Bishops reaffirm their stance on celibacy

Bishops reaffirm their stance on celibacy

VATICAN CITY -- While acknowledging the acute shortage of priests in the Roman Catholic Church, bishops from around the world reaffirmed the church's stance on celibacy for priests Saturday in a set of recommendations they agreed to submit to Pope Benedict XVI. The proposals also dealt with whether Communion should be denied to Catholic politicians who support laws that contradict church teaching, such as the right to abortion, as well as the plight of Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment.

Pakistani gang rape victim to receive award

LAHORE, Pakistan -- A Pakistani woman who won international fame but irked the government for speaking out about her gang rape left for the United States on Saturday to receive an award for her courage. Mukhtar Mai, 36, has been declared Woman of the Year 2005 by Glamour, an American women's magazine. She's due to receive the award with a $20,000 cash prize Nov. 2 in New York.

Plane reported missing after takeoff in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria -- A plane carrying 114 people was reported missing shortly after taking off from the Nigerian city of Lagos, a private television station reported. The aircraft, operated by Bellview Airlines, lost contact with the control tower three minutes after taking off at 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, Channels TV reported. Those aboard included 108 passenger and six crew. Pilots issued a distress call before the plane disappearedover the Atlantic Ocean, state television reported.

-- From wire reports

A dispatcher who answered the phone at Salzburg's main fire department said that paramedics at the scene had taken one person to the hospital with critical injuries and were treating others.