German Catholics Fume at Pope's 'Silence'
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: German Catholic groups have hit out at the pope's silence over a snowballing paedophilia priest scandal rocking his native country's Church.

The scandal "affects people, whether they are religious or not," said Dirk Taenzler, head of the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), in the Berliner Zeitung daily.

"The Holy Father should make a statement about this."

He added that the German Catholic Church, which has been hit by allegations of child sex abuse dating back decades on an almost daily basis in recent weeks, was in the midst of one of its "biggest identity crises since 1945".

Christian Weisner from the German chapter of reform movement We Are Church said meanwhile that the pope "has not yet realised the full extent of the unease" caused.

The recent statement from the Vatican alleging a campaign to target the pope "is the worst possible communication strategy thinkable," Weisner told the Munich regional daily TZ.

"Many Catholics who are faithful to the Church regret the fact that Benedict XVI has failed to express a single word of sympathy," Weisner added. >>> AFP | Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Foreign Office Fury Over Settlement of Guantánamo Uighurs in Bermuda
The tropical island of Bermuda is Britain's oldest remaining dependency. Photo courtesy of TimesOnline
TIMES ONLINE: The British Government responded with ill-disguised fury tonight to the news that four Chinese Uighurs freed from Guantanamo Bay had been flown for resettlement on the Atlantic tourist paradise of Bermuda.

The four arrived on Bermuda in the early hours, celebrating the end of seven years of detention after learning that they were to be accepted as guest workers.

But it appears that the Government of Bermuda failed to consult with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the decision to take in the Uighurs – whose return is demanded by Beijing – and it could now be forced to send them back to Cuba or risk a grave diplomatic crisis.

Bermuda, Britain's oldest remaining dependency, is one of 14 overseas territories that come under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, which retains direct responsibility for such matters as foreign policy and security.

"We've underlined to the Bermuda Government that they should have consulted with the United Kingdom as to whether this falls within their competence or is a security issue, for which the Bermuda Government do not have delegated responsibility," an FCO spokesman said. >>> Philippe Naughton | Thursday, June 11, 2009

The ‘Archbishop of Cowardice’ ‘Should Resign’ Over Shariah Row

TIMESONLINE: A senior Church of England clergyman called today for the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, over his remarks supporting Sharia in England.

The call, from a long-standing member of the Church's governing body, the General Synod, demonstrated the strength of the backlash Dr Williams that faces from within his own Church — as well as from political and other faith leaders.

The senior Synod member, who insisted on remaining anonymous, told The Times: "A lot of people will now have lost confidence in him. I am just so shocked, and cannot believe a man of his intelligence could be so gullible. I can only assume that all the Muslims he meets are senior leaders of the community who tell him what a wonderful book the Koran is.

"There have been a lot of calls today for him to resign. I don't suppose he will take any notice, but yes, he should resign."

The Bishop of Southwark, the Right RevTom Butler, also challenged the Archbishop's comments. "It will take a great deal more thought and work before I think it's a good idea," he said.

Although the means of forcing an archbishop out of office are so costly and arcane — short of his committing a criminal act, he could never be made to go — the row represents the most serious threat to the authority of his office since he became Archbishop five years ago. Archbishop of Canterbury 'should resign' over Sharia row >>> By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent, and Joanna Sugden

TIMESONLINE:
Why the Archbishop is Wrong about Sharia

TIMESONLINE:
Sharia in Britain: the reaction

TIMESONLINE:
Archbishop of Canterbury argues for Islamic law in Britain

DAILY EXPRESS:
’Muslim Laws Must Come to Britain’

DAILY MAIL:
Bishops' backlash as Archbishop of Canterbury defends calls for sharia law

THE TELEGRAPH:
Bishop: Impossible to have sharia law in UK By Jonathan Petre, Andrew Porter and Gordon Rayner

TELEGRAPH TV VIDEO:
More on the Shariah Row

NZZ Online:
Scharia-Justiz für britische Muslime?: Merkwürdige Gedanken des Erzbischofs von Canterbury

«Katastrophe für den Zusammenhalt der Gesellschaft»: Kritik an Scharia-Äusserungen von anglikanischem Erzbischof

DIE ZEIT:
London: Erzbischof befürwortet Scharia

LE FIGARO:
Le primat des anglicans n'exclut pas la charia Par Cyrille Vanlerberghe, correspondant à Londres

LE MONDE:
Pour l'archevêque de Cantorbéry, l'adoption pour partie de la charia est "inévitable"

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