Briefly noted

Christian Century, June 30, 1999

* Thirteen Mexican evangelical Protestants have been released from custody after being held for trying to construct a church in the southern Mexican village of Mitziton--and angering Roman Catholics in the process. The 13 were arrested June 15 and released June 17, the Associated Press reported. The Protestants said they were threatened and ordered to leave the area, which is in the state of Chiapas. Chiapas, home to large numbers of Mayan Indian groups, has been the scene of increasing conflicts between growing numbers of evangelical Protestants and the Roman Catholic majority. Tens of thousands of Protestant converts have been expelled from the area, and violence between the faith groups has escalated.

* Wal-Mart, the nation's fifth largest retailer of pharmaceuticals, has announced it will not sell Preven, a controversial "morning-after" contraceptive pill that is already widely available in the U.S. Gynetics, Inc., the New Jersey firm that manufacturers Preven, says the drug does not cause abortions but prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation and by keeping fertilized eggs from becoming implanted in the uterus. The drug is recommended for use within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Some antiabortion groups, disputing the company's claim, say Preven does cause abortions and have opposed its sale and use.