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Billy Graham returns to the pulpit
With seven months having passed since his last public preaching but mere weeks since his last serious hospitalization, 82-year-old Billy Graham began a four-day crusade in Louisville, Kentucky last night. But the big news, apparently, was the weather: both The Dallas Morning News and The Courier-Journal of Louisville led off their stories by noting that a three-hours rainstorm stopped just minutes before the crusade started. Also of note: Graham has apparently stopped commenting on much apart from his ministry. "I just cannot answer all those questions any more, all the political questions and social problems," he said at a press conference. "I haven't been able to keep up with everything. I'm here just to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ."

The Roman Colosseum even more evil than thought
According to tradition, Christians were fed to wild beasts in the Roman Colosseum, originally called the Flavian Amphitheater (some scholars question whether it actually happened.) At the very least, Christians protested what went on inside. But now there's even more reason why the Colosseum deserved criticism: it was built from the sacking of the Jerusalem Temple. According to London's Daily Telegraph, Geza Alfoldy of Heidelberg University, working with Italian archaeologists, recently deciphered an inscription that reads, "The Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus had this new amphitheatre erected with the spoils of war. There is no doubt what war this was, the sack of Jerusalem."

Missionary hostages in Philippines:

• Three dead Filipinos found as troops search for U.S. hostage (Associated Press)
• Source: Philippine rebels release three hostages | But Burnhams still among the two dozen being held (Reuters)
• Diplomatic dealings | Filipino Muslim rebels up the ante in kidnapping (ABCNews.com
• Basilan priests back war vs Abus | Exasperated Filipino priests on Basilan island have advised the faithful to stock up on arms and ammunition instead of buying home appliances. (The Philippine Star)
• Catholic priest turns to guns to ward off Philippines' Abu Sayyaf | Cirilo Nacorda has been kidnapped before, and he's not going to let it happen again (Associated Press)

Sudan:

• Sudan is Bush's big African headache |Campaign against Khartoum is very reminiscent of that which led to the anti-apartheid act in 1986 (Business Day, Johannesburg)
• U.S. business lobbies on Sudan | Legislation would for the first time deprive some foreign companies of access to US stock markets if they run foul of US foreign policy (Financial Times)
• Suddenly in Sudan, a moment to care | The Bush administration finds itself paying increasing attention to the conflict in Sudan, because it involves two of its most important domestic constituencies: oil interests and religion. (The New York Times)

Persecution:

• Mexican town wages crusade against evangelicals | Religious differences came to a head when the Catholic-dominated government of San Nicolas Ixmiquilpan cut off the water supply of the evangelical community and threatened to run them out of town because they refused to contribute money for fiestas celebrating Catholic saints' days (Reuters)
• Dara Singh calls off fast (Rediff.com)

Egypt's Copts riot:

• Paper's sex expose stirs Egypt furor | Editor charged amid Christian anger over photos (Chicago Tribune)
• Also: Coptic Pope calls for calm (BBC)

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June (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45