GAY MARRIAGE-METHODISTS
Methodist panel overturns pastor’s defrocking
BALTIMORE (AP) — A United Methodist Church appeals panel has overturned the church’s decision to defrock a pastor who presided over his son’s same-sex wedding ceremony and said he would perform other gay marriages if asked.
A lower church court suspended Frank Schaefer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, last year for officiating at his son’s 2007 wedding. The church then defrocked Schaefer because he wouldn’t promise never to preside over another gay ceremony. Schaefer appealed, arguing the decision was wrong because it was based on an assumption he would break church law in the future.
But at a news conference Tuesday, Schaefer said he “absolutely” will perform more same-sex weddings, and is confident that church law will change.
John Lomperis (lahm-PAYR’-is), director of the conservative group United Methodist Action, says Schaefer should have joined another denomination whose views he shares rather than expect the United Methodist Church to change. Lomperis adds that he hopes Schaefer’s restoration to ministry gets appealed to the church’s highest court.
Sound:
257-a-11-(John Lomperis (lahm-PAYR’-is), director of United Methodist Action, in AP interview)-“even debating this”-John Lomperis, director of United Methodist Action, says traditional Methodists won’t see the reasoning in restoring the Reverend Frank Schaefer to ministry. (24 Jun 2014)
< 256-a-08-(John Lomperis (lahm-PAYR’-is), director of United Methodist Action, in AP interview)-“for sexual self-control”-John Lomperis, director of United Methodist Action, says the Reverend Frank Schaefer’s restoration to ministry ignores his defiance of church law. (24 Jun 2014) < 255-a-10-(John Lomperis (lahm-PAYR’-is), director of United Methodist Action, in AP interview)-“defrock this pastor”-John Lomperis, director of United Methodist Action, says the reversal of Frank Schaefer’s defrocking may not be the last word in the case. (24 Jun 2014) < 236-a-11-(The Reverend Frank Schaefer, United Methodist minister, at news conference)-“Methodist Church, yes! (applause fades)”-The Reverend Frank Schaefer says he’s delighted at the verdict of a United Methodist Church appeals panel. (24 Jun 2014) < 238-a-06-(The Reverend Frank Schaefer, United Methodist minister, at news conference)-“our laws, Amen?”-The Reverend Frank Schaefer says discrimination against gays will eventually be removed from the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline. (24 Jun 2014) < 237-a-07-(The Reverend Frank Schaefer, United Methodist minister, at news conference)-“answer is, absolutely”-The Reverend Frank Schaefer says he’s open to performing more same-sex weddings. (24 Jun 2014) < 235-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Reverend Frank Schaefer)–A United Methodist Church appeals panel has overturned the church’s decision to defrock a pastor who presided over his son’s same-sex wedding ceremony and said he would perform other gay marriages if asked. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Jun 2014) < GAY MARRIAGE-METHODISTS Reinstated pastor transferring to California PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Pennsylvania pastor who broke church law by presiding over his son’s same-sex wedding is being transferred to a United Methodist church in California. Bishop Minerva Carcano (car-CAHN’-yo) of the California-Pacific Annual Conference says the Rev. Frank Schaefer is being appointed to the Isla Vista Student Ministry in Santa Barbara. The transfer is effective July 1. Schaefer had been defrocked for performing his son’s same-sex wedding and saying he would perform other gay marriages if asked. But on Tuesday, a church appeals panel ordered his credentials restored. Carcano says he and Bishop Peggy Johnson of the church’s Eastern Pennsylvania Conference agreed to Schaefer’s request for the transfer. Sound: 272-w-30-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Reverend Frank Schaefer, restored Methodist minister, and John Lomperis, director of United Methodist Action)–A Pennsylvania pastor who broke church law by presiding over his son’s same-sex wedding is being transferred to a United Methodist church in California. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Jun 2014) < CONGRESSMAN-PRESBYTERIANS Congressman rebukes Presbyterians in House speech WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring himself “a follower of Jesus,” a member of Congress has rebuked his own denomination on the House floor. Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf said Tuesday that he’s “a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who is deeply grieved by what transpired at last week’s gathering of the PCUSA’s General Assembly.” The Presbyterian delegates voted to recognize same-sex marriage as Christian in the church constitution. Wolf said that violates the biblical definition of marriage as the “divinely-inspired joining of one man and one woman.” The PCUSA General Assembly also voted to divest church stock in several companies as a protest against Israeli policies toward Palestinians. Wolf said the church’s action “stands in stark contrast to its inaction” on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. Wolf said great Presbyterians of the past would not recognize their denomination today. Sound: 326-a-11-(U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in House floor speech)-“PCUSA’s General Assembly”-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf says he regrets the actions of his own Christian denomination. (24 Jun 2014) < 327-a-09-(U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in House floor speech)-“and one woman”-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf says the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should not have voted to recognize same-sex marriage. (24 Jun 2014) < 328-a-07-(U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in House floor speech)-“in the region”-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf says the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should not have voted to divest in three companies to protest Israeli policies toward Palestinians. (24 Jun 2014) < SUDAN Freed Christian woman, family detained in Sudan KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — A lawyer for the Sudanese Christian woman sentenced to death and later freed says the woman and her family were detained at the international airport in Khartoum while trying to leave the country. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters in Washington that the Sudanese government informed American officials that 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim, her husband and two children were “detained for several hours” Tuesday over issues relating to their travel documents. Harf said the Sudanese assured the U.S. that the family is not under arrest, has “since been released” and is safe. She said U.S. officials are continuing to work on getting them out of the country. Ibrahim was raised by her Christian mother but her father was Muslim, making her a Muslim under Sudanese law, so the country didn’t recognize her Christian wedding to an American citizen. Instead, she was convicted of adultery and apostasy and sentenced to 100 lashes and execution by hanging. A Sudanese appeals court dropped Ibrahim’s charges and freed her after worldwide outrage. Sound: 247-a-07-(Marie Harf, State Department spokeswoman, at briefing)-“since been released”-State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf says Meriam Ibrahim, her husband and two children were stopped from leaving Sudan Tuesday. (24 Jun 2014) < 249-a-06-(Marie Harf, State Department spokeswoman, at briefing)-“departure from Sudan”-State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf says U.S. officials are trying to help Ibrahim and her family. (24 Jun 2014) < 248-a-05-(Marie Harf, State Department spokeswoman, at briefing)-“of their safety”-State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf says the Sudanese government told U.S. officials that Ibrahim and her family were detained for several hours over questions about their travel documents. (24 Jun 2014) < 044-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf)–The lawyer for a Sudanese woman who was convicted of apostasy says she’s out of prison after an appeals court canceled her death sentence. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Jun 2014) < 098-a-08-(U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., in AP interview Monday)-“on her behalf”-New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith says Meriam Ibrahim’s release is an answer to many prayers and appeals. (24 Jun 2014) < 100-a-08-(U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., in AP interview Monday)-“of the country”-New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith says Meriam Ibrahim, her husband and children are in a safe house in Sudan for now. (24 Jun 2014) < 099-a-09-(U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., in AP interview Monday)-“American as well”-New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith says Meriam Ibrahim and her family should be flown to the United States soon. (24 Jun 2014) < 101-a-10-(U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., in AP interview Monday)-“practiced her faith”-New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith says he hopes Ibrahim’s case will lead to policies that respect religious freedom in Sudan. (24 Jun 2014) < 211-a-08-(U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., in AP interview)-“on her behalf”-New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith says Meriam Ibrahim’s release is an answer to many prayers and appeals. (23 Jun 2014) < NIGERIA-KIDNAPPED GIRLS 60 females, 31 boys abducted in northeast Nigeria MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Witnesses say Islamic extremists have abducted 60 more girls and women and 31 boys from villages in northeast Nigeria. Security forces denied the kidnappings. Nigeria’s government and military have been widely criticized for their slow response to the abductions of more than 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped April 15. There was no way to safely and independently confirm the report from the area 95 miles from Maiduguri, capital of Borno state and headquarters of a military state of emergency that has failed to curtail near-daily attacks by Boko Haram fighters. Aji Khalil, of a local anti-Boko Haram group, said Tuesday the abductions took place Saturday in an attack in which four villagers were killed. Boko Haram has been demanding the release of detained members in exchange for its hostages. Sound: 154-c-17-(Michelle Faul (mee-SHEHL’ FAWL), AP correspondent)-“to mud huts”-AP correspondent Michelle Faul reports that Boko Haram attacks have become more frequent in Nigeria. (24 Jun 2014) < 153-c-15-(Michelle Faul (mee-SHEHL’ FAWL), AP correspondent)-“200 school girls”-AP correspondent Michelle Faul reports Nigerian security forces claim witness reports of another mass abduction are false — and there’s been no way to safely and independently confirm whether it happened. ((The 200 school girls were abducted in April and have not been rescued.)) (24 Jun 2014) < 152-c-14-(Michelle Faul (mee-SHEHL’ FAWL), AP correspondent)-“in northeast Nigeria”-AP correspondent Michelle Faul reports witnesses in Nigeria say that on Saturday the Islamic extremist group Boko Harum carried out another mass abduction.((actual cut length is :12 seconds)) (24 Jun 2014) < 155-c-19-(Michelle Faul (mee-SHEHL’ FAWL), AP correspondent)-“under increasing pressure”-AP correspondent Michelle Faul reports there’s been no successful strategy to rescue the 200 girls kidnapped in April. (24 Jun 2014) < AUSTIN-PREGNANCY CENTER LAWSUIT Judge voids Austin’s pregnancy-center law AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has thrown out an city ordinance in Austin, Texas, that required pregnancy resource centers — religiously-based organizations that do not offer abortions or refer women to abortion providers — to post signs announcing they do not offer medical care. The Austin American-Statesman reports that Judge Lee Yeakel ruled Monday that the requirement is unconstitutionally vague and violates the centers’ due process rights. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the Austin City Council in 2012. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four pregnancy centers — LifeCare, Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, South Austin Pregnancy Resource Center and the Gabriel Project, which is run by Catholic Charities of Central Texas. CHURCH FUNDRAISING-FRAUD Investors in church-related fraud get some money INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Investors will get 70 cents for every dollar they invested in an $85 million Ponzi scheme operated by a fundraising branch of the Church of God. A federal judge in Indianapolis on Monday gave final approval to the terms ending the case, including permission for properties causing a financial drain on Church of God assets to be abandoned. The Herald Bulletin cited court documents saying that the prior fundraising extension of the Anderson-based church allegedly defrauded investors who believed their money would go to church-related construction. Instead, the judge says the former fundraising organization used the money to make interest and principal payments to prior investors to cover up bad business decisions. The Church of God has reorganized its fundraising efforts. VATICAN-LEGION OF CHRIST Vatican to name new adviser to oversee Legion VATICAN CITY (AP) — The superior of the Legion of Christ religious order says the Vatican next week will name a new adviser to help oversee it. It’s the latest sign that Pope Francis doubts the Vatican’s three-year reform experiment has resolved all the order’s problems. Francis has kept the Legion at arms’ length since he inherited the reform project that was launched after the Legion admitted its founder sexually abused his seminarians and fathered three children. Francis has yet to meet with the new superior and didn’t send a message to the congregation when it met in January to chart its new course. The Vatican insisted on naming two members of the new government and during his recent trip to Jerusalem, Francis skipped a luncheon planned by the Legion and ate instead with the Franciscans. ENDANGERED CHURCH Trust lists Hawaii church as endangered HONOLULU (AP) — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has put Hawaii’s first Christian church on its 2014 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the trust listed Mokuaikaua (moh-koo-ah-wee-KAH’-wah) Church, a Kailua-Kona landmark for nearly 200 years. Trust President Stephanie Meeks says the church has withstood the ravages of island life, but needs critical improvements to carry its history forward into a new century. Multiple cracks caused by earthquakes threaten its stone walls. The church is also suffering from faulty electrical wiring and termite damage and dry rot in the steeple and window frames. The 300-member United Church of Christ congregation is beginning a fundraising campaign. The Rev. David de Carvalho says the building needs at least $3 million in repairs and probably more. US-ODD-MODEL A THEFT Thief steals Model A from churchgoer, crashes it PRINEVILLE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon authorities say a 79-year-old man took a 1930 Ford Model A coupe to church on Sunday to show it off. But when he left it so he could get a bite of lunch, sheriff’s deputies say, it was stolen and crashed into the Crooked River south of Prineville. Photos show the mangled vehicle in the river, but no estimate of the damage was immediately available. KTVZ-TV reports that the man was fixing the car for a family that owned it. Capt. Michael Boyd says 34-year-old Erik Blake Halpin, described as a transient, was accused of drunken driving and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He swam to shore and was arrested after he was treated at a hospital.
