News

News

PCUSA barely keeps ban on ordaining gays

A four-vote margin
Jul 27, 2004
It may have been a close vote, but the stance of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on issues of homosexuality remained unchanged in Richmond, and will stand for at least two more years as the denomination switches to biennial general assemblies.

Faith groups praise rulings on detainees

Enemy combatants must be able to challenge detention
Jul 27, 2004
Christian and Muslim groups that had filed legal briefs on behalf of terrorism prisoners praised the late June decisions by the Supreme Court that said “enemy combatants” and foreign nationals detained by the U.S. must be permitted to challenge their detention in American courts.

Evangelicals decry Bush use of churches

Campaign sends laundry list of duties
Jul 27, 2004
A laundry list of duties sent to conservative Christian volunteers by the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign is causing alarm among evangelical leaders who are concerned that the use of congregations as political organizing bases will endanger churches’ tax-exempt status.

Union Seminary tops $39 million goal

New scholarships and endowments
Jul 27, 2004
The venerable Union Theological Seminary in New York, in dire financial straits a few years ago, topped its fund-raising goal of $39 million in cash, pledges and planned gifts at the start of this month, President Joseph Hough announced.

AME Church elects more women bishops

New African leadership too
Jul 27, 2004
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, after electing its first woman bishop four years ago, raised two more females to the episcopacy this month at its quadrennial meeting in Indianapolis. They also elected an unprecedented three native African bishops as a sign of AME commitment to indigenous leadership on that continent.