This news digest was prepared by Witness news editor, Pat McCaughan.

British ‘virtual’ church questions new archbishop, aims outside pew

In a novel approach to outreach, a 'virtual church' in the United Kingdom is using a website to try to tap into the teens and twenties generation. The website, available at www.church.co.uk has also posted a quote from Rowan Williams as a 'hot topics' invitation to a chat room. "Church 'must capture the imagination'. So says the new Archbishop of Canterbury. But how?" the website asks its visitors.

The virtual church cuts across regional boundaries and is aiming to reach those who are "uncomfortable with church but aware of their spirituality," say its founders.

Anglicans in Zimbabwe vote 'no confidence' in new dean

Members of the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe held a no-confidence vote in the dean of the St. Mary and All Saints Cathedral in Harare, the capital city. Godfrey Tawonezvi reportedly was handpicked as dean in September last year by Nolbert Kunonga, the bishop of Harare. Kunonga is considered by many in the church as having a close relationship with President Robert Mugabe.

New York Times ‘Styles’ addition: Gay/lesbian couples’ ceremonies

The "Weddings" pages of the New York Times Sunday Styles section have a new name and an updated policy to include reports of same-sex commitment ceremonies and formal registrations of some gay and lesbian partnerships. The "Weddings/Celebrations" section debuted in September and, according to Times' Executive Director Howell Raines, the change acknowleges "the newsworthiness of a growing and visible trend in society toward public celebrations of commitment by gay and lesbian couples celebrations important to many of our readers, their families and their friends." Inclusion requires one of two criteria: that the same-sex couples celebrate their commitment in a public ceremony or enter into a legally recognized civil union (currently available only in Vermont) or register their domestic partnership in those localities, including New York City, that offer registration. Says Raines: "The Styles pages will treat same-sex celebrations as a discrete phenomenon meriting coverage in their own right."

Faith-based resistance to war with Iraq mounts

Rowan Williams, the next Archbishop of Canterbury, joined the growing numbers of clergy voicing their opposition to a U.S.-led war against Iraq. Williams signed the Christian Declaration, along with some 3,000 other Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops. The declaration was handed to the British government on 6 August – Hiroshima Day – the 57th anniversary of the world's first use of a nuclear weapon in an act of war.

In addition, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development issued a report saying that any pre-emptive military strike against Iraq by the West would create a humanitarian catastrophe, and also would exacerbate the dangers of terrorism in the Middle East and undermine the authority of the United Nations. The report, "Iraq, Sanctions and the War on Terrorism," raised questions about ethical justification for such a war, as well as a concern at the lack of public debate about such a possibility.

On August 26, Move On – No War launched an online petition drive to oppose a war in Iraq "that would likely undermine both national and world security." The petitions are to be hand delivered to U.S. Senators as part of a national day of action.

Leading Republicans are also publicly questioning a war. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) says the CIA has "absolutely no evidence" that Iraq possesses or will soon possess nuclear weapons. Henry Kissinger says, "The notion of justified pre-emption runs counter to modern international law, which sanctions the use of force in self-defense only against actual – not potential – threats." Kissinger also says, "American military intervention in Iraq would be supported only grudgingly, if at all, by most European allies."

Dick Armey, the House Majority Leader (R-TX), says, "I don't believe that America will justifiably make an unprovoked attack on another nation. It would not be consistent with what we have been as a nation or what we should be as a nation."

To join the petition drive against war in Iraq, log onto http://www.moveon.org/nowar/