Thursday, May 04, 2006

Tiger Wood's dad, father of "Chosen One" dies at 74

Earl Woods died after a long bout with cancer, golfing great Tiger Woods announced on his website Wednesday.

Earl Woods was the father and mentor of Tiger Woods. He met Tiger's mother Kultida while stationed in Thailand as an army officer. Woods served two tours in Vietnam in a Green Berets unit.

While in Vietnam, a South Vietnamese officer nicknamed "Tiger" saved Woods life. He would eventually give the same nickname to his son. Earl Woods achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel during his military career.

Earl Woods played an important part in shaping the golfing sensation often subjecting the young Tiger to mental conditioning techniques learned while serving with the Green Berets.

He was Tiger's one-man publicity machine actively courting the press while Tiger was still a golfing youth. Earl Woods, noting Tiger's interracial background, described his son as the "Chosen One" whose stardom would help shape humanity.

Once when Tiger met with Nelson Mandela, Earl Woods said it was the first time Tiger had met someone who was his equal.

Earl Woods and his son Tiger in 1997
Earl and son Tiger in 1997. AFP photo from Yahoo News.


Paying tribute to his father, Tiger stated on his website:

"I'm very saddened to share the news of my fathers passing at home early this morning," Woods said.

"My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. I'm overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without him, and I'm honoured to continue his legacy of sharing and caring," he said.

Earl Woods, father of "Tiger," passes away at 74

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Beijing, Vatican struggle over control of Catholic Church

The Vatican Thursday responded to the appointment of two new bishops in China by excommunicating the bishops and the two officials who ordained them.

The bishops Giuseppe Ma Yinglin and Giuseppe Liu Xinhong were ordained without Vatican approval on Wednesday.

Beijing and the Vatican broke off ties after the Communists took control in 1949. Lately the two have made steps toward reconciliation, but the way has been hampered by Rome's recognition of Taiwan, and Beijing's penchant for control over religion within its borders.

China has experienced religious unrest in relation to the Falun Gong spiritual movement and Tibetan Buddhism. Beijing appointed its own choice for Panchen Lama, Tibet's second-highest religious leader, over the choice of the Dalai Lama.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice, is still detained by Chinese authorities according to sources from the exiled Tibetan government.


Vatican excommunicates unapproved Chinese bishops



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