Tireless Hope in Kosovo for American Archbishop

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, MAY 5—Newark, N.J., Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, the American bishops' point man on foreign policy, has traveled frequently in Eastern Europe where he has come to know most of the local bishops, said the AP.

That knowledge has come in handy lately. Archbishop McCarrick was in Macedonia before the NATO bombing began, “working with local clerics to find a peaceful resolution,” a spokesman for the relief organization told AP. He will visit a Kosovar refugee camp in Albania run by Catholic Relief Services from May 13 to 15.

Archbishop McCarrick “had hoped that they would be able to offer some hope toward a resolution, but that didn't work out,” said the spokesman. “But he never gives up hope.”

Investigation of Bishop's Murder Turns to DNA

REUTERS, May 5—Prosecutors investigating the slaying of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi began running DNA tests on May 5 for 12 military officers and Father Mario Orantes, the priest who found the bishop's body, said Reuters.

Bishop Gerardi was killed two days after he presented an exhaustive report blaming the military for most human rights violations committed during the country's 36-year civil war. Church officials and human rights activists have accused Guatemala's security forces of masterminding the killing and of hindering the investigation. The military denies any involvement, said Reuters.

The DNA tests — believed to be the first to be performed on members of Guatemala's military — were sent May 6 to the U.S. for analysis, said Reuters.

Sinéad Starts a Trend

THE IRISH TIMES, May 5—Dissident Bishop Michael Cox, who “ordained” singer Sinéad O'Connor last month, has been approached by several other women who also wish to become priests in his schismatic Catholic sect, said The Irish Times.

“He said all the women were from (Ireland) and were in their late 30s to early 40s,” said reporter Kitty Holland.

In addition to being certain that the candidates had a thorough knowledge of the Catholic faith, “there would be a series of conversations with each woman before [Cox] decided whether the person had a ‘true vocation,’” said Holland. O'Connor was “ordained” several months after being introduced to the sect.