GERMANY-CHURCH ABUSE
Church abuse scandal reaches pope's brother
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Church abuse scandals in Germany have reached the older brother of Pope Benedict XVI and are creeping ever closer to the pontiff himself.
While there's been no suggestion of wrongdoing by Benedict, the launch of an inquiry by German Catholic officials after his brother admitted slapping children years ago is stirring Vatican fears of a major crisis for the papacy.
Benedict was archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982, when he was brought to the Vatican to head the body responsible for investigating abuse cases. During that time, he came under criticism for decreeing that even the most serious abuse cases must first be investigated internally.
German church officials said Wednesday they'll examine what -- if anything -- Benedict knew about abuse during his time as Munich archbishop.
SWEDEN-PROPHET DRAWING
Swedish artist: No regrets over Muhammad caricature
STOCKHOLM (AP) — The Swedish artist who drew a caricature depicting Muhammad as a dog says he did it to show that artistic freedom allows mockery of all religions, including Islam.
Lars Vilks -- the target of an alleged murder plot involving an American woman who dubbed herself "Jihad Jane" -- says he has no regrets about the drawing, which offended many Muslims.
Vilks told The Associated Press that he was "not interested in offending the prophet -- the point is actually to show that you can."
Vilks said he believes, "There is nothing so holy you can't offend it."
Vilks made his rough sketch showing Muhammad's head on a dog's body more than a year after 12 Danish newspaper cartoons of Muhammad sparked furious protests in Muslim countries in 2006.
Sound:
<<CUT …272 (03/10/10)>> 00:16 "target to hit"
Lars Vilks
Lars Vilks says he doesn't regret drawing the caricature.
<<CUT …271 (03/10/10)>> 00:06 "can't offend it"
Lars Vilks
Lars Vilks says religious rules can be broken.
<<CUT …270 (03/10/10)>> 00:07 "that you can"
Lars Vilks
Lars Vilks says he drew the caricature of Muhammad on a dog's body to uphold artistic freedom.
TEXAS SCHOOLS-SOCIAL STUDIES
Education board is urged to respect nation's Christian heritage
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas State Board of Education has been urged to include recognition of America's Christian heritage in its social studies curriculum standards.
The board began meeting Wednesday in Austin. Its decisions can have a nationwide impact because Texas is one of the biggest clients for textbook publishers.
State Rep. Wayne Christian read a letter to the board from several state legislators who are members of the Texas Conservative Coalition. It said the board should resist any pressure to remove "references to Judeo-Christian faiths while promoting references to other religions."
The board is expected to take a preliminary vote this week, with final adoption of social studies curriculum standards in May.
SANTORUM-IOWA
Former senator makes pro-life pitch to Iowa evangelicals
WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — As he speaks to hundreds of Iowa evangelicals about his "faith walk," it's clear that former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is connecting with the audience.
Santorum may have been trounced in his 2006 re-election bid, but on Tuesday night at a suburban Des Moines church the crowd of about 500 people seemed to agree with every word as he described his journey from being a Republican congressman afraid to highlight his anti-abortion beliefs to an outspoken pro-life advocate who may be considering a run for president.
Santorum -- a 51-year-old Roman Catholic -- told the crowd at Walnut Creek Community Church that he's learned the "blessings that God will give you if you follow his call."
FAITH AT WORK
Legal advice offered for Christians at work
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — How open should Christians be about their faith when they're at work?
That's the kind of question attorney David Gibbs answers frequently at the Christian Law Association.
Gibbs told WCDR Radio that Christians who own their own companies can promote the gospel if they like -- by printing "Jesus Saves" on their invoices, for example.
But he advises Christian employees of secular firms to be respectful and not pushy about their faith.
On the other hand, he says conversations about religion shouldn't be prohibited at work, and should be as permissible as talking about sports or anything else.
Gibbs says the Christian Law Association welcomes questions and can offer free legal assistance.
On the Net: www.christianlaw.org
Sound: (3:06 a.m. audio feed)
<<CUT …350 (03/10/10)>> 00:09 "of our land"
David Gibbs
David Gibbs says conversations about religion shouldn't be totally banned at work.
<<CUT …349 (03/10/10)>> 00:11 "of the company"
David Gibbs
David Gibbs says Christian employees shouldn't be pushy in sharing their faith.
<<CUT …348 (03/10/10)>> 00:13 "the general public"
David Gibbs
David Gibbs says Christian business owners can be open about their faith.
BELL RINGERS
Some neighbors say cathedral bells ring too long
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral in Shreveport, La., has a new set of bells -- and some neighbors are unhappy about all the practice the bell-ringers are putting in.
The bells were made by the English foundry that made the Liberty Bell. They arrived late last year.
Some neighbors say the bells sometimes ring for hours on end, especially on weekends. They ring for calls to services, religious holidays and during funerals -- then more when the ringers practice.
The Rev. Michael Millard says he's only heard positive comments about the new bells and would like to speak with neighbors upset by the ringing.
Millard says the bell tower shutters are closed during practices to help muffle the sound.
BARAGA SAINTHOOD
Church takes step toward canonizing US bishop
MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — The Catholic Church is taking a step toward canonizing Bishop Frederic Baraga (BARE'-uh-guh), who converted Indians in the upper Great Lakes region to Christianity in the 1800s.
The Catholic Diocese of Marquette, Mich., announced an investigation Wednesday of whether a possible medical miracle in 2006 should be attributed to Baraga's intercession.
Bishop Alexander Sample told The Mining Journal of Marquette that if a tribunal verifies the miracle, Baraga will get the title "Blessed." To be declared a saint, he'd have to be credited with a second posthumous miracle.
Baraga is known as the "snowshoe priest." He spent 23 years among Indians and settlers on Lakes Michigan and Superior and became the Marquette diocese's first bishop in 1857.
CHURCH FIRES
Ex-music director sentenced for church arson
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former church music director who admitted setting fire to the northeast Kansas church where he worked has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison.
Carva Lee White was accused of setting fires at Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church in Leavenworth in October 2008. He pleaded guilty last year to attempted mail fraud and using arson in an attempt to commit mail fraud.
Prosecutors said White started a large fire at the church in a scheme to collect kickbacks from contractors who would be hired to repair the building.
White must also pay restitution of $1,000 to the church and almost $375,000 to its insurance company.
LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION
Amish farmer wins fight over registering livestock
NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (AP) — An Amish livestock farmer who refused to follow a Wisconsin law requiring him to register his land and livestock has won a legal battle with state regulators.
Clark County Circuit Judge Jon Counsell ruled in favor of Emanuel Miller Jr., who was accused of violating the law meant to help regulators track animal diseases.
Some Amish say the tracking system would amount to the "mark of the beast" mentioned in the Bible as being related to Satan.
Counsell determined that the state did not show why alternatives that would not affect Miller's religious freedom would not be just as effective.
Assistant state veterinarian Paul McGraw told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he expects the state to appeal.
KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE-DEPORTATIONS
10 former Agriprocessors workers to be deported by March 31
POSTVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Ten illegal aliens who were arrested and charged in the 2008 raid at the former Agriprocessors kosher slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa, have learned they'll be deported by March 31.
The 10 workers, who were all from Mexico, picked up deportation papers Monday at the Immigration Customs and Enforcement office in Cedar Rapids.
The 10 were among the 389 arrested and charged in the raid. They pleaded guilty in court proceedings a few days after the raid.
A volunteer at St. Bridget's Church in Postville, which has been helping the immigrants, said a number of former Agriprocessors workers from Guatemala also would receive deportation papers this week.
INDIA-TIBET
Dalai Lama: China aims to annihilate Buddhism
DHARMSALA, India (AP) — The Dalai Lama is accusing China of trying to "annihilate Buddhism" in Tibet and rebuffing all his efforts to reach a compromise over the disputed Himalayan region.
In response, China accuses the Tibetan Buddhist leader of lying to distort its policy in the region.
Beijing has demonized the Dalai Lama and accused him of wanting independence for Tibet, which China says is part of its territory. The Dalai Lama says he only wants some form of autonomy for Tibet within China that would allow Tibetan culture, language and religion to thrive.
In a speech Wednesday at his exile headquarters in India, the Dalai Lama accused Chinese authorities of putting Tibetan Buddhist "monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practice in peace."
