News

Passages

Deaths, promotions, and other items from the religion world.

DiedLorne Sanny, who served for 30 years as president and general director of The Navigators, on March 28 of complications from pneumonia. Sanny, who had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, was 84.

Vindicated Jordanian Christian widow Siham Qandah, by an Islamic court in Amman on April 12, according to Compass Direct. After a seven-year legal battle, the court revoked the legal guardianship of her two children’s Muslim uncle. He had been granted custody of the children after a court produced an unsigned certificate claiming that her Christian husband had secretly converted to Islam three years before his death.

ElectedSammy Mah, as CEO and president of World Relief. Mah, an executive with General Motors for 27 years, succeeds Clive Calver, who resigned on September 30, 2004.

DiedArchbishop Iakovos, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from 1959 to 1996, of a pulmonary ailment. He was 93.

FiredMarty Minto, a Christian radio host with Salem Communications-owned WORD-FM in Pittsburgh in April. The station said Minto inappropriately “entertained a caller’s question about whether the late Pope John Paul II would go to heaven.”

Died Reformed theologian Edmund P. Clowney, on March 20 in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a short illness. Clowney, 87, was an anonymous author of CT’s “Eutychus” humor column during the 1950s. A former pastor, Clowney wrote 10 books, including Preaching Christ in All of Scripture and The Unfolding Mystery.

HonoredGladys Staines, widow of Australian missionary martyr Graham Staines, with the Padma Shree, India’s highest civilian award. Gladys Staines has continued the leprosy work of her late husband.

DiedGerald Gordon May, on April 8 after a lengthy illness. May, 64, a psychiatrist, wrote nine books, including Will and Spirit and Addiction and Grace.

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Related Elsewhere:

The Navigators have a tribute to Lorne Sanny, and the Billy Graham Center archives have a memorial page including a chronology and audiorecordings of Sanny.

Compass Direct has more information about Siham Qandah’s custody battle.

World Relief has more information about Sammy Mah‘s new position as chief executive officer and president.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of America has a tribute page to Archbishop Iakovos.

Weblog commented on Marty Minto’s firing from WORD-FM.

Evangelicals Now, a UK publication, has an obituary of Edmund P. Clowney. Westminster Theological Seminary has a photo gallery featuring Clowney.

CT’s earlier coverage of Gladys Staines includes:

‘Once You Forgive, There Will Be Healing’ | How a martyr’s widow turned her life around and won India’s prestigious Gandhi harmony award. (Jan. 31, 2003)

Take Up Arms Against Missionaries, Says Hindu Leader | Clouds darkening over India. (March 6, 2001)

Australian Missionary’s Murderer Arrested | Evading police for more than a year, Singh was arrested in February for the murder of Australian Baptist missionary Graham Staines. (April 3, 2000)

Arrest made in India murder of missionary Graham Staines | Hindu radical apprehended after one year, but Christians claim state oppression now main problem. (Jan. 31, 2000)

Murdered missionary’s widow will continue his work with India’s lepers | Impression of India ‘not at all’ changed by murder of husband and children (Dec. 1, 1999)

The Fiery Rise of Hindu Fundamentalism | After a missionary and his two sons are martyred, Christians in India press for greater religious freedom. (Mar. 1, 1999)

The Washington Post has an obituary of Gerald G. “Jerry” May.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

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