Canada's Supreme Court paved the way Dec. 9 for the country to become the third country to allow nationwide recognition of gay marriages. The court ruled, in a clarification sought by Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal government, that the federal…
Advocates for a cause: Former SBC leaders rally to support BWA
By Greg Warner About 20 former Southern Baptist leaders met in Atlanta Dec. 4 to try to find ways to rebuild financial support for the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funding source in October. The leaders,…
Third Catholic diocese files for bankruptcy
In an expected move, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Wash., filed for bankruptcy protection Dec. 6 to grapple with sexual abuse claims. Bishop William S. Skylstad announced in mid-November that the diocese planned to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy…
Canadian Supreme Court OKs gay-marriage legislation
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court of Canada has given legislators the green light to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. In an advisory opinion, known in Canada as a “reference,” the court's justices ruled Dec. 9 that the Canadian Constitution and…
Controversial Bush nominee retires rather than face fight anew
WASHINGTON (ABP) — One of President Bush's most controversial appeals-court nominees announced Dec. 9 he will retire rather than face another battle over his confirmation. Judge Charles Pickering announced in Mississippi that he will retire from the federal bench rather…
White House ‘faith-based’ director says Bush will continue agenda
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The man spearheading President Bush's effort to increase government grants to religious social-service agencies said the initiative will continue in Bush's second term, although he offered few specifics as to how that will happen. Speaking during a…
Scalia’s comments on Holocaust, church and state earn rebuke
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The man who may be the next chief justice of the United States reportedly gave a speech in which he suggested church-state separation did nothing to prevent the Holocaust. According to news reports of a Nov. 22…
Lilly awards $2 million grants to McAfee School, BTSR
INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — Two moderate Baptist theology schools have received $2 million grants from the Lilly Endowment to work with churches to promote “ministerial excellence.” McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University’s theology school in Atlanta, will use the funds to…
Widowed Alabama pastor learns to ‘truly trust God’
STEVENSON, Ala. (ABP) — With joy in his voice, Derek Boyd talked about picking up his sons from school. It is one of the highlights of his day. Full of thoughtful reflections and humorous anecdotes, his conversation naturally flowed back…
Herod’s slaughter aside, Christians too familiar with genocide, author says
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Christians reading the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth are often jolted by King Herod's act of genocide. When told by the wise men of the birth of a Jewish king, Herod ordered all the Jewish infants…
UCC officials file FCC complaints against network TV affiliates
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United Church of Christ has filed Federal Communications Commission complaints against two television stations in Florida over their parent networks' refusals to air a controversial church advertisement. Church officials, acting on behalf of UCC members in…
Former Southern Baptist leaders rally to support Baptist World Alliance
ATLANTA (ABP) — About 20 former Southern Baptist leaders met in Atlanta Dec. 4 to try to find ways to rebuild financial support for the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funding source in October. The leaders,…