Gunman Killed in Church of the Nativity Courtyard

Will 15 civilians trapped in Church of Navity leave today? One of the Palestinian gunmen holed up in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity was shot and killed by Israeli troops early this morning. Israeli soldiers, who have had the church surrounded since April 2, say the man was armed and had fired shots from the church’s courtyard.

New Holy Land violence also flared today as Israeli tanks and troops raided the West bank city of Hebron, killing nine. Only hours before, Israel had accepted American and British proposals to end the month-long siege of Yasser Arafat’s compound.

New Bethlehem negotiations were also begun this weekend, but according to most news reports no headway was made and there is no indication when the talks will resume. “So far we have reached no solution,” Palestinian legislator Salah Taamari told the Associated Press Sunday. “The easy thing for us to do as negotiators is to withdraw, but since there is a ray of hope we will persevere.”

Reuters is reporting that the ray of hope may take shape today. A militant inside the church has told reporters by phone that 15 civilians caught up in the standoff may leave the church today. He also says that the wanted gunmen may agree to exile in order to end the standoff.

Fourteen Christians slain in Indonesia With screams of “Kill them all,” a dozen black-masked men with guns, grenades, and daggers stormed the village of Soya on the outskirts of Ambon yesterday. Fourteen Christians died in the attack. Ambon was the site of sectarian violence that killed 9,000 people in the last three years.

Who committed the massacre is unclear. Some observers have accused the Indonesian military, but officials deny the charges. Others say they have “no doubt” that militant Islamic group Laskar Jihad was behind the attack. The group has not taken responsibility.

On Friday, Laskar Jihad rejected February’s peace deal that attempted to end the fighting between Muslims and Christians in Maluku, a region known as the Spice Islands during Dutch colonial rule. “From today, we will no longer talk about reconciliation,” said Laskar Jihad commander Jafar Umar Thalib at an April 26 rally. Tension began as Muslims at the rally began to march on Christian villages, prompting intervention by armed police.

Judge saves two from death in Nigeria Last week, a Nigerian court sentenced Christians Lawal Yakubu and Ali Jafara to death under Shari’ah law for converting to Christianity. Their execution was planned for this weekend. But the presiding judge of the Shari’ah court, Alhaji Awal Jabaka, threw out the sentence Friday. The judge ruled that although Islamic texts call for death when Muslims convert, the Zamfara State Shari’ah penal code has no provision for such offenses and thus no power to pass such a sentence. There has been no report on what will now happen to the two Christians.

Persecution:

500 protest Falun Gong persecution by Beijing | Participants in Boston march gather serenely against the wind and chilling rain, meditating for the victims of the Chinese government. (The Boston Globe)
Minister joins Gujarat peace march | A peace march has taken place amid tight security in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where more than 800 people have been killed in communal violence. (BBC)
Also: Gujarat victims were ‘stripped, burned and hacked’ | Two months after the event that triggered Gujarat’s pogrom, Muslims in the western Indian state are still counting the cost. (Independent)

Television evangelists:

Cashing in on the faithful | Some pastors adopt strong-arm tactics to shame parishioners into shelling out. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Benny Hinn Relentlessly Seeks Souls, Money | The popular faith healer brushes off criticism of his long-running television ministry. (Los Angeles Times)

Clergy sex abuse scandal:

At a Largely Gay Church, a Test of Faith | Being gay and practicing Catholicism is never an easy proposition. But in these days of scandal, it is especially hard. (The New York Times)
In Canada, a Tougher Stand on Clergy Sex Abuse | Following Lawsuits Over Residential Schools, Bishops Acted a Decade Ago to Require Quick Response (The Washington Post)
Cardinal describes meeting in Rome | In his first public appearance since his return to Boston, Bernard Cardinal Law painted an optimistic picture of last week’s meeting of U.S. cardinals at the Vatican. (Boston Herald)
Hyde presses church to report abuse | A prominent Roman Catholic congressman says the church must send police all accusations of sex abuse of minors by priests, something that is not official policy. (The Washington Times)
Law makes annual pitch for funds | Other drives struggle; priests see reluctance to give because of crisis. (The Boston Globe)

Other stories of interest:

Post-Enron, spirituality gains | A concentrations on religion in the workplace may be a positive outcome of the Enron scandal. (The Christian Science Monitor)
Cranbrook reverend returns | Plagiarism charge led to leave; he apologizes (Detroit Free Press)
Finding spirituality on the farm | ‘We believe that a farm … is not to grow cash; it’s to grow character’ (The Dallas Morning News)
From a church’s ashes, a friendship is born | “We’re a rare fraternity,” says Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein, “those of us who have lost sanctuaries.” (The New York Times)