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• Renewed Christian-Muslim clashes claim lives | At least 15 killed as Nigeria's northern Bauchi State fights over Shari'ah law (UN Integrated Regional Information Network)
• A struggle to survive on Russian soil | Jehovah's Witnesses, denied permission to register as a legal entity in the largely Orthodox Christian nation, face both cultural and religious obstacles. (Los Angeles Times)
• Attack on Christians in Gujarat alleged | Hindu activists reportedly beat orphanage workers with sticks (The Times of India)
• Also: Christian nuns beaten by Hindu radicals | Christian groups demand investigation (AFP)

Irish priest murdered in Philippines:

• Philippines arrests suspect in Irish priest killing (Reuters)
• Vatican calls for justice for killers of Australian priest in Papua New Guinea (Radio Australia)
• Son of former rebel accused of killing missionary | Rufus Halley was apparently victim of botched kidnapping (Associated Press)
• Murder of priest was no surprise | Father Rufus Halley's murder in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, came on the eve of a meeting of the island's 40 Catholic bishops to discuss the promotion of peace (The Irish Times)
• Priest eighth Columban killed (The Irish Times)
• Rebels protecting killers of Irish priest, say police | Ceasefire agreement prevents government forces from assaulting MILF positions (The Irish Times)
• Funeral held in Papua New Guinea for murdered Australian priest | Killers remain at large (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Other murders:

• Washington state executes man for murder in church | James Elledge had been church janitor (Reuters)
• Also: Church tries to overcome hurt, anger caused by killer's betrayal | Lighthouse Free Methodist Church's James Elledge is to be executed Tuesday (The Seattle Times)
• Killer said posed as missionary | Gang of escaped prisoners posed as devout Christians and concocted elaborate tales while on the lam in Colorado (Associated Press)

Kidnappings:

• Philippine army witheld reinforcements against Abu Sayyaf | Officer says generals gave kidnappers time to escape (AFP)
• Kidnapped priest freed in El Salvador | Family members paid ransom, says church official (Associated Press)
• Kidnappers free daughter of Brazilian media mogul | Patricia Abravanel credits God with safety, release (Reuters)

Sexual abuse:

• Child sex case brings battle on admission to clerics | A man charged with sexually abusing two girls in a Massachusetts congregation asked a judge to throw out a confession that he made to several ministers, who then reported him. (The New York Times)
• Also: 'Confession' in sex abuse case a bind for clergy | Leaders of the United Church of Christ are being asked to defend in court their decision to turn in one of their own religious education teachers (The Boston Globe)
• One of Sudan's 'Lost Boys' is charged with rape | 19-year-old accused of Arlington assault (The Boston Globe)
• Lookalike pastor's prayers answered | The Rev. Jack M. Copas was mistaken by FBI agents for pedophile Eric Rosser (New York Post)
• Indecency exposure | Sex abuse allegations meet the healing air at New Covenant church (The Boston Globe)
• Church leader, adopted son guilty of abusing 14-year-old | Jury deliberated only 45 minutes before returning the verdict after three days of testimony (Associated Press)

Sexual ethics:

• Fla. ban on gay adoptions upheld | National implications of federal judge's ruling are unclear (The Washington Post)
• Also: U.S. judge upholds Florida gay adoption ban | "No fundamental right to adopt," says judge (CNN)

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August (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45