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VATICAN-OBAMA
Vatican: Obama talks included birth control
VATICAN CITY (AP) — President Barack Obama and the Vatican are giving different accounts of the president's audience with Pope Francis on Thursday, with Obama stressing their common ground on poverty and inequality but Vatican officials emphasizing concerns over Obama's health care law, which mandates contraception coverage.
Obama described himself as "incredibly moved" by his nearly hour-long session with the popular pontiff. He said the two spent the most time discussing the plight of the poor and the marginalized as well as regions of conflict and the elusive nature of peace around the world.
The Vatican, in a statement shortly after the meeting, said discussions centered on questions of particular relevance for the church in the U.S., "such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection" — issues that have fueled divisions between the Obama administration and the church.
Sound:
173-c-25-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-"in which meeting"-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports that President Obama and Pope Francis apparently discussed some controversial subjects during their meeting this morning at the Vatican. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *173 (03/27/14)££ 00:25 "in which meeting"
246-w-37-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)--President Obama has held his first meeting with Pope Francis, but the White House and the Vatican have different takes on how it went. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. ((opens with sound)) (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *246 (03/27/14)££ 00:37
158-r-32-(Sound of President Obama presenting Pope Francis with a gift chest containing seeds from the White House garden, during a meeting at the Vatican Library)--Sound of President Obama presenting Pope Francis with a gift chest containing seeds from the White House garden, during a meeting at the Vatican Library. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *158 (03/27/14)££ 00:32
331-a-10-(President Barack Obama, speaking to reporters at news conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi)-"the right balance"-President Barack Obama says he defended the health care law's birth control mandate in talks with the Vatican's secretary of state. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *331 (03/27/14)££ 00:10 "the right balance"
154-c-23-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-"he lives it"-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the meeting lasted nearly an hour in the ornate Vatican Library. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *154 (03/27/14)££ 00:23 "he lives it"
152-v-35-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)--President Obama has held his first meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. ((opens with sound)) (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *152 (03/27/14)££ 00:35
140-r-27-(Sound of President Barack Obama and Pope Francis shaking hands, at the start of their meeting in the pope's Vatican offices)--Sound of President Barack Obama and Pope Francis shaking hands, at the start of their meeting in the pope's Vatican offices. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *140 (03/27/14)££ 00:27
141-r-34-(Sound of President Barack Obama and Pope Francis chatting, as they sat down at the pope's desk in his Vatican offices)--Sound of President Barack Obama and Pope Francis chatting, as they sat down at the pope's desk in his Vatican offices. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *141 (03/27/14)££ 00:34
ISRAEL-POPE
Church official: Pope's trip to Israel in peril
JERUSALEM (AP) — A top Roman Catholic official in the Holy Land says a trip to Israel by Pope Francis in late May is in peril because of a strike by Israeli diplomats.
Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal told reporters Thursday that if the strike continues, the pope may remove Israel from his itinerary. He says planned stops in Jordan and the West Bank will not be affected.
Twal, the Church's top clergyman in the region, said officials have received assurances from the Israeli government that the trip will not be disrupted.
Israeli diplomats play a key role in making preparations for visiting dignitaries.
Israeli Foreign Ministry employees went on strike this week, demanding higher salaries and improved work conditions. They had reduced operations in recent weeks in a prelude to the strike.
FILM-GOD'S NOT DEAD
Christian film's strong opening surprises Hollywood
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It may not be a flood, but a steady stream of faith-based films has believers flocking to theaters this year, and Hollywood is taking notice.
Despite a limited release, "God's Not Dead" ranked fourth at the box office last weekend and will expand to about 1000 theaters this weekend.
David A.R. White produced and plays a minister in the drama about a Christian college student who's challenged to defend his faith by an atheist philosophy professor. He says it cost less than $1.5 million to make the film and $6 million to publicize it. So far, "God's Not Dead" has earned more than $11 million at the box office.
White says it's also about to become the first Christian film shown in some foreign countries.
Its success follows on the heels of "Son of God," which earned more than $56 million. "Noah" opens in U.S. theaters this weekend, and "Heaven is For Real" debuts April 16.
White says Hollywood is discovering that a lot of money can be made producing films for the underserved Christian audience.
Sound:
334-a-09-(David A.R. White, producer and actor in "God's Not Dead", in AP interview)-"in the theaters"-David A.R. White, producer and actor in "God's Not Dead," says his movie is one of a flock of films appealing to Christian audiences this year. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *334 (03/27/14)££ 00:09 "in the theaters"
333-a-14-(David A.R. White, producer and actor in "God's Not Dead", in AP interview)-"movie now there"-David A.R. White, producer and actor in "God's Not Dead," says the movie is appealing to audiences in the U.S. and internationally. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *333 (03/27/14)££ 00:14 "movie now there"
335-a-14-(David A.R. White, producer and actor in "God's Not Dead", in AP interview)-"to very often"-David A.R. White, producer and actor in "God's Not Dead," says Hollywood is foolish to overlook the Christian audience. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *335 (03/27/14)££ 00:14 "to very often"
FILM-NOAH
Russell Crowe calls 'Noah' criticism 'irrational'
NEW YORK (AP) — Russell Crowe calls the criticism that the film "Noah" has received "irrational" and says he's happy audiences can finally see it for themselves.
Crowe spoke to The Associated Press at the New York premiere of the biblical epic, directed by Darren Aronofsky and featuring Emma Watson and Jennifer Connelly.
"Noah" has aroused controversy, with some religious groups claiming the story has been inaccurately portrayed. That prompted Paramount Pictures to add a disclaimer to its ads saying "artistic license has been taken" in telling the story. The film also has been banned in Islamic countries where it's taboo to depict a prophet.
Crowe says after more than a year of what he calls "irrational criticism," filmgoers can now see "how respectful it is, and how true to the source material it is."
Connelly agrees, but believes themes that are "timeless and universal" in "Noah" will appeal to non-religious people as well.
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337-a-06-(Jennifer Connelly, actress who plays Noah's wife, in AP interview)-"expect to see"-Jennifer Connelly, the actress who plays Noah's wife, says she thinks the movie "Noah" will appeal to people of faith. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *337 (03/27/14)££ 00:06 "expect to see"
339-a-14-(Darren Aronofsky, director of "Noah", in AP interview)-"the big screen"-Darren Aronofsky, the director of "Noah," says he's proud of his achievement. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *339 (03/27/14)££ 00:14 "the big screen"
338-a-07-(Jennifer Connelly, actress who plays Noah's wife, in AP interview)-"timeless and universal"-Jennifer Connelly, the actress who plays Noah's wife, says the film "Noah" isn't just for people of faith. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *338 (03/27/14)££ 00:07 "timeless and universal"
336-a-10-(Russell Crowe, actor who plays Noah, in AP interview at New York premier)-"material it is"-Actor Russell Crowe, who stars in "Noah," says the movie can now be judged on its merits. (27 Mar 2014)
<<CUT *336 (03/27/14)££ 00:10 "material it is"
CARROLL COUNTY-PRAYER
Despite ruling, commissioner mentions Jesus
WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) — Despite a federal judge's ruling this week prohibiting sectarian prayers at meetings of Maryland's Carroll County Board of Commissioners, a commissioner has opened a budget meeting with references to Jesus Christ.
The Carroll County Times reports that Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier opened a meeting Thursday saying she was willing to go to jail to fight the preliminary injunction. She then quoted a prayer by George Washington that mentions Jesus.
Judge William Quarles Jr. ruled that while a lawsuit over prayers proceeds, the commission may only have non-sectarian prayers.
The American Humanist Association had filed a lawsuit over the prayers. The group said in a letter to county lawyers Thursday that it would seek a contempt order if there is "continued defiance" of the court ruling.
CHURCH ABUSE-MINNESOTA
1 church diocese sues another over accused priest
NEW ULM, Minn. (AP) — In a rare legal move, the Diocese of New Ulm is suing another diocese, alleging it sent a priest to Minnesota without warning about past accusations of sexual abuse.
A report by Minnesota Public Radio News and KARE-TV says the lawsuit is against the Diocese of Clogher in Ireland and the Servants of the Paraclete religious order.
The New Ulm Diocese claims it never would have accepted the Rev. Francis Xavier Markey in 1981 if it had been told about his past allegations. Markey is accused of abuse in the New Ulm Diocese. He died in 2012 while awaiting trial on child rape charges in Ireland.
BIRTH CONTROL-ATLANTA ARCHDIOCESE
Ga. Catholic groups win fight over contraception
ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge in Atlanta has ruled that certain non-profit organizations in Georgia affiliated with the Catholic Church are not subject to a contraception mandate included in the president's health care law.
The law exempts Catholic dioceses and archdioceses from the mandate, but not affiliated organizations such as schools, charities and hospitals.
U.S. District Judge William Duffey ruled Wednesday that the federal government cannot enforce the mandate against Catholic Education of North Georgia, Inc., which operates five Catholic schools, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc.
The Catholic organizations said the mandate would require them to pay for and refer women to get abortion drugs and contraception, which they say is prohibited by their religious beliefs.
WESTBORO-MOORE LIQUOR STORE
Kansas church plans protest at Oklahoma store
MOORE, Okla. (AP) — A Kansas church noted for picketing the funerals of soldiers and AIDS patients plans to protest outside an Oklahoma liquor store that held a sale following the death of the church's pastor.
Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church died March 19. The Moore Liquor Store offered 10 percent off champagne and erected a sign noting Phelps' death and said the sale was "not a coincidence."
Store owner Bryan Kerr told the Oklahoman newspaper that while some people didn't like the sign, "99 out of 100" people supported it.
The newspaper reported that Westboro church members plan to picket the store April 5 and sent a Twitter message Wednesday about the protest. The message was also sent to local media on Thursday.
FAKE ILLNESS ARREST
Police: Neb woman faked fatal illness to get gifts
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska woman is facing charges after lying about having a fatal illness to collect nearly $12,000 in gifts from fellow church members.
Lincoln Police said the 31-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of felony theft after preying on other people's sympathies for two months by claiming to have cancer and brain tumors.
Officer Katie Flood says Nebraska Health and Human Services officials contacted police last fall because they believed the woman might be improperly receiving benefits.
Flood says the woman received almost $12,000 in rent payments, new furniture, groceries, clothing and other household items.
Medical documents refuted the woman's cancer claims.
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