Page 1868 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

ANNAPOLIS – After many years of failed attempts to repeal the death penalty in Maryland, abolitionists are closer than ever to passing a ban on capital punishment now that Gov. Martin J. O’Malley has promised to sign repeal legislation. The governor made the pledge Jan. 25 after Sen. Lisa Gladden and Del. Sandy Rosenberg, Baltimore City Democrats, unveiled legislation that would replace Maryland’s death penalty with a prison sentence of life without parole.

Vatican defends Pope Pius XII’s wartime actions

ROME – Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, strongly defended Pope Pius XII’s wartime actions and said he had coordinated church efforts that saved the lives of many Jews. Cardinal Bertone spoke Jan. 24 at the presentation of the Italian translation of the book “The Righteous: The Unsung Heroes of the Holocaust,” by Martin Gilbert. The cardinal said the book illustrated how people of many faiths, including Christians and Muslims, had risked their lives to save Jews from Nazi persecution and death in concentration camps.

Seniors’ Prom bridges generation gap

The generation gap appeared to be closed in the cafeteria of West Baltimore’s Seton Keough High School as senior citizens and teenagers from four area Catholic schools boogied together on the dance floor to legends like Elvis Presley and James Brown. “I feel good honey,” growled Catherine Gallagher, a resident of St. Joachim House on the campus of Catholic Charities’ Jenkins Senior Living Community, as she swung her hips to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”

Weinberg Foundation donations total $150,000

To support the operations of the Franciscan Youth Center, Baltimore, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation donated $150,000 throughout this past year. The Franciscan Youth Center offers after-school and summer programs to elementary and middle school children and youth.

Bishop bucks Vatican on marriage

MEXICO CITY – A Mexican bishop is bucking Vatican orders to erase a phrase in his pastoral plan that notes the desire among his indigenous communities that married permanent deacons be ordained priests. The phrase is not fanning the hopes of a married priesthood, but simply reporting the feelings of many indigenous Catholics, said Bishop Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel of San Cristobal de Las Casas in Mexico’s Chiapas state.

The Joy of Football

As half the nation eagerly awaits the kickoff of the Super Bowl, the other half looks on in wonderment at what could be so enthralling about grown men running up and down a field carrying an oblong ball. Football fans who cannot articulate why they feel such passion for the game may retreat to their television sets feeling a vague sense of guilt that, perhaps, they are wasting their time. However, no guilt is called for, because watching sports satisfies a vital human need.

Lake Shore parish spreads winter relief

At the age of 22, Jason Bamburg had his own Baltimore City business called Jay’s Rental until he got “caught up in the wrong group” and lost it all, he said. He is now homeless, jobless and waiting to see if he can move to Louisiana to be with his family while still on parole. Mr. Bamburg is just one of the men who spent a week at the Our Lady of the Chesapeake, Lake Shore, winter relief shelter, sponsored by the Arundel House of Hope, an organization that provides housing and supportive services to the homeless and poor in Anne Arundel County. “I heard some people say this is the best place they have been,” said Mr. Bamburg, who is now 26.

Divvying up chores can lead to wedded bliss

Brian and Laurie Henderson have a simple rule when it comes to divvying up household chores: if one doesn’t like a certain task, the other will take care of it. After 17 years of marriage, it’s worked so well that the parishioners of St. John in Westminster are convinced their commitment to domestic decorum has strengthened their marriage. “My husband hated the feel of raw meat, so I took care of meat cutting,” Mrs. Henderson explained with a laugh.

Decisions on dying: Italian case shows complexity

VATICAN CITY – The death of an Italian muscular dystrophy patient who had his respirator disconnected is fueling a complex and significant discussion among top church officials. Piergiorgio Welby, who was paralyzed and kept alive by a breathing machine for nine years, pleaded for months for the device to be turned off. He said medical technology was only artificially postponing his death. In late December, a physician granted his request, and Mr. Welby died shortly afterward.

Expanding and improvements at St. Ignatius

For the last decade St. Ignatius, Hickory, has had a vision for expansion in a rapidly growing parish and community. In 2001 the parish’s new church, positioned on the property so the old church would still be prominent, was dedicated and in late spring of this year the $7.5 million loan will be paid off. Monsignor James Barker, pastor, and the parishioners of St. Ignatius are now developing and planning for new construction, refurbishing and renovations in the next 10 years.

Congress starting from scratch on making new policy

WASHINGTON – The previous Congress never got to vote on a full-scale rewrite of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Some in the Republican-run House had hoped for a vote during the post-election lame-duck session, but the shift of power to the Democrats scuttled that possibility. Now, with Democrats in charge, what could a new telecommunications bill look like? There is the possibility of including language guaranteeing equal access to the Internet by content providers, a concept known as “net neutrality.”

Committee’s work is to be faithful defender of life