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Associated Press Damascus, Syria – Former President Carter met Friday with the exiled leader of Hamas and the militant group’s deputy chief, men the U.S. government has labeled as global terrorists and Israel accuses of masterminding suicide bombings and kidnappings. Carter’s meeting with Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal followed two other meetings between the former American…

Associated Press United Nations – Pope Benedict XVI told diplomats at the United Nations on Friday that respect for human rights was the key to solving many of the world’s problems, while cautioning that international cooperation was threatened by “the decisions of a small number.” The pontiff, addressing the U.N. General Assembly on his first…

By Daniel Burke and Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service Washington – Pope Benedict XVI urged his American flock on Thursday (April 17) to foster unity within the Roman Catholic Church, and called on listeners to reach out to the victims of the clergy sexual abuse scandal. “No words of mine could describe the pain…

Associated Press San Angelo, Texas – A court hearing to decide the fates of hundreds of children seized from a polygamist retreat ground to a halt almost as soon as it began Thursday as hundreds of lawyers demanded to study the first piece of evidence before it could be introduced. State District Judge Barbara Walther…

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service The decades-old discussion of sexuality in the United Methodist Church will include a new wrinkle–transgender laypeople and clergy–when the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination meets next week in Texas. Methodists will meet for their quadrennial General Conference from April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. Beyond sexuality, they are…

By Jonathan Rubin 2008 Religion News Service Passover is a time of celebration for Jews, but this year an old foe — expensive Passover prices — is putting a damper on the festivities for some Jewish families. Rising corn and grain prices, fuel increases and a sluggish economy are putting the squeeze on some Passover…

Associated Press – April 16, 2008 PHILADELPHIA – Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday criticized former President Jimmy Carter for meeting with leaders of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas as he tried to reassure Jewish voters that his candidacy isn’t a threat to them or U.S. support for Israel. The Democratic presidential candidate’s comments, made to…

Associated Press – April 16, 2008 WASHINGTON – An enthralled South Lawn crowd of more than 9,000 sang “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday – twice – and President Bush said that the first papal White House visit in 29 years was a reminder for Americans to “distinguish between simple right and wrong.”…

By Michele Chabin Religion News Service Tel Aviv, Israel – As religiously observant Jews know all too well, preparing for Passover can be backbreaking work. Every corner of the house, every toy box, sofa crevice and schoolbag must be scoured for “hametz” — leavened foods made from grain. As it turns out, it’s no different…

Associated Press Aboard the Papal Plane – Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday he was “deeply ashamed” of the clergy sexual abuse scandal that stained the U.S. Catholic Church and pledged to work to make sure pedophiles do not become priests. Benedict was answering questions submitted in advance by reporters aboard a special Alitalia airliner as…

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