United Press International Boston — A Catholic lay group based in Boston called Wednesday on Pope Benedict XVI to address the issue of sexual abuse by priests while he is in the United States. Voice of the Faithful placed a full-page advertisement in The New York Times. ”How can our Church be a moral beacon…

Associated Press Boston – Jonah Pesner is looking ahead to his crucial carb-loading, fuel-up meal on the night before running his first Boston Marathon. On the menu: matzoh. It’s not the usual choice for marathoners loading up on carbohydrates to drive their run, but Pesner, a rabbi, has limited options. Passover begins just two days…

Associated Press Eldorado, Texas – A polygamist compound with hundreds of children was rife with sexual abuse, with girls spiritually married to much older men as soon as they reached puberty and boys groomed to perpetuate the cycle, child welfare officials allege in court documents. The documents released Tuesday also gave details about the hushed…

Kevin Eckstrom Religion News Service Washington – A federal religious freedom watchdog panel has urged President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics unless “there is substantial improvement” in China’s treatment of Tibet. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said China must open “direct and concrete talks” with the Dalai Lama,…

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