U.S. Urges Vietnam to Free Priest

RADIO AUSTRALIA, May 18 - The United States ambassador and other officials have urged Vietnam to release Father Tadeus Nguyen Van Ly, Vietnam's best-known dissident, the Australian radio service reported.

Father Ly was arrested in Hue for defying his house arrest. The arrest coincided with a visit to Vietnam by James Kelly, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State. Kelly spoke with Vietnam's foreign minister about subjects including Father Ly's arrest. The U.S. embassy also said that Father Ly and other religious leaders should be able to express their views without governmental interference.

Venezuelan Bishops Chastise President

REUTERS, May 17 - A report presented by Venezuela's bishops strongly criticized President Hugo Chavez for failing to reduce poverty and crime, and questioned whether he had concentrated political power in his own hands, the wire service reported.

The report was presented to a meeting of bishops from around Latin America.

There was no immediate reply from the government. In the past, Chavez has stated that he believes in democracy, and has charged that some members of the Catholic Church look after Venezuela's wealthy elite rather than the poor.

Sierra Leone Rebels Release Children

AFRICA NEWS, May 16 - Rebels in Sierra Leone have released 88 child soldiers to the Catholic aid agency Caritas, the Internet news service reported.

The Revolutionary United Front rebel group has seized thousands of children to hold as captives or as soldiers. The group has frequently promised to free the children but has rarely done so.

The rebels have raped women and girls, amputated people's limbs, and kidnapped children during their 10-year civil war. Recently, as military pressure from neighboring countries has increased, the rebels have given signs that they may be ready to sue for peace. Government officials met with rebel leaders May 15 to discuss disarmament.

The group of freed children included two girls. The children were between 8 and 14, and some had been captives since they were 6 years old.

Hungary May Recognize Church Weddings

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, May 17 - Hungary is considering granting legal recognition to church weddings, the wire service reported.

Current law requires couples to rush from the church to the state registrar's office in order to get an official “state wedding.” An 1895 law intended to give the country a unified system of marriage registration required all couples to have a state wedding.

Hungary is about 67% Catholic. Some Catholic leaders noted potential problems with the change if legal marriage did not conform to Church teachings. Other religious leaders, such as Reformed Church and Jewish authorities, said that they had no major objections but would need time to consider the plan and coordinate their services.