Pope has departed for Cyprus, a day after killing of Catholic bishop in Turkey

Pope departs on 3-day trip to Cyprus
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI departed Friday on a sensitive three-day trip to Cyprus, a visit likely to be overshadowed by shock over the killing in Turkey of a bishop who had been scheduled to meet with the pontiff.

Cyprus, an island divided between ethnic Turks and Greeks, is [..] Read the original article: here.

Report: Roman Catholic bishop tried to help suspected killer to overcome depression

Roman Catholic bishop helped suspected killer

ANKARA, Turkey – Authorities in Turkey say an autopsy will be performed on the body of a Roman Catholic bishop who was allegedly stabbed to death by his driver.
Authorities say an autopsy is expected Friday on the body of 63-year-old Luigi Padovese, the apostolic vicar in Anatolia, in the southern …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Report: Roman Catholic bishop tried to help suspected killer to overcome depression.

Church shocked by killing of bishop in Turkey on eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s Cyprus trip

Pope Benedict XVI makes sensitive trip to Cyprus

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI departs Friday on a sensitive three-day trip to Cyprus, a visit likely to be colored by shock over the killing in Turkey of a bishop who had been scheduled to meet with the pontiff.
Cyprus, an island divided between ethnic Turks and Greeks, … Read : Church shocked by killing of bishop in Turkey on eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s Cyprus trip.

Muslim woman can get 2nd DMV photo after she was erroneously told to remove headscarf

Woman told to remove headscarf for Calif DMV photo

SAN DIEGO – A Muslim woman who was erroneously told to remove her headscarf for a driver’s license photo will be allowed to retake her photo with the head covering on.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Thursday that a Department of Motor Vehicle employee in Oceanside insisted …. Read the original article  : Muslim woman can get 2nd DMV photo after she was erroneously told to remove headscarf.

Church shocked by killing of bishop in Turkey on eve of Cyprus trip

Pope makes sensitive trip to Cyprus
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI departs Friday on a sensitive three-day trip to Cyprus, a visit likely to be colored by shock over the killing in Turkey of a bishop who had been scheduled to meet with the pontiff.

Cyprus, an island divided between ethnic Turks and Greeks, is viewed … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Church shocked by killing of bishop in Turkey on eve of Cyprus trip.

Armenian church sues Getty museum over return of 7 pages ripped from Bible dating back to 1256

Armenian church sues Getty museum over Bible pages

LOS ANGELES – The Armenian church has sued the J. Paul Getty Museum to demand the return of seven pages ripped from a sacred Armenian Bible dating back to 1256. The Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles. The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Armenian church sues Getty museum over return of 7 pages ripped from Bible dating back to 1256.

Evangelical rally draws at least 1 million people in Sao Paulo

At least 1 million in evangelical march in Brazil

SAO PAULO – At least 1 million evangelical Christians rallied in Sao Paulo on Thursday for the annual “March for Jesus,” an event that unites the faithful from hundreds of Protestant churches in the world’s largest Roman Catholic country.
Now in its 18th year, the march is organized … Read more »»».

Conservative, religious leaders trying to stop Comedy Central cartoon on Jesus Christ

Comedy Central chided for proposed Jesus cartoon

NEW YORK – A coalition of religious and conservative leaders is trying to stop a proposed Comedy Central cartoon that puts Jesus Christ in a modern-day context – before it even gets started.
The newly formed Citizens Against Religious Bigotry said Thursday that it believes the “JC” series would be … Original article on : Conservative, religious leaders trying to stop Comedy Central cartoon on Jesus Christ.

Faith vs. finances: Clergy often lack financial literacy, resources for secure retirement

Many clergy ill-prepared for retirement
CHICAGO – Clergy seem an unlikely group to be facing a retirement security crisis.

They generally are looked up to by their parishioners as wise and frugal. Their pay, although modest, is enough to get by on. And they typically are provided with housing during their careers.
Yet many find themselves in a [..] Read the original article: here.

Muslim groups demand closure of Israeli embassy in India

NEW DELHI – Muslim organisations will Friday take out a march in the Indian capital to protest the attack by Israeli commandos on a Gaza aid flotilla that killed 16 activists May 30, and demand the closure of Israeli embassy in India.

The coordinator of the march S.Q.R. Ilyas said: “We will demand from the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Catholic bishop reportedly stabbed to death in southern Turkey

Catholic bishop reportedly stabbed in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey – The Turkish state-run news agency says a Catholic bishop has been stabbed to death in southern Turkey.
Anatolia news agency says Luigi Padovese was stabbed in his home in the Mediterranean port of Iskenderun.
Padovese is the pope’s apostolic vicar in Anatolia.
Private NTV television says without citing a source … Read more : Catholic bishop reportedly stabbed to death in southern Turkey.

Dalai Lama to visit Kashmir

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will visit the mountainous district of Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir this week to attend religious functions and teach, an aide said Thursday.

“The Dalai Lama is reaching Gulabgarh for a day June 5 where he will bless his followers and attend religious functions the next day,” Tenzin …. Original article  : Dalai Lama to visit Kashmir.