Update on the latest religion news

asterisk () — POLICE SHOOTINGS-DALLAS-FAITH

Faith leaders respond in the aftermath of violence

WASHINGTON (AP) — Religious leaders in Dallas and around the country have taken up the daunting task of explaining how faith relates to the past week's tragic loss of life and what can be done to overcome grief and the proper response to other emotions.

The pastor of a Dallas megachurch led a town hall discussion about Thursday night's attack in Dallas by a gunman who killed five police officers. And Bishop T.D. Jakes, who heads The Potter's House, also discussed the deaths of two black men in police encounters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and suburban St. Paul, Minnesota. One participant was the Minnesota woman who livestreamed video after an officer mortally wounded her boyfriend during a traffic stop.

Other churches also addressed the concerns of previous days. Pastor Stephen Brown, of Dallas' Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church, says he and other pastors consulted about ways to bring an appropriate Sunday message for residents who are "numb" and "still in shock." Pastor Brown says there was a need to be sensitive to their emotions "but also to challenge them to have hope." Brown says his church and others must now be prayerful about the necessary responses and strategies.

In New York one woman who attended Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral says she prayed for the slain police officers and the two black men fatally wounded by police.

Sound: 3:06 a.m.

227-a-15-(Mayor Bill de Blasio (BLAH'-zee-oh), D-New York City, in remarks at St. Patrick's Cathedral)-"aid of police"-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says the country must work to restore the amicable relationship between police and the communities they serve. ((note audio quality from source)) (10 Jul 2016)

<<CUT *227 (07/10/16)££ 00:15 "aid of police"

229-a-08-(Mary Prendergast, Irish tourist, attended mass at St. Patricks Cathedral, in AP interview)-"from different places"-Irish tourist Mary Prendergast, who attended a Sunday mass in the wake of the last week's killings of police and black men, says what's happening in the U.S. is very sad. (10 Jul 2016)

<<CUT *229 (07/10/16)££ 00:08 "from different places"

228-a-10-(Theresa Cawley, attended mass at St. Patricks Cathedral, in AP interview)-"all of them"-Theresa Cawley says she went to mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral to pray for the police officers and the black men killed in police involved shootings last week. (10 Jul 2016)

<<CUT *228 (07/10/16)££ 00:10 "all of them"

202-a-10-(Stephen Brown, lead pastor, Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church, in AP interview)-"of terror attack"-Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church Pastor Stephen Brown says residents and church members are still struggling with the aftermath of Thursday's violence. (10 Jul 2016)

<<CUT *202 (07/10/16)££ 00:10 "of terror attack"

203-a-12-(Stephen Brown, lead pastor, Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church, in AP interview)-"to have hope"-Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church Pastor Stephen Brown says it was a challenge to prepare an appropriate sermon after such a tragic week in Dallas. (10 Jul 2016)

<<CUT *203 (07/10/16)££ 00:12 "to have hope"

CONFEDERATE FLAG RALLY

Confederate flag back for a day at SC Statehouse

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Confederate battle flag has flown again outside the South Carolina Statehouse.

It happened temporarily on Sunday during a rally that drew both supporters in Civil War garb and bullhorn-toting protesters.

Groups for and against the flag were kept separate by metal barriers on the front lawn, and police officers supported by helicopters circling overhead kept the peace as the flag flew again for several hours.

The acrimony came one year after a white man killed nine black people inside a Charleston church. The accused had been pictured in photos featuring the flag.

Sunday's ally was organized by the South Carolina Secessionist Party, and supporters held their own flags. Some dressed as a Confederate Memorial Honor Guard. They saluted as the flag rose up a memorial pole, and the crowd applauded and cheered, with some shouting "Leave it there!" Some also joined in a sing-along of "Dixie."

An opponent shouted through a bullhorn "That flat is hate!"

SOUTH AFRICA-TUTU

South Africa's Tutu celebrates 40 years of service as bishop

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nobel peace prize winner Desmond Tutu on Sunday celebrated four decades of service as a bishop at a mass at St. Mary's Cathedral and central Johannesburg.

Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Tutu, 84, was dean at St. Mary's when he was appointed bishop of Lesotho (leh-SOO'-too) 40 years ago. Tutu later became the first black archbishop of Cape Town where he was an outspoken opponent of South Africa's apartheid regime, which enforced a harsh system of racial discrimination. Tutu was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1984.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, Tutu has campaigned for human rights, to fight HIV/AIDS, racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia.

MEGACHURCH PASTOR OUSTED

S. Carolina megachurch ousts founder as senior pastor

ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) — The founder of South Carolina's massive NewSpring Church has been ousted as senior pastor over problems said to include alcohol use.

A newspaper -- The Independent Mail,in Anderson -- reports that another church leader, executive pastor Shane Duffey, announced at a Sunday service that the Rev. Perry Noble was removed on July 1. Duffey cited Noble's "unfortunate choices" and said the church's board had confronted Noble multiple times about drinking.

A statement attributed to Noble and read during the service confirmed that he overused alcohol. It contains a quote attributed to him that read "No one is more disappointed in me than I am in myself." Noble didn't immediately respond to an email Sunday from The Associated Press.

The church traces its roots to a Bible study that began in Noble's apartment in 1998. It has grown to 17 locations around South Carolina, 30,000 people attend services each week, according to its website.

RUSSIA-US-PASTOR

US pastor supportive of LGBT rights ordered to leave Russia

MOSCOW (AP) — An American pastor who supports LGBT rights has been detained in Russia and ordered to leave the country.

Citing his lawyer, the Tass state news agency reported Sunday that 72-year-old pastor Jim Mulcahy of the Metropolitan Community Church has been fined the equivalent of $30 and given five days to leave Russia.

The Russian LGBT Network, a non-governmental organization, said in a Facebook post that Mulcahy was detained Saturday in an LGBT community center in the Volga River city of Samara. His lawyer told Tass that a city court ruled that Mulcahy had violated the terms of his tourist visa by engaging in religious activities.

Russia has faced Western criticism for laws that have been used to restrict the rights both of minority religious groups and gays.

MORMON MISSIONARIES-RUSSIA

Mormon missionaries to stay in Russia despite new law

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mormon missionaries will remain in Russia despite the country's new anti-terrorism law, which will put greater restrictions on religious work starting later this month.

In a statement issued Friday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that missionaries will respect a measure that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law last week.

Starting July 20, missionary workers will be working under more stringent rules. They include a requirement that missionary work be done by people affiliated with registered organizations. Missionaries and organizations caught praying and disseminating materials in private residences could be subject to fines. They range from $780 per missionary and $15,500 for an organization.

Furthermore, religious work can only be done in houses of worship and other related religious sites. Critics say this aspect is way too restrictive. It would mean no Mormons could share their faith online or in a home to which they have been invited.

According to the LDS' news website, more than 22,700 members of the Mormon church reside in Russia.

POLAND-HOLOCAUST-RESCUERS

US group celebrates Poles who saved Jews during Holocaust

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A group of Polish Christians who risked their lives to help Jews during the Holocaust have been brought together to be honored by a New York City-based Jewish organization that provides financial aid to rescuers.

Jewish Foundation for the Righteous honored 35 rescuers at an event on Sunday. They are credited with saving thousands of Jews during Europe's darkest days. President Stanlee Stahl says the rescuers were "the precious few who chose not to be bystanders."

In Poland, the rescuers, now ranging in age from the 80's to 101, receive about $3,000 a year per person, which includes a special bonus at Christmas for food and heating. The amount varies, depending on how much the foundation can raise from donors, who are mostly American Jews.

BIN LADEN-US

Bin Laden's son threatens revenge against US

BEIRUT (AP) — Al-Qaida's media arm has released an audio in which the purported son of the late al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden threatens revenge against the U.S. for assassinating his father.

In the video released by As-Sahab, Hamza bin Laden tells Americans that they are accountable for the decisions of their leaders. He says al-Qaida will continue waging jihad, or holy war, against the U.S. in response to its "oppression" of Muslims.

Bin Laden was killed in a May 2011 U.S. raid at his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. His son's whereabouts is not known. Analysts speculate that he may be preparing to take over leadership of al-Qaida.

ISRAEL-ARCHEAOLOGY

Israel find may help solve mystery of biblical Philistines

ASHKELON, Israel (AP) — An archaeological discovery announced on Sunday in Israel may help solve an enduring biblical mystery: where did the ancient Philistines come from?

The Philistines left behind plenty of pottery. But part of the mystery surrounding the ancient people was that very little biological trace of them had been found — until 2013. That's when archaeologists excavating the site of the biblical city of Ashkelon found what they say is the first Philistine cemetery ever discovered. They say they have uncovered the remains of more than 200 people there.

The discovery was finally unveiled Sunday at the close of a 30-year excavation by the Leon Levy Expedition, a team of archaeologists from Harvard University, Boston College, Wheaton College in Illinois and Troy University in Alabama.

The team is now performing DNA, radiocarbon and other tests on bone samples uncovered at the cemetery, dating back to between the 11th and the 8th centuries B.C., to help resolve a debate about the Philistines' geographical origins.

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