Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: Chinese authorities cremate a Tibetan monk against his family's wishes, the Vatican agrees to share its helipad with pediatric hospital, and the White House recognizes a Hindu leader.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
Religious Freedom Key to Global Security, Experts Tell Georgetown Symposium
by Sara Weissman
Religion News Service
http://www.religionnews.com/2015/07/16/panelists-debate-better-protect-religious-expression-around-w...
Titled “Religious Freedom: Rising Threats to a Fundamental Human Right,” the conference featured a discussion between U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim member of Congress, and Katrina Lantos Swett, of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Baylor University President Ken Starr served as moderator.
AROUND THE WORLD
China Cremates Prominent Tibetan Monk Against His Family’s Wishes
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/17/china-cremates-prominent-tibetan-monk-against-his-fam...
Amid suspicions over the cause of a prominent Tibetan monk's death, Chinese authorities ignored family members' requests for custody of the body and cremated the leader's remains.
Vatican Lets Nearby Pediatric Hospital Use Its Helipad 24/7
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/17/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-popes-helipad.html
The Vatican signed an agreement on Friday with the Holy See-owned Bambin Gesu--Europe's largest pediatric hospital and research center--to let it use the pope's helipad for emergency transport around the clock.
Vatican Had More Than a Billion Euros Off Its Books Before Financial Clean-up
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/17/vatican-had-more-than-a-billion-euros-off-its-books-b...
A recent financial statement reveals that more than a billion euros went undeclared by the Vatican before new accounting standards kicked in last year. Though no wrongdoing is expected, officials admit that the departments had long had “an almost free hand” with their finances.
Dalai Lama Gets Mischievous
by Nicholas Kristof
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/16/opinion/nicholas-kristof-dalai-lama-gets-mischievous.html?_r=0
The Dalai Lama discusses Chinese authority, reincarnation, and prospects for the future line of Dalai Lamas after his death.
DOMESTIC
Indian American Sunita Viswanath Recognised As 'Champion Of Change' For Encouraging Hindus To Take Care Of Environment
by Indrani Basu
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/07/16/sunita-viswanath-champion_n_7807354.html?utm_hp_ref=religion...
Sunita Viswanath, an Indian American prominent in the Hindu community, is one of the 12 faith leaders who will be recognized by the White House as a "Champion of Change" next week, for her efforts in protecting the environment and communities from the effects of climate change.
After Spate of Attacks, Area Muslims Reach Out During Ramadan to Foster Better Image
by Pamela Constable
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/were-not-the-islamic-state-local-muslims-spent-ram...
In the wake of global terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists, Muslim Americans in the Washington area have used Ramadan as an opportunity to send a contrasting message about Islam and to engage in unprecedented public outreach.
Religious Freedom Key to Global Security, Experts Tell Georgetown Symposium
by Sara Weissman
Religion News Service
http://www.religionnews.com/2015/07/16/panelists-debate-better-protect-religious-expression-around-w...
Titled “Religious Freedom: Rising Threats to a Fundamental Human Right,” the conference featured a discussion between U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim member of Congress, and Katrina Lantos Swett, of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Baylor University President Ken Starr served as moderator.
AROUND THE WORLD
China Cremates Prominent Tibetan Monk Against His Family’s Wishes
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/17/china-cremates-prominent-tibetan-monk-against-his-fam...
Amid suspicions over the cause of a prominent Tibetan monk's death, Chinese authorities ignored family members' requests for custody of the body and cremated the leader's remains.
Vatican Lets Nearby Pediatric Hospital Use Its Helipad 24/7
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/17/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-popes-helipad.html
The Vatican signed an agreement on Friday with the Holy See-owned Bambin Gesu--Europe's largest pediatric hospital and research center--to let it use the pope's helipad for emergency transport around the clock.
Vatican Had More Than a Billion Euros Off Its Books Before Financial Clean-up
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/17/vatican-had-more-than-a-billion-euros-off-its-books-b...
A recent financial statement reveals that more than a billion euros went undeclared by the Vatican before new accounting standards kicked in last year. Though no wrongdoing is expected, officials admit that the departments had long had “an almost free hand” with their finances.
Dalai Lama Gets Mischievous
by Nicholas Kristof
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/16/opinion/nicholas-kristof-dalai-lama-gets-mischievous.html?_r=0
The Dalai Lama discusses Chinese authority, reincarnation, and prospects for the future line of Dalai Lamas after his death.
DOMESTIC
Indian American Sunita Viswanath Recognised As 'Champion Of Change' For Encouraging Hindus To Take Care Of Environment
by Indrani Basu
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/07/16/sunita-viswanath-champion_n_7807354.html?utm_hp_ref=religion...
Sunita Viswanath, an Indian American prominent in the Hindu community, is one of the 12 faith leaders who will be recognized by the White House as a "Champion of Change" next week, for her efforts in protecting the environment and communities from the effects of climate change.
After Spate of Attacks, Area Muslims Reach Out During Ramadan to Foster Better Image
by Pamela Constable
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/were-not-the-islamic-state-local-muslims-spent-ram...
In the wake of global terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists, Muslim Americans in the Washington area have used Ramadan as an opportunity to send a contrasting message about Islam and to engage in unprecedented public outreach.
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