State Department: Anti-Semitism rises
WASHINGTON - The State Department has appointed a special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism as a new report documents a global increase in incidents of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.
Ira Forman, former CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council, was chosen as special envoy as the State Department released its annual report on religious freedom around the world. According to the report, expressions of anti-Semitism by government officials, religious leaders and the media were of great concern, particularly in Venezuela, Egypt and Iran. At times, the report said, such statements led to desecration and violence.
- The Associated Press
Two brothers sue Catholic diocese
PORTLAND, Maine - Two brothers are suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, saying church officials knew a priest was sexually abusing them and other children but did nothing to stop it.
In complaints filed in Cumberland County Superior Court, Jeffrey and Frederick Conroy say that the late Father James Vallely abused them from approximately 1976 through approximately 1979 when they were altar boys at St.
Michael’s Parish in South Berwick, Maine.
Frederick Conroy is now 46 and lives in Massachusetts.
Jeffrey Conroy is 45 and lives in Texas.
The suits seek unspecified damages on claims including fraudulent concealment, infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision.
- The Associated Press
Atheist group says creationism taught
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State University is investigating an atheist organization’s complaint that one of the professors at the Indiana college is teaching religion rather than science.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a formal objection to Eric Hedin’s teaching with university officials. Hedin teaches an honors class called “Boundaries of Science,” which the foundation maintains teaches creationism rather than science.
The foundation is dedicated to “nontheism” and separation of church and state.
“Faculty own the curriculum. In large part, it’s a faculty matter,” Provost Terry King told The Star Press. “But we have to ensure that our teaching is appropriate. All I have so far is a complaint from an outside person. We have not had any internal complaints. But we do take this very seriously and will look into it.” - The Associated Press
Church sex lawsuit reaches settlement
JACKSON, Miss. - A federal lawsuit that accused the former pastor of a Jackson megachurch of sexually harassing an employee ended with a settlement Tuesday, the plaintiff’s attorney said.
Jamila Slaughter sued Word of Faith International Christian Center and Bishop Kevin Wright in June 2011. Slaughter’s attorney, Carlos Moore, said the settlement was reached after a hearing in U.S. District Court in Jackson.
He said terms of the deal are confidential.
Word of Faith was founded in Detroit in 1978 and has more than 30 satellite churches, including the one where Slaughter and Wright worked in Jackson.
Slaughter alleged in the lawsuit that Wright made unwanted sexual advances.
Religion, Pages 14 on 05/25/2013