Dr Deng reaches out to rebel leader

THE Archbishop of Sudan, Dr Daniel Deng, has pledged to meet David Yauyau, the leader of an insurrection against the South Sudanese government in Jonglei state. Dr Deng, who chairs the South Sudanese President's peace committee, told a women's peace conference on Wednesday: "I prefer settling our problems peacefully than to see people dying every day." Last month, more than 150 people were killed in Jonglei, in a battle between South Sudan's army and rebels led by Mr Yau Yau, a former theology student.
 

Copts arrested after funeral clash

CHRISTIAN Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling for the release of four Copts arrested by the Egyptian authorities in the wake of the attack on St Mark's Cathedral (News, 12 April). The men were among hundreds who attended the funeral of four Coptic men who were killed in sectarian violence. Andrew Johnson, the CSW advocacy director, said that their presence in the cathedral identified them as "victims, not perpetrators", and that the lack of arrests for those who had attacked mourners leaving the Cathedral had sent "a clear message" that Christians were not viewed as equal citizens.
 

Knights run diversity gauntlet

A ROMAN CATHOLIC university in the United States has refused to recognise an RC student organisation, citing the university's commitment to "non-discrimination based on religion". Students sought recognition for a Knights of Columbus chapter, a group open only to men who are Roman Catholics. Authorities at Gonzaga University, which is open to non-Catholics, ruled that to "endorse a group based on faith exclusivity is a challenge that cannot be reconciled". A review of the decision is under way.