She had access to the church credit card and is accused of using it for vacations and jewelry.
CHR Comment: A sad violation of the congregation’s trust. Churches need routine, open and honest systems for assuring that work is done in God pleasing ways.
Source: Former bookkeeper accused of stealing $600K from Tennessee church
The attackers, wearing suicide vests and carrying firearms, exchanged fire with security forces and were killed, the statement said.
Source: Militants attack Christian area in Pakistan, one guard dead – army – CSMonitor.com
For a nun whose name has long been a byword for pious compassion, her canonization has been met with controversy.
CHR Comment: Allegations are brought by persons in India who believe Calcutta’s reputation was badly damaged by the presence of her mission, as though Calcutta was the worst place for poverty. Others question the amount of suffering endured by persons who were terminally ill under her care. There are also complaints from atheists that Mother Teresa was a fraud. Despite these complaints, the “controversy” seems rather small compared with the broad support for her mission.
Source: Mother Teresa’s Canonization: Controversy Mars Nun’s Work – NBC News
The common orientation of priest and people during the Liturgy of the Eucharist symbolizes—or perhaps better, lives out—the Church’s conviction that the Mass is an act of worship offered to the Thrice-Holy God.
CHR Comment: The article includes comment on early Christian practice and Vatican II liturgical reform, which is now being reconsidered.
Source: He’s Not “Turning his Back to the People” | George Weigel | First Things
Increasing numbers of Muslim refugees to Switzerland and Germany are converting to Christianity, according to reports from the region.
CHR Comment: Two reasons for the conversions are given: (1) changing world views as persons raised Muslim reject radical Islam and its violent tendencies and (2) persons who were secretly Christians in their homelands now receiving Baptism for the first time.
Source: Muslim migrants are converting to Christianity in Switzerland | Christian News on Christian Today
A cancer patient and a coma victim credit her for their recovery. “You have to accept that there are things that science cannot explain,” says an atheist physician who’s investigated miracle stories.
CHR Comment: Detailed description of the process and the specific miracles and persons involved in the process, including Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, an atheist who investigated miracles.
A confusing statement in the article is that no other Christian denomination teaches that “an individual [is] in heaven mediating between God and humanity.” In fact there are Orthodox and Protestant denominations that do teach persons in heaven intercede for those on earth, though with different emphases and practices. For example, Revelation 6:10 describes martyrs in heaven praying that the Lord would judge the wicked. However, Protestants would encourage those on earth to pray directly to God rather than ask the saints to mediate for them.
Source: How The Catholic Church Documented Mother Teresa’s 2 Miracles : Parallels : NPR
Also, from the Washington Post.
Capital murder is punishable by execution or life in prison; the sisters’ religious orders have issued a joint statement against the death penalty.
CHR Comment: Motive for the killing may be robbery but remains unconfirmed. The killer was living across the street.
One school reveals depth of affection and connection to the pope.
CHR Comment: Catholic students in Massachusetts are naming their high school after Francis. The article comments on how many Catholics favor Francis while having negative views of their church body.
Source: Youth puts its faith in Francis
Former Mars Hill pastor Mark Driscoll, and his former executive elder Sutton Turner, have had a civil racketeering case against them dismissed.
CHR Comment: The article indicates that the decision may be appealed. It is good to see that most persons involved are moving on.
MEDAN, Indonesia — Indonesian police are investigating a suspected terror attack by a knife-wielding assailant on a priest during Mass at a Catholic church in northern Sumatra.
CHR Comment: This story has fallen out of the news. I have not seen a report about the motives of the attacker or the results of the police investigation. The article describes a growing militant Islamic movement in the largest Muslim nation, which makes this event important. Are Archipeligo Muslims being radicalized?
Source: Attacker at Indonesian church injures priest | Religion News Service
church history review 