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…
Cuban youth celebrate church’s renovation
More than 1,000 young people in eastern Cuba met in First Baptist Church of Moa Dec. 5 for a major celebration of the church's recent renovation. They came from seven provinces that make up the Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba…
Faith-based agenda to continue, says staffer
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 Washington conference…
Hunger kills more than 5 million children a year, says UN food agency
Hunger and malnutrition kill more than 5 million children a year and cost developing countries billions of dollars in lost productivity and national income, according to a United Nations report. “The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2004,” issued…
State Baptist meetings offer mixed results for supporters of BWA
By Greg Warner If the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funder earlier this year, hoped to recoup some of that funding from state Baptist conventions, the organization got little encouragement during the recent round of convention…
Reaching the goal: Virginia Baptists surpass 2004 budget
Virginia Baptist leaders praised the generosity of the Baptist General Association of Virginia's churches last week as they announced it has surpassed its 2004 missions and ministry budget for only the second time in almost a quarter of a century….
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…