Vatican: Grand sheik at top Muslim school agrees to meet pope in Rome

VATICAN CITY (AP) _ The grand sheik at the highest theological college in the Sunni Muslim world has agreed to meet with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome, the Vatican said.

Cardinal Paul Poupard, who leads the Vatican commission on relations with Muslims, went to Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo to meet with Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, grand sheik at the Al-Azhar Mosque, and extended the invitation. It ``was accepted with satisfaction,'' the Vatican said Tuesday.

No date was announced for the visit.

Benedict has been trying to improve Christian relations with the Muslim world, particularly after a speech he gave Sept. 12 at Regensburg university in Germany that touched off violent Muslim protests. The pontiff had quoted a Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as ``evil and inhuman,'' particularly ``his command to spread by the sword the faith.''

Benedict has expressed regret that the citation offended Muslims.

Presbyterian leaders issue plea to keep denomination unified

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ The threat of churches departing from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has become so serious that leaders have issued a letter asking them to stay.

The Presbyterian Church, like other mainline Protestant groups, has been struggling for years to reconcile members who disagree over how to interpret Scripture.

At least eight churches have left since a Presbyterian General Assembly last summer, which voted to give leeway to install partnered gay clergy and allowed church officials to propose experimental phrasings for the divine Trinity in place of ``Father, Son and Holy Spirit.''

The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, a denominational leader, wrote in the Jan. 29 letter that ``there's no question that the vast majority of Presbyterian churches are going to stay,'' but ``I think any exodus is too many.''

``Any church's departure is difficult and painful for the congregations involved and the wider church,'' Kirkpatrick wrote. ``Fractures within the body of Christ diminish our witness of God's grace and mercy to the world _ unfortunate in these already divisive times. And, the (denomination) will miss the gifts and perspectives of these brothers and sisters in Christ.''

The New Wineskins Association of Churches, which represents Presbyterian traditionalists, is developing a breakaway strategy. Departing congregations could join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, a theologically conservative group independent of the Louisville-based denomination.

``In over three hundred years of American Presbyterian history, we have never agreed 100 percent on any issue of the day. But, in the end, we are better together in Christ's unity,'' Kirkpatrick wrote.

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Exiled Buddhist leader makes second Vietnam visit to promote reconciliation, healing

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) _ A prominent exiled Vietnamese monk returned to his homeland to lead mass prayers promoting reconciliation in a nation still nursing memories of war.

Thich Nhat Hanh, who has lived outside Vietnam for four decades, made his first homecoming in 2005 after being forced to live outside the nation during the Vietnam War.

He is now back for a second visit, planning three ``Grand Requiem Masses'' intended to unite people across regional, religious and political lines.

The Zen master arrived Tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City and plans to travel around Vietnam visiting temples until May 9.

A proponent of peace, Hanh was shunned by the leaders of both the former South Vietnam and the government of eventually victorious North Vietnam.

Hanh, who lives in France, has traveled frequently in the United States, where several of his books have become best sellers. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once nominated Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize.