Religion Today Daily Headlines - February 13, 2013

Religion Today Daily Headlines - February 13, 2013

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

  • Obama Nominates First Openly Gay Federal Appeals Court Judge
  • Egypt: Anniversary of Mubarak's Fall Marked With Protests
  • Florida Judge Rules Homosexual Threesome Can Be Named on Baby's Birth Certificate
  • Pope Expected to Live Out a Quiet Retirement in Vatican Monastery

 

Obama Nominates First Openly Gay Federal Appeals Court Judge

President Barack Obama last week nominated Justice Department attorney Todd M. Hughes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit -- who, if approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would be the first openly gay federal appeals court judge, the Christian Post reports. The prospect is being lauded by gay rights groups such as the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, whose president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, wrote: "[Hughes'] nomination is a testament to the expanding opportunities for openly LGBT Americans who want to serve their country, and to the president's respect for the depth of talent and experience within the LGBT community. We look forward to his confirmation by the U.S. Senate." To date, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund website states that the Obama administration "has appointed more than 250 openly LGBT professionals to full-time and advisory positions in the executive branch, more than all known LGBT appointments of other presidential administrations combined."

Egypt: Anniversary of Mubarak's Fall Marked With Protests

On the second anniversary of the fall of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, new protests broke out across the country, CBN News reports. Police dispersed protesters with tear gas and water hoses outside the presidential palace on Monday. Egyptians are angry over the lack of political and economic reform under President Mohammed Morsi; the administration has instead installed more hard-line Islamists and rammed through a constitution that favors strict Islamic law. Morsi has also used tactics similar to the Mubarak regime, such as trying to grab more government control and cracking down on protesters.

Florida Judge Rules Homosexual Threesome Can Be Named on Baby's Birth Certificate

A Florida judge has ruled that a gay man who fathered a child via artificial insemination may be listed on the girl's birth certificate along with the two lesbian women that are raising her, the Christian News Network reports. The ruling ends a two-year legal battle between the women and their friend, who they approached to help them produce a child. Maria Italiano, 43, and Cher Filippazzo, 38, turned to Massilmiliano Gerina three years ago to ask if he would consider being a sperm donor so they could have a baby. When he agreed, the three made a verbal agreement that Filippazzo would adopt the baby and the two women would raise it. However, just before the baby was born, Gerina reportedly changed his mind and stated that he did not want to merely be the donor, but he wanted to have a parental role in the child's life. The women disagreed and did not want Gerina to be listed on the birth certificate as the baby's father, but Gerina hired an attorney and began to fight for legal recognition in the courts. Last week, Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge Antonio Marin ruled that Gerina's name could be placed on the birth certificate along with Italiano and Filippazzo, making the baby the child of three parents.

Pope Expected to Live Out a Quiet Retirement in Vatican Monastery

Pope Benedict XVI will continue living inside the Vatican once his retirement becomes official at the end of the month, but observers say he will probably keep a low profile both before and after the election to choose his successor, the Religion News Service reports. The 85-year-old German will officially step down from the papacy at 8 p.m. local time on Feb. 28. As the Roman Catholic Church prepares for the election of a new pope, Benedict will move to the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, just outside of Rome, and after the election he will settle in a former cloistered convent inside the Vatican walls, which is currently being renovated, according to the Vatican's chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi. Benedict will "lead a life of prayer" and will be free to "move and communicate with the public" as he pleases, Lombardi said. 

Publication date: February 13, 2013

Religion Today Daily Headlines - February 13, 2013