P741 CEEFAX 741 Thu 7 Oct 21:17/12 1/3 RELIGIOUS NEWS REACTIONS TO PAPAL ENCYCLICAL There have been further reactions to the Papal kncylical, Veritatis Splendor, released on Tuesday. Church officials have called it "a challenge" to the world to face up to a current morality crisis whilst the Family Planning Association has been scathing, saying "sex should not bj equated with wickedness". The kncyclical reafirms the Papal ban on artificial contraception and has led to fears for the third world where charities are trying to halt a population explosion. Read Hear 710 Environment 730 Events Read Hear CmntyInfo Envir'nmtP741 CJEFAX 741 Thu 7 Oct 21:15/38 2/3 RELIGIOUS NEWS CHURCH AND POLITICS TO STBY APART Anti-apartheid leader, Archbishop Tutu, has claimed in a democratic South Africa church groups should remain independent of govjrnmjnt. Speaking during a ten day visit to Australia, Tutu said his church had always operated on the basis of non-involvement with political ideology and added that hj himself had no political ambitions. He claimed the church should be in a position to criticisj a democratically elected govjrnmjnt if it failed to meet standards. Read Hear 710 Environment 730 Events Read Hear CmntyInfo Envir'nmtP741 CEEFAX 741 Thu 7 Oct 21:13/36 3/3 RELIGIOUS NEWS CHURCH LEADER BACKS YELTSIN President Yeltsin has gained the backing of a top Russian Church leader in his actions to regain control of the parliament building. The Archbishop of Kirov, one of the most prominent leaders in the Russian Orthodox church, said Mr Yeltsin had no choice but to use force and added "I have no doubt his aim is to presjrvj democracy". He claimed the church's aim was now to support freedom and democracy. The Archbishop is in Britain this week visiting West Yorkshire. Read Hear 710 Environment 730 Events Read Hear CmntyInfo Envir'nmt