India says no to US tour of Tibetan monk

DHARAMSALA – India has denied permission to Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa who is the third most respected Tibetan monk reincarnate and is recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China, to go on a two-week religious tour to the US this month.

His private office here Thursday said he was denied permission without citing … Read more »».

International support to declare 1984 riots a genocide

CHANDIGARH – A global human rights advocacy group working for Sikh rights Thursday called for international support after the Sikh high priests in Amritsar announced that the 1984 anti-Sikh riots across would now be called a ‘genocide’.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, US-based International Human Rights Organisation’s (IHRO) attorney in New York, sought international support to get the … Read more : International support to declare 1984 riots a genocide.

New bishop for post left vacant for 48 years in China

Vatican City, July 15 (IANS/AKI) Antonio Xu Jiwei has been consecrated bishop of the city of Taizhou in China’s eastern coastal province of Zhejiang, filling an office that has been vacant for 48 years, the Vatican announced Wednesday.

The July 10 ceremony was attended by about 1,000 Catholics and was presided over by three Chinese bishops. …. Original article  : New bishop for post left vacant for 48 years in China.

Lawmakers debate making Argentina first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage

Argentine Senate considers same-sex marriage law

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina’s senators debated in a marathon session early Thursday as they prepared to vote on whether to make their nation the first in Latin America to grant same-sex marriages all the rights of heterosexual unions.
The gay marriage proposal has the firm support of President Cristina Fernandez, … Read more : Lawmakers debate making Argentina first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage.

Venezuelan president reconsiders ties with Vatican as tensions with clergy rise

Chavez: Venezuela rethinks relations with Vatican

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez announced Wednesday that Venezuela would rethink its relations with the Vatican as tensions rise between his government and Catholic Church representatives who accuse the socialist leader of becoming increasingly authoritarian.
During a televised speech, Chavez instructed his foreign minister to “examine” relations with the Vatican. … Read more >>>.

Attack on mosque in Nigeria launches religious violence that leaves 5 dead

Nigeria: 5 die in new religious violence
JALINGO, Nigeria – An attack on a mosque by youths in eastern Nigeria erupted into bloodshed, leaving at least five people dead as religious violence continued between Christians and Muslims in Africa’s most populous nation, witnesses and police said Wednesday.

The violence began Tuesday in the community of Wukari in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Attack on mosque in Nigeria launches religious violence that leaves 5 dead.

New Legionaries of Christ leader calls for examination of conscience of scandal-plagued order

Papal delegate to Legionaries: examine consciences

VATICAN CITY – The pope’s delegate for the scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ has told its members they must examine their consciences and reform following allegations that their founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered children.
The Legionaries said Wednesday that Archbishop Velasio De Paolis had met with the order’s top leaders for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New Legionaries of Christ leader calls for examination of conscience of scandal-plagued order.

‘Disney theme park for rioting’: Belfast leaders decry children’s zeal for fighting police

Belfast leaders decry youths’ zeal for rioting

DUBLIN – Political and religious leaders pleaded Wednesday for Catholic teenagers and children engaged in Belfast rioting to stop before one of them is killed and becomes a martyr for Irish Republican Army dissidents.
Their appeals follow three nights of street mayhem in working-class Catholic parts of Belfast that one … Read more : ‘Disney theme park for rioting’: Belfast leaders decry children’s zeal for fighting police.

Vatican, China approve new bishop for Taizhou; consecration testament to warming ties

Vatican, China OK new bishop as relations warm

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican and the Chinese government have approved the consecration of a new bishop for Taizhou in a sign of warming ties.
The Vatican said Wednesday 75-year-old Msgr. Antonio Xu Jiwei was named bishop over the weekend in a ceremony presided over by four other bishops …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Belfast police dodge gunfire in 3rd night of unrest; priest decries ‘theme park for rioting’

Police dodge gunfire in 3rd night of Belfast riots

DUBLIN – Northern Ireland police came under live fire during a third straight night of Belfast unrest in scenes that a Catholic priest described Wednesday as “a Disney theme park for rioting.”
The leaders of Northern Ireland’s Protestant-Catholic government, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, said they would meet …. Source article  : Belfast police dodge gunfire in 3rd night of unrest; priest decries ‘theme park for rioting’.

Militants kill 3 in attack on house of member of moderate Sunni Muslim sect in western Iraq

3 die in Iraq attack on Sunni sect member’s house

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say militants have attacked the house of a member of a moderate Sunni Muslim sect in the country’s west, killing two women and a six-year-old child in their sleep.
Police and hospital officials say they attackers surrounded the house of Rahal Hussein, a … Read more : Militants kill 3 in attack on house of member of moderate Sunni Muslim sect in western Iraq.

Why should we be banned, asks Kerala Muslim leader

NEW DELHI – A radical Muslim leader in Kerala dismisses charges of terrorism flung at his outfit and insists there is not even one reason for the Popular Front of India (PFI) to be banned.

In contrast to the sinister image the group has acquired in the eyes of its critics, PFI chairman E.M. Abdul Rahiman …. Read the original article  : here.