Religion news in brief

Bishops try to calm tension with Jews

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's Roman Catholic bishops have revised a recent statement on salvation, Jews and evangelizing in response to Jewish concerns over the document.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops affirmed Tuesday that Jewish-Catholic dialogue "has never been and will never be used by the Catholic Church as a means of proselytism — nor is it intended as a disguised invitation to baptism."

The tension arose over the bishops' effort to clarify a 2002 document called "Covenant and Mission." The bishops had said this summer that the 2002 document mistakenly played down the importance of sharing the gospel and was therefore misleading.

But Jewish groups objected, contending the bishops were sending the message that they view interfaith dialogue as a chance to invite Jews to become Catholic.

The tensions are rooted in a complex theological debate about salvation for those outside the Catholic Church.

Muslim consultant to aid in foster case

SEATTLE (AP) — The state Department of Social and Health Services has hired a Muslim consultant to provide cultural and dietary advice to foster parents for seven children taken from the Seattle home of an Ethiopian refugee.

The children were removed Thursday from their home because police are investigating a sexual assault charge against the father. Police told The Seattle Times the alleged victim is not one of the children and the father has not been arrested or charged.

More than 100 members of the Seattle East African Muslim community protested Friday outside a DSHS office in Seattle against the children being placed in non-Muslim foster homes.

About 50 friends and relatives offered to take the children. The DSHS is processing their applications.

Diocese will not defrock priests

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh says it will not defrock 100 priests and deacons who left when their parishes joined a separate Pittsburgh diocese in the new, more conservative, Anglican Church in North America.

The Episcopal Church has been wracked by similar splits in other dioceses, which generally have defrocked clergy who left. But Pittsburgh leaders say they didn't want to punish clergy who simply followed their conscience, and the new Anglican group say they appreciate Monday's decision.