Associated Press – February 20, 2008 PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Fed up with violence and broken promises, voters in Pakistan’s deeply conservative northwest have thrown out the Islamist parties that ruled this province for five years – a clear sign that Pakistanis rejected religious extremism in a region where al-Qaida and the Taliban have sought refuge.…

By Francis X. Rocca Religion News Service Vatican City — In his 26-year reign, Pope John Paul II canonized a record 482 saints and beatified an additional 1,341 Catholics, more than all his predecessors combined since the late 16th century. John Paul’s recognition of holiness among previously underrepresented groups of laypeople and non-Europeans aroused enthusiasm…

Associated Press Kampala, Uganda – Uganda’s Anglican church threatened Monday to secede from the rest of the 77-million member fellowship unless U.S. clergy condemn homosexuality. The announcement was the latest salvo in a fierce debate about homosexuality has overtaken the global Anglican Communion since its U.S. wing – the Episcopal Church – consecrated its first…

Associated Press Asheville, N.C. – Evangelist Billy Graham is back at his North Carolina home recovering from surgery to update a shunt that controls excess fluid to his brain. Mission Hospitals spokeswoman Merrell Gregory says Graham is recovering well and physicians are pleased with his progress. Graham underwent surgery last Wednesday. Dr. Ralph Loomis said…

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