Jackson NOT in talks with Vatican, Says Spokeswoman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Raymone K. Bain February 6, 2006 [b]MICHAEL JACKSON NOT IN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING POPE JOHN PAUL II’S PRAYERS[/b] Washington, D.C. ….. Contrary to published reports in Italy, and the United States, Michael Jackson has not participated in any discussions with the Vatican, or Edizioni Musicali Terzo Millennio, an Italian music label specializing in religious songs, to record music to Pope John Paul II’s prayers. None of Mr. Jackson’s authorized representatives have contacted either the Vatican, or Edizioni Musicali Terzo Millennio, regarding this proposed project. Michael Jackson is unaware of this project, and news reports stating otherwise are completely erroneous. ### Source: Raymone K Bain

ERRONEOUS ARTICLE Jackson in talks to set late Pope’s prayers to music NICK PISA AND RAYMOND HAINEY SECRET discussions between the Roman Catholic Church and Michael Jackson to put the prayers of Pope John Paul II to music appeared to be in disarray last night after the singer fled members of the press who had got wind of the project. Pope John Paul, who died last April, wrote 24 religious prayers and chants and Church officials now want to set them to music. Jackson, recently cleared of child sex abuse charges in California, is seen as a prime candidate because of his worldwide celebrity status. Yesterday, Father Giuseppe Moscati, of the Millennium Music Society, which specialises in church music and organises musical events at the Vatican, reluctantly confirmed the details. Fr Moscati said: “We have the rights for the 24 prayers written by Pope John Paul. “We had hoped the fact that we have been in contact with Michael Jackson would remain a secret. But sadly it has leaked out ahead of time. We are in discussions and trying to sort it out.” Fr Moscati dismissed Jackson’s controversial past and insisted it was no barrier to him working with the Catholic Church. The priest said: “He was cleared and found not guilty by a jury. “Michael Jackson is very interested in this project – we shall see what happens.” Last night it emerged that Jackson had secretly flown to Venice to sign a contract. But as news of his arrival leaked he fled the city and was thought to be on his way back to the United States. He had arrived in Venice with his three children, but changed his plans after learning that photographers and reporters were waiting for him. Jackson shot to superstar status with his album Thriller in the early 1980s. He also had a massive global hit with his famine awareness single We Are The World. A source in Venice said: “We were all ready to put the deal to Michael Jackson but he was scared off when the news leaked out. As soon as he knew everyone was waiting for him and the project had been found out he disappeared. We don’t know where he is now.” … Last week he was seen in Bahrain, where he has also been spending time away from the media, dressed in full black Islamic robes and headgear as he tried to elude photographers. He spent several days there before flying on to Germany, where he visited friends before travelling to Venice. Jackson shot to stardom as a child in the 1970s with his brothers in the Jackson Five, before hitting new heights as a solo performer. He has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and has been married twice. Source: http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=185682006 Your comments?