Hopes for an agreement between Jews and Palestinians dim after Israeli leader Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount, renewing struggles between Israel and Palestinians. Talks at Camp David between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and PLO head Yasser Arafat break down over who controls Jerusalem. As the year ends, Christmas festivities in Bethlehem are expected to be canceled. Vermont legislature approves same-sex unions over the protests of the state's Roman Catholic bishop and other religious groups. Reform rabbis, however, vote to affirm same-sex unions.
Religious activists become increasingly vocal in their criticism of economic sanctions against Iraq.
Eighty-six people are arrested during a protest in New York. New York's Cardinal John O'Connor dies and the Most Rev. Edward Egan of Bridgeport becomes the new archbishop. Some churches notify local Boy Scout troops they are no longer welcome to use church facilities after the national body reaffirms its policy of not allowing gays to serve as troop leaders or members. Vatican, with Pope's approval, issues Dominus Iesus, an instruction reiterating the Catholic Church's teaching that no one is saved except through Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, Pope Pius XII's beatification is put on hold while a committee of scholars examine his actions, letters and statements in regard to the Nazis and the Holocaust.