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Religion News

Washington Blade - September 22, 2006

Anglicans 'weary' of gay controversies, says archbishop LONDON (AP) - The archbishop of Canterbury says divisions in the church have left many ordinary Anglicans confused and weary. In a letter to leaders of the world's Anglican churches released Sept. 16, Archbishop Rowan Williams also said there would be no quick response to plans by seven dioceses of the U.S. Episcopal Church to seek leadership outside that church because of their opposition to the appointment of gay clergy. Anglican leaders have been bitterly divided over the Episcopal Church's decision to confirm an openly gay man, V. Gene Robinson, as bishop of New Hampshire. In July, the Anglican Church in Nigeria called the U.S. branch "a cancerous lump" that should be cut out of the Anglican Communion. Williams wrote that he prayed for Anglican leaders but "most especially for all those ordinary people of God, in the Episcopal Church and elsewhere, who are puzzled, wearied, or disoriented by our present controversies." He recommended humility to all sides in the controversy. "So many say they simply do not want to take up an extreme or divisive position and want to be faithful to scripture and the common life," Williams wrote.

Catholic University's invitation to Santorum opponent controversial

WASHINGTON (AP) - Some Catholic organizations are upset with Catholic University for inviting 1988 law school graduate Bob Casey to speak but not his rival, Republican Sen. Rick Santorum. Casey, who is trying to unseat the two-term Santorum in Pennsylvania, spoke Sept. 14 as part of the law school's annual Pope John XXIII lecture series. His speech was titled, "Restoring America's Moral Compass: Leadership and the Common Good." Tom Haederle, director of public affairs for the law school, said Casey was invited to discuss a lawyer's responsibility to do pro bono work and give something back. He added the law school does not endorse candidates. Some Catholics suggested that both candidates should have been invited. Both Casey and Santorum are Catholics who oppose abortion, but they differ on some church teachings. Santorum has pushed for the passage of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage while Casey is opposed, arguing the measure is too divisive. Casey opposes same-sex marriage, but supports civil unions.

HIV-positive priest to lead London church

LONDON - An HIV-positive clergyman has been appointed as a parish priest in what is thought to be the first case of a Church of England bishop knowingly giving such a job to a gay man with the disease, according to the Sunday Times. The priest, who has asked not to be identified, will take charge of a London church later this month, the newspaper reported Sept. 10. The priest is said to be adhering to church rules that require gay priests to be celibate. The move may be seen as provocative by opponents of gay clergy in an ongoing battle that is threatening to cause a schism in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Sunday Times also reported the appointment has caused concern locally because both the priest and his bishop failed to tell church wardens that he was forced to retire from a previous parish when he discovered he was HIV-positive. Although the priest has since carried out light work such as helping a hospital chaplain, medical advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS have enabled him to become strong enough to resume full priestly duties, according to the report.

Black church provides HIV tests for congregants

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr. has preached to his congregation about AIDS before. But last Sunday's sermon was different. It gave parishioners of Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church a chance to be tested for AIDS. The church is predominantly black, which Ratliff said leaves its members at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Ratliff said he doesn't know if anyone in his congregation has the disease, but he knows they are at serious risk. Nationwide, blacks make up 13 percent of the population but account for half of all new infections of HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS. In Iowa, about 2 percent of the population is black, but they make up 19 percent of people living with HIV. "The statistics are more than alarming, they're mortifying," Ratliff said. As Ratliff preached, a nurse from the Polk County Health Department was in the church's basement, taking saliva samples to be tested for the virus.

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