NEW YORK — The Madison Square Garden Co. says it bought the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., for $23.5 million from a Los Angeles-area megachurch. The company says it will invest $50 million in the arena and restore it to a first-class musical venue.
The historic venue opened in 1967 and was home to the NBA’s Lakers and NHL’s Kings until they left for the Staples Center in 1999.
The venue also hosted generations of pop music acts, including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith and Nirvana. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Faithful Central Bible Church.
Another former NBA venue, The Summit in Houston, was bought by Lakewood Church, and is now home to the nation’s largest Protestant congregation.
- The Associated Press
2 pastors post bond in $430,000 theft
HOUSTON - Two pastors accused of stealing more than $430,000 from a Houston church where they worked have been released from jail.
Records show 58-year-old Charles Gilford and his 53-yearold wife, Adriane, were freed after bail was lowered from $800,000 to $15,000 apiece.
The Gilfords were indicted last week on charges of theft over $200,000 and misapplication of fiduciary property. Both appeared in court Monday.
A lawyer for Charles Gilford has denied the allegations. A message left with Bethel Institutional Missionary Baptist Church wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday.
The couple worked for the church from 2000 to 2007. A tip led to a review of church’s financial records.
Prosecutors say the missing money was siphoned off through unauthorized checks, payments and a debit card.
- The Associated Press
UNESCO recognition sought in Bethlehem
RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinians are making a push to get parts of biblical Bethlehem recognized as an endangered World Heritage site.
On Tuesday, two dozen civic groups and municipalities in the Bethlehem area sent an open letter to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, saying the international community has a “legal and moral responsibility” to the sites. They cited past Israeli attacks on the town in the Israelioccupied West Bank where Palestinians have self-rule.
The Palestinians seek recognition for the Church of the Nativity, built over Jesus’ traditional birth grotto, and a Bethlehem pilgrimage route.
A UNESCO committee has turned down the bid, saying the nomination needs more work.
- The Associated Press
German court rules circumcision a crime
BERLIN - A German court has ruled that circumcising young boys on religious grounds amounts to bodily harm even if parents consent to the procedure.
Cologne state court said the child’s right to physical integrity trumps freedom of religion and parents’ rights, German news agency DAPD reported Tuesday.
The case involved a doctor accused of carrying out a circumcision on a 4-year-old that led to medical complications.
Religion, Pages 27 on 06/28/2012