No one confirming, many denying Fox News report of Burnham ransom
Fox News reported yesterday that the U.S. government facilitated a privately funded ransom payment of up to $3 million for the release of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. The sources of the article are not cited, and the rest of the world is wondering where this story came from. "If such a payment was made, it was done without our consent or knowledge," says New Tribes Mission's latest dispatch. "Over the course of the Burnhams' captivity … there have been numerous unverified and unsubstantiated reports originating from unreliable news sources in the Philippines." New Tribes also reiterates that it follows a strict policy against ransoming its missionaries. But New Tribes spokesman Scott Ross tells The Wichita Eagle that the mission agency wouldn't necessarily be the first to know if such a ransom was made. "We're a little out of the loop on operations between the Philippines and the U.S. government," he says, adding that New Tribes is trying to get Fox News to reveal its source. "No one has confirmed this story."
In fact, many people are denying it. "It's not true," said Philippines presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao. "We're not aware of any ransom payments." He also reiterated the government's strict no-ransom policy. Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez issued an even stronger denial. "This is a very wild report," he told Reuters. "We'd like to categorically state this is not true."
"If ransom was paid, how come they are still there?" Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today. The release of the Burnhams, she said, is "up to the Divine Providence. He makes all things beautiful in his time."
U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher yesterday avoided directly answering the question, but restated that the U.S. government's "first and foremost" interest in the Philippines is the release of the Burnhams, and then fighting terrorism in that country. After restating U.S. policy against "allowing terrorists, hostage-takers, to benefit from ransom or other concessions," Boucher said he wouldn't go into further detail about Fox News's claim. "There have been all kinds of rumors in the Philippines and elsewhere about people negotiating, things happening or not happening, and I am afraid because of our overriding interest in seeing the Burnhams safely released, I am not going to start commenting on all those rumors," he said. "And the more we start narrowing down what may be the case or not the case, the more it makes it difficult for us to pursue our ultimate goals, which are to see the Burnhams released and to see the hostage-takers brought to justice."
Meanwhile, military efforts to free the Burnhams continue. Earlier this week, the Philippines rejected a deal offered by the Abu Sayyaf for a cease-fire and the release of Filipina nurse Deborah Yap (the only hostage besides the Burnhams) in exchange for the medical treatment of one of its leaders.
The Philippine government says it's closing in. (Heard that one before?) This morning, AFP reported: "Philippine troops have zeroed in on Muslim guerrillas holding two American hostages and stepped up naval patrols around their island hideout to prevent them from slipping away, officials said on Wednesday. … Among signs that the protracted hostage drama might be close to its end was the recovery of personal items which officials said appeared to belong to the hostages."
"Philippine troops have clashed several times in the last week with Muslim rebels holding an American missionary couple hostage, leading to suggestions here that an attempt to rescue the couple from the remote jungle island of Basilan may be imminent," The New York Times reported Sunday. "A number of factors … point to stepped-up efforts to rescue the Burnhams. … Philippine officials have said they believe that the hostages are now under the control of Ismilon Hapilon, one of the most ruthless and tactically skilled members of the Abu Sayyaf."
But the Abu Sayyaf may have plans of its own for Holy Week. "Intelligence reports have it that Abu Sayyaf hit men have slipped into Zamboanga City to carry out the attacks on government installations and public places, including Catholic churches," The Philippine Star reported Monday.
The Burnhams were abducted exactly ten months ago today.
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Theology:
Fallibility in Holy Week's narrative | The key to understanding the humanity of the church is to understand the humanity of the Gospels, texts that embody the capacity to get things wrong, with terrible consequences. (James Carroll, The Boston Globe)
Is Jesus the only way to God? Yes, no, maybe | In this post-Sept. 11 world, many observers are saying religions that teach that they are the only way to salvation are at the root of many of the world's troubles (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
Is religion violent?
Religion, violence forever intertwined | For much of recorded history, people of all faiths have been killing each other in the name of their deities. (The Baltimore Sun)
China confirms crackdown on Koreans | Police said Monday they are rounding up North Koreans hiding along China's border and sending them home (Associated Press)
RSS, Christian leaders talks fail | RSS and Christian leaders on Friday said they had failed to bridge growing differences over conversions and violence which have marred relations between the two communities (AFP)
Nigeria in crisis over Shari'ah law | With the northern states indicating that they intend to ignore the minister's intervention, the stage is clearly set for a constitutional battle (BBC)
Ugandan troops shot for priest's murder | Two soldiers have been executed by firing squad for murdering an Irish priest and two companions in Uganda's volatile north-eastern region of Karamoja. (BBC)
Also: Priest condemns Uganda execution | "If [the soldiers] did fire the shots, they were only acting on orders from senior officers," said Father Jones from the St Joseph's Society for Foreign Missions. (BBC)
Rigid Christian sex roles hurt Andrea Yates | The Christian fundamentalist beliefs that enshrine male control over women played a role in the destruction of the Yates family. Christian fundamentalist religions should preach a gospel of equality between the sexes. (Anne Eggebroten, Women's E-News)
Life ethics:
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Pope speaks out on treatment of dying | Using medical techniques to preserve a patient's life "at all costs" could be "useless and not fully respectful of the patient," he says (BBC)
Time to bring morning-after pill out of the shadows | Despite the preponderance of sex talk and sexual imagery in American media, remarkably little information has gotten around about morning-after pills (Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune)
Missions & ministry:
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Modern missions take more than faith | Missionary service has become more professional and specialized, and the amount of training and preparation—and expense—has increased as well. (The Ledger, Lakeland, Fla.)
Full-time Bangladesh mission matter of the heart | Frank and Alves Weirman say it's a mystery why they decided to leave Nebraska to become full-time missionaries in Bangladesh (Kearney [Neb.] Hub)
Still in debt, prison chapel sits empty | Worship services for inmates haven't been permitted because state officials haven't assumed ownership of the property (Des Moines [Iowa] Register)
Faith, hope healing | The Healing Rooms, a 5-month-old interdenominational effort involving more than 200 volunteers from 35 evangelical churches, is but one sign of a growing interest in the intersection of religion and health. (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland)
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Supreme Court won't hear Va. sex abuse case | Case would outline when school boards can be held responsible for employees who are found to be child molesters. (The Washington Post)
Church's actions disappoint Catholics | Most Catholics say their church has done a poor job handling the problem of sexual abuse by priests, and almost a third say they are less likely now to give money to the church (USA Today)
Cardinal Mahony won't name abusers | He says to do so would traumatize victims further, but they can break confidentiality agreements if they wish. (Los Angeles Times)
While we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
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But experts say it can offer opportunities for leaders and congregations to grow.
