Religion briefs 1/17/04

Archbishop sees 'crisis' in Anglican gay dispute

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- An influential archbishop from the West Indies said the global Anglican Communion is "in a state of crisis" over the elevation of an openly gay bishop in America's Episcopal Church and the recognition of same-sex unions by some in the Anglican Church of Canada. Archbishop Drexel Gomez said there's "no possibility of business as usual" with the Episcopal Church after it consecrated Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in November. The conservative Gomez is part of a special 17-member commission that is to report to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams on Sept. 30 about how to resolve the dispute over homosexuality that has created tension among Anglicans worldwide.

Iowa Statehouse displays Ten Commandments

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A display of the Ten Commandments alongside such texts as the Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence was hung in Iowa's Statehouse last week despite concerns about separation of church and state. The display in a gallery behind the House chambers was approved by Republican House Speaker Chris Rants, who said it showed "the foundation upon which law is based, all of these things combined." The display was donated by 22 women coordinated by the Iowa Family Policy Center. The Iowa Civil Liberties Union has condemned the Statehouse display, but an Iowa Family Policy Center attorney said a federal court in Lexington, Ky., approved a similar project in 2002.

Florida Wiccan church allowed to meet in home

MILTON, Fla. -- Santa Rosa County officials say members of a Wiccan church can meet at their leader's home without obtaining a formal permit or zoning change. The county zoning board in November denied a rezoning application from chancellor William E. Livingston of the Fire Dance Church of Wicca. County commissioners and the county attorney later reached an agreement that his residence is not a house of worship, so no zoning change is required. At the zoning board meeting, about 200 opponents argued that a residential area is inappropriate for a church and cited traffic problems.

Protestant minister shot, killed in Pakistan

MULTAN, Pakistan -- Gunmen shot and killed a Protestant clergyman at a railway station last week in a central city of Pakistan, police said. Mukhtar Masih was minister of the Church of God in Khanewal, 30 miles west of Multan. He had planned to travel to Lahore and his body was discovered in Khanewal's rail station. Police believe the killing was an act of terrorism, but there was no indication who the killers were and no one claimed responsibility. Isolated attacks against the 3 percent of Pakistanis who are not Muslims have increased since the regime allied with the United States' war on terrorism. Suspected militants murdered 16 worshippers at a church in 2001, and last July unknown gunmen killed a Christian clergyman in a remote village.

-- From wire reports