Mexican Prelate Case Taps into Old Scandals

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWS SERVICE, Oct. 24 — Older Mexicans can remember when priests and bishops were prosecuted simply for preaching the faith. But a new investigation reported by Knight Ridder news service hinges on a mundane financial scandal with vast potential for political repercussions.

Cardinal Juan Sandoval of Guadalajara, 70, who disburses spending by the Holy See in Mexico, has been accused of using gifts from known drug traffickers to build churches in Ciudad Juarez near El Paso, Texas. At the request of Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha, investigators have subpoenaed Church bank records as part of their investigation into the widely publicized allegations.

Prosecutors are also looking into the cardinal's ties to José María Guardia, a horse- and dog-racing magnate in Ciudad Juarez and longtime friend of Fidel Castro.

Cardinal Sandoval denies any impropriety, stating that factions in Mexico are trying to discredit him because he has questioned the government's account of an older crime: the assassination of Cardinal Juan José Posadas Ocampo, who was shot in 1993 by drug traffickers.

Iraqi Christians Seek Unity to Defend Religious Rights

FIDES, Oct. 25 — The first Christian Congress in Iraq convened in September, bringing together leaders of several churches in the quest to preserve Christians’ religious liberty under whatever state inherits the country after American occupation, the Vatican's missionary news service reported.

“The purpose of this congress is to form an independent church council to present the Christian thought and word to the government and the people and cooperate with everyone to build a new Iraq,” explained Bishop Shlemon Warduni of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

One speaker at the conference was Patrick Kanadi, delegate of Paul Bremer, the U.S. “civil administrator” of Iraq.

“Christians in Iraq have a very ancient civilization and a great history in their language, heritage and religions that dates to the time of Abraham, our father in the faith with the Muslims,” Kanadi said. “Today I honor this ancient church, which has retained its heritage and traditions despite years of difficulties and persecution.”

British Library Offers ‘Virtual’ Canterbury Tales

INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC NEWS, Oct. 28 — One of the great classics of Catholic literature is Chaucer's Canterbury Tales — a best seller since it was first printed by William Caxton in the 15th century. Independent Catholic News reported that the book — recently adapted for the BBC — is now available in a new form: online.

For the first time, Internet users will be able to see the complete original printed editions, page by page, by visiting the Web site of the British Library at www.bl.uk. The online tour also features the woodcuts that accompanied the text, depicting each of the pilgrims en route to the shrine of St. Thomas Beckett at Canterbury. Some 1,300 high-resolution images are included in the tour.

“One million people visited our digital copy of the Gutenberg Bible in the first six months,” said Kristian Jensen, who oversees Early Printed Books at the British Library, “and we hope that The Canterbury Tales will be even more successful.”