GRAMMYS-CHRISTIAN AWARDS
Christian duo wins two Grammy Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Christian music duo For King & Country has received one Grammy Award and is sharing a second Grammy with Christian singer Lecrae.
For King & Country singers Joel and Luke Smallbone are the younger brothers of Christian singer Rebecca St. James.
The brothers’ album “Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong” took the Grammy for best contemporary Christian album, and they share a second Grammy with LeCrae for “Messengers,” which was named the best contemporary Christian music performance/song of the year.
Lecrae told the audience, “I want to celebrate Jesus for gifting us all.”
“Help” by Erica Campbell won the Grammy Award for best gospel album, and Smokie Norful received a Grammy for “No Greater Love,” which was named the year’s best gospel performance/song. Mike Farris’s “Shine for All the People” won the Grammy Award for best roots gospel album.
Sound:
281-a-09-(Lecrae, Christian, singer, at Grammy Awards Premiere ceremony)-“gifting us all”-Christian singer Lecrae says musical talent is God’s gift. ((cut used in wrap)) (8 Feb 2015)
< 282-a-07-(Smokie Norful, Christian singer, at Grammy Awards Premiere ceremony)-“having preacher withdrawals”-Christian singer Smokie Norful says the Grammy Awards ceremony wasn’t the Sunday podium he’s accustomed to. (8 Feb 2015) < 280-w-38-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Lecrae, Christian singer)–The Christian music duo For King and Country has received one Grammy Award and is sharing a second Grammy with Christian singer Lecrae. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (8 Feb 2015) < 283-a-06-(Smokie Norful, Christian, singer, at Grammy Awards Premiere ceremony)-“feel better already”-Christian singer Smokie Norful says that as a pastor he’s normally on the pulpit on Sunday. (8 Feb 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-PROBATE Pike County probate judge refuses to issue marriage licenses MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A probate judge in Alabama has stopped issuing marriage licenses because he has religious objections to gay unions. WSFA-TV reports that Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen said he won’t issue any marriage licenses or perform any weddings if same-sex marriage is legal in Alabama. Allen said state law allows probate judges to issue marriage licenses, but does not force them to do so. He said, “I believe that the Alabama Constitution and federal law protect my right to both live my life as a Christian and perform my elected duties.” Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has advised probate judges that the federal ruling overturning the state’s gay marriage ban is non-binding and can be ignored. Covington County Probate Judge Ben Bowden said Friday that he would not sign the paperwork for gay couples until that issue is settled. BRITAIN-PRINCE CHARLES-RELIGION Prince Charles says he fears for Christians in Middle East LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Prince Charles says he fears there will be “very, very few” Christians left in the Middle East after the turmoil wracking the region. The heir to the British throne, who is on a trip to the region, told the BBC that the plight of Christians persecuted by Islamic extremists is “a most agonizing situation,” though he says it’s important to remember they are just one persecuted minority among many around the world. In an interview, the prince appealed for more work to build bridges between religions. If he succeeds his mother Queen Elizabeth II as monarch, Charles will become temporal head of the Church of England and take the title “Defender of the Faith.” He says that although the title refers to the Anglican faith, he believes the role involves protecting others’ freedom to worship. VATICAN-SPANKING KIDS Pope’s sex abuse commission alarmed by spanking comment VATICAN CITY (AP) — Members of Pope Francis’ sex abuse commission have criticized his remarks that it’s OK for parents to spank their children, saying there’s no place for physical discipline and that the commission will be making recommendations to him about protecting kids from corporal punishment. The commission met with its full 17 members for the first time last week and announced progress Saturday on drafting policies for holding bishops accountable when they cover up for pedophile priests. But they got an unexpected and urgent new task when Francis told his weekly general audience last week that it was OK for parents to spank their children if the child’s dignity was respected. The remarks were criticized by Germany, where corporal punishment for children is illegal, and by leading advocacy groups. Commission member Peter Saunders, who was sexually abused by a priest as a teenager, said the commission will recommend that the pope revise his remarks on spanking. Saunders says since the pope has “never had to raise children, he doesn’t know much about that.” Sound: 286-a-17-(Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican’s commission on sex abuse, at news conference)-“discipline your children”-Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican’s commission on sex abuse, says good parents don’t spank their children. ((note length of cut)) (8 Feb 2015) < 285-a-05-(Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican’s commission on sex abuse, at news conference)-“about positive parenting”-Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican’s commission on sex abuse, says parents should never spank their children. (8 Feb 2015) < 284-a-03-(Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican’s commission on sex abuse, at news conference)-“much about that”-Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican’s commission on sex abuse, says the pope shouldn’t have said that it’s OK for parents to spank their children. (8 Feb 2015) < SERRA SAINTHOOD-PROTESTS Serra: Saint or sinner? Canonization has foes in California SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (AP) — California’s history can’t be told without the story of Junipero Serra. The 18th-century Franciscan missionary introduced Christianity and established settlements as he marched north with Spanish conquistadores. But plans to make Serra a saint have reopened wounds for many Native Americans in California and beyond. They say the missionary wiped out native populations, enslaved converts and spread disease. Indigenous Californians have protested outside the Los Angeles cathedral for several weeks, and an online petition asking Pope Francis to change his mind has more than 3,000 signatures. But Catholics and scholars of Serra say the man must be judged in the context of his time. Serra considered himself more moderate than other missionaries. Pope Francis plans a trip to Washington, D.C. this fall that will likely include a sainthood ceremony for Serra. CATHOLIC MORALITY MANUAL Archbishop lists expectations for Catholic school teachers SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Roman Catholic archbishop of San Francisco is telling employees at four Catholic high schools to conduct their lives in a way that doesn’t visibly contradict the Catholic Church’s teachings on gay sex, birth control and other hot-button issues. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone gave teachers a statement of faith this week that he plans to include in next year’s faculty handbook. It says staff members must refrain from saying or doing anything publicly at odds with church doctrine. Some teachers, parents and students are criticizing the language. The teachers union has concerns, and a gay rights group says it goes against Pope Francis’ message of inclusion. Archbishop Cordileone says the additions are meant to provide teachers with clarity, not to target anyone for dismissal. ISLAMIC CENTER-LEADER DISPUTE Religious leader banned for now from Michigan mosque DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — One of the country’s top Islamic leaders is holding prayers away from his Detroit-area mosque as his relationship deteriorates with board members. The Detroit Free Press reports that Imam Hassan al-Qazwini led prayers Friday at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. Al-Qazwini told worshippers that he’ll conduct prayers at the Dearborn civic center since the board voted to ban him for two months from duties at the nearby Islamic Center of America. Some board members have accused al-Qazwini of financial misdeeds, which he denies. Hundreds of people have gathered to support him. Al-Qazwini said last month he would resign if the board wasn’t dissolved, but later agreed to stay on. The imam is of Iraqi descent and comes from a family of prominent American Shiite scholars. NIGERIA-ELECTIONS Nigeria postpones elections to March 28, cites uprising ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s electoral commission says it is postponing presidential and legislative elections until March 28 because security forces fighting an Islamic uprising cannot guarantee voters’ safety around the country. Millions could be disenfranchised if this week’s voting went ahead while Boko Haram extremists hold a large swath of the northeast. Commission chairman Attahiru Jega told a news conference Saturday night that national security advisers and intelligence officers have said security forces need six weeks to conduct “a major operation” against Boko Haram and cannot also provide security for the elections. In the past 10 days an offensive from Chad and Nigeria has forced the insurgents from a dozen towns and villages. Even greater military strikes involving more neighboring countries are planned.
