Religion News Briefs

Skeletons could be Inquisition victims

LISBON, Portugal -- Portuguese researchers suspect that a dozen skeletons found in an ancient garbage dump were Jewish victims of the Inquisition more than 400 years ago.

The excavation team found the remains at what was called the Jail Cleaning Yard of the Inquisition Court in Evora, 84 miles east of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. The dump was in use roughly between 1568 and 1634.

The Portuguese Inquisition was established in 1536. Its most common accusation was maintaining outlawed Jewish practices in secret. Hundreds of Jews were burned at the stake, and living conditions in Inquisition jails often caused prisoners' deaths. A proper burial was denied to Jews.

The researchers said it was impossible to know for certain if the skeletons were Jews.

-- The Associated Press

Bible museum to show Holy Land artifacts

WASHINGTON -- The Museum of the Bible being built in Washington will feature ancient artifacts and treasures from the Holy Land under a new deal that ensures Israel's leading archaeological organization will have an outpost in the U.S. capital.

An agreement announced Tuesday between the museum and the Israel Antiquities Authority will present a selection of artifacts excavated in Israel for long-term display in a top-floor gallery at the new Bible museum. The $400 million, eight-story museum is set to open near the National Mall in 2017.

The museum's founder, Hobby Lobby President Steve Green, already has collected about 40,000 objects, including rare biblical texts and artifacts, such as cuneiform tablets dating to the time of Abraham, Torah scrolls and rare printed Bibles.

-- The Associated Press

Pivotal cathedral dean to retire after 3 years

WASHINGTON -- The dean of the Washington National Cathedral says he'll retire at the end of the year.

The Rev. Gary Hall has led what is often considered the nation's church for three years. He helped balance the National Cathedral's budget after years of financial struggle and opened the church to same-sex marriages.

The 66-year-old Hall has two years left on his contract, but says the seat of the Episcopal Church is entering a new era and needs a long-term leader for a decade or more.

In a letter announcing his retirement, Hall said the cathedral will pursue a major capital campaign to increase its endowment and finish repairs of damage it sustained in an earthquake four years ago.

-- The Associated Press

Mayor backs banning officer's headscarves

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The mayor of Columbus says he supports Police Chief Kim Jacobs' decision to ban officers from wearing religious headscarves.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the issue arose when a Muslim woman who is a Somali immigrant left the police academy in March because of the department's rule.

Mayor Michael Coleman says the city wants to recruit immigrants to the force, but when officers go out into the community they should be seen as Columbus police officers, not Muslim police officers or members of any other religion.

Jacobs agrees that any officer responding to calls should be recognized as a Columbus officer who "doesn't turn anyone off."

-- The Associated Press

Religion on 08/22/2015

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