PERES HOSTS CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LEADERS AT BEIT HANASSI
Peace on earth and goodwill to men, the traditional Christmas message, was the prevailing theme at the annual New Year reception hosted by President Shimon Peres for Christian spiritual leaders and heads of Christian institutions at Beit Hanassi on Monday.
Peres shakes hands with Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal at the president's Jerusalem residence on Monday.
The event was held between the generally accepted date of Christmas on December 25, and that of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is January 7. _
The president, Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Theophilos III, the Greek patriarch of Jerusalem, each made numerous references to peace in their respective addresses.
Peres subtly hinted that the Ministry of the Interior could do better in its work towards peaceful coexistence by making holy places and freedom of worship more accessible to people of all faiths.
(From the Jerusalem Post, the full article can be found on http://www.jpost.com; image from AP)
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DISCOVERY CASTS DOUBT ON THE SHROUD OF TURIN
The analysis of a burial shroud recently discovered in Jerusalem has led some researchers to conclude that the Shroud of Turin cannot be authentic, and some scholars have claimed. The Jerusalem shroud was found in a sealed tomb within the Hinnom Valley, and radio carbon dates as well as artifacts found within the tomb place the burial to the time of Jesus. The man’s body shows evidence of tuberculosis and leprosy, likely the reason the tomb was sealed so thoroughly.
The design, weave pattern and number of pieces making up the Jerusalem shroud differ greatly from that of the Turin shroud. The weave pattern used for the shroud of Turin is believed to be a technique that was in use during the Middle Ages. Burial shrouds used during the time of Christ were made up of a few separate pieces, for the body and face, while the shroud of Turin is one large piece. This recent discovery has opened a new door for researchers to study the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin.
(The full version of this article can be found on http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews)
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KIDNAPPING TESTS PARAGUAY’S PRESIDENT
When he was a Roman Catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo taught liberation theology to uplift the poor. Now as president, he is in the uncomfortable position of sending special forces into Paraguay's northern forests to hunt for kidnappers whose leaders include a former student and his former altar boy.
The ties between Mr. Lugo and the kidnappers of a wealthy rancher are providing fuel for an effort to impeach the president, whose election last year ended 61 years of unbroken right-wing Colorado Party rule. Mr. Lugo's government calls it a hypocritical campaign by politicians who committed far worse sins under the nation's long and brutal dictatorship.
Known as "bishop of the poor," Mr. Lugo was elected in large part for his advocacy of liberation theology, a Catholic movement that found inspiration in faith to push for social change, though the Vatican suppressed many versions and discouraged its teaching. Mr. Lugo renounced his church vows, saying he could do more for the poor as president than as bishop.
The kidnapping of rancher Fidel Zavala to finance what the band has called a revolutionary movement for the poor now threatens to turn Mr. Lugo's past against him.
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(From the Washington Times, for the full article go to http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/22/hunt-is-on-for-ex-altar-boy/)
