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CHURCH-SCHOOL SPACE
Court: NYC can ban church service in public school
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court decision could leave dozens of religious groups in New York City with no place to celebrate Easter or Passover.
A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that New York's ban on religious services in public schools is constitutional. It's the latest development in a two-decade legal battle involving the Bronx Household of Faith, but dozens of other Christian and Jewish groups also meet in public schools.
New York City Councilman Fernando Cabrera is urging Mayor Bill de Blasio to lift the ban before some congregations are left with no place to celebrate Easter or Passover.
The mayor said it's too early to assess the impact of the latest ruling but added that he stands by his beliefs "that a faith organization playing by the same rules as any other community nonprofit deserves access."
Bronx Household of Faith Pastor Robert Hall says he expects the case to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which he prays "will overturn this decision."
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266-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Rev. Robert Hall, pastor of Bronx Household of Faith)--A federal appeals court decision could leave dozens of New York City churches with no place to celebrate Easter. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (3 Apr 2014)
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218-v-31-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)--A federal appeals court in New York has reversed a 2012 decision allowing a small church to hold religious services at a public school. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (3 Apr 2014)
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220-a-06-(The Rev. Robert Hall, pastor of Bronx Household of Faith, in AP interview)-"on this case"-The Rev. Robert Hall, pastor of Bronx Household of Faith, says his church isn't the only one affected by the appeals court ruling. (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *220 (04/03/14)££ 00:06 "on this case"
219-a-05-(The Rev. Robert Hall, pastor of Bronx Household of Faith, in AP interview)-"overturn this decision"-The Rev. Robert Hall, pastor of Bronx Household of Faith, says the case probably isn't over. (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *219 (04/03/14)££ 00:05 "overturn this decision"
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES-MISSISSIPPI
Miss. governor signs religious practices bill
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has signed a bill that supporters say will assure unfettered practice of religion without government interference but that opponents worry could lead to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians.
The bill, called the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act, will become law July 1. It also will add "In God We Trust" to the state seal.
An early version of the bill, considered weeks ago, was similar to one Arizona's Republican governor, Jan Brewer, vetoed after business groups said it could hurt that state's economy. Supporters say the final Mississippi bill bears little resemblance to the failed Arizona measure.
Outside the state Capitol on Thursday, more than 75 gay-rights supporters protested against the bill. Jeff White of Waveland, a founder of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Lesbian and Gay Community Center, said as someone who is gay and Jewish, he worries such a new law could make him more vulnerable to unfair treatment.
CATHOLIC TEACHER CONTRACTS
Catholic teacher contract gets exact on behavior
CINCINNATI (AP) — Roman Catholic doctrine is so complex that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is giving teachers a list of things that can get them fired.
A new contract proposal from the diocese specifies some violations of Catholic doctrine that could put teachers out of a job — including abortion, artificial insemination, "homosexual lifestyles" and public support for those causes.
The new language comes after a series of lawsuits and other problems involving educators fired over alleged doctrinal violations in the archdiocese.
Last year, a federal jury found the archdiocese discriminated against a Cincinnati-area teacher fired for violating Catholic doctrine when she became pregnant through artificial insemination and awarded her $171,000. The teacher said she didn't know artificial insemination violated doctrine. Terms weren't disclosed in last year's settlement of another lawsuit against the archdiocese by an unmarried Dayton-area teacher who said she was fired after becoming pregnant.
FORT HOOD-CONGRESS
Congress prays and lowers flags for Fort Hood victims
WASHINGTON (AP) — Flags are flying at half-staff on Capitol Hill to honor the victims of Wednesday's shootings at Fort Hood, Texas.
Congressional leaders called for all flags at the Capitol to be lowered on Thursday afternoon and remain at half-staff until sunset Friday.
In his invocation opening Thursday's session, Senate Chaplain Barry Black asked God to "be near to the families of the victims of the Fort Hood shooting."
On the House side, lawmakers honored the victims with a moment of silence. Texas Republican Congressmen John Carter and Roger Williams, who both represent districts that include portions of central Texas and the Fort Hood area, said their prayers are with the wounded and their doctors, and with families of the victims.
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287-a-12-(Representative John Carter, R-Texas, in House floor speech)-"injured and dead"-Texas Congressman John Carter, whose district includes part of Fort Hood, asks for a moment of silence for victims of Wednesday's shootings. (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *287 (04/03/14)££ 00:12 "injured and dead"
288-a-07-(Representative Roger Williams, R-Texas, in House floor speech)-"all those involved"-Texas Congressman Roger Williams, whose district includes part of Fort Hood, says lawmakers are praying for victims of Wednesday's shootings. (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *288 (04/03/14)££ 00:07 "all those involved"
285-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, and U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Texas)--Flags are flying at half-staff on Capitol Hill to honor the victims of Wednesday's shootings at Fort Hood, Texas. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (3 Apr 2014)
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286-a-08-(Senate Chaplain Barry Black, delivering invocation before Thursday's Senate session)-"Fort Hood shooting"-Senate Chaplain Barry Black asks God to comfort families affected by Wednesday's shootings at Fort Hood. (3 Apr 2014)
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236-a-19-(Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, at news conference)-"have those issues"-Texas Senator John Cornyn says Congress has been studying ways to provide adequate mental health care to military personnel when they return home. ((note length of cut)) (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *236 (04/03/14)££ 00:19 "have those issues"
MORTGAGE SCAM
Man charged with using religion to pull off scam
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit man is accused of using religion to gain the confidence of people with mortgage problems and steal more than $300,000.
The Michigan attorney general's office says Anthony Carta had a company called Freedom by Faith Ministries. He's accused of pocketing their money but doing nothing to help more than 100 people.
The 53-year-old Carta is charged with seven crimes, including running a criminal enterprise.
Attorney General Bill Schuette says "using the guise of faith" to trick people is "deplorable."
BOSTON BROWNSTONE FIRE-FUNERAL
Funeral held for 2nd fallen Boston firefighter
BOSTON (AP) — A Boston firefighter and former Marine killed in an apartment blaze last week has been remembered as a courageous, compassionate man who served his country in Iraq and his community at home.
Firefighters from around the country and citizens numbering in the thousands lined Boston streets Thursday as Michael Kennedy's casket, escorted by hundreds of bagpipers and drummers, was carried on a fire engine to a church in the West Roxbury neighborhood where he grew up.
Kennedy, 33, died March 26 when he and a colleague were trapped in a burning brownstone building in Boston's Back Bay area. His funeral came a day after friends, family and fellow firefighters from far and wide gathered to remember Lt. Edward Walsh, 43, in suburban Watertown.
CHURCH TO MOSQUE
Islamic group gets OK to cut crosses off NY church
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A city board in Syracuse, N.Y., has given a Muslim group the go-ahead to remove six crosses from the roof and spires of a century-old former Catholic church so the now-vacant Gothic structure can be used as a mosque.
More than 200 people had signed an online petition calling on the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board to deny an application by North Side Learning Center to remove the crosses and build a six-foot chain-link fence.
Yusuf Soule, the center's director, said the crosses must be removed because Islam prohibits the worship of idols and symbols.
Before the vote to allow the alterations, Chairman Don Radke said the board cannot interfere with a decision that involves religious freedom.
REL-VATICAN-BRITAIN-QUEEN
British queen meets with Pope Francis at Vatican
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has paid a private call on Pope Francis at the Vatican, making him the fifth pontiff she has met.
The queen, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, was ushered into a small room near the Vatican's public audience hall for the 20-minute meeting. There was no immediate word on what was discussed in the meeting with Francis, who is now in his second year as pontiff. Elizabeth is head of the Anglican church.
Previously, Elizabeth had met with four popes, starting with Pius XII in 1951, a year before her accession to the throne.
Earlier in the day, Elizabeth lunched with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
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187-c-20-(Frances D'Emilio (deh-MIHL'-ee-oh), AP correspondent)-"bottle of whiskey"-AP correspondent Frances D'Emilio reports the two leaders exchanged presents. ((note length)) (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *187 (04/03/14)££ 00:20 "bottle of whiskey"
189-r-07-(Sound of camera shutters, as Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip arrived at the Vatican)--Sound of camera shutters as Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, arrived at the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis for the first time. (3 Apr 2014)
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186-c-17-(Frances D'Emilio (deh-MIHL'-ee-oh), AP correspondent)-"anyone watching them"-AP correspondent Frances D'Emilio reports Britain's Queen Elizabeth as paid a private visit to Pope Francis at the Vatican. (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *186 (04/03/14)££ 00:17 "anyone watching them"
188-c-20-(Frances D'Emilio (deh-MIHL'-ee-oh), AP correspondent)-"very pleasant lunch"-AP correspondent Frances D'Emilio reports Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are in Italy for a one-day visit following a private invitation from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. (3 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *188 (04/03/14)££ 00:20 "very pleasant lunch"
ISRAEL FOREIGN MINISTRY
Israel's foreign ministry ends strike
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's foreign ministry workers have ended their strike that shut embassies worldwide and cast doubt on the upcoming trip to Israel by Pope Francis.
Spokesman Paul Hirschson said Wednesday evening that an agreement had been reached with the finance ministry.
Israel's foreign ministry went on strike last Sunday demanding higher salaries as well as cost-of-living adjustments and better conditions for diplomats' spouses who give up careers when their families are sent abroad.
Israel's more than 100 embassies and consulates closed for the first time in the country's history during the strike.
The ministry is tasked with coordinating visits by foreign dignitaries and the strike worried many in Israel that it could jeopardize the Pope's visit at the end of May.
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