Allawi gains momentum as Iraqi PM’s hopes of drawing Shiite coalitions to his side crumble

Division among Iraq’s Shiites good news for Allawi

BAGHDAD – When the coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki narrowly lost at the polls, he raised the prospect that he could pull ahead by gaining the support of other Shiite-dominated alliances. Since then the largest of those groups have been reaching out – but not …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Allawi gains momentum as Iraqi PM’s hopes of drawing Shiite coalitions to his side crumble.

Vatican spokesman takes distance from preacher’s likening accusations vs pope to anti-Semitism

Vatican distances itself from comments on Jews

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican spokesman is officially distancing itself from Good Friday remarks by the papal preacher, who likened accusations against the pope in the clergy sex abuse cover-up scandals to collective violence against Jews.
The Rev. Federico Lombardi contacted The Associated Press in Rome to say such parallelism …. Read the original article  : Vatican spokesman takes distance from preacher’s likening accusations vs pope to anti-Semitism.

APNewsBreak: Rome waited a decade-plus to defrock Arizona priest, despite letters to Ratzinger

APNewsBreak: Rome waited years to ban Ariz. priest

The future Pope Benedict XVI took over the abuse case of an Arizona priest, then let it languish at the Vatican for years despite repeated pleas from the bishop for the man to be removed from the priesthood, according to church correspondence.
Documents reviewed by The Associated Press show [..] Read the original article: here.

Poland marks anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death as religious observance begins to flag

More-secular Poland marks Pope John Paul’s death

WARSAW, Poland – A trumpet in Warsaw sounded a mournful tone at 9:37 p.m., marking the minute five years ago when Poland’s revered native son Pope John Paul II died.
Believers held solemn commemorations of the pope amid Good Friday observances recalling the suffering of Jesus. Singing hymns in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Poland marks anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death as religious observance begins to flag.

Nigeria’s ill, long absent president greets religious guests briefly, but remains seated

Imam: Nigeria’s ill, absent president meets guests

LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigeria’s long ill and unseen president met briefly with Muslim religious leaders, raising his hands in prayer though never standing during the first visit since November by anyone outside a small group of advisers and family members, the nation’s chief imam said Friday.
Imam Ustaz Musa Mohammed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nigeria’s ill, long absent president greets religious guests briefly, but remains seated.

Pilgrims arriving in St. Peter’s Square for Good Friday service led by the pope

Pilgrims filling St. Peter’s Square on Good Friday

VATICAN CITY – Pilgrims are arriving in St. Peter’s Square to mark Good Friday as the church defends itself against accusations that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in covering up sex abuses cases.
The pope is scheduled to preside over a prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica and …. Read the original article  : Pilgrims arriving in St. Peter’s Square for Good Friday service led by the pope.

Leader of Iraqi Shiite party gives boost to Allawi in race for prime minister

Leader of Iraqi Shiite party gives boost to Allawi

BAGHDAD – The secular front-runner in Iraq’s elections welcomed the support of a leading Iranian-linked Shiite party Friday while a powerful anti-U.S. cleric canvassed his followers in a poll that could set the stage for a turn against the incumbent prime minister.
The backing of the Supreme Islamic …. Original article  : Leader of Iraqi Shiite party gives boost to Allawi in race for prime minister.

Anti-US cleric’s supporters choose which candidate to back in self-styled referendum

Shiite cleric’ followers choose their PM candidate

BAGHDAD – Iraqi supporters of a powerful anti-American cleric turned out Friday for a special vote on which candidate the potential kingmaker should support for prime minister.
Muqtada al-Sadr has withheld his backing from both big winners in the March 7 election, saying he wants his supporters to make the … Read more »».

Poland on Good Friday remembers John Paul 5 years after pope’s death

Poland marks John Paul’s death on Good Friday

WARSAW, Poland – Predominantly Catholic Poland is marking the fifth anniversary of the death of its native son, Pope John Paul II, along with the traditional Good Friday processions and reenactments of Christ’s death.
The Archbishop of Krakow, Stanislaw Dziwisz, noted the emotional symbolism of the anniversary falling on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Poland on Good Friday remembers John Paul 5 years after pope’s death.