Two renegade Catholic bishops at a remote monastery in Brazil plan to consecrate a new generation of bishops to spread their ultra-traditionalist movement called "The Resistance" in defiance of the Vatican, the Religion News website reports today (March 31, 2015).
French Bishop Jean-Michel Faure -- himself consecrated only two weeks ago by the Holocaust-denying British Bishop Richard Williamson -- said the new group rejected Pope Francis and what it called his "new religion" and would not engage in a dialogue with Rome until the Vatican turned back the clock.
Williamson and Faure -- who were both excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church when the former made the latter a bishop without Vatican approval -- are ex-members of a larger dissenting group that has been a thorn in Rome's side for years.
Their splinter movement is small, but the fact they plan to consecrate bishops is important, because it means their schism can continue as a rebel form of Catholicism.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Swastikas Drawn in Dorm at Northeastern Univ.; NU Pres. Rebukes "Hateful Act" as Unacceptable
Swastikas were drawn on a dormitory board at Northeastern University's main campus in Boston, the JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) website reports today (March 31, 2015).
The swastikas were discovered on March 29 in a common area in the International Village dorm.
Northeastern's president, Joseph Aoun, condemned what he called a "hateful act" in a statement that was emailed to students and staff, as well as posted on the university's website.
"These actions are completely antithetical to the values of our university and all that we stand for," Aoun wrote. "Bias, hate crimes, and anti-Semitism are completely unacceptable -- whether they occur on our campus, or anywhere else." Campus police are investigating.
The swastikas were discovered on March 29 in a common area in the International Village dorm.
Northeastern's president, Joseph Aoun, condemned what he called a "hateful act" in a statement that was emailed to students and staff, as well as posted on the university's website.
"These actions are completely antithetical to the values of our university and all that we stand for," Aoun wrote. "Bias, hate crimes, and anti-Semitism are completely unacceptable -- whether they occur on our campus, or anywhere else." Campus police are investigating.
Monday, March 30, 2015
ADL:US Anti-Semitic Incidents Rose 21% in 2014; "A Violent Year for Jews Both Overseas and in US"
Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States rose by 21 percent in 2014, according to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) annual audit of anti-Semitism, the Forward (Jewish) website reports today (March 30, 2015).
The ADL counted 912 anti-Semitic incidents last year, up from 751 in 2013, with the period surrounding last summer's Gaza war seeing a surge of incidents. The tally included 36 cases of assault or other violence, 363 incidents of vandalism, and 513 cases of harassment, threats and events.
"2014 was a particularly violent year for Jews both overseas and in the United States," Abraham Foxman, ADL's national director, said in a statement. "Lethal anti-Semitism continues to pose a threat to American Jews and larger society as well."
"Anti-Jewish sentiment is increasing globally because of the oppressive behavior of Jews in power and their crimes against humanity," read one letter printed in Riverdale Press in New York that was included in the ADL audit.
The ADL counted 912 anti-Semitic incidents last year, up from 751 in 2013, with the period surrounding last summer's Gaza war seeing a surge of incidents. The tally included 36 cases of assault or other violence, 363 incidents of vandalism, and 513 cases of harassment, threats and events.
"2014 was a particularly violent year for Jews both overseas and in the United States," Abraham Foxman, ADL's national director, said in a statement. "Lethal anti-Semitism continues to pose a threat to American Jews and larger society as well."
"Anti-Jewish sentiment is increasing globally because of the oppressive behavior of Jews in power and their crimes against humanity," read one letter printed in Riverdale Press in New York that was included in the ADL audit.
Stanford U. Starts Far-Spreading Cheating Probe; Occurred in Winter Quarter in Many Intro Courses
Stanford University has opened a probe into allegations of widespread cheating taking place during the winter quarter in several introductory courses, the University Herald website reports today (March 30, 2015).
Provost John Etchemendy issued a letter last week to the school's faculty members mentioning "troubling allegations of academic dishonesty." He indicated that these allegations were brought to the Office of Community Standards after the winter quarter had concluded.
"In violating academic integrity," Etchemendy wrote, "they are cheating themselves of the very core of our mission -- the process of learning and discovery -- as well as risking severe consequences."
One of the most selective and academically prestigious schools in the nation, Stanford announced the admission of 2,144 students. Stanford officials are currently interviewing those students suspected of cheating.
Provost John Etchemendy issued a letter last week to the school's faculty members mentioning "troubling allegations of academic dishonesty." He indicated that these allegations were brought to the Office of Community Standards after the winter quarter had concluded.
"In violating academic integrity," Etchemendy wrote, "they are cheating themselves of the very core of our mission -- the process of learning and discovery -- as well as risking severe consequences."
One of the most selective and academically prestigious schools in the nation, Stanford announced the admission of 2,144 students. Stanford officials are currently interviewing those students suspected of cheating.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Islamic State Group Beheads Eight Men in Syria; IS Fighter on Video Calls Them "Impure Infidels"
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group released a new video today (March 29, 2015) showing its fighters cutting off the heads of eight men described as Shi'ite Muslims, the Voice of America News website reports.
The eight men were beheaded in the central Syrian province of Hama.
Blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs, the men are seen being led forward in a field by what appear to be teenage boys. A boy wearing a black uniform is seen handing out knives to the fighters before the hostages are killed.
An Islamic State fighter speaks in the video, calling the hostages "impure infidels" and saying the military campaign against the Islamic State will make the group stronger.
The eight men were beheaded in the central Syrian province of Hama.
Blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs, the men are seen being led forward in a field by what appear to be teenage boys. A boy wearing a black uniform is seen handing out knives to the fighters before the hostages are killed.
An Islamic State fighter speaks in the video, calling the hostages "impure infidels" and saying the military campaign against the Islamic State will make the group stronger.
Arab League Agrees to Create a Joint Mil. Force; Will Battle Acts Threatening a Member's Safety
The leaders of countries in the 22-nation Arab League agreed today (March 29, 2015) to creating a joint Arab military force at a summit in Egypt, according to the USA Today website.
The decision was announced in the closing session of a two-day meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Arab League said Saudi Arabia-led airstrikes in Yemen will continue until Shiite rebels "withdraw and surrender their weapons."
The Arab League statement calls for the establishment of a voluntary military force that can counter challenges that threaten the safety and security of any member, based on a request from that nation.
The decision was announced in the closing session of a two-day meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Arab League said Saudi Arabia-led airstrikes in Yemen will continue until Shiite rebels "withdraw and surrender their weapons."
The Arab League statement calls for the establishment of a voluntary military force that can counter challenges that threaten the safety and security of any member, based on a request from that nation.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Russian Orth. Priest Ousted for Comments to Mil; Urged Russian Mil. to Hit Ukraine "Fascist Scum"
The Russian Orthodox Church has suspended a priest for incendiary comments he made during a send-off for dozens of fighters preparing to join pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Big News Network website reports today (March 28, 2015).
Local diocese authorities in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg said in a March 26 statement that the priest, Vladimir Zaitsev, broke with the church's position on the bloody conflict in Ukraine by encouraging the Russian fighters to battle Ukrainian forces he described as "fascist scum."
They said the March 11 comments -- which were captured on film -- should not be considered a "blessing for carrying out a fratricidal war."
They added that a decision on whether to reinstate Zaitsev will be made after the Greek Orthodox Easter (April 12). More than 6,000 people have been killed since the Ukrainian conflict began in April 2014, as Russian aggression continues in Ukraine in an effort to take control of its territory.
Local diocese authorities in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg said in a March 26 statement that the priest, Vladimir Zaitsev, broke with the church's position on the bloody conflict in Ukraine by encouraging the Russian fighters to battle Ukrainian forces he described as "fascist scum."
They said the March 11 comments -- which were captured on film -- should not be considered a "blessing for carrying out a fratricidal war."
They added that a decision on whether to reinstate Zaitsev will be made after the Greek Orthodox Easter (April 12). More than 6,000 people have been killed since the Ukrainian conflict began in April 2014, as Russian aggression continues in Ukraine in an effort to take control of its territory.
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