Bishops revise interfaith statement

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Roman Catholic bishops have revised a document on Catholic-Jewish relations to affirm that the church must share its belief that salvation is through Christ.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a statement that changes were needed in the 2002 document, "Covenant and Mission," because it mistakenly played down the importance of sharing the Gospel and was therefore misleading.

The revisions, released this month, are the latest chapter in a complex theological debate about salvation for those outside of the Catholic Church. Discussion of the issue between Jews and Catholics focuses on the significance of the ancient covenant between God and the Jews.

Pope John Paul II had spoken repeatedly of a covenant "never revoked." Rabbi Garry Greenebaum, U.S. interreligious director for the American Jewish Committee, said the bishops' revision "seems to be a stepping back" from John Paul's thinking.

"It is somewhat disappointing," Greenebaum said, "and will require a lot of engagement by the Jewish community with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Vatican."

Tensions have arisen between Jewish leaders and Pope Benedict XVI over several recent issues.

Muslims in prison seek more group prayer time

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two Muslim inmates held in a special unit at the U.S. prison in Terre Haute say they aren't allowed to pray in groups as often as their religion requires and have asked a federal judge to ease limitations on worship imposed by the Bureau of Prisons.

The prison in western Indiana houses several high-security inmates, including American-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh, who is serving a 20-year sentence for aiding Afghanistan's now-defunct Taliban government.

The June 16 lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana challenges limits on Islamic worship in the prison's restrictive Communications Management Unit, where about 30 of the 40 inmates are Muslim.

Bureau of Prisons officials declined comment on the latest lawsuit.

Judge orders library to allow religious group

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge has ordered a Contra Costa County library to open its doors to a religious group.

County officials had barred the Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries from meeting in the library's Antioch branch because they said the group violated the library's prohibition of religious services in its meeting rooms.

But U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled that the policy was unconstitutional, since it directed library managers to determine what constitutes religious services when considering applications for the meeting room. The room is open to public use.

Group protests prayer booth in Mich. office

WARREN, Mich. -- The Freedom from Religion Foundation is protesting a Detroit suburb's decision to allow a prayer booth at City Hall.

A local church's booth is located in the lobby of Warren's city offices and is adorned with a banner that reads "Prayer Station." Volunteers record the first name and request of each booth visitor and ask the visitor to stay in touch with the church.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said the city rents the space to any group that complies with policies and fills out the proper paperwork.

The foundation, which represents atheists and agnostics, is seeking copies of city policy, its rental agreement with a church and verification it is being charged to use the space.