Religion Today Summaries - June 26, 2006

Christian Activists Shouted Down, Threatened at Philly's Homosexual Rally

The head of a Philadelphia-based Christian ministry says his group was targeted by a "lawless mob" of homosexuals at the city's annual homosexual pride event -- and that city police refused to enforce state laws against harassment and disorderly conduct at that time. AgapePress reports new video footage from Repent America shows homosexuals with the group "Anti-Racist Action" shouting profanities at RA director Michael Marcavage and even threatening him with physical violence in the presence of Philadelphia police officers. Members of the group also yelled "Christian fascists" at RA participants while ministering at the June 11 event. Marcavage suggests the pro-homosexual groups participating in the event are getting special treatment. While being shouted down by the homosexual activists, Marcavage calmly preached over a microphone: "You don't get to heaven by being a good person. You don't get to heaven by doing good things. We have all violated God's law, and the only hope we have is found in Jesus Christ."

Help Sought as Humanitarian Aid Warehouse Burns to the Ground

A 64,000-square-foot warehouse containing food and medical supplies caught fire and burned to the ground in a Houston suburb Monday. The structure, operated by the Christian Alliance for Humanitarian Aid, stored food to feed hungry families in Houston as well as 32 countries. “The Christian Alliance is an important ministry in the Houston area,” said Doug Stringer, president of Somebody Cares America. “People will be missing meals if the supplies are not replenished.” According to Curtis Wilke, the Christian Alliance’s executive director, the warehouse and provisions are a total loss. However, the Christian Alliance is already searching for a new location and refusing to allow the catastrophe to end their humanitarian ministry. The Christian Alliance is a disaster relief entity serving with 2,000 churches and church organizations around the world.

Archbishop Wuerl Installed as Head of Washington Archdiocese

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl began his ministry as head of the Washington Archdiocese by pledging to make the church's voice heard in public debates and by recognizing the multiethnic nature of area Catholics. At a June 22 installation Mass attended by nine cardinals as well as government officials and foreign ambassadors stationed in the nation's capital, Catholic News Service reports the new archbishop called on archdiocesan Catholics to help him carry out his responsibilities. Each Catholic has the "weighty charge" of living the Gospel and unfolding "its implications for the issues and circumstances of our time," said Archbishop Wuerl. "This aspect of ministry will bring the church into relationship with many in the cultural, educational, social service and political world," he said. Archbishop Wuerl, 65, was named to head the Washington Archdiocese May 16. Prior to that he had been bishop of Pittsburgh for 18 years.

Presbyterian Church (USA) Votes to Support Legal Access to Medical Marijuana

Last week, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) became the latest religious body to endorse legal access to medical marijuana for seriously ill patients says a Religion News Service release. By consensus, the denomination passed a resolution “urging Federal legislation that allows for its use and that provides for the production and distribution of the plant for those purposes.” The PCUSA's decision comes just days before a major medical marijuana vote in the U.S. Congress. Medical marijuana patients are already protected from arrest by state and local police in eleven states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The PCUSA joins the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, Union for Reform Judaism, Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the Unitarian Universalist Association in support of medical marijuana, calling it "an issue of mercy.”