%1

Christian leaders representing millions of Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and Catholic faithful, along with councils of churches, are calling for an end to the large-scale violence in Lebanon and Israel.

“The escalating violence and regional dimension of the conflict is alarming,” said the coalition Churches for Middle East Peace in a July 20 letter to President Bush. “It is urgent that you call on all the parties to restrain from using force and, rather, to trust a diplomatic process.”

A top treasury official of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was fired after she admitted to embezzlement, denomination executives have announced.

More than $100,000 in church funds have disappeared. Church officials in Louisville, Kentucky, said restitution and insurance should cover the losses. They also said the case will be handled by prosecutors, reported the Presbyterian News Service.