Top American cardinal says update on bioethics in works, abuse tapering off

VATICAN CITY (AP) -Cardinal William Levada, the first U.S. head of the Vatican's doctrinal watchdog office, said his office is researching new developments in bioethics as they consider updating the landmark 1987 instruction ``Donum Vitae'' or ``Gift of Life.''

Levada made the comments in a wide-ranging interview this month with Catholic News Service.

Levada's office, called the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, also oversees disciplinary reviews for the entire Roman Catholic Church of priests accused of sexually abusing children. While many cases are pending, the number of new claims is dwindling, he said.

``I think you could say the crisis dimensions (of the case load), caused by the situation in the United States, are behind us,'' Levada told CNS.

On March 14, the congregation condemned as ``erroneous or dangerous'' some of the writings of a well-known champion of liberation theology, the Rev. Jon Sobrino, a Spanish Jesuit. No immediate disciplinary action was taken.

The study of Sobrino's works began long before Levada, former archbishop of San Francisco, California, took the top job at the congregation two years ago. Still, Levada supported the decision to issue a public statement about the priest's work.

``New generations of theologians and young believers need to have an accurate understanding of what the faith is,'' the cardinal said. ``And here is a well-known, prominent Catholic theologian who does not give an accurate understanding of the faith, and we think someone has to correct it.''

Cooper named provost at Conservative Jewish seminary

NEW YORK (AP) - Alan Cooper, a Bible professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary, has been appointed provost of the school _ the flagship institution for Conservative Judaism.

Cooper will succeed Jack Wertheimer, who served as provost for the past 10 years.

In 1998, Cooper was appointed professor of Bible at Union Theological Seminary, becoming the first person to hold professorships at both schools.

Conservative Judaism occupies a middle ground between the liberal Reform and traditional Orthodox branches. The Conservative movement follows Jewish law, while allowing some innovation to adapt to modern-day circumstances.

Cooper earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia University and his doctorate from Yale University. The school announced his appointment Tuesday. His term as provost begins July 1.

Britain says schools have right to ban students from wearing Muslim veils

LONDON (AP) -British schools can ban students from wearing Muslim veils if teachers believe they affect safety, security or pupils' learning, the government said Tuesday.

School administrators should speak with parents before enacting a ban, the Education Ministry said in a statement.

``While they should make every effort to accommodate social, religious or medical requirements of individual pupils, the needs of safety, security and effective learning in the school must always take precedence,'' Schools Minister Jim Knight said.

Several recent court cases have challenged schools' decisions to ban some forms of Islamic dress as part of the school's uniform policy.

Britain's highest appeals court ruled a year ago that a school acted properly in refusing to allow a student to wear a jilbab _ a long, flowing gown covering all her body except her hands and face. The school said the clothing item was not permitted under school policy.

The issue of face-covering veils has sparked a debate over religious tolerance and cultural assimilation in Britain, which is home to 1.6 million Muslims.