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MANCHESTER, N.H. – Despite the objections of Catholic officials, New Hampshire moved a step closer to legalizing same-sex civil unions when Gov. John Lynch said that he would sign such legislation if the state Senate passes it. Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester said the issue is not one of rights but of keeping “the meaning and the reality of marriage intact.”

Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, eastern vicar for the archdiocese and Cardinal William H. Keeler’s delegate to Hispanic ministry, told a group of some 15 Hispanic clergy and lay people there is a commitment among the local Catholic leadership to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community, but said they rely on input from them. The meeting produced a catalog of requests that include integrating parish Hispanic ministries with the English-speaking population, educating all Catholics about immigration issues, offering more Catholic school scholarships to Hispanic youths, and recruiting more Latino representatives in pastoral councils.

Father John Dietzen’s response regarding conscience and suicide bombings (CR, March 29) is misleading and does not adequately represent the church’s views. Although it is true that we can never know what is in a person’s head, we also must have confidence in the meaning of the cathechism when it says “with a sincere heart, and moved by grace …”

The Baltimore Archdiocesan Holy Name Union annual convention was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Conference and Retreat Center, Emmitsburg, on April 15. Some 80 members were in attendance, from a total of 24 different parishes. Father Joseph Breighner had planned to be the conference moderator but was ill and unable to participate. Concelebrants at the Mass in the basilica were Father Michael Kennedy, C.M., chaplain for the Daughters of Charity at the basilica, and Father Michael Carrion, spiritual director for the AHNU and pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Baynesville.

In honor of the St. Agnes Auxiliary’s 100th anniversary a reception was held April 18 at St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore. The Auxiliary was founded in 1907 and it is the oldest continuously serving auxiliary of its kind in the nation.

BALTIMORE – Enrollment figures for Catholic schools in the 2006-07 academic year show “a continued significant decline in the elementary school population and a slight increase in secondary school enrollment,” according to a report by the National Catholic Educational Association. Total enrollment fell by 1.8 percent, or 42,569 students, said the annual statistical report prepared by Sister Dale McDonald, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is NCEA director of public policy and educational research.

It’s heating up in the IAAM softball league as defending A Conference champions Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, and defending B Conference champions, Maryvale Preparatory School, Brooklandville, continue their winning ways. On April 13, Spalding’s top hurler, Stephanie Weigman, threw a no-hit, shutout by sitting down all but one batter in a 1-0 win over home team Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, at Patterson Park. The Cavs (5-1, 9-2) are ranked No. 3 and the Indians (4-2, 12-2) are right behind them in the Metro Prep Poll. The Cavaliers and Indians will meet again April 27 at Randazzo Park.

A funeral Mass for Sister Joseph Miriam (Mary Elizabeth) Sheehan, S.P. was offered April 3. Sister Joseph died March 29. She was 88.

A funeral Mass for Deacon Thomas Yorkshire will be offered at 10 a.m. April 21 at St. Gregory the Great, Baltimore. Deacon Yorkshire died April 11. He was 72. Born in Mechanicsville in 1935, Deacon Yorkshire was a son of the late Booker T. and Hazel Yorkshire Everett.

MOSCOW – A Russian Orthodox leader said U.S. government attitudes toward religious freedom follow a Western “ideology of human rights.” “U.S. experts are superficial and biased when judging the Orthodox Church’s approach to understanding human rights and the problems of church-state relations,” said Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.