German theologian Kueng urges bishops to pressure pope on reforming church in crisis

German theologian urges bishops to disobey pope

BERLIN – German theologian Hans Kueng is urging bishops to disobey the pope and push for reforms in the Roman Catholic Church.
The 82-year-old former colleague and friend of Pope Benedict XVI says the church is in its deepest crisis since the Protestant Reformation after recent revelations of sexual abuse …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Survey: A quarter of Africans worry about future religious conflict; Nigeria, Rwanda top list

Africans worried about future religious conflict

LAGOS, Nigeria – More than a quarter of people in sub-Saharan Africa worry about future conflict along religious lines, though concerns in Rwanda and Nigeria are even higher, according to a new survey on religious attitudes released Thursday.
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, which conducted the survey, however, …. Source  : Survey: A quarter of Africans worry about future religious conflict; Nigeria, Rwanda top list.

Tomb protesters call for Indonesian security force to be disbanded following deadly clashes

Protesters rally in Indonesia after deadly clash

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Hundreds of demonstrators descended Thursday on Jakarta’s City Hall to demand that the city’s public security force be disbanded following bloody clashes over a Muslim tomb that left two dead and 156 wounded near the Indonesian capital’s main seaport.
The protesters chanted “God is Great” and some [..] Read the original article: here.

Calif. city’s passage of public prayer measure sets stage for civil rights showdown

Calif. city may face legal action over prayer vote

LOS ANGELES – When Lancaster’s flamboyant mayor R. Rex Parris calls the City Council to order at its next meeting, it’s a good bet he’ll open the proceedings with a prayer.
A controversial measure calling on residents to allow the City Council to continue beginning its meetings with …. Source  : Calif. city’s passage of public prayer measure sets stage for civil rights showdown.

Retired Wisconsin priest suspended from church activities over ‘vague’ sexual misconduct claim

Retired priest suspended on ‘vague allegations’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Diocese of Superior in Wisconsin has suspended a retired Catholic priest from church activities while police investigate allegations of sexual misconduct.
Douglas County District Attorney Dan Blank says an attorney for the diocese in Wisconsin contacted him with “vague allegations” and he reported the matter to Superior … Read more : Retired Wisconsin priest suspended from church activities over ‘vague’ sexual misconduct claim.

Moulana Israr Ahmed’s death shocks Muslims

HYDERABAD – The demise of renowned Islamic scholar Moulana Israr Ahmed sent shock waves among Muslim community in this Indian city.

Muslim organisations and leaders expressed their shock the death of Moulana Israr Ahmed, the founder of Tanzeem-e-Islami who passed away in Pakistani city of Lahore early Wednesday.
Hundreds of Muslims offered ‘Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza’ (or funeral … Original article on : Moulana Israr Ahmed’s death shocks Muslims.

Vatican tries to defuse anger over its claim scandals are tied to homosexuality, not celibacy

Vatican tamps down uproar over homosexual comment

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican is trying to defuse anger over remarks by the pope’s top aide that the priest sex abuse scandals are linked to homosexuality.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s secretary of state, told reporters in Chile this week that the clerical abuse scandals are linked not to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Online database of Madhya Pradesh temples soon

BHOPAL – Temples in Madhya Pradesh maintained by the state government will soon have computerised records and all information about them would be available online in an effort to prevent encroachment of their land, an official said Wednesday.

A database on such temples is being prepared by the state’s Department of Religious Trusts & Endowments and … Read more : Online database of Madhya Pradesh temples soon.