DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - WASHINGTON: AN EPISCOPALIAN PRIEST THAT IS BOTH CHRISTIAN & MOSLEM CAN NO LONGER SERVE AS A PRIEST

Priest drawn to Islam loses her collar for year
By Janet I. Tu
Seattle Times religion reporter

The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding, a local Episcopal priest who announced she is both Muslim and Christian, will not be able to serve as a priest for a year, according to her bishop.

During that year, Redding is expected to "reflect on the doctrines of the Christian faith, her vocation as a priest, and what I see as the conflicts inherent in professing both Christianity and Islam," the Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf, bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island, wrote in an e-mail to Episcopal Church leaders.

Redding was ordained more than 20 years ago by the then-bishop of Rhode Island, and it is that diocese that has disciplinary authority over her.

During the next year, Redding "is not to exercise any of the responsibilities and privileges of an Episcopal priest or deacon," Wolf wrote in her e-mail. Wolf could not be reached for immediate comment.

"I'm deeply saddened, but I've always said I would abide by the rulings of my bishop," said Redding, who met with Wolf last week. Redding, who characterized their conversation as amicable, said the two would continue to communicate throughout the year.

During the meeting, Redding said she took off her priest's collar and accepted Wolf's invitation to hold it for the year.

"I understand she's holding it as an indication that we're both in this together," Redding said.

At the end of the year, the two will revisit the issue.

"I understand that one of my options would be to voluntarily leave the priesthood," Redding said.

At this moment, though, she is not willing to do that. "The church is going to have to divorce me if it comes to that," she said. "I'm not going to go willingly."

But she also doesn't completely rule it out, saying: "God will guide me over this year."

Redding's bishop in Seattle, the Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner of the Diocese of Olympia, who accepts Redding as an Episcopal priest and a Muslim, said Wolf's decision is a good compromise.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Priest drawn to Islam loses her collar for year

DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - WASHINGTON: FUMES INSIDE OF A MALE, FBI INVESTIGATING IT AS A POSSIBLE "TERRORIST ATTACK"

Spokane Mall Fumes Investigated As Possible Terrorism

SPOKANE, Wash. -- A February incident in which noxious fumes were released in the region's largest shopping mall is being investigated by the FBI as a possible incident of domestic terrorism.

The fumes prompted the evacuation of NorthTown Mall in February, and at least 36 people sought medical care.

The case was forwarded to the FBI's Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force by Spokane police, police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said. Officials wouldn't say specifically why they believe terrorism might have been involved.

Shoppers were evacuated Feb. 11 after some suffered symptoms consistent with being exposed to pepper spray or Mace, DeRuwe said. Reactions included coughing, watery eyes and noses, and scratchy throats.

No one suffered long term health damage, DeRuwe said. Norman C. Brown, the FBI task force supervisor, said the incident "could be anything from a prank to an intentional act against a targeted store."

Another possible objective may have been to test the emergency-response system, Brown said.
"If these individuals were sophisticated, it would give them an idea of the type of response and a time frame in which they can operate safely."

NorthTown Mall marketing director Leslea Warnick declined to comment.

A surveillance video showed a man running from JC Penney inside the mall, where the incident was centered, DeRuwe said. However, they do not know who the man is or if he was involved, she said.

"We have no suspects at this time," Brown said.

The Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force investigates cases in Eastern Washington and northern Idaho, including domestic and international terrorism. The task force is made up of federal, state and local law enforcement, and is funded through the FBI's budget.

Domestic terrorists are U.S. residents "who commit acts of terrorism on our own soil," Brown said.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Spokane Mall Fumes Investigated As Possible Terrorism