In Brief

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Presbyterians Sending Less to Headquarters

The Presbyterian Church (USA) says its regional bodies are sending less money than expected to national headquarters, partly out of protest over the direction of the denomination.

The Presbyterian financial officer said last week that the national church will receive about $400,000 less than anticipated for 2005, according to the Presbyterian News Service. The national church had expected to receive about $13.2 million for the year.

The denomination, like other mainline Protestant groups, has been struggling for years to reconcile members who disagree over the Bible and gay relationships, among other issues.

This June, a Presbyterian national assembly voted to give local congregations and regional bodies leeway to install gay clergy and lay officers with same-sex partners.

-- Associated Press

Pregnant Teacher Sues Over Church's Job Threat

A church preschool teacher who became pregnant out of wedlock sued her employer, saying she was forced to sign a pledge that she would stop having sex until marriage if she wanted to stay employed.

Freda Brown also alleges in her federal lawsuit that First Baptist Church of Dallas leaders asked her inappropriate questions and reduced her compensation.

The suit was filed last week after the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined that Brown had been discriminated against because of her gender and pregnancy.

An attorney for First Baptist said he had not talked to church leaders about the lawsuit.

Brown was not married when she became pregnant with her first child. When the church discovered she was pregnant in May 2005, staff members invited her to a meeting and told her that premarital sex was wrong, according to the lawsuit.

She said she was asked questions about her sex life, including, "Were you a virgin when you had sex with the child's father?"

At another meeting, Brown said, the human resources director told her that she was "not living a Christian lifestyle" and that she would have to sign a statement agreeing not to have premarital sex if she wanted to keep her job.

In June 2005, First Baptist told her that she would be suspended with pay until she had her baby, Brown said. She filed a complaint with the EEOC and was allowed to return to work, but she was made a part-time employee and lost insurance benefits, according to the lawsuit.

The EEOC determined that discrimination and retaliation occurred. The agency was unable to settle the matter and provided Brown with a "right-to-sue" letter.

-- Associated Press

Chirac Urges Vigilance Against Anti-Semitism

French President Jacques Chirac praised his government's efforts to curb anti-Semitism but urged continued vigilance against religious prejudice.

Chirac spoke Tuesday at a Paris ceremony conferring the French Legion of Honor medal on Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, a U.S. group that fights racism and anti-Semitism.

Chirac said France had responded to anti-Semitism with tougher laws but insisted that "we cannot let our guard down."

Last year, anti-Semitic crimes in France were down 48 percent from the previous year, according to the Interior Ministry.

-- Associated Press

Polish Bank Issues Notes Honoring John Paul II

Poland's central bank issued 2 million collectors' bank notes Monday bearing the image of the late Pope John Paul II, marking the 28th anniversary of his election.

John Paul, born Karol Wojtyla in the Polish town of Wadowice, is revered in his homeland, where he helped inspire the pro-democracy Solidarity movement in the 1980s.

The National Bank of Poland's special notes have a face value of 50 zlotys -- the equivalent of about $16 -- and sell for 90 zlotys, or about $29.

The front of the bills features an image of the pope holding his crucifix-topped crosier against a background of a world map.

On the back, he is depicted kissing the hand of a Polish cardinal. The design includes a quote from the late pontiff: "There would not be a Polish pope at the Holy See if not for your faith, not backing down when faced with prison and suffering, your heroic hope."

John Paul was elected pope Oct. 16, 1978, and died April 2, 2005.

-- Associated Press