A Montreal priest faces a $150 fine after city officials ruled an electronic billboard flashing biblical messages outside his church was a form of advertising. Rev. Charles-Eugene Apesteguy says the purpose of the sign is to “bring good news.” He says the sign’s messages are not advertising. Although the fine is small, Apesteguy’s Roman Catholic parish paid $5,000 for the second-hand electronic billboard. It was installed over the front door in hopes of grabbing the attention of passers-by. Apesteguy says many people have thanked the church for the messages of hope.

- AP

A group of black activist clergy says they plan to organize against Christian conservatives they accuse of using same-sex “marriage” and abortion to distract from other moral issues including the war, voting rights, affirmative action, and poverty. The Reverends Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Joseph Lowery are attending a three-day black clergy conference in Dallas. Sharpton says there are no homosexuals coming to black churches asking to get married. He said tours are planned in swing election states starting next month to bring out black voters and to push Democrats to take tougher stands on social justice issues. But a spokesman for evangelical conservatives says Christian conservatives agree with black churchgoers on key issues. Rev. Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals says stereotypes should not be used to cause division.

- AP