We are open to all, says Church of England after complaint

LONDON – Following complaints by South Asian Christians that they are not welcome in mainstream churches, the Church of England has assured the community that steps will be taken to reverse the situation and stressed that they are “open to all”.

The church’s response came after the BBC Asian Network broadcast a special show earlier …. Source article  : We are open to all, says Church of England after complaint.

15,000 pilgrims start this year’s Amarnath Yatra

SRINAGAR – The annual Amarnath pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir kicked off Thursday with over 15,000 pilgrims beginning the climb to the cave shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

“More than 7,000 yatris began their uphill 14-km trek at 8 a.m. Thursday from Baltal to the cave. Another batch of 1,100 yatris has also … Read more : 15,000 pilgrims start this year’s Amarnath Yatra.

50th parish closing in Cleveland Catholic church downsizing blamed on money, attendance woes

50th Catholic parish is closing in Cleveland

CLEVELAND – A bell tolled solemnly as a man read the names of the fallen churches like a list of dearly departed saints.
St. Hedwig’s, recently sold to a drug rehabilitation agency. St. Andrew’s, demolished months ago.
Now joining them is St. Emeric’s, an old Hungarian parish, where about 100 parishioners …. Source  : 50th parish closing in Cleveland Catholic church downsizing blamed on money, attendance woes.

Lawsuit claims church protected abusive Salesian priest with transfers to 3 continents

Lawsuit: Church protected abusive Salesian priest

LOS ANGELES – A man who alleges he was abused in the 1960s by a priest who belonged to the Salesian order of the Roman Catholic church has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the religious order and the Vatican.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks unspecified damages.
Court papers allege the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Lawsuit claims church protected abusive Salesian priest with transfers to 3 continents.

Woman sues Omaha builder over firing, says boss believed unborn child had ‘negative energy’

Woman sues Omaha homebuilder for discrimination

OMAHA, Neb. – A woman was fired last year by an Omaha homebuilder because the company’s CEO believed her unborn child carried “negative energy,” according to a federal lawsuit.
Jammie Harms, 34, of Lincoln, says in her lawsuit against Hearthstone Homes that she suffered religious, gender and pregnancy discrimination that led … Original article on : Woman sues Omaha builder over firing, says boss believed unborn child had ‘negative energy’.

Icelandic prime minister’s historic gay marriage follows long tradition of Nordic tolerance

Icelandic leader in milestone gay marriage

STOCKHOLM – Iceland’s prime minister made history last week when she wed her longtime girlfriend, becoming the world’s first head of government to enter a gay marriage.
But fellow Nordic nations hardly noticed when 67-year-old Johanna Sigurdardottir tied the knot with her longtime partner – a milestone that would still, despite …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Icelandic prime minister’s historic gay marriage follows long tradition of Nordic tolerance.

Pope shuffles Vatican bureaucracy, names head of new office to fight secularization

Pope shuffles Vatican bureaucracy before vacation

VATICAN CITY – Preoccupied for months by the clerical sex abuse scandal, the pope on Wednesday shuffled the Vatican bureaucracy before heading off on vacation. His most significant appointment: the head of a new office designed to fight secularism in the West.
Pope Benedict XVI tapped a trusted Italian, Monsignor Rino … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pope shuffles Vatican bureaucracy, names head of new office to fight secularization.

Amarnath Yatra begins

JAMMU – The Amarnath Yatra began Wednesday morning with the first batch of nearly 1,300 pilgrims leaving here for the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir amid rising tensions in the valley.

There were 233 women and 32 children in the first batch of 1,272 pilgrims.
The pilgrimage was flagged off by state Tourism Minister … Read : Amarnath Yatra begins.

Pope creates new Vatican office to fight secularization, re-evangelize West

Vatican shuffles top posts
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has shuffled some of its top positions.

The Vatican announced on Wednesday that Monsignor Rino Fisichella has been tapped to head a new Vatican office to fight secularization and re-evangelize the West. The move is a tacit acknowledgment that attempts to reinvigorate Christianity in Europe need a boost.
Fisichella …. Source  : Pope creates new Vatican office to fight secularization, re-evangelize West.

Film on legendary Sikh warrior released

CHANDIGARH – The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikh religion, Wednesday released a one-hour telefilm “Baba Banda Singh Bahadar” to pay tribute to the legendary warrior.

The telefilm, made to mark the 300th anniversary of Bahadar’s Sirhind Fateh Divas (win) in May, was released by Gurbachan Singh, jathedar (head priest) of Akal Takht, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Film on legendary Sikh warrior released.

Italy appeals to court to overturn crucifix ban

Strasbourg, June 30 (IANS/AKI) The Italian government Wednesday launched an appeal in the European Court of Human Rights to overturn a ban on crucifixes in the classrooms of public schools.

The case against crucifixes was brought by Soile Lautsi, an Italian mother, who believes her children have a right to a secular education under Italy’s …. Original source  : Italy appeals to court to overturn crucifix ban.