VATICAN CITY
High-spending German bishop prompts probe
The head of Germany’s bishops conference warned Monday that the Catholic Church must act quickly to deal with a bishop under fire for lavish spending now that German prosecutors are involved in the case. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch is in Rome this week to brief Pope Francis on the situation in the diocese of Limburg, where Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst has caused an uproar with the 31-million-euro ($42 million) construction of a new bishop’s residence complex and related renovations. Germany’s church tax provides the Catholic Church with billions in euros in revenue each year. Last year, the church tax provided the German church with 5.1 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in revenue.
COLORADO
‘Unborn human beings’ measure on ballot
A ballot measure involving crimes and pregnant women will be on 2014 Colorado ballots. Secretary of State Scott Gessler announced Monday that anti-abortion backers turned in signatures to put the ballot measure to voters next year. The question would direct state lawmakers to add “unborn human beings” to state criminal code. Supporters say state law doesn’t adequately punish crimes against pregnant women. The measure is different from previous attempts to add so-called “personhood” measures to the constitution. Those measures have failed twice in Colorado.
UNITED KINGDOM
Man arrested with knife near palace
A man with a knife is facing charges after he tried to dart through a gate at Buckingham Palace in London on Monday, police said. The palace said Queen Elizabeth II was not in residence. Metropolitan Police said David Belmar, 44, was charged with trespassing on a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon. He will appear in court today. Belmar was caught as he tried to run through security at a palace gate.
WISCONSIN
Son of slain Sikh to challenge Ryan
The son of a slain Sikh temple president plans to challenge former Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan in next year’s congressional election. Amar Kaleka, a Democrat, said Monday he wants to bring accountability and transparency back to Washington. Kaleka’s father was one of six people gunned down by a white supremacist at their temple last year. Afterward Kaleka, 35, urged lawmakers to strengthen gun legislation. He said Congress seemed more interested in serving lobbyists than the American public.
KOSOVO
Bomb attack targets Serb politician
The United Nations Mission in Kosovo says a bomb thrown at the residence of a prominent Serb in Kosovo’s tense north caused extensive damage to his house, neighboring buildings and a vehicle. No one was injured. Monday’s targeting of politician Nebojsa Maric in Mitrovica highlights tensions ahead of the Nov. 3 local poll that many Serbs oppose because they say it validates Kosovo’s 2008 secession from Serbia. Belgrade rejects Kosovo’s independence but has backed Serb participation during EU-led talks to normalize relations with Kosovo.
NEW MEXICO
Governor defends ranch abuse claims
Evidence found at a New Mexico youth ranch for troubled kids corroborates allegations by current and former students of abuse, the governor said Monday. Gov. Susana Martinez’s comments came as she defended the state’s handling of an investigation into the Tierra Blanca High Country Youth Program near Hillsboro ranch. An Amber Alert was cancelled Sunday after law enforcement authorities, with the help of agencies in at least three others states, were able to verify the safety of nine children from the camp. State police launched the alert and manhunt Friday after officers found the ranch empty when they tried to take custody of the children.
About the Author
