits it today. The ban on sexual relations came in late 2011 after Jeffs was sentenced to life in a Texas prison for sexually assaulting underage girls he considered wives. SAUDI-HAJJ New tally shows at least 1,621 killed in Saudi hajj tragedy DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) β A new tally shows at least 1,621 pilgrims were killed in last month’s crush and stampede during the hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press count yesterday is based on totals provided by officials and state media in 19 of the over 180 countries that sent pilgrims. The AP count is more than double Saudi Arabia’s official tally of 769 killed and 934 injured in the Sept. 24 disaster in Mina (MEE’-nah), a few miles from the holy city of Mecca. Saudi officials previously have said their tally remains accurate, although an investigation into the causes of the tragedy is ongoing. They have not updated their casualty toll since Sept. 26. The previous deadliest-ever incident at the hajj happened in 1990, when a stampede killed 1,426 people. INDIA-LITERARY UPROAR 41 writers return Indian award, cite climate of intolerance NEW DELHI (AP) β Many in India’s literary community are disgusted. Dozens of writers say every day brings more evidence of intolerance and bigotry going mainstream β a man lynched allegedly for eating beef, an atheist critic of Hindu idol worship gunned down β all met by a deafening silence from the government. As of yesterday, 41 novelists, essayists, playwrights and poets had returned the awards they received from India’s prestigious literary academy to protest what they call a growing climate of intolerance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The government has dismissed the writers’ protests, questioning their motives and accusing them of being politically motivated. When Modi won a landslide victory in 2014, many voiced fears of right-wing Hindu nationalism leading to communal violence and religious intolerance. Modi, who spent years dodging allegations of failing to stop riots in Gujarat state in which around 1,000 Muslims died, assured the nation that he was prime minister for all and would work for everyone.
