February 1, 2007 Amid Palestinians’ despair, one sees signs of hope

I am in Palestine with the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) this year from Christmas until the beginning of Lent. By the time you read this, you will be observing the Lenten season. Being in this place at this time of year when...

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February 1, 2007 Joyful, hopeful

A young man from a vocational training program sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation and Action by Churches Together (of which the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is a member), harvests olives on the Mount of...

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February 1, 2007 Primates’ meeting likely to be difficult

The 38 primates of the Anglican Communion have yet to meet this month in Dar Es Salaam, but events leading up to the meeting scheduled Feb. 14-19 already indicate that it will be a tough one, particularly for Katharine Jefferts...

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February 1, 2007 Cartoon outrage top story

Muslim outrage at the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad was voted the top religion story of the year by the U.S.-based Religion Newswriters Association. The indignation and the violence it triggered, resulting in the deaths of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, was voted ahead of Pope Benedict XVI angering Muslims by including in a speech a centuries-old quote linking Islam and violence. The story about the Pope, along with his apology and a later trip to Turkey that improved Christian-Muslim relations, was voted the second-most important religion story of the year.

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February 1, 2007 UN convicts Rwandan priest of genocide

The United Nations war-crimes court for Rwanda has convicted a Roman Catholic priest of genocide and sentenced him to 15 years for his role in the 1994 mass killings in the central African country.

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February 1, 2007 Lutherans issue Sudan alert

The Lutheran World Federation has expressed concern at reports of harassment of aid workers in Sudan’s western Darfur region and has criticized the Khartoum government for “failing to provide humanitarian agencies with the support it has agreed upon.”

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February 1, 2007 European church leaders urge respect for diversity

European church leaders meeting here called for a dialogue with other religions about the future of Europe, while underlining the need for the process of European integration to be based on shared values and a common vision.

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February 1, 2007 Eames recognized for peacemaking

Archbishop Robin Eames, who retired in December as primate of All Ireland and archbishop of Armagh, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2006 Tipperary International Peace Award. “His foresight, understanding, compassion and...

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February 1, 2007 First woman priest

Rev. Christine Benoit became the first Anglican woman to be ordained a priest in the diocese of Seychelles during a consecration service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Victoria on Nov. 26, the Seychelles Nation has reported. The...

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February 1, 2007 Ford remembered

Former U.S. president Gerald R. Ford was remembered as a Christian whose life reflected the Beatitudes’ themes of steadfast service and mercy during a traditional Episcopal service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C....

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