Dialogue between Anglicans, Catholics seen in deep trouble

VATICAN CITY--When the U.S. Episcopal Church confirmed theelection of its first openly gay bishop, Anglicans around the worldwarned of a possible schism in the 77 million-member AnglicanCommunion. But another casualty of the decision was Anglican-Catholic relations.

A dialogue between the two denominations--already strained by theChurch of England's 1992 decision to ordain women--will likely bestalled, if not set back, over the divisive issue of homosexuality,participants from both churches say.

The newly elected Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, willget a firsthand readout of the damage done when he pays his firstvisit to Pope John Paul II on Oct. 4. That …

Novel paints a personal and spiritual picture of self discovery

Chicago public radio contributor and commentor and Emmy Award-winning TV producer Rita Coburn Whack's debut novel Meant To Be is the story of young Patience Jan Campbell's coming-of-age, infused with a spiritual awakening that both leads her toward maturity and frees her from the uncertainties of her childhood.

P.J.'s story begins in the small, working-class African American town of Moleen, Illinios. There she is brought up by a fracturing family and a community that often refects her but, nonetheless, profoundly shapes her future. When her own resourcefulness runs dry, P.J. prays for the guidance of her deceased grandmother, Hannah, whose omniscient spirit continues the narrative. …

Mexico eyes treatment, not jail, for drug users

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has an offer for drug users: Go into rehab, stay out of jail.

Calderon sent lawmakers an initiative Thursday that would give people caught with less than 2 grams of marijuana, half a gram of cocaine, 40 milligrams of methamphetamine or other drugs the choice of treatment. Those who refuse could be sentenced to up to three and a half years in prison.

Currently Mexican judges decide how drug offenders should be charged. Calderon's measure seeks to codify different treatment for users and dealers.

Two years ago, then-President Vicente Fox introduced a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, …

Hypnotist gets six years for sex with teen

AUBURN, Maine - A Maine hypnotist accused of using his craft tokeep a teenage girl quiet about their sexual encounters is going toprison for six years.

The Sun Journal of Lewiston says 38-year-old Aaron Patton of Jaywas sentenced Monday by Superior Court Justice Donald Marden.

Patton began treating the girl, now 17, with hypnotism when shewas 12 to break her of a …

Bank One unit to pay NASD fine

NASD Regulation fined Bank One Corp.'s Banc One Capital Marketsunit $1.8 million for inaccurate bookkeeping, Banc One said today.

Banc One, the capital markets arm of Chicago-based Bank One,agreed to pay the fine to settle the charges. It said it wouldneither admit nor deny the allegations.

NASD Regulation is the regulatory arm of the National Associationof Securities Dealers. It said Banc One operated from February 1999through August 1999 without a reliable accounting system.

In 1999, the company moved to convert to computerized securitiesprocessing and accounting software. The move caused discrepanciesbetween the account balances in Banc One's general ledger …

BNP Paribas earnings up 13.6 percent

PARIS (AP) — BNP Paribas says its net profit rose 13.6 percent in the fourth quarter on strong growth in its corporate investment banking and international retail banking arms.

France's largest bank says it made €1.55 billion ($2.1 billion) in the October to December quarter, up from €1.37 …

Asian shares down on new signs US economy slowing

Most Asian markets retreated Thursday after fresh evidence of slower U.S. growth blunted appetite for riskier assets like stocks.

The latest sign of sluggishness in the world's No. 1 economy came from the Federal Reserve's regional survey, a report known as the "beige book." The Fed said economic growth in the U.S. has been steady during the summer in some cities, but was slowing in others like Atlanta and Chicago.

The survey followed a U.S. Commerce Department report that showed durable goods orders fell 1 percent in June. Economists expected a 1 percent gain.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average finished the morning session down 52.85 points, …