Page 1844 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

When St. Matthew, Northwood, parishioner Dorothy E. Alford is in need of a spiritual boost or a friend, this 95-year-old Idlewood resident contacts her ‘godparents.’ She is not praying to deceased family or friends who attended her baptism – but calling the two younger women who assisted in her conversion to Catholicism three years ago. Rosalie Douglas, 81, of Ramblewood and Connie Fliegel, 55, of Towson have become two of the most important people in Ms. Alford’s life. The three St. Matthew parishioners span three generations, three religious origins and three largely different backgrounds – but found a common bond in their devotion to God, community and spiritual growth.

Behind the scenes

VATICAN CITY – As head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2005, U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada has found that most of his work is behind the scenes. The recent action against Jesuit Father Jon Sobrino was an exception: He was the first theologian to be publicly censured during Cardinal Levada’s tenure, and the case immediately brought the doctrinal congregation into the media spotlight. Although some critics described the Vatican’s action against Father Sobrino as authoritarian, for Cardinal Levada it was an example of how carefully and cooperatively the doctrinal congregation operates.

Eckerl believes in “The Calvert Hall Way”

Over the past two baseball seasons, Calvert Hall College, Towson, has yielded an overall record of 58-9, collared back-to-back conference title championships and developed a system that turns out talented ball players year after year. The man behind the magic is head coach, Lou Eckerl. Eckerl became the first coach to win Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference titles at two schools: The Cardinal Gibbons School, Baltimore, his alma mater, and The Hall, carrying an overall win-loss record of 167-54.

Archdiocese maintains strong abuse policies

Protecting the safety of children and providing support to victims have been top priorities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, according to archdiocesan officials. Following the adoption of new protocols in 2003, the archdiocese has conducted criminal background checks on thousands of parish, school and archdiocesan employees. More than 50,000 volunteers who come in contact with young people have also undergone required screenings, and employees and volunteers alike have undergone yearly training in ethics in ministry that includes discussion of protecting children from abuse.

Child sex abuse bill defeated 8-2 in committee

A Senate child sex abuse bill that Catholic leaders said would have crippled the church’s many ministries in Maryland was defeated March 16 on an 8-2 vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Sponsored by Sen. James Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat, Senate Bill 575 would have suspended Maryland’s existing statute of limitations allowing civil lawsuits against the three Catholic dioceses serving Maryland for claims stretching beyond the current seven-year limitation.

Archdiocese statement on Senate Bill 575, CNN

Providing avenues for healing to victims of childhood sexual abuse and creating a safe environment for all children entrusted to the Church’s care form the foundation of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s child protection efforts. Senate Bill 575 fails to promote either of these goals. For this reason, and for the reasons stated below, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is opposed to this legislation.

Loosening abortion laws in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY – Catholics and civic organizations have launched a campaign against a Mexico City proposal to legalize abortion during the first three months of pregnancy. The proposal “has awoken the conscience of civil society in this city,” said Armando Martinez, president of the College of Catholic Lawyers in Mexico City, at a March 18 press conference after Mass in Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral. Martinez said the proposal would violate the Mexican Constitution, and he pledged to file a challenge before the nation’s highest court if it is approved.

New version of Judas’ story

ROME – Curiosity about the New Testament figure of Judas and a feeling that his reputation as the worst sinner in history “isn’t fair, isn’t right” led British novelist Jeffrey Archer to attempt a new version of the story. Archer, presenting “The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot” at a March 20 press conference in Rome, said he is a practicing Anglican who wanted his new book to be backed up by solid biblical scholarship. So he convinced Father Francis J. Moloney, provincial of the Salesians in Australia and a former president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, to collaborate.

Scripture, song and prayer start to anti-war protests

WASHINGTON – Scripture readings were interspersed with testimonies from a U.S. soldier, Iraqis and the mother of a slain National Guard sergeant at a crowded prayer vigil March 16 that kicked off weekend anti-war protests in Washington and around the country. With nearly 3,000 people packed into the Episcopal Church’s National Cathedral and hundreds more in overflow space at other churches, Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Baptist, Mennonite, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Quaker and Seventh-day Adventist leaders set the stage for a late-night march to the White House in bitter cold wind and snow.

Bowie Kuhn dies at age 80

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who died in a Jacksonville hospital March 15 at age 80 from respiratory failure following a bout with pneumonia, once said he wanted to be remembered simply “as a good Catholic man.” In a 1999 interview with The Long Island Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., Mr. Kuhn said his faith was his anchor throughout his life. “My church taught me the importance of right and wrong,” he said, explaining that the church gave him the tools to stay on that path, as well as the sacraments.

Joy involves discipline, freedom

ROME – Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome juvenile detention center and told young people that true happiness involves discipline as well as freedom. The pope celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casal del Marmo Prison for Minors March 18, then met with the 49 young detainees in a gym. Greeting them individually, he gave each one a blessing and a rosary. The young people, including many immigrants and non-Catholics, said they were moved by the fact that a pope would take time to visit them.

Emerging U.S. consecrated communities