Methodist Church to host concert Tuesday
The First United Methodist Church of Durango will host a free concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 2917 Aspen Drive.
The Heavenly Harp duo of Karin and Joy Gunderson will perform the music from their summer tour called “Serenity.” Their concerts include familiar songs, light classical music and inspiring stories of faith.
For more information, call the church at 247-4213.
Millions displaced by religious violence
WASHINGTON – The U.S. says millions of people were driven out of their homes because of their religious beliefs last year.
Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday released the State Department’s 2013 report on religious persecution around the world.
It says in conflict zones, mass displacement has become the norm. Hundreds of thousands of minority Christians have fled Syria after three years of civil war; and in July, Islamic militants have forced Iraqi Christians to leave Mosul or face execution.
The report also highlighted more than a million people being displaced in the Central African Republic amid an upsurge in Christian-Muslim violence.
Introducing the report, Kerry also noted the continuing imprisonment of American pastor Saeed Abedini in Iran and said the U.S. will continue to press for his release.
Appeals court allows Sept. 11 steel cross
NEW YORK – The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal judge’s ruling last year that the decision to include the beam in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum did not advance religion impermissibly.
American Atheists had sued the museum’s operators in 2011 on constitutional grounds. The group says it is disappointed in the decision and is considering whether to appeal.
The 17-foot-tall steel beam was found by rescue workers two days after the 2001 terror attacks destroyed the World Trade Center.
Vatican acts on divisive Paraguay diocese
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is taking action in a divisive diocese in Paraguay where an Argentine priest has been removed.
The Rev. Carlos Urrutigoity is still, however, an active priest in the Ciudad del Este diocese in a sign he remains in good standing with his bishop.
Urrutigoity has denied allegations of impropriety and has never been charged; his bishop, Monsignor Rogelio Livieres, has stressed there is no accusation against him that he sexually abused minors. In 2005, he allowed Urrutigoity to join his diocese – even though Urrutigoity’s then-superior in Pennsylvania had warned Livieres and the Vatican he was a threat, unsuitable for the priesthood.
Herald Staff & Associated Press
