Vatican closes St. Peter's tomb
Claiming that throngs of tourists have damaged the confessio of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and thus damaged Peter's tomb "through humidity, damp, saline encrustations and microbiological phenomena," the Vatican has closed off access to the tomb—even to scholars.

Church ousts pastor who ousted organist for affair
Philip Evans, the vicar of St James' church in Wetherby, North Yorkshire, has been ousted from his position after his congregation issued a no confidence vote. The bulk of the controversy stems from Evans' April firing of an organist who was living with his girlfriend (the organist is now suing for the "right to live in sin"—and £30,000). But Evans is also in trouble for trying to modernize worship at the church. "You've not got a choir and a proper organist and it's all happy-clappy music," in the words of Geoffrey Yates, who spearheaded the no-confidence motion. Attendance at the church is now reportedly half of what it was when Evans began.

Black pastors leave Democratic party in hopes Republicans can do better
Three pastors from Chicago's South Side have joined to denounce "the monarchy and dictatorship style of the local Democratic machine," to pledge respect for President-elect George W. Bush and Gov. George Ryan, and to warn African-American politicians who believe "we should vote for you just because you are black." "We need someone to start the healing process in this country especially in Chicago, and begin a dialogue with Republican leaders on how African-Americans can benefit from the Bush presidency," said Gregory Daniels, pastor of the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

Famous Florida abortion doc on trial for extortion Dr. James Pendergraft is, by any definition, ...