POPE
Pope presses message to Cuba: Be willing to change
HOLGUIN, Cuba (AP) β On his last full day in Cuba, Pope Francis has encouraged Cubans to heed Jesus Christ’s invitation to overcome resistance to change.
The message comes as the communist country negotiates normalization of ties with its longtime foe, the United States, and undertakes modest free-market reforms.
At an outdoor Mass with an estimated 150,000 worshippers in Cuba’s fourth-largest city, Holguin, Francis cited biblical examples and asked the crowd, “Do you believe it is possible that a traitor can become a friend?”
Francis will conclude his Cuban visit in the eastern city of Santiago before flying Tuesday to Washington, the first stop on his three-city U.S. tour.
Sound:
245-v-31-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–On his last full day in Cuba, Pope Francis has encouraged Cubans to heed Jesus Christ’s invitation to overcome resistance to change. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. ((opens with sound)) (21 Sep 2015)
< 246-r-04-(Pope Francis, with children’s choir at site where he blessed the city)–Sound of Pope Francis, at a site where he blessed the city of Holguin, Cuba, telling a children’s choir that they sing very well. (21 Sep 2015) < 247-r-32-(Childrens choir singing, at site where Pope blesses the city.)–Sound of childrens choir singing at site where Pope blesses the city of Holguin (ohl-GEEN’), Cuba. (21 Sep 2015) < POPE-GAY TEACHER FIRED Fired gay teacher invited to White House to welcome pope PHILADELPHIA (AP) β A Roman Catholic teacher fired over her same-sex marriage says she has been invited to the White House to help welcome Pope Francis. Margie Winters said Monday she hopes the pontiff will address issues facing gay Catholics during his visit to the U.S. this week. The 50-year-old Winters says she lost her job this year at a private Catholic grade school outside Philadelphia over her 2007 same-sex marriage. Thousands of people from diverse social and religious backgrounds are expected to attend the welcoming ceremony Wednesday on the South Lawn. Winters says if she gets a chance to speak to the pope, she’ll ask him to extend his message of inclusion to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics. She says her invitation came through the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT advocacy group. Sound: 287-v-29-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–A Roman Catholic teacher fired over her same-sex marriage says she has been invited to the White House to help welcome Pope Francis. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (21 Sep 2015) < 038-a-11-(Charlie Kupchan (KUP’-chihn), senior director for European Affairs, National Security Council, in conference call with reporters)-“or have differences”-Obama adviser Charlie Kupchin says the president knows the pope disagrees with him on issues like abortion and gay marriage. (21 Sep 2015) < POPE-CONGRESS Catholic lawmakers thrilled by upcoming visit of Francis WASHINGTON (AP) β House Speaker John Boehner has been trying for 20 years to get a pope to come talk to Congress. Now it’s finally happening. And House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says it’s “thrilling beyond words.” This week’s historic address by Pope Francis to a joint meeting of Congress has lawmakers of all political affiliations and religious backgrounds buzzing. For the many Catholic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, it’s an occasion of special significance, even as they brace for the unconventional pontiff to make both parties squirm with his focus on hot-button political and social issues. Many lawmakers hope the leader of the globe’s 1.2 billion Catholics will provoke members of Congress to pause, reflect and refrain, if only temporarily, from partisan struggles and political bickering. Sound: 264-a-08-(Stephen Schneck, director of Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies, in AP interview)-“to do so”-Stephen Schneck, director of Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies, says Democrats should not assume that Pope Francis will be their ally. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (21 Sep 2015) < 263-w-28-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Stephen Schneck, director of Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies)–A Catholic University scholar says Pope Francis may prod the consciences of both Democrats and Republicans in Washington this week. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (21 Sep 2015) < 266-a-09-(U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in AP interview)-“the most vulnerable”-Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro says she doesn’t share the pope’s opposition to abortion. (21 Sep 2015) < 265-a-14-(Stephen Schneck, director of Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies, in AP interview)-“pope as well”-Stephen Schneck, director of Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies, says Pope Francis holds some views that Democrats endorse. ((cut used in wrap)) (21 Sep 2015) < 267-a-10-(U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., in AP interview)-“a trash heap”-Republican Congressman Andy Harris says the pope’s environmental views have been exaggerated. (21 Sep 2015) < NYC PAPAL VISIT NYC mayor warns of traffic, delays during papal visit NEW YORK (AP) β Mayor Bill de Blasio is warning New Yorkers that Pope Francis’ visit will snarl traffic and cause travel delays β and he did not rule out brief closures of parts of the subway system. The mayor said Monday that the U.S. Secret Service and the New York Police Department will make decisions on any closures. The pope is slated to celebrate Mass Friday night in Madison Square Garden. The arena sits above Pennsylvania Station, which houses Amtrak, two commuter rail lines and several subway lines. De Blasio did not reveal what gift the city will present to Pope Francis, but noted that the pope largely eschews glitzy material objects. He also presented tickets to see the pope in Central Park to students from three Staten Island Catholic schools. Sound: 220-a-15-(Mayor Bill de Blasio (BLAH’-zee-oh), D-N.Y.C., at news conference)-“with Christian teachings”-New York Mayor Bill de Blasio says Pope Francis’s statements on economic justice are religious, not political. (21 Sep 2015) < 221-a-08-(Mayor Bill de Blasio (BLAH’-zee-oh), D-N.Y.C., at news conference)-“of his religion”-New York Mayor Bill de Blasio says Pope Francis’s message about economic fairness and welcoming immigrants come from the Sermon on the Mount. (21 Sep 2015) < UNITED NATIONS-HOLY SEE-FLAG Vatican flag to be raised at UN just before pope arrives UNITED NATIONS (AP) β The Holy See says the Vatican flag will be raised for the first time at the United Nations just before Pope Francis arrives on Friday morning β without any ceremony. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Holy See’s U.N. ambassador, told a news conference Monday that the Vatican changed its decision not to have the flag fly for the pope’s first visit to the United Nations at the recommendation of the U.N. Secretariat. The Palestinians successfully campaigned for a General Assembly resolution allowing U.N. observer states to fly their flags alongside those of the 193 U.N. member states. The Holy See and Palestine and are only two U.N. observer states. Auza said the Holy See “has not been very keen” about the Palestinians’ campaign because it breaks a 70-year-old U.N. tradition. GOP 2016-WALKER Wisconsin’s Walker exits ’16 race after Sunday sermon MADISON, Wis. (AP) β Scott Walker is the second Republican governor this month to cite God’s guidance in his decision to drop out of the 2016 presidential race. Just over two weeks ago, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said that when he gave his life to Christ, he submitted to God’s will. Perry said that while God’s will remains a mystery, it was clearly time for him to end his campaign. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said his revelation came Sunday at church, when the pastor preached about biblical characters who were called to lead in unusual ways. Walker said he now believes that he’s “being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive conservative message can rise to the top of the field.” He suggested other candidates might have a similar calling so that conservatives can unite behind someone who can defeat GOP front-runner Donald Trump. Sound: 305-a-14-(Fred Mohs, supporter who donated to Scott Walker’s presidential campaign, in AP interview)-“that’s his nature”-Scott Walker supporter Fred Mohs says Walker’s presidential campaign never found its stride. (21 Sep 2015) < 309-r-05-(Sound of anti-Scott Walker protesters, singing outside hotel where Walker announced the suspension of his presidential campaign)–Sound of anti-Scott Walker protesters singing outside hotel where Walker announced the suspension of his presidential campaign. (21 Sep 2015) < 306-a-06-(Fred Mohs, supporter who donated to Scott Walker’s presidential campaign, in AP interview)-“out of money”-Scott Walker supporter Fred Mohs says two factors led to the demise of Walker’s presidential campaign. (21 Sep 2015) < 307-a-17-(Jonathan Rosenblum, anti-Walker Wisconsinite, in AP interview)-“for the nation”-Scott Walker opponent Jonathan Rosenblum says he’s glad Walker has dropped his presidential bid. ((note length of cut)) Updated: 09/21/2015-09:44:13 PM ET (21 Sep 2015) < 308-a-07-(Patricia Hammel, anti-Walker Wisconsinite, in AP interview)-“his presidential campaign”-Scott Walker opponent Patricia Hammel says she happily joined others who gathered outside the hotel where Walker announced the suspension of his presidential campaign. Updated: 09/21/2015-09:44:13 PM ET (21 Sep 2015) < 293-w-36-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis.)–Scott Walker is the second Republican governor this month to cite God’s guidance in his decision to drop out of the 2016 presidential race. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (21 Sep 2015) < 295-a-08-(Governor Scott Walker, R-Wis., at news conference)-“more than enough”-Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says he’s thankful for his family and supporters. (21 Sep 2015) < 294-a-09-(Governor Scott Walker, R-Wis., at news conference)-“in unusual ways”-Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says he decided to end his presidential campaign after attending church on Sunday. (21 Sep 2015) < 291-a-16-(Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., in statement)-“of our party”-Governor Scott Walker says the GOP campaign has drifted into pesonal attacks instead of discussing how to improve the country. (21 Sep 2015) < 292-a-11-(Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., in statement)-“into personal attacks”-Governor Scott Walker says the focus of the GOP campaign debate has gotten off-track. (21 Sep 2015) < GOP 2016-CARSON White House says voters should consider offensive statements from GOP candidates WASHINGTON (AP) β The White House says Ben Carson isn’t the only Republican presidential candidate to make offensive statements in pursuit of political support, and voters will surely take those views into account. Carson said over the weekend that he believes Islam is inconsistent with the Constitution, and he said, “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.” White House spokesman Josh Earnest says it’s “disappointing” that there hasn’t been a “significant outcry from all of the other candidates in the Republican race.” He says it’s because “they’re chasing for the same votes.” Carson’s comments on NBC’s “Meet the Press” brought a quick response from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which noted that the Constitution bars any religious test for those seeking public office. A spokesman for the group said, “You cannot hold these kinds of views and at the same time say you will represent all Americans, of all faiths and backgrounds.” Sound: 209-a-12-(Nihad Awad, national executive director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, at news conference)-“United States Constitution”-Council On American-Islamic Relations National Executive Director Nihad Awad says Ben Carson’s comments about the Islamic faith should preclude him from running for president. (21 Sep 2015) < 210-a-20-(Imam Mahdi Bray, national director, American Muslim Alliance, at news conference)-“and un-American views”-American Muslim Alliance National Director Imam Mahdi Bray says Carson’s words doom his campaign. ((note length)) (21 Sep 2015) < 211-a-10-(The Reverend Grayson Hagler, senior minister, Plymouth United Church of Christ, at news conference)-“leave the race (second reference)”-Plymouth United Church Of Christ Senior Minister Reverend Grayson Hagler says Ben Carson’s anti-Islamic comments are inexcusable. (21 Sep 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY Gay couples question Kentucky marriage licenses issued by clerk cited for contempt FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) β Gay couples in Kentucky are questioning the altered marriage licenses issued by a county clerk and are asking a federal judge to order her office to reissue them or put the office in receivership and have someone else do it. Rowan (ROW’-uhn) County Clerk Kim Davis spent five days in jail for contempt of court for refusing to issue licenses. She cites her religious views. Meanwhile, four of the six people who work for Davis have told a federal judge that no eligible couples have been denied marriage licenses. One man who wanted to marry Jesus was denied because “both parties were not present.” ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS Israel: No young Muslim men at holy site during Yom Kippur JERUSALEM (AP) β Israel says it will reinstate a rule banning Muslim men under age 40 from a mosque at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site as a measure to ensure calm during an upcoming Jewish holiday. The hilltop compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount and known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary has been a flashpoint for violence in recent days. Police said security will be beefed up and Muslim men under age 40 will be banned from the compound’s Al-Aqsa mosque for the 25-hour Yom Kippur fast starting at sundown Tuesday. It coincides with the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The ban has been put in place intermittently after protests where mostly younger Palestinians throwing rocks clashed with police at the compound and elsewhere. ISRAEL-ARCHAEOLOGY Israeli archaeologists may have found fabled Maccabees tomb BEN SHEMEN FOREST, Israel (AP) β Israeli archaeologists may be one step closer to solving a riddle that has vexed explorers for more than a century: the location of the fabled tomb of the biblical Maccabees. Israel’s government Antiquities Authority said Monday that an ancient structure it began excavating this month on the side of a highway appears to match ancient descriptions of the tomb of Jewish rebels who wrested control of Judea from Seleucid rule and established a Jewish kingdom in the 2nd century B.C. Scholars in Israel’s quarrelsome archaeological community tend to agree that the site, in an Israeli forest west of Jerusalem and a short walk from the West Bank, is a significant burial site but reserve judgment about its connection to the Maccabees. Now the Antiquities Authority, which sometimes relies on private funding to help finance digs, is soliciting donations so it can keep searching for evidence. The Maccabees are considered heroes in both Judaism and Christianity. The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah commemorates Mattathias and his five sons who revolted against Hellenic rulers who banned Jewish practices, and rededicated the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The books of the Maccabees are included in Roman Catholic Bibles. ISLAMIC STATE-DEFECTORS Study: Defectors call Islamic State brutal, corrupt BRUSSELS (AP) β A survey of defectors from the Islamic State group has found that many quit the organization because they decided it was too brutal or corrupt, or because it made war too frequently against other Sunni Muslims. The survey, issued Monday by a London-based think tank, relied on the public statements of 58 people known to have left IS since last year. Peter Neumann, the report’s author, said its findings shatter the image of unity and determination that IS seeks to portray. The survey found common narratives among defectors, including disappointment that life under IS is so harsh, that the group is corrupt and un-Islamic, and that it commits atrocities against other Sunni Muslims. Neumann said the defectors’ statements, if given wide circulation, could deter future recruits from joining Islamic State.
