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WASHINGTON – The brief policy statement on embryonic stem-cell research that is to come before the U.S. bishops at their June 12-14 meeting in Orlando, Fla., is designed to set the stage for a later, more pastoral document explaining why the Catholic Church opposes some reproductive technologies.

VATICAN CITY – Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, a pioneering church figure for Africa and an influential voice at the Vatican for more than 30 years, died in Paris May 13 at the age of 86.

EMMITSBURG – Holding her black graduation cap in one hand and gently dabbing a tissue to her eyes to stave off an allergy attack, Lola Jemibewon was filled with mixed emotions as she stood in line waiting for her May 11 graduation procession to begin at Mount St. Mary’s University.

Gov. Martin J. O’Malley signed a number of bills into law May 13, including House Bill 1111/ Senate Bill 614 establishing a Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment and Senate Bill 238/ House Bill 75 requiring nonpublic schools to receive a report when one of their students is arrested for a serious offense. Both measures were supported by Maryland’s Catholic bishops.

The church, that’s you and me, has to accept the responsibility of being visible by going into the public square to address the social ills that plague our society. We do that very well in many social ministries, and many who are in those ministries feel not enough is being done. It is also true that pro-life groups provide many services to women in a crisis pregnancy and there are various private and public services for the children saved from abortion. However, there is one group of people to whom we really need to turn our attention.