Bishops respond to House Speaker Pelosi’s misrepresentation of Church teaching against abortion
August 26, 2008 WASHINGTON- Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, have issued the following statement:
In the course of a “Meet the Press” interview on abortion and other public issues on August 24, 2008, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.
The Church has always taught that human life deserves respect from its very beginning and that procured abortion is a grave moral evil. In the Middle Ages, uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology led some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church’s moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.
These mistaken biological theories became obsolete over 150 years ago when scientists discovered that a new human individual comes into being from the union of sperm and egg at fertilization. In keeping with this modern understanding, the Church has long taught that from the time of conception (fertilization), each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life.
More information on the Church's teaching on this issue can be found in our brochure "The Catholic Church is a Pro-Life Church.”
Aspiring Valley nun 1st in 10 years to join order
by Mary Beth Faller - Aug. 15, 2008
The Arizona Republic
Six years ago, Christa Parra was 21 years old, unhappy and confused.
"What should I do with my life?" was a constant question she asked herself.
Parra needed an answer, so she went to a place where she felt comfortable and welcome.
She knelt down in one of the pews of her parish church, SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral in west Phoenix, to pray. "What should I do?" she asked God.
Minutes later, Sister Gabrielle Marry came sweeping down the aisle of the church near 27th and Maryland avenues. She approached the young girl, whom she didn't know, and asked, "Have you ever thought about becoming a nun?" <read story>
Arizona Catholic Conference Voter’s Guide Now Online
PHOENIX (August 8, 2008) The Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) has released online its 2008 Voter’s Guide for the upcoming primary election. It can be accessed by going to www.azcatholicconference.org.
“The ACC Voter’s Guide is an excellent source of information on the candidates’ positions on current issues that may be reproduced and distributed in Diocesan churches,” said Ron Johnson, ACC Executive Director. “In accord with the Internal Revenue Service requirements for churches and other nonprofit organizations, we do not use this guide to endorse candidates or indicate our support or opposition to the questions.”
Johnson encourages all who visit the web site to sign up for legislative alerts and to keep informed on the latest information concerning issues that are important to Arizona Catholics.
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX CATHOLIC SCHOOLS START NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
PHOENIX (August 8, 2008) The elementary schools of the Diocese of Phoenix will welcome students back to school on Tuesday, August 12, and the six Catholic high schools will open for the new academic year at various times during the week beginning on Monday, August 11.
Many of the schools will feature new additions, programs and services as the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Phoenix continue to build an excellent educational environment that enables students to excel in life and become assets to their parishes and communities.
“We are welcoming our students to a new school year that will offer improved programs and services as well as enhanced facilities,” noted MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent for the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Phoenix. “We expect another successful school year and hope to build upon our tradition of academic excellence and service to the community.”
The Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Phoenix once again proved in this past academic year that they provide an almost unequalled atmosphere for successful academic achievement. Of the number of students who enter Catholic high schools as freshman, an estimated 99 percent graduate. In addition, roughly 98 percent of all graduates of Catholic high schools go on to further their education in colleges and universities, community colleges, technical schools or the military.
“One of the best examples of our overall academic quality is Xavier High School,” noted Mueller. “In 2008, 100 percent of Xavier’s graduating class was accepted into four-year colleges and universities across the country. This marked the second year in a row that Xavier could claim this accomplishment.”
Wisconsin transplant heads Mesa Catholic school
August 2,2008-Until a few months ago, Donald Graff had never set foot in the Valley - only a drive through northern Arizona 30 years ago. But his second-place finish for a Florida Catholic school principal post left a strong impression there on parishioners who had once belonged to Christ the King Catholic parish in Mesa.
They asked Graff's permission to share his 39-year education credentials with those looking for a new principal for the Catholic grade school in Mesa. He flew here in May for an interview and was swiftly hired.
With three weeks of experience on the job, Graff is readying his 15 member staff for the new school year that begins Aug. 12. The 44-year-old school, the second oldest Catholic school in Mesa, is targeted to enroll 220 children in kindergarten through eighth grade. <read story>
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