Tom Esslemont (BBC News, Tbilisi)
Officials in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia have announced a plan to let prisoners shorten their jail terms by spending time in a monastery instead. The idea for petty criminals has been proposed by the country's Eastern Orthodox Church and government officials. It comes as prisoner numbers in Georgia continue to rise as does the popularity of the Church. It is unclear how many prisoners will be allowed to become [Christian] monks or if they have any choice in the matter. To say that the Orthodox Church plays an important and influential role in Georgia is an understatement. More>>
Officials in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia have announced a plan to let prisoners shorten their jail terms by spending time in a monastery instead. The idea for petty criminals has been proposed by the country's Eastern Orthodox Church and government officials. It comes as prisoner numbers in Georgia continue to rise as does the popularity of the Church. It is unclear how many prisoners will be allowed to become [Christian] monks or if they have any choice in the matter. To say that the Orthodox Church plays an important and influential role in Georgia is an understatement. More>>- Women violate male-only monastic community
ATHENS - Greek women violated a 1,000-year ban on the male-only monastic community of Mt. Athos during a protest over disputed land, one of the demonstrators said. - PHOTO: Orthodox monk walks in courtyard of one of the monasteries in the Mt. Athos autonomous community (Reuters/file).
InTransit:
- "World's shortest railway" reopens in capital of the world
A downtown Los Angeles funicular rail line that shut down nine years ago after a deadly accident resumed service [March 15th] with modern braking technology. - Train service to Inca ruins of Machu Picchu to return soon
Tourists will be able to take a bus from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo, then go by road to the rail link. - Ground Zero hotel wants to attract 9/11 tourists
For the World Center Hotel, the property’s location on the edge of the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks is a selling point. - Nepal to offer Mt. Everest gay weddings
Nepal plans to offer same-sex couples the possibility of getting married at the Mt. Everest base camp and of honeymooning on a Himalayan trek or adventure tour. [Heterosexual couples can try K2 if they find themselves banned.] - Body-Scanner trials start at terminal for U.S.-bound flights
Rome’s main airport began to try out Italy’s first body scanner at a terminal that serves U.S.-bound flights.
BBC RELIGION COVERAGE
(Video, audio, features, more)
- Pope defends celibacy of priests
- MPs back Welsh weddings "choice"
- "Spirit" guides for Tudor mansion
- Russia-loving Archbishop honored
ANALYSIS: Vatican sex abuse defensive could further damage Church
- Pedophile priest left unmolested
- Uganda gay law ripples through Africa
- Voodoo helps quake victims
- Serbian superstitions
DIARY: Faith falls Down Under
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