Indian priest accused of paedophilia under house arrest in Italy

Teramo (Italy), April 16 (IANS/AKI) An Indian priest who confessed to sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl in central Italy has been placed under house arrest.

The priest, identified only as David, was transferred to an unnamed location, believed to be a local convent after being charged with sexual violence in the town of Teramo, 175 km …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indian priest accused of paedophilia under house arrest in Italy.

Vatican forgives Beatles for ‘Jesus slur’

LOS ANGELES – The Vatican has forgiven The Beatles for John Lennon’s controversial 1996 claim that the band was “bigger than Jesus”.

Imdb.com reports that an article in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano has praised the group’s career, saying the majesty of their music rendered the Jesus comment “meaningless”.
“It’s true, they took drugs, swept up …. Read the original article  : Vatican forgives Beatles for ‘Jesus slur’.

Belgium moves to ban burqa as fears of national identity, security and jobs swirl in Europe

Europe struggles with Muslim dress code
ANTWERP, Belgium – Chances of seeing a burqa in Belgium are only a little better than spotting a liquor shop in Saudi Arabia. Yet Belgium soon may be the first European nation to outlaw the burqa and other Islamic garb that completely hides a woman’s body and face.

Neighboring France and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Belgium moves to ban burqa as fears of national identity, security and jobs swirl in Europe.

Ban Ganga has little water for Vaishno Devi pilgrims

KATRA – For many, a holy pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi means a dip in the Ban Ganga river which meanders around the sacred shrine. But this year there is disappointment in store as the river

is almost dry.
While some attribute this to developmental activities and the toll the huge number of pilgrims takes, others say … Original article on : Ban Ganga has little water for Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

White House: Obama will recognize Day of Prayer after judge’s ruling day is unconstitutional

White House: Obama will issue prayer proclamation
MADISON, Wis. – White House officials say President Barack Obama still will recognize a National Day of Prayer after a federal judge’s ruling the day is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb in Madison, Wis., ruled Thursday that the day violates separation of church and state. The ruling …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : White House: Obama will recognize Day of Prayer after judge’s ruling day is unconstitutional.

Federal judge in Wis. rules Day of Prayer unconstitutional after atheists and agnostics sue

Federal judge rules Day of Prayer unconstitutional
MADISON, Wis. – A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote that the government can no more enact laws supporting a day … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Federal judge in Wis. rules Day of Prayer unconstitutional after atheists and agnostics sue.

Pope breaks silence on abuse, urges repentance for sins, recognition of mistakes

Pope breaks silence on abuse, urges repentance

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI broke his recent silence on the clerical abuse scandal Thursday, complaining that the church was under attack but saying that “we Christians” must repent for sins and recognize mistakes.
The main U.S. victims group immediately dismissed his comments, saying they are meaningless unless Benedict … Read : Pope breaks silence on abuse, urges repentance for sins, recognition of mistakes.

Pope notes attacks on church, urges repentance, recognition of mistakes

Pope notes attacks on church, urges repentance

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI broke his recent silence on the clerical abuse scandal Thursday, noting recent attacks on the church and the need for “we Christians” to repent for sins and recognize mistakes.
Benedict made the comments during an off-the-cuff homily at a Mass inside the Vatican for …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Man’s headless torso found near Kali temple

KOLKATA – The headless torso of a man was discovered near a Kali temple in Bolpur of West Bengals Birbum district Thursday, raising suspicion among locals that he was the victim of a religious sacrifice to propitiate the goddess.

The unidentified man, in his mid-thirties, was found lying in a pool of blood close to the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Man’s headless torso found near Kali temple.

Croatian president honors victims of both Croat and Bosniak atrocities

Croatian president honors war victims in Bosnia

AHMICI, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Croatia’s president paid tribute on Thursday to victims of massacres during Bosnia’s 1992-1995 war, in the clearest message of reconciliation yet from a leader of the three nationalities that fought in Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.
President Ivo Josipovic had the Islamic and Catholic religious …. Read the original article  : Croatian president honors victims of both Croat and Bosniak atrocities.

Pope mentions attacks on church, urges repentance, recognition of mistakes

Pope mentions attacks on church, urges repentance

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI spoke Thursday about “attacks” on the church and the need for Catholics to repent for sins and recognize their mistakes, in an apparent reference to the clerical abuse scandal.
Benedict made the comments during a homily at a Mass inside the Vatican for members …. Source article  : Pope mentions attacks on church, urges repentance, recognition of mistakes.

Sunni-supported party from Iraq courts Iranian support

Iraq: Allawi’s party courts Iranian support

BAGHDAD – The political coalition that won the most seats in Iraq’s inconclusive parliamentary election last month says it won’t let Iraq be used as a launching pad for any attacks on Iran.
Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi’s secular Iraqiya alliance made the pledge Thursday after a delegation visited Tehran amid …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Report: Pope says “we” must repent for abuse sins, recognize mistakes

Report: Pope says “we” must repent for abuse

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI referred Thursday to “attacks” on the church stemming from the clerical sexual abuse scandal and said “we Christians” must repent for sins and recognize mistakes, news reports said.
Benedict made the off-the-cuff comments during his homily at a Mass inside the Vatican for …. Original source  : Report: Pope says “we” must repent for abuse sins, recognize mistakes.

Reports: Pope mentions abuse scandal, urges repentance for sins and recognition of mistakes

Reports: Pope urges repentance, recognize mistakes

VATICAN CITY – News reports say Pope Benedict XVI has referred to the clerical abuse scandal and has said “we Christians” must repent for sins and recognize mistakes.
The ANSA news agency says Benedict spoke during Mass on Thursday with members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. The Vatican didn’t immediately provide … Original article on : Reports: Pope mentions abuse scandal, urges repentance for sins and recognition of mistakes.

For now, cricket edges out football in ‘Little Tibet’

DHARAMSALA – Tibetans here are crazy about football. But with no less than spiritual leader Dalai Lama expected at an India Premier League (IPL) match here next week, cricket looms large on their minds.

Dharamsala – also known as ‘Little Tibet’ – is eagerly waiting for the two matches to be played at the newly … Read : For now, cricket edges out football in ‘Little Tibet’.