"Those in the know confide that [Timothy] O'Brien, a theological liberal [recommended as the new chaplain of the U.S. House, but rejected by House leaders], bombed in his interview with the leadership," writes Rod Dreher. "Armey and Hastert were reportedly prepared to support O'Brien's candidacy, sources say, but he struck them as more of a worldly wheeler-dealer than a capable pastor." Dreher, a "Catholic convert from Protestantism," says the Congress should bring in Chuck Colson and Richard John Neuhaus to patch things up. See a related story in today's Dallas Morning News, which summarizes the controversy in a front-page story.

The arrests, which suggest state security forces were behind the murder of Roman Catholic bishop Juan Gerardi, are part of a promise made by President Alfonso Portillo during his induction ceremony two weeks ago. (See other coverage in the Chicago Tribune and CNN.)

The 157-year-old denomination faces schism stemming from years of fighting over Donald Macleod a liberal theologian accused of heresy and sexual misconduct. Thirty-one conservative ministers of the church, forming a group called "Free Church Defence Association," left the Free Church of Scotland Friday to form their own denomination. The Free Church of Scotland claims 16,000 members. (See also articles in the Irish Independent and BBC.)

Christians from around Orissa gathered at the leprosy home where Graham Staines worked before his death last year, reports the Times of India. A related article notes ...