Free Republic

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia March 10 — Saudi Arabia, as the birthplace of Islam, will not allow churches to be built on its land, according to Defense Minister Prince Sultan.Islam is the only accepted religion in Saudi Arabia, home to the faith's holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina."This country was the launch pad for the prophecy and the message, and nothing can contradict this, even if we lose our necks," Sultan told reporters Saturday. His comments were published by Saudi newspapers and confirmed by several journalists who attended the press conference.Sultan said that foreigners have been allowed to worship freely in...

30-Jul-2002 -- EWTNews Brief CHINA SENTENCES THREE PRIESTS UNDER CULT LAW STAMFORD, Connecticut, Jul 29, 02 (CWNews.com) - Three Catholic priests have been sentenced to prison in Communist China for violating a law aimed at "cults," according to the US-based Cardinal Kung Foundation. Fathers Pang Yongxing, Ma Shunbao, and Wang Limao were all sentenced to three years in a labor camp on July 7 for "disturbing the peace of society." All three men lived in Hebei province. Father Pang, 30, was arrested at his home last December, Father Ma, 50, was arrested at Easter while celebrating Mass, and Father...