Religious teens less likely to consume marijuana

LONDON – Religiosity makes teens half as likely to use marijuana, says a study.

“Some may think this is an obvious finding, but research and expert opinion on this issue have not been consistent,” said study co-author Stephen Bahr, sociology professor of Brigham Young University (BYU).
“We accounted for family and peer characteristics, and regardless … Read more : Religious teens less likely to consume marijuana.

Conservative Minneapolis pastor reported to attend same-sex support group likely will keep job

Minn. pastor likely to keep job despite gay report

MINNEAPOLIS – A Lutheran pastor ardently critical of allowing gays into the clergy is on leave from his Minneapolis church after a gay magazine reported his attendance at a support group for men struggling with same-sex attraction.
Church officials, however, said Wednesday that the Rev. Tom Brock likely …. Original article  : Conservative Minneapolis pastor reported to attend same-sex support group likely will keep job.

Congress, AGP in war of words

GUWAHATI – Assam’s ruling Congress party and the main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) are locked in a bitter confrontation, hurling corruption charges against each other.

The war Wednesday reached the Raj Bhawan with the AGP holding a demonstration demanding a probe into a multi-million rupee financial scam in the North Cachar Hills district.
At the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Congress, AGP in war of words.

Chicago Cardinal George consulting with priests in eastern Cuba, will visit patron saint

Chicago cardinal heads to eastern Cuba for 2 days

HAVANA – The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was bound for eastern Cuba on Wednesday to consult with local Roman Catholic priests and pay a visit to the island’s patron saint.
Chicago Cardinal Francis George was traveling to Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city, where he planned …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Former Germany bishop accused of misconduct agrees he was right to resign

Germany bishop who resigned sticks to his decision

BERLIN – A former German bishop accused of physical abuse, alcoholism and sexual harassment apologized for his misconduct on Wednesday and agreed to stand by his decision to resign.
Germany’s Augsburg diocese said in a statement that it has reached a written agreement with the Rev. Water Mixa that …. Original article  : Former Germany bishop accused of misconduct agrees he was right to resign.

Amarnath Yatra arrangements in full swing

SRINAGAR – Preparations for the two-month-long annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir starting July 1 are in full swing.

Dozens of ‘langars’ (voluntary kitchens) have reached the north Kashmir Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district.
The 14-km trek from Baltal to the holy cave, which is snowbound, is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Amarnath Yatra arrangements in full swing.

Pagan a homer shy of cycle, Wright reaches base 5 times and Mets rout Tigers 14-6

Pagan a homer shy of cycle, Mets rout Tigers 14-6

NEW YORK – Angel Pagan finished a homer shy of the cycle and had four RBIs, David Wright reached base five times and scored three runs, and the New York Mets routed the Detroit Tigers 14-6 on a rainy Tuesday night.
Ike Davis had two hits and …. Source article  : Pagan a homer shy of cycle, Wright reaches base 5 times and Mets rout Tigers 14-6.

Venezuela’s Catholic Church calls scandal over rotten food ‘a sin,’ blames Chavez’s government

Venezuela’s clergy condemns gov’t over rotten food

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s Roman Catholic Church is blaming the government of President Hugo Chavez for the decomposition of more than 22,000 tons (20,000 metric tons) of food inside a port.
Church leaders condemn what they call the irresponsibility of officials at the state-run company that imported the food, calling … Original article on : Venezuela’s Catholic Church calls scandal over rotten food ‘a sin,’ blames Chavez’s government.

Laser uncovers first icons of Apostles Peter and Paul in catacombs under Rome office building

Lasers uncover first icons of Sts. Peter and Paul

ROME – Twenty-first century laser technology has opened a window into the early days of the Catholic Church, guiding researchers through the dank, musty catacombs beneath Rome to a startling find: the first known icons of the apostles Peter and Paul.
Vatican officials unveiled the paintings Tuesday, discovered … Read more : Laser uncovers first icons of Apostles Peter and Paul in catacombs under Rome office building.

Restorers announce discovery of 4th-century icons of Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome

4th century icons of Peter and Paul found in Rome

ROME – The earliest known icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul have been discovered in a catacomb under an eight-story modern office building in a working-class neighborhood of Rome, Vatican officials said Tuesday.
The images, which date from the second half of the 4th century, were …. Original article  : Restorers announce discovery of 4th-century icons of Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome.

Hindu group calls for shutdown in west Nepal

KATHMANDU – Western Nepal remained paralysed Tuesday as a little-known Hindu organisation enforced a shutdown demanding the restoration of Hinduism as the state religion, the second such disruptive protest since March.

The Bhishma Ekta Parishad, an obscure organisation that claims to have been founded about four years ago by a Hindu, who calls himself \”Sindhu\”, forced … Read more : Hindu group calls for shutdown in west Nepal.

Alleged son of priest-founder of Legion says Catholic order knew his dad was a pedophile

Alleged son of Legion’s priest founder sues order

NEW YORK – A Mexican man says that leaders of an influential Roman Catholic religious order knew their founder was a child molester and did nothing to stop him.
Jose Raul Gonzalez is seeking unspecified damages from the Legionaires of Christ in a lawsuit filed Monday in Connecticut. The … Original source on Gaea Times at : Alleged son of priest-founder of Legion says Catholic order knew his dad was a pedophile.

Himachal Pradesh promises help for Buddhist ceremony

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Monday said the government would extend all help during a Buddhist ceremony that will be attended by the Tibetan spiritual guru the Dalai Lama in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district in 2013.

“The state would be extending best possible help for successful organisation of ‘Kalachakra’ scheduled to be …. Source  : Himachal Pradesh promises help for Buddhist ceremony.

Ramadan to begin August 11: UAE astronomer

Sharjah, June 21 (IANS/WAM) The Muslim holy month of Ramadan will begin August 11 and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated September 10 this year, a UAE astronomer said.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, astronomer and supervisor of the Sharjah Planetarium, said the crescent moon of the fasting month will be sighted Tuesday, August 10, and Wednesday (August 11) will … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ramadan to begin August 11: UAE astronomer.

Cardinal under investigation for corruption says he acted transparently and forgives accusers

Cardinal denies corruption allegations
VATICAN CITY – A cardinal under investigation in a sprawling corruption scandal denied wrongdoing and insisted Monday he acted for the good of the church while handling real estate transactions for the Vatican office that funds missionary work abroad.

Naples Cardinal Crecenzio Sepe told a press conference he forgave his accusers and was …. Read the original article  : Cardinal under investigation for corruption says he acted transparently and forgives accusers.

India helps fill gap in hallowed Nepal pilgrim shrine

KATHMANDU – Thousands of pilgrims will now have their journey to one of the most hallowed religious destinations made easier, thanks to the new dharamshala -accommodation for budget tourists – built by the Indian government in mountainous northern Nepal.

Journeying to the Muktinath temple in northern Nepal, revered by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains alike, came within … Read more : India helps fill gap in hallowed Nepal pilgrim shrine.