CONGRESS-PLANNED PARENTHOOD-CLERGY
Senate blocks GOP bill to end Planned Parenthood fed funds
WASHINGTON (AP) β The Senate has blocked a Republican effort to shut off federal funds for Planned Parenthood.
Monday’s vote followed the release of videos secretly recorded by an anti-abortion group showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing how much researchers should pay for organs from aborted fetuses. The organization says the videos were highly edited, that it donates tissue to medical researchers and doesn’t profit.
The vote was 53-46 to end Democrats’ delaying tactics. That was seven short of the 60 votes the Republicans needed to proceed to a defunding vote.
Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, says the vote was disappointing. He says the videos showed that Planned Parenthood is actually about preventing people from becoming parents “by killing their children, by selling their body parts.”
But the Rev. Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, says, “We’re grateful for abortion providers and thank God for them.”
Sound:
276-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life)–Clergy on both sides of the abortion issue are responding to the failure of a Senate effort to defund Planned Parenthood. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (3 Aug 2015)
< 267-a-03-(The Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, in AP interview)-“God for them”-The Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, says he’s glad the effort to defund Planned Parenthood was blocked. (3 Aug 2015) < 269-a-13-(The Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, in AP interview)-“care about neither”-The Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, says the undercover videos of Planned Parenthood were misleading. (3 Aug 2015) < 268-a-08-(The Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, in AP interview)-“the economically marginalized”-The Reverend Harry Knox, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, says defunding Planned Parenthood would have denied services to the needy. (3 Aug 2015) < 266-a-11-(Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, in AP interview)-“the American people”-Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, says efforts to defund Planned Parenthood will continue. (3 Aug 2015) < 264-a-05-(Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, in AP interview)-“Parenthood really is”-Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, says the undercover videos of Planned Parenthood have made an impact. (3 Aug 2015) < 265-a-08-(Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, in AP interview)-“their body parts”-Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, says the videos have shown Americans the truth about Planned Parenthood. (3 Aug 2015) < 263-a-04-(Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, in AP interview)-“other rights collapse”-Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, says the Senate vote is disappointing. (3 Aug 2015) < CHURCH EXPLOSIONS-NEW MEXICO New Mexico governor: Keep worshipping after church blasts LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) β Gov. Susana Martinez says New Mexico residents won’t stop going to church after small explosions outside two churches Sunday morning. No one was hurt by explosions that occurred just 20 minutes and a few miles apart, but congregants at the Las Cruces churches were shocked. Officials said the blasts at Calvary Baptist and Holy Cross Roman Catholic could have caused serious injuries if someone had been nearby. Gov. Martinez promised that the “coward” behind the blasts will be caught. She added that if the intention was to frighten those who worship, it failed. FBI spokesman Frank Fisher said investigators will look into any possible links between the blasts and the June fatal shooting of nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. He said there was no immediate indication of a connection. Sound: 220-a-10-(Governor Susana Martinez, R-N.M., at news conference)-“you have failed”-New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez says she has a message for whoever planted explosions outside two Las Cruces churches. (3 Aug 2015) < 221-a-08-(Governor Susana Martinez, R-N.M., at news conference)-“fellowship is unbreakable”-New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez says the blasts won’t stop people from going to church. (3 Aug 2015) < 219-a-11-(Governor Susana Martinez, R-N.M., at news conference)-“place of worship”-New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez says the church explosions were a cowardly act. (3 Aug 2015) < CRAIG JAMES VS FOX Former broadcaster James files lawsuit against Fox Sports DALLAS (AP) β Former college football broadcaster Craig James has filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against Fox Sports that contends he was fired because he had expressed opposition to gay marriage during a failed run for the U.S. Senate. The former running back for Southern Methodist University and the New England Patriots is seeking at least $100,000 in damages. Fox hired him in August 2013 β more than a year after he lost the Texas Senate primary to Ted Cruz β only to fire him days later. James filed his suit in Dallas, where he is seeking a jury trial to hear claims against the network that include breach of contract and violations of Texas law. Fox Sports did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. But in a statement last year, Fox called James “a polarizing figure” and said “the decision not to use him in our college football coverage was based on the perception that he abused a previous on-air position to further a personal agenda.” Sound: 244-a-07-(Hiram Sasser, attorney for Craig James, in AP interview)-“Texas state law”-Hiram Sasser, an attorney representing Craig James, says a lawsuit has been filed against Fox Sports. (3 Aug 2015) < 246-a-09-(Hiram Sasser, attorney for Craig James, in AP interview)-“subject to termination”-Hiram Sasser, an attorney representing Craig James, says James’ firing threatens religious liberty. (3 Aug 2015) < 245-a-09-(Hiram Sasser, attorney for Craig James, in AP interview)-“Dallas Morning News”-Hiram Sasser, an attorney representing Craig James, says Fox Sports’ motive was clear. (3 Aug 2015) < EQUAL RIGHTS ORDINANCE-HOUSTON Pastors sue Houston mayor over equal rights measure HOUSTON (AP) β A group of pastors is suing Houston Mayor Annise Parker for allegedly infringing on residents’ rights by blocking efforts to let people vote on an ordinance that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The lawsuit, filed Monday by the Houston Area Pastors Council, seeks legal fees and damages associated with a challenge last year to the city’s decision to not certify a petition that sought to place the ordinance before voters. Andy Taylor, the pastors’ attorney, says Parker violated his clients’ religious freedom by having subpoenas issued that sought sermons related to the repeal petition. Parker says the lawsuit isn’t about religious freedom but about politics. Last month, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Houston must repeal the ordinance or place it on the November ballot. VANDALIZED CHURCH-OUTDOOR SERVICE Congregation of vandalized Ohio church pray for suspect PIQUA, Ohio (AP) β The congregation of a vandalized Ohio church has held its Sunday services outdoors with prayers for the man charged in the incident. The Dayton Daily News reports that 29-year-old Dustin Connor was charged with felony breaking and entering, theft and vandalism in connection with damage sustained at the Snyder Road Church of God in Piqua last week. Police say Connor stole a laptop computer, discharged six fire extinguishers and caused damage to a large cross and other parts of the church. Services were held under a maple tree on church grounds due to extensive damage to the building. Pastor Richard Keeran estimates the cleanup will take four to eight weeks. Police say Connor is a person of interest in a similar act of vandalism at the Victory Baptist Church in Piqua. RELIGIOUS CONVENTIONS-DETROIT Economic boost expected amid Detroit religious conventions DETROIT (AP) β More religious conventions are planned in Detroit and officials say they’re likely to provide an economic boost to the area. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Romanian Pentecostal Church of God Convention heads to Cobo Center in September. Next year, thousands are expected for an annual gathering of the Church of God in Christ. Last week, thousands of Christians visited for the 100th annual convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. A few weeks earlier, about 30,000 youth came with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. And in June, thousands attended a National Baptist Convention USA gathering. Bill Bohde, senior vice president of sales and market at the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, says Detroit has “a great history of hosting religious conventions.” ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-PRAYERS Israeli rabbis pray for Palestinian victims TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) β Israeli rabbis have gathered to pray for a Palestinian family whose West Bank home was set on fire by suspected Jewish extremists on Friday. An 18-month-old boy burned to death in the attack and his mother, father and brother were seriously injured. The rabbis gathered Monday at Sheba Medical Centre, where the family members were being treated, to pray for them and condemn the attack, which has drawn Palestinian rage and widespread Israeli condemnation. Rabbi Michael Melchior said Jewish and Muslim leaders are united in declaring, “We will not accept any kind of violence, not murders, not violence, against anybody.” On Thursday, an ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed revelers at a gay pride parade in Jerusalem, wounding 6 people, including a 16-year-old girl who died of her wounds Sunday. Sound: 334-a-08-(Rabbi Michael Melchior, in AP interview)-“violence against anybody”-Rabbi Michael Melchior says Israeli rabbis and Muslim leaders have a joint message. (3 Aug 2015) < 333-a-11-(Rabbi Michael Melchior, in AP interview)-“of this country”-Rabbi Michael Melchior says Israel’s Jewish and Muslim leaders both denounce violent attacks. (3 Aug 2015) < ISRAEL-HEBREW MANUSCRIPTS Israel: Thousands of rare Hebrew texts soon available online JERUSALEM (AP) β The National Library of Israel will soon make one of the world’s oldest surviving Hebrew bibles, dating back more than 1,000 years, available online. Aviad Stollman, the library’s chief of collections, says the Gaster Bible will go online as part of a project to digitize all of the 3,200 rare Hebrew manuscripts currently at the British Library. The National Library of Israel agreed with the British Library in London to digitize its entire Hebrew manuscript collection, considered one of the largest and most significant in the world. Most of the manuscripts date back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era and include rare texts of Hebrew literature, prayer books, bibles, Talmud or biblical commentary, as well as texts on the Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism. ETHIOPIA-MUSLIMS JAILED Ethiopia jails 18 Muslims over alleged terror ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) β A court in Ethiopia has handed jail terms ranging from seven to 22 years against 18 Muslims who were convicted on terror charges, including allegedly attempting to establish a religious government. The sentencing on Monday attracted outcry from Muslim activists who opposed the trial. Four of the suspects were sentenced to 22 years in prison, while the rest were given shorter jail terms. Dimtsachin Yisema, a group lobbying for the release of Muslim detainees, said the sentences were “unjust” and called the Federal High Court a “kangaroo court.” The convicts, who were tried under Ethiopia’s controversial anti-terrorism law, include Muslim leaders and activists who were arrested in July 2012 following six months of public protests in Addis Ababa and other towns over alleged government interference in religious affairs.
