Millions throng Mathura, Vrindavan for special prayers

MATHURA/VRINDAVAN – Lakhs of pilgrims have gathered at the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh for special rituals this month, also called ‘Purushottam Mas’, which is an extra month added to the Hindu calender and is considered auspicious.

On the occasion of Purushottam Ekadashi Sunday, a million people performed “parikrama” of the holy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Millions throng Mathura, Vrindavan for special prayers.

Obama and evangelist Billy Graham pray together and talk about God, shared roots and golf

Obama and evangelist Billy Graham share a prayer
MONTREAT, N.C. – President Barack Obama made a pilgrimage Sunday to Billy Graham’s mountainside home, concluding his North Carolina vacation with his first meeting with the ailing evangelist who has counseled commanders in chief since Dwight Eisenhower.
The 48-year-old president made the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama and evangelist Billy Graham pray together and talk about God, shared roots and golf.

Obama make pilgrimage to evangelist Billy Graham’s mountainside home in North Carolina

Obama stops at Billy Graham’s at NC mountain home
MONTREAT, N.C. – President Barack Obama made a pilgrimage Sunday to Billy Graham’s mountainside home, concluding his North Carolina vacation with his first meeting with the ailing evangelist who has counseled commanders in chief since Dwight Eisenhower.
The 48-year-old president made the short …. Source  : Obama make pilgrimage to evangelist Billy Graham’s mountainside home in North Carolina.

Chilean cardinal pledges full investigation into alleged abuses by priests; offers apology

Chilean cardinal pledges full abuse investigation

SANTIAGO, Chile – A top Roman Catholic official in Chile has acknowledged that he suspended an investigation into alleged abuses by a priest because he was looking for more evidence.
But Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz says the investigation is again under way into alleged abuses by the retired Rev. Fernando Karadima, …. Read the original article  : Chilean cardinal pledges full investigation into alleged abuses by priests; offers apology.

Candlelight processions mark Panchen Lama’s birthday

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan exiles here Sunday celebrated the 21st birthday of the Panchen Lama, a spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile said.

“Special prayer sessions were organised in the morning in which hundreds of monks participated. In the evening, a candlelight procession was taken out at McLeodganj,” the official said.
Similar functions were organised in other Buddhist-dominated [..] Read the original article: here.

On North Carolina vacation, President Obama fitting in visit with evangelist Billy Graham

Obama plans meeting with evangelist Billy Graham
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – President Barack Obama is fitting in his first visit with ailing evangelist Billy Graham during his vacation weekend in North Carolina.
Obama planned to see the 91-year-old Graham and his son Franklin at the elder Graham’s mountainside home in Montreat, about 20 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Illegal construction by shrine angers south Delhi residents

NEW DELHI – Residents of south Delhi’s Alaknanda area Sunday approached the police alleging illegal construction in violation of court orders by a mosque situated within an apartments complex.

The residents protested Sunday morning near Madni Mosque located in the Aravali Apartments complex alleging the mosque authorities had begun illegally constructing a room Saturday that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Illegal construction by shrine angers south Delhi residents.

Sri Sri’s take on IPL: Needs more cleaning than Yamuna

NEW DELHI – The raging IPL scandal, with its unlikely cocktail of cricket, money, glamour and politics, has saddened spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. As more skeletons tumble out of the IPL closet, he says sports need more cleaning up than the filth-clogged Yamuna.

Anguished by the headline-hogging row over the Indian Premier League … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sri Sri’s take on IPL: Needs more cleaning than Yamuna.

UK document: Pope Benedict XVI could open abortion clinic, sing with Queen during visit

UK apologizes to Vatican over Pope visit jokes

LONDON – Britain’s Foreign Office issued a hasty apology Sunday to Pope Benedict XVI after publication of an internal memo in which officials joked he could open an abortion clinic, launch a range of condoms or sing a duet with Queen Elizabeth II during a four-day visit in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : UK document: Pope Benedict XVI could open abortion clinic, sing with Queen during visit.

Madurai Meenakshi Temple Celebrates Thirukalyanam

TAMIL NADU, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Madurai Meenakshi Temple (Meenakshi Amman Temple) shall witness the angelic marriage of Lord Sundareshwara and Goddess Madurai Meenakshi in the grand Thirukalyanam event to be held on April 25. Madurai Meenakshi Temple happens to be one of the largest temples of Tamil Nadu which hosts the divine marriage of Lord Sundareshwara …. Source  : Madurai Meenakshi Temple Celebrates Thirukalyanam.

India’s Catholic church prepares to prevent scandals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Catholic leaders in India are drawing up procedures to prevent scandals and tackle them if they happen, though the country has been spared the child abuse controversies rocking the church in Western countries, Christian leaders say.

“The church is strictly a moralistic organisation, but the sad fact is that aberrations do happen. And this …. Original source  : India’s Catholic church prepares to prevent scandals.

Postelection court order disqualifies Iraqi candidates, risks longer delays for new government

Iraqi court bans candidates in election disarray

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi court threw the nation’s disputed election into deeper disarray Monday by disqualifying 52 candidates, including one winner, in a legal ruling that cast doubt on the slim lead of a Sunni-backed alliance over the prime minister’s political coalition.
The decision by the three-judge election court intensified … Read : Postelection court order disqualifies Iraqi candidates, risks longer delays for new government.

Iran’s opposition leader says corrupt dictatorship is ruling country in the name of Islam

Iran’s opposition leader assails ruling clerics

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s opposition leader says “corrupt despotic rulers” are running the country in the name of Islam.
The comment by Mir Hossein Mousavi is his strongest to date against Iran’s hard-line clerical leadership, although he has often criticized the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Mousavi also says his Green Movement …. Read the original article  : here.

Leaked memo will not affect Pope’s Britain visit: Vatican

Vatican City, April 26 (IANS/AKI) The Vatican has said there will be no changes to Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain in September despite an embarrassing memo that has apparently mocked the pontiff.

Britain’s Foreign Office apologised to the Pope over the memo published in The Sunday Telegraph newspaper, which said the Pope could bless …. Source article  : Leaked memo will not affect Pope’s Britain visit: Vatican.

Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi in Malaysia

GEORGE TOWN – Thousands of Sikhs were joined by tourists at the annual Vasakhi Fest held in Malaysia’s Penang state to mark Vaisakhi, the harvesting festival.

The Saturday night event was organised by the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (Penang branch). It included Sikh folk dances like the bhangra and giddha, The Star said Monday.
There was … Read : Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi in Malaysia.

Clergy celibacy may be open to review, says Vatican

Vatican City, April 28 (IANS/AKI) The vow of celibacy by the clergy may be open to review, the Vatican’s second highest ranking official has said.

“It is not that it is untouchable,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was quoted as saying by Spain’s Catalan public television Tuesday.
“There are married priests in the Catholic …. Read the original article  : Clergy celibacy may be open to review, says Vatican.

Defence study on ascetic\’s claim of surviving on air

GANDHINAGAR – An observational study is being carried out by defence scientists and doctors on an 82-year-old ascetic who claims to have survived without food and water for over seven decades. It seeks to evolve a survival regimen for soldiers in inhospitable terrain and for astronauts.

The study, under the aegis of the Defence Institute of … Read more : Defence study on ascetic\’s claim of surviving on air.

Dalai to inaugurate Buddha park in May

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will inaugurate the splendid Buddha Memorial Park in Bihar on May 27, officials said in Patna today.

The Park is being constructed near Patna junction in the capital of Bihar.
“Delegations from several Buddhist countries will attend the prayer ceremony during the opening of the Park which His Holiness Dalai … Original article on : Dalai to inaugurate Buddha park in May.

Wakf amendment bill seeks representation of women

NEW DELHI – Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Tuesday introduced the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2010, in the Lok Sabha that seeks to address the lapses in the Wakf Act, 1995, and also provides for representation of women, professionals and experts in the wakf councils.

The bill seeks to address the inadequacy of data on waqf properties, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How Philip Pullman’s book split Jesus and Christ

NEW DELHI – The messiah descends on earth as a classic “split personality” – good Jesus and his twin, the scoundrel Christ – in the new novel by Philip Pullman who believes he must have been “a genius and one of the greatest storytellers”.

Published in April, it is a contemporary and radical retelling of the … Read more >>>.

US panel names Saudi Arabia, China, 11 others as serious religious rights violators

US panel names 13 countries as religious violators
WASHINGTON – Saudi Arabia and China are among 13 countries a U.S. government panel named on Thursday as serious violators of religious freedom.
The panel’s report also criticized the current and former administrations in Washington for doing far too little to make basic religious rights universal.
That is …. Read the original article  : here.

Catholic population rises by 11.5 percent

Vatican City, April 29 (IANS/AKI) The number of Catholics in the world rose by 11.5 percent to 1.166 billion between 2000 and 2008 that includes a “dramatic increase” in Africa and Asia, the Vatican has said.

The biggest increases were recorded in the Third World – with a 33 percent rise in Africa and a 15.6 … Read : Catholic population rises by 11.5 percent.

Catholic bishop in RI withdraws 2 hospitals from group that supported health care reform

Bishop bans RI hosps from pro-health reform group
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Roman Catholic bishop of Providence has withdrawn two hospitals sponsored by his diocese from membership in a Catholic hospital group that supports health care reform.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed reform legislation because of fears it would allow for public funding …. Read the original article  : Catholic bishop in RI withdraws 2 hospitals from group that supported health care reform.

Top Vatican official left Calif. priest in pastor role after learning of abuse decade earlier

Vatican official left abusive priest in pastor job

The cardinal who oversees priest abuse cases at the Vatican didn’t restrict a California priest after learning in 1995 that he had molested a 13-year-old boy a decade earlier.
Cardinal William Levada (luh-VAY’-duh) talked about the case in a 2005 deposition obtained by The Associated Press. He was archbishop …. Source  : Top Vatican official left Calif. priest in pastor role after learning of abuse decade earlier.

Mojave cross ruling: High court suggests greater lenience for religious symbols on public land

Mojave cross case: a signal on religious symbols

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled a greater willingness to allow religious symbols on public land Wednesday, a stance that could have important implications for future church-state disputes.
By a 5-4 vote, the court refused to order the removal of a congressionally endorsed war memorial cross from …. Original article  : Mojave cross ruling: High court suggests greater lenience for religious symbols on public land.

Vatican official: ‘Wouldn’t be surprised’ if pope apologizes for cleric sex abuse in June

Vatican: Pope may apologize for abuse by priests

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI may issue a mea culpa for the church’s handling of clerical sexual abuse cases when he attends a meeting of the world’s clergy in June, the Vatican official in charge of handling abuse cases said.
Cardinal William Levada also said he intended to …. Source  : Vatican official: ‘Wouldn’t be surprised’ if pope apologizes for cleric sex abuse in June.

In church-state case, Supreme Court endorses war memorial cross in Mojave preserve in Calif.

High court supports Mojave cross in Calif.

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court said Wednesday that a lower court went too far in ordering the removal of a congressionally endorsed war memorial cross from its longtime home atop a remote outcropping in California.
Signaling support for keeping the cross, the justices ordered the federal court in California to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : In church-state case, Supreme Court endorses war memorial cross in Mojave preserve in Calif..

Haridwar overflows with pilgrims on last day of Maha Kumbh

HARIDWAR – A sea of pilgrims converged here Wednesday to take a holy dip in the revered Ganga on the occasion of Vaisakh Aadhimaas that marks the end of one of the largest religious gatherings in the world – the Maha Kumbh.

On Vaisakh Aadhimaas, which is the last full moon of the Maha Kumbh Mela …. Original source  : Haridwar overflows with pilgrims on last day of Maha Kumbh.

Prahlad Jani- The Mystery Saint

AHMADABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Gujarat’s miracle saint Prahlad Jani is kept under strict observation by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) where a panel of medical examiners are scratching their brains to figure out how the 83 year old man survived all this while as he claims that he has not consumed a single drop … Read : Prahlad Jani- The Mystery Saint.

Belgian parliament moves against burqa (Second Lead)

BRUSSELS – The lower house of the Belgian parliament approved a draft law Thursday banning the wearing of burqa in public and other types of Islamic veils, the Belga news agency reported.

However, the law criminalising Muslim women who hide their faces in public is unlikely to enter into force soon, as it still has to … Read more >>>.

Burqa set to be banned in Belgium

London, April 30 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Belgium is all set to become the first European country to ban the burqa in public after the country’s lower chamber of parliament approved a bill.

A total of 134 lawmakers voted Thursday in favour of the ban. Two members abstained but no one voted against.
Under the new law, women … Original source on Gaea Times at : Burqa set to be banned in Belgium.

Belgian parliament moves against burqas despite crisis

BRUSSELS – The lower house of the Belgian parliament approved a draft law Thursday banning the wearing of burqa in public and other types of Islamic veils, the Belga news agency reported.

However, the law criminalising Muslim women who hide their faces in public is unlikely to enter into force soon, as it still has to … Original article on : Belgian parliament moves against burqas despite crisis.

Belgium ban burqa-type dress; Law cites public security, securing emancipation of women

Belgium bans burqa-type dress in public
BRUSSELS – Belgium’s lower house of parliament on Thursday banned burqa-type Islamic dress in public, but the measure faces a challenge in the Senate which will delay early enactment of the law.

Christian Democrats and Liberals in the Senate questioned the phrasing of the law, which holds no one can appear …. Read the original article  : here.

Watchdog group says cross, religious motto should be removed from Colo. Army hospital’s emblem

Group: Army symbol is religious, should be changed

DENVER – A religious watchdog group says a cross and motto on the emblem of an Army hospital in Colorado violate the constitutional requirement for separation of church and state and should be removed.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation asked the Army this week to change the emblem of … Original article on : Watchdog group says cross, religious motto should be removed from Colo. Army hospital’s emblem.

No. 2 Legionary official breaks silence on eve of Vatican meeting to discuss order’s future

Legionaries break silence ahead of Vatican meeting

VATICAN CITY – The No. 2 official in the Legionaries of Christ has broken his silence on the eve of a Vatican meeting to discuss the fate of the order following revelations that its late founder led a double life.
The Rev. Luis Garza Medina says he only realized the … Read : No. 2 Legionary official breaks silence on eve of Vatican meeting to discuss order’s future.

India placed on US ‘watch list’ on religious freedom

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan US panel on global religious freedom has named Pakistan and 12 other nations as “countries of particular concern” while placing India on its ‘Watch List’ for the second year in succession.

In a report to the US Congress Thursday, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) termed India’s progress in protecting … Read : India placed on US ‘watch list’ on religious freedom.

No word on ISI hand in Babri demolition, cop tells court

LUCKNOW – Anju Gupta, a senior police officer and key witness in the Babri Mosque demolition case, Thursday refuted the defence contention that Pakistan’s intelligence agency was involved in pulling down the 16th century mosque.

During her cross-examination, Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Gupta maintained before the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Rae [..] Read the original article: here.

Tytler acquittal triggers uproar in parliament (Afternoon Lead)

NEW DELHI – The acquittal of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case caused an uproar in parliament Thursday, forcing an adjournment of the Rajya Sabha while the Lok Sabha witnessed heated exchanges on the issue.

Akali Dal member Raj Mohinder Singh Majitha raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha midway through the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tytler acquittal triggers uproar in parliament (Afternoon Lead).

160-year-old St. Vincent’s Hospital, last Catholic-affiliated hospital in NYC, closes for good

NYC’s St. Vincent’s Hospital closes for good

NEW YORK – St. Vincent’s Hospital, a 160-year institution in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, closed for good Friday after months of feuding and years of financial struggles.
Closed signs were posted on the hospital’s double doors at 8:15 a.m. About 100 people, including nurses, doctors, other hospital workers and neighborhood residents, …. Source  : 160-year-old St. Vincent’s Hospital, last Catholic-affiliated hospital in NYC, closes for good.

Dalai Lama expresses gratitude to Himachal’s people

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama Friday expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Himachal Pradesh for providing asylum to him and thousands of his countrymen in this hill station for the past 50 years.

“I appreciate the people of Himachal Pradesh for their support, hospitality, love and regard accorded to the … Read more >>>.

Kenyan church leaders vow to campaign against draft constitution over abortion issue

Kenyan churches oppose constitution over abortion

NAIROBI, Kenya – Church leaders in Kenya are vowing to scuttle a decades-long quest for a more democratic constitution over the issue of abortion, and American groups on both sides are weighing in on the debate.
Abortions are illegal in Kenya under current law, but hundreds of thousands of women still …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kenyan church leaders vow to campaign against draft constitution over abortion issue.

French law to target men who impose wearing of burqa

PARIS – The harshest penalties in the French draft bill to ban the Islamic all-body veil, or burqa, is to be imposed on men who force women to wear the garment, the daily Le Figaro reported Friday.

According to the draft of the law examined by the daily, anyone found guilty of forcing a woman to …. Source  : French law to target men who impose wearing of burqa.

Pope taking part in Vatican meeting over Legionaries of Christ

Pope at Vatican meeting on Legionaries of Christ

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI took part Friday in a Vatican meeting over the fate of the Legionaries of Christ after revelations that the group’s founder had fathered children and abused seminarians.
Benedict had not been expected to participate in the meeting between five Vatican inspectors and the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pope taking part in Vatican meeting over Legionaries of Christ.

Swarnim Gujarat Promises Grand Celebrations

AHMEDABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- In the wake of the celebrations that follows Swarnim Gujarat, the traffic shall witness an effective management by the city police. Reportedly, owing to Swarnim Gujarat the city police shall be adopting special measures to make sure that the traffic operation in the city doesn’t face any hassle or hindrance. It was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Swarnim Gujarat Promises Grand Celebrations.

Iraqi PM criticizes opponent’s calls for international involvement in post-election impasse

Iraq PM slams calls for foreign role in election

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi prime minister on Friday harshly criticized his rival’s calls for international involvement in setting up a new government following the close-fought parliamentary elections, saying such a role would harm Iraq’s efforts to become fully independent.
In the latest escalation of the war of words …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pope visits Turin to see shroud

TURIN – Pope Benedict XVI arrived Sunday in Turin to visit a controversial Catholic relic – a cloth some say is the one used to wrap Jesus’ body for burial and others dismiss as a medieval forgery.

Some 25,000 people gathered in the northern Italian city’s central San Carlo square to greet the pontiff who was … Read more >>.

Scandal-plagued Legionaries accept papal takeover; pope’s delegate to lead, reform order

Scandal-plagued Legionaries accept papal takeover

The scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ says it has accepted the pope’s decision to appoint a personal delegate to lead and reform the order following revelations that its founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered at least one child.
In a statement posted on its website late Saturday, the Legionaries said its members “embrace …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scandal-plagued Legionaries accept papal takeover; pope’s delegate to lead, reform order.

Pope takes break from scandal to visit Turin Shroud, tradition says it’s Christ’s burial cloth

Pope takes break from scandal, visits Turin Shroud

TURIN, Italy – Pope Benedict XVI is taking a break from dealing with the clerical sex abuse scandal to visit the Shroud of Turin, the linen with an image of a man on it that some believe is Christ’s burial cloth and others dismiss as a medieval fake.
Benedict … Read more »».

Pope to name envoy to lead, reform Legionaries after founder sexually abused seminarians

Pope to name envoy to lead discredited Legionaries

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI cracked down Saturday on the scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ, announcing that a papal envoy would take over and reform the conservative order that has been discredited by revelations that its founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered at least one child.
Benedict also ordered …. Source article  : Pope to name envoy to lead, reform Legionaries after founder sexually abused seminarians.

Alleged child-bride marriage stuns Nigeria, home to uneasy population split between faiths

Nigeria: Senator allegedly marries girl, age 13

LAGOS, Nigeria – The marriage took place at one of the Nigerian capital’s most recognizable landmarks, under the golden dome of the National Mosque in front of an audience of the elite.
But the recent wedding of one of the Muslim leaders who brought Shariah law to Africa’s most populous … Original article on : Alleged child-bride marriage stuns Nigeria, home to uneasy population split between faiths.

‘Speed up ropeway construction between shrines’

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Saturday urged his Punjab counterpart Parkash Singh Badal to speed up construction of an aerial ropeway connecting religious shrines in the two states.

“Dhumal today (Saturday) wrote to Badal to accord top priority to construct the Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi ropeway to facilitate the movement of devotees,” an …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Speed up ropeway construction between shrines’.

Pope to name envoy, commission to reform Legionaries after founder sexually abused seminarians

Pope to name commission to reform Legionaries

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican denounced the “immoral” double life led by the late founder of the Legionaries of Christ on Saturday and said a papal envoy and special commission would be named to overhaul the conservative order following revelations its founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered at least …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pope to name envoy, commission to reform Legionaries after founder sexually abused seminarians.