News

News

Briefly noted

Apr 20, 2004
Two top officials of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel resigned in March after the church lost $14 million to two investment firms that have been alleged to be fraudulent. The resignations of the president, Paul Risser, and the corporate treasurer, Brent Morgan, were accepted during an annual cabinet meeting in Los Angeles, the denomination announced.

Methodist bishops: Gay clergy ban intact

But Karen Dammann acquitted
Apr 20, 2004
The acquittal of a lesbian Methodist pastor charged with violating a church ban on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy does not change church law, United Methodist bishops have cautioned members as the denomination prepares for its once-every-four-years convention late this month.

High court listens to 'pledge' arguments

The Newdow case
Apr 20, 2004
A ruling is not likely until June, but a church-state case widely discussed in the public has finally been aired in the U.S. Supreme Court.

People

Apr 20, 2004
Thomas O’Brien, the resigned Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, has been sentenced to four years on probation for a hit-and-run accident that killed a pedestrian. O’Brien, 68, was also ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service, including hospital visits to severely injured and dying patients. His driver’s license was suspended for five years.

Bay State compromise: Ban gay marriages, but allow civil unions

Gay marriage will be legal in the meantime
Apr 20, 2004
Massachusetts legislators have given initial approval to an amendment that bans gay marriage but explicitly authorizes identical civil benefits for same-sex couples. However, since the amendment cannot take effect until November of 2006 at the earliest, Massachusetts is set to become the first state to recognize gay marriages.