PRAYER BREAKFAST
Prayer breakfast features prayers for peace
WASHINGTON (AP) — The absence of Jordan’s King Abdullah was noted at the National Prayer Breakfast, where he had planned to read Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., noted that the king had returned home after the killing of a Jordanian pilot by the Islamic State group.
One of the prayers was delivered by missionary Dr. Kent Brantly, who has recovered from the Ebola he contracted in Liberia. Brantly prayed that amid violence and oppression, God would “be present to those who are killing, and to those who are being killed.”
The breakfast’s keynote speaker, racecar driver Darrell Waltrip, recalled how his wife got him and the late Dale Earnhardt, a bitter rival, to pray together.
In the benediction, former Ambassador Andrew Young said “only the spirit of Jesus” can bring enemies together.
Sound:
200-w-35-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with racecar driver Darrell Waltrip)–The keynote speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast has zinged President Barack Obama and a past speaker who might run for president. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (5 Feb 2015)
< 174-a-19-(Darrell Waltrip, racecar driver and keynot speaker, at National Prayer Breakfast)-“you love him (laughter fades)”-Racecar driver Darrell Waltrip says his wife helped heal the bitter rivalry between him and the late Dale Earnhardt. (5 Feb 2015) < 172-a-06-(Dr. Kent Brantly, Samaritan’s Purse missionary healed from Ebola, at National Prayer Breakfast)-“are being killed”-Samaritan’s Purse Dr. Kent Brantly asks God to intervene against violence. ((cut used in wrap)) (5 Feb 2015) < 173-a-10-(Darrell Waltrip, racecar driver and keynot speaker, at National Prayer Breakfast)-“go to hell”-Racecar driver Darrell Waltrip says Jesus changed his life. (5 Feb 2015) < 171-a-13-(Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., at National Prayer Breakfast)-“return to Jordan”-Senator Roger Wicker says Jordan’s King Abdullah had planned to read Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan at the breakfast. (5 Feb 2015) < 170-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Samaritan’s Purse Dr. Kent Brantly, Racecar driver Darrell Waltrip, and former Ambassador Andrew Young)–The absence of Jordan’s King Abdullah was noted at the National Prayer Breakfast, where he had planned to read Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (5 Feb 2015) < OBAMA-PRAYER BREAKFAST Obama condemns those who seek to ‘highjack religion’ WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is condemning those who seek to “highjack religion for their own murderous ends.” At Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, the president called on people of faith to push back on those who seek to distort religion. Obama also pledged that the U.S. would continue pressing Iran to release the Rev. Saeed Abedini, and said he had received a letter from the jailed American pastor. The president said Abedini thanked him for meeting with his wife last month in Idaho and referred to himself as a “prisoner for Christ.” Among those attending the breakfast was the Dalai Lama. Obama said the Tibetan Buddhist leader serves as a “powerful example of what it means to practice compassion.” The president’s meetings with the Dalai Lama have been criticized by China, which sees the Dalai Lama as a separatist because of his quest for greater Tibetan autonomy. Sound: 199-a-14-(Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, at news conference)-“the president’s view”-White House press secretary Josh Earnest says President Obama admires and respects the Dalai Lama, though the White House knows China objected to their both being at the prayer breakfast this morning. (5 Feb 2015) < 168-a-12-(President Barack Obama, speaking at National Prayer Breakfast)-“around the world”-President Obama says he’s received a letter from Abedini expressing gratitude for administration efforts to win his freedom. ((Longer version of cut in wrap)) ((Abedini is pronounced ah-buh-DEE’-nee)) (5 Feb 2015) < 167-a-08-(President Barack Obama, speaking at National Prayer Breakfast)-“of their faith”-President Obama says America will continue to press for the release of Christian Pastor Saeed Abedini, who’s serving an eight-year jail sentence in Iran. ((Abedini is pronounced ah-buh-DEE’-nee)) (5 Feb 2015) < 169-r-34-(Sound of demonstrators outside National Prayer Breakfast, protesting the presence of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist leader, who they accuse of using his influence to curb religious freedom)–Sound of demonstrators outside National Prayer Breakfast, protesting the presence of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist leader whom they accuse of using his influence to curb religious freedom. (5 Feb 2015) < 166-w-36-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–President Obama says the administration’s doing everything it can to win the release of an American cleric jailed in Iran. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. (5 Feb 2015) < 151-w-37-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–President Obama is denouncing those he says “hijack religion” for their own ends — as well as governments that try to suppress faith. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. (5 Feb 2015) < 152-a-15-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast)-“are betraying it”-President Obama says the world must stand up to those who, in his words, “hijack religion for their own murderous ends.” (5 Feb 2015) < 153-a-15-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast)-“us to try”-President Obama says religious intolerance is an age-old problem, but it’s spreading in the modern world. (5 Feb 2015) < 155-a-10-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast)-“acts of barbarism”-President Obama says Islamic State militants have twisted and distorted Islam. (5 Feb 2015) < 154-a-11-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast)-“fewer in number”-President Obama says heinous acts of terror reflect a willingness to pervert religion — but autocratic governments are also trying to suppress it. (5 Feb 2015) < 156-a-10-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast)-“all human beings”-President Obama says he’s pleased that the Dalai Lama was invited to this year’s prayer breakfast. (5 Feb 2015) < INDIA-CHURCH ATTACKS Indian police detain hundreds protesting attacks on churches NEW DELHI (AP) — Police in India’s capital have detained hundreds of Christian protesters who were preparing to march to the home minister’s residence to demand that the government investigate recent attacks against churches. The protest came after a mysterious fire gutted a church in New Delhi and several other churches were vandalized over the past two months. The protesters blame the attacks on Hindu hardliners. Carrying placards that read “Enough is enough, what are police doing?” the protesters assembled outside the city’s main Sacred Heart Cathedral, where they were dragged into buses and taken to a police station. Several priests and nuns were among those detained. Police said the protesters were detained because demonstrations are banned in the neighborhood where India’s Home Minister lives. Church leaders have expressed disappointment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not spoken out against the attacks. POPE-CONGRESS Boehner: Pope Francis to address Congress on Sept. 24 WASHINGTON (AP) — Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress on Sept. 24. He’ll be the first Pontiff to do so. House Speaker John Boehner made the announcement at a news conference and issued a statement expressing gratitude that the pope had accepted his invitation to appear before a joint meeting of the House and Senate. The pope is scheduled to make his first papal visit to the United States this fall, with other stops in New York and Philadelphia. Sound: 183-c-19-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent)-“New York City”-AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports House Speaker John Boehner says the Pope has accepted his invitation to speak to Congress. (5 Feb 2015) < 184-a-13-(House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, with reporters)-“the American people”-House Speaker John Boehner says the Pope will address Congress when he visits the U.S. later this year. ((longer version of cut in wrap)) (5 Feb 2015) < 182-w-26-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent, with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio)–Pope Francis is scheduled to address Congress in September. AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports. (5 Feb 2015) < VATICAN-LUDDITE POPE Pope’s confession: I don’t know how to work a computer VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has made a confession of sorts, telling a 16-year-old girl that he doesn’t have a clue about how to work a computer. The 78-year-old Francis made the confession Thursday during a Google Hangout with several disabled kids from around the world. Francis responded to them from a Vatican audience hall during a conference of his Scholas initiative, which seeks to bring young people together via sports, art and technology. The children involved showed Francis how they make use of technology, including braille keypads, tablets and video cameras. Alicia, from Spain, asked Francis if he liked taking photos with his computer. Francis replied: “Do you want me to tell you the truth? I’m a disaster with machines. I don’t know how to work a computer. What a shame!” VATICAN-SEX ABUSE Pope urges bishops to cooperate with sex abuse commission VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is urging bishops and religious superiors to cooperate with his sex abuse commission, seeking to give the committee a boost as it meets for the first time Friday with its full membership. In a letter released Thursday, Francis said the commission is an important new way to encourage the church’s commitment to taking “whatever steps are necessary” to ensure children are protected. He wrote: “Priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors.” The commission has been slow getting off the ground: Announced in December 2013, it saw its final members added in December 2014. AP POLL-GAY MARRIAGE AP-GfK Poll: Support of gay marriage comes with caveats SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A new poll finds Americans are slightly more likely to support than oppose gay marriage, but most favor allowing businesses to refuse wedding-related services to same sex couples for religious reasons. The Associated Press-GfK poll finds that 44 percent of Americans favor and 39 percent oppose same-sex marriage in their own states, but 57 percent say business owners with religious objections should be allowed to refuse service to couples planning gay weddings. Half of those polled also think local officials with religious objections should be exempt from issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. A quarter of those who favor legal same-sex marriage also favor religious exemptions for those who issue marriage licenses, and a third of gay marriage supporters say wedding-related businesses should be allowed to refuse service. Sound: 119-v-35-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–A new poll finds Americans are slightly more likely to support than oppose gay marriage, but most favor allowing businesses to refuse wedding-related services to same-sex couples for religious reasons. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (5 Feb 2015) < GAYS AND GOD Day of faith at the National LGBTQ Task Force conference DENVER (AP) — Debates over issues like gay marriage often seem to pit demands for change against the defense of faith. But activists gathered this week in Denver for the annual meeting of the National LGBTQ Task Force say it’s possible to support both. Darlene Nipper, who is deputy executive director of the task force and an interfaith minister, says faith is a special focus during the five-day conference. She says at a time when religious belief is cited as a reason to discriminate against those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, she wants to show that they can be people of faith, too. The conference agenda includes Shabbat and interfaith services, and presentations by activists like Matthew Vines, who has written about being a gay evangelical Christian. CHAIR LIFT-EXEMPTION Lawmaker wants church’s chair lift exempt from inspections GREENFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri lawmaker says forcing a tiny church to have its chair lift inspected every year is a “true example of government stupidity” and has asked that it be exempted from mandatory inspections. Greenfield Church of Christ leader Don Adams told a House committee this week that the chair lift installed in 2012 has been inspected twice by the state, at a cost of more than $450 each time. The Joplin Globe reports that Republican Rep. Mike Kelley offered legislation to exempt the Greenfield church from the inspections, saying if something was wrong with the lift, the church would fix it. The Missouri Department of Public Safety says state law clearly says that no elevator or related equipment can operate without a state operating permit. MORMON EXCOMMUNICATION Vigil planned for Mormon podcaster facing excommunication SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Supporters of a Mormon podcaster facing excommunication are planning to hold a vigil outside his disciplinary hearing. John Dehlin said in a statement Tuesday that his supporters plan to gather in North Logan, Utah, before the hearing scheduled for Sunday evening. Dehlin runs the podcast Mormon Stories and a website under the same name that provides a forum for church members questioning their faith. Dehlin says he’s been told that the website and his support for same-sex marriage are the reasons he’s being accused of apostasy. Church officials have declined to comment on his case. Dehlin says it isn’t clear whether the council will reach a verdict Sunday. BRITAIN-ANTI-SEMITISM UK anti-Semitic incidents hit record in 2014, says charity LONDON (AP) — A British charity says the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain hit a record high last year, with reactions to the conflict in Israel and Gaza last summer the biggest factor accounting for the jump. The Community Security Trust said it recorded 1,168 incidents across the country in 2014 — more than double the 535 cases documented in 2013, and the highest yearly total since the group began monitoring anti-Semitism in Britain in 1984. Mark Gardner, a spokesman for the charity, said last month that it received an unprecedented number of calls from Jewish people fearing a Paris-style terror attack in Britain. Concerns about anti-Semitism in Europe have risen after a kosher supermarket was targeted in France’s deadliest attacks in decades. Four Jewish people were among the 17 people killed last month by the three gunmen, who also died. Sound: 163-c-20-(Kyle McKinnon, correspondent)-“of the abuse”-Correspondent Kyle McKinnon reports the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain in 2014 doubled from the previous year, according to a charity there. (5 Feb 2015) < 162-v-32-(Kyle McKinnon, correspondent)–The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain hit a record high last year, according to Jewish security groups. Correspondent Kyle McKinnon reports. (5 Feb 2015) < UNITED NATIONS-ISLAMIC STATE-CHILDREN UN: Islamic State torturing, killing children in Iraq BERLIN (AP) — The United Nations says the Islamic State group is systematically killing, torturing and raping children and families of minority groups in Iraq, and it is calling on government forces there to do more to protect them. In a report issued Wednesday in Geneva, the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child said it has received reports of “several cases of mass executions of boys, as well as reports of beheadings, crucifixions of children and burying children alive.” Iraq’s military has been struggling in its fight against Islamic State, and the government has pleaded repeatedly for more weapons and training. Still, the U.N. agency urged that more be done, saying Iraq needs to “take all necessary actions to ensure the safety and protection of children and their families.” Sound: 181-c-20-(Rita Foley, AP correspondent)-“protect the children”-AP correspondent Rita Foley reports on horrors that the U.N. says militants are committing against minority children in Iraq. ((note nature)) (5 Feb 2015) < 180-v-32-(Rita Foley, AP correspondent)–The Islamic State group has been widely reviled for cruelty. Now it’s accused of crucifying children. AP correspondent Rita Foley reports. ((note nature)) (5 Feb 2015) < CAMEROON-NIGERIA Nigerian extremists kill dozens of civilians in Cameroon YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Boko Haram fighters have shot or burned to death nearly 100 civilians and wounded 500 in ongoing fighting in a Cameroonian border town near Nigeria, according to officials in Cameroon. Some 800 Islamic extremists attacking the town of Fotokol have “burned churches, mosques and villages and slaughtered youth who resisted joining them to fight Cameroonian forces,” Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakari said Thursday. He said the insurgents also looted livestock and food in the fighting that began Wednesday and continued Thursday. FRANCE-BOKO HARAM France backs key African states uniting against Boko Haram PARIS (AP) — President Francois Hollande (frahn-SWAH’ oh-LAWND’) says France is providing support in logistics, operations and weaponry for African countries uniting to battle Boko Haram. He stopped short of saying whether France was involved in military action itself. The French leader told a Paris news conference that France supported African forces fighting the “terrorist sect” behind “horrible massacres” — including in Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria, the radical group’s base. He also issued a stern call Thursday to other world powers: “France can’t resolve all the conflicts in the world.” France is battling Islamic radicals in Mali, trying to quell sectarian violence in Central African Republic and is involved in the U.S.-led air campaign fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq.
