Police in northeast Ohio are investigating a shooting outside a church that a parishioner says left one man dead after an Easter service today, the USA Today website reports.
A member of the Hiawatha Church of God in Christ in Ashtabula (Ohio) said the man was shot soon after Easter services ended around 1:15 p.m. today. Joan Crockett said the man knew the shooter, and that a suspect was taken into custody. She added that the wounded man died.
The church's pastor said congregants were leaving when they heard a gunshot.
"People pushed me into a back office and said, 'Somebody's her with a gun,'" said the Rev. David Howard Jr. There were no reports of any other injuries at the church, which has about 175 members.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Card. Dolan: Cath. Church Is Often Out of Touch; Conflicts with U.S. Cath. Views Due to Its Nature
During an interview today (March 31, 2013), Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that the Catholic Church's very nature means it will be -- from time to time -- out of touch with the concerns of its followers, according to the Big News Network website.
"Sometimes by nature, the Church has got to be out of touch with concerns, because we're always supposed to be thinking of the beyond, the eternal, the changeless," Dolan said.
He added, "Our major challenge is to continue in a credible way to present the eternal concerns to people in a timeless attractive way. And sometimes there is a disconnect -- between what they're going through and what Jesus and His Church are teaching. And that's a challenge for us."
Dolan was responding to a question from Stephanopoulos about a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, which found that 60 percent of Catholics "describe the church as 'out of touch' with the views of Catholics in America."
"Sometimes by nature, the Church has got to be out of touch with concerns, because we're always supposed to be thinking of the beyond, the eternal, the changeless," Dolan said.
He added, "Our major challenge is to continue in a credible way to present the eternal concerns to people in a timeless attractive way. And sometimes there is a disconnect -- between what they're going through and what Jesus and His Church are teaching. And that's a challenge for us."
Dolan was responding to a question from Stephanopoulos about a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, which found that 60 percent of Catholics "describe the church as 'out of touch' with the views of Catholics in America."
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Anti-Semitism Is Alive and Flourishing in France; Rabbi Imperiled,Swastikas Carved on Synagogue
The chief rabbi of France has received a letter from an obscure organization threatening "brutal actions" against French Jewish journalists, the Jewish Press website reports today (March 30, 2013).
"Before we take brutal measures -- the only ones at our disposal -- we approach you because those corrupt journalists are Jewish," read the letter recently sent to Rabbi Gilles Bernheim in Paris. It was signed by an organization called IFO -- a French acronym for Interaction of Forces of Order.
The letter said the journalists were acting as Communist agents and attempting to "curb liberty in France."
In a separate anti-Semitic incident, unidentified individuals carved five swastikas on March 26 onto the wooden doors of a synagogue in Haguenau, in eastern France. A representative of the city's Jewish community reported the incident to police.
"Before we take brutal measures -- the only ones at our disposal -- we approach you because those corrupt journalists are Jewish," read the letter recently sent to Rabbi Gilles Bernheim in Paris. It was signed by an organization called IFO -- a French acronym for Interaction of Forces of Order.
The letter said the journalists were acting as Communist agents and attempting to "curb liberty in France."
In a separate anti-Semitic incident, unidentified individuals carved five swastikas on March 26 onto the wooden doors of a synagogue in Haguenau, in eastern France. A representative of the city's Jewish community reported the incident to police.
American Atheists Lose Lawsuit Over 9/11 Cross; U.S. Judge: Cross Does Not Endorse Christianity
A federal judge has ruled that the display of an iconic cross-shaped steel beam in the National September 11 Memorial and Museum does not violate the constitutional and civil rights of atheists, the Christian Post website reports today (March 30, 2013).
U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts concluded on March 28 that the 17-foot-high cross -- which became a spiritual symbol for workers at ground zero -- does not amount to an endorsement of Christianity.
New Jersey-based American Atheists Inc. filed a lawsuit in 2011 against the planned presentation of the cross-shaped beam, arguing it will impose religion "through the power of the state."
David Silverman -- president of American Atheists -- said his group intends to appeal the judge's ruling. "They're trying to Christianize 9/11 with this cross and it's not American and it's not fair," he was quoted as saying.
U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts concluded on March 28 that the 17-foot-high cross -- which became a spiritual symbol for workers at ground zero -- does not amount to an endorsement of Christianity.
New Jersey-based American Atheists Inc. filed a lawsuit in 2011 against the planned presentation of the cross-shaped beam, arguing it will impose religion "through the power of the state."
David Silverman -- president of American Atheists -- said his group intends to appeal the judge's ruling. "They're trying to Christianize 9/11 with this cross and it's not American and it's not fair," he was quoted as saying.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thieves Rob Watertown, MA Greek Orth.Church; Steal Chalices, Gold Bibles, Safe Containing Cash
Watertown, Massachusetts police reported today (March 29, 2013) that a Greek Orthodox Church in that community was robbed sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning this week, according to the Byztex blog. Police Lt. Michael Lawn said the thieves may have used the back door of the Taxiarchae (Archangels) Greek Orthodox Church in the heist.
According to Lawn, the robbers stole a safe, chalices, and gold plated Bibles from the church on Bigelow Avenue.
"Somebody broke into the basement boiler room door on Elton Avenue," Lawn said. "They entered the church offices, ransacked the office, tipped over a counter top and stole the safe, which was bolted to the counter top and contained cash."
Lawn said the thieves also stole a number of chalices and Bibles from the altar, and then carried the stash out the back door on Elton Avenue. He added that the robbers may have used a car or truck to complete the theft.
According to Lawn, the robbers stole a safe, chalices, and gold plated Bibles from the church on Bigelow Avenue.
"Somebody broke into the basement boiler room door on Elton Avenue," Lawn said. "They entered the church offices, ransacked the office, tipped over a counter top and stole the safe, which was bolted to the counter top and contained cash."
Lawn said the thieves also stole a number of chalices and Bibles from the altar, and then carried the stash out the back door on Elton Avenue. He added that the robbers may have used a car or truck to complete the theft.
Atlanta Indicts Some 3 Dozen Former Educators; Raised Students' Test Scores to Receive Bonuses
In an embarrassing blow to Atlanta public schools, some three dozen former educators -- including the ex-superintendent of schools -- were indicted today (March 29, 2013) in one of the nation's largest test cheating scandals, according to the Associated Press website.
Former Superintendent Beverly Hall -- who could be sentenced to 45 years in prison -- faces several charges, including racketeering, false statements, and theft because prosecutors said some of the bonuses she received were tied to falsified scores. Hall retired just days before a state probe was released in 2011.
The criminal investigation lasted 21 months and the allegations date back to 2005. In addition to Hall, 34 people were indicted: four high-level administrators, six principals, two assistant principals, six testing coordinators, 14 teachers, a school improvement specialist, and a school secretary.
All of the people named in the indictment face conspiracy charges. Other charges in the 65-count indictment include false statements and writings, false swearing, theft, and influencing witnesses. Those indicted raised the results of student test scores -- by giving answers to students and changing answers on tests after they were turned in -- in order to get extra federal dollars and bonuses for themselves.
Former Superintendent Beverly Hall -- who could be sentenced to 45 years in prison -- faces several charges, including racketeering, false statements, and theft because prosecutors said some of the bonuses she received were tied to falsified scores. Hall retired just days before a state probe was released in 2011.
The criminal investigation lasted 21 months and the allegations date back to 2005. In addition to Hall, 34 people were indicted: four high-level administrators, six principals, two assistant principals, six testing coordinators, 14 teachers, a school improvement specialist, and a school secretary.
All of the people named in the indictment face conspiracy charges. Other charges in the 65-count indictment include false statements and writings, false swearing, theft, and influencing witnesses. Those indicted raised the results of student test scores -- by giving answers to students and changing answers on tests after they were turned in -- in order to get extra federal dollars and bonuses for themselves.
Patriarch Bartholomew: Christian Unity Is Doable; Sees Roman Cath.,Greek Orth.Faiths Uniting Soon
The Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I -- who attended last week the Mass elevating Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy as Pope Francis -- has expressed his belief that the reunification of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches after 1,000 years of separation is achievable. The Great Schism of 1054 split the Christian Church in two, and has been a source of controversy and ticklish diplomacy and ecclesiology ever since, the Spero Forum website reports today (March 29, 2013).
Speaking at a meeting at the University of Kadir Has in Istanbul, Bartholomew said he believed "there is a possibility for the next generations to see the churches of the East and West reunited." He continued, "This will probably not happen during my life."
Bartholomew, 73, has been the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church since 1991, and last week became the first patriarch of Constantinople to be present at the inauguration of a new pontificate since 1054.
Speaking about the new pontiff, Bartholomew said that he "seems very different" from his predecessors and that he "has the ability" to reform the Vatican. Bartholomew also said that he invited the new pope to visit Fener, the Greek Orthodox patriarchate, in Istanbul.
Speaking at a meeting at the University of Kadir Has in Istanbul, Bartholomew said he believed "there is a possibility for the next generations to see the churches of the East and West reunited." He continued, "This will probably not happen during my life."
Bartholomew, 73, has been the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church since 1991, and last week became the first patriarch of Constantinople to be present at the inauguration of a new pontificate since 1054.
Speaking about the new pontiff, Bartholomew said that he "seems very different" from his predecessors and that he "has the ability" to reform the Vatican. Bartholomew also said that he invited the new pope to visit Fener, the Greek Orthodox patriarchate, in Istanbul.
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