Briefly noted

Christian Century, Jan 3, 2001

* Religious opponents of the death penalty won a partial victory when President Clinton postponed the first execution of a federal inmate in 37 years so officials can study alleged disparities in the system. Saying there is "no room for error," Clinton on December 7 postponed the execution of convicted drug smuggler and murderer Juan Raul Garza until next June when the new president will be asked to decide the case. Garza was scheduled to die in an Indiana federal prison December 12. A broad spectrum of religious leaders had asked Clinton to stop Garza's execution, and several called for an across-the-board moratorium on all federal executions. Clinton said he had done neither, but wanted to be sure the system is free of racial and ethnic prejudice.

* Inspired partly by a church-backed campaign against Third World debt and by an international protest to ban landmines, a new Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance held its founding meeting December 7-9 in Geneva to harness ecumenical agencies together on moral causes. From a list of 170 suggested issues, the meeting convened by the World Council of Churches selected two for special attention over the next four years: global economic justice, especially regarding trade, and HIV/AIDS and related ethical concerns. One of the few Catholics in the group of 40 participants, Celine Monteiro of the Franciscans International, said: "Forget our differences, and build on what we have to strengthen our collaboration and unity."