RELIGION and FAITH

Latest Religious, Ethics and Church news, articles & more in Cleveland, OH

WHEATON, Ill. -- Theological conservatives upset by the liberal views of the Episcopal Church are forming a rival denomination.

The new Anglican Church in North America will include four Episcopal dioceses that recently split from the U.S. church, along with breakaway Anglican parishes from Canada.

The announcement Wednesday in Wheaton, Illinois, comes after decades of debate over what Episcopalians should believe about issues ranging from salvation to sexuality. Tensions erupted in 2003 when Episcopalians consecrated the first openly gay bishop.

The world Anglican Communion is a fellowship of churches with roots in the Church of England. The Episcopal Church is the Anglican body in the United States. But the new North American church says it represents true Anglican beliefs.

Ursuline Sisters Sister Diane Pinchot

An Ursuline College art professor says the spirit of her fallen sister murdered in El Salvador guided her footsteps as she walked onto the grounds of Fort Benning in Georgia Sunday.

Sister Diane Therese Pinchot, 63, was one of six people arrested on charges of trespassing in act of civil disobedience to protest a U.S. training facility for Latin American military.

Thousands gather each November outside Fort Benning to call for the closing of the School of Americas, now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. Some of the guardsmen convicted in the 1980 rapes and murders of Sister Dorothy Kazel of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, lay missionary Jean Donovan of Cleveland and Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford were trained at the School of Americas.

Gus Chan/Plain Dealer fileStudents at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish School get their textbooks and supplies from their lockers. The West Side school would stay open under one proposal for restructuring of Cleveland Catholic Diocese schools, according to sources.

Families across the Cleveland Catholic Diocese are wondering if they will lose their parish schools in a broader restructuring plan.

Last year, Bishop Richard Lennon ordered regional groups of parishes to come up with plans to close or merge churches in response to suburban flight, financial hardship and a clergy shortage.

Parishes have no mandate regarding the specific number of schools to be closed or merged.

"Rather, parishes were advised to consider enrollment trends and the future of Catholic education when making their decisions," said Robert Tayek, the diocese's spokesman.

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto writes about faith issues every other Saturday in The Plain Dealer.

Waiting is the worst part of it.

I've said that, usually when I am waiting for a test result from a doctor or for someone to make a decision that will impact my life -- and it seems everything is out of my control.

All I can do is wait. And think. And feel helpless.

Luis M. Alvarez/Associated PressThe Rev. Ronald Braxton, senior pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in the nation's capital, said it would be good if President-elect Barack Obama resumed worshipping at a congregation rooted in the black community. "He's familiar with African-American worship traditions," Braxton said, referring to Obama's membership at Wright's church in Chicago. "Metropolitan AME would be a wise choice and a safe haven in which to worship."

Churches in the nation's capital have started extending invitations to President-elect Barack Obama and his family, touting their African-American roots and their ties to presidents past and Obama.

Numerous thriving congregations are an easy walk from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Just across Lafayette Square from the White House is St. John's Church, an Episcopal parish known as the "Church of the Presidents," where presidents as far back as James Madison have worshipped. St. John's has a standing invitation: Pew 54 is the President's Pew, reserved for the nation's leader.

Or he could choose, as many presidents have done, not to attend services. President George W. Bush, for instance, has infrequently attended services in Washington, occasionally going to St. John's.

Unless indicated, events are free or will have a freewill offering.

Sunday, Nov. 23

Grief program
When: 2-4:30 p.m.
Where: Church of St. Mary, 401 North St., Chardon, 440-286-1968.
Details: The church will present "Hope for the Holidays," a program of fellowship and prayer for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Registration preferred: 440-286-1968.

Guest organist
When: 3-4 p.m.
Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 8125 Mentor Ave., Mentor.
Details: The Rev. Dr. Paul Grime, dean of chapel and associate professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., will be the guest organist. 440-255-2229.

AP File Photo/2001Archbishop Timothy Broglio.

BALTIMORE -- Three bishops, including a Cleveland Heights native, have been elected to the Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services, the international relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Military Services, USA, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Detroit and Auxiliary Bishop Martin D. Holley of Washington were elected by the bishops at their November 10-13 meeting.