Diocese of Phoenix Kicks Off
2008 Charity and Development Appeal
By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
January 17, 2008 <read article>
Arizona Bishops Release Pastoral Statement
on Freedom of Conscience
CONTACT: Ron Johnson
602-885-0113
PHOENIX (May 1, 2008) The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference, in a Pastoral Statement released today, call on all Catholics of Arizona to encourage a deeper respect of the right of conscience, especially as it relates to health care and the taking of human life, and ask that state and national political leaders consider the implication of legislation that imposes requirements on people that are contrary to their religious beliefs.
The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix and Apostolic Administrator of Gallup, and the Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, state that the right to follow one’s religious beliefs and moral convictions is being compromised and even undermined at every level of society by those who seek to legally mandate certain professionals to take actions contrary to everything they hold dear. They point out that there have been several legislative attempts in Arizona to force health-care professionals and hospitals to prescribe, refer, or provide “morning after pills” (i.e. emergency contraception) that can cause an abortion in a pregnant female. While the Bishops note that these attempts have failed in the Arizona legislature, they warn that the pressure to deny “rights of conscience” continues to mount. “In response to these challenges, we remain committed to supporting legislation to protect the “rights of conscience” for all health-care providers, including pharmacists, especially in matters of contraceptives and abortifacients,” the Bishops emphasize. “We are committed as well to oppose any measures that take away those rights.”
In concluding their statement, the Bishops recommend five action steps to help secure the freedom of conscience. They urge everyone to join them in: 1) engaging in prayer for all those who struggle for the ability to freely exercise their right of conscience; 2) educating ourselves about the issues; 3) becoming involved politically in matters of conscience protection; 4) supporting health-care providers in matters of conscience; and 5) joining with people of other faiths and those of goodwill to find solutions.
The full text of the statement from the Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops is available in the May 1 issue of The Catholic Sun, the newspaper of the Diocese of Phoenix, and the May issue of The New Vision, the newspaper of the Diocese of Tucson. The Pastoral Statement can also be accessed through the official web site of the Arizona Catholic Conference, www.azcatholicconference.org.
STATEMENT OF THE DIOCESE OF PHOENIX
Re: The retirement of the Most Rev. Donald E. Pelotte as Bishop of the Diocese of Gallup
April 30, 2008-The Diocese of Phoenix has learned that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has granted the Most Rev. Donald E. Pelotte, SSS, his request to retire as Bishop of the Diocese of Gallup, NM.
Until a successor is named, the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, will continue to serve as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Gallup, a position he has held since January. Bishop Olmsted assumed the duties as Bishop of Gallup when Bishop Pelotte was granted a one-year medical leave of absence.
Bishop Olmsted asks all the people of Gallup and Phoenix to pray for Bishop Pelotte in his retirement and also to pray for the Holy Father as he prepares to appoint Bishop Pelotte’s successor.
Bourgade Catholic High School Benefit Concert
PLAYPUMPS
April 25-Bourgade Catholic High School sponsored a fundraising concert to raise awareness about the increasing global water crisis and to raise money for PlayPumps International, a non-profit organization that installs wells in the poorest countries.
Please watch the video from news channel 3 on Playpumps <here>
Learn more about the concert at: www.myspace.com/bchsbenefit
Learn more about PlayPumps at: www.playpumps.org
Valley Catholics Embark on Pilgrimage to See Pope
Lawn Griffiths, East Valley Tribune
April 11- Their Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, may never get to Arizona as their last pope did in 1987, so more than 100 Valley Catholics are making a pilgrimage east next week to witness some of the pontiff's six-day visit. <read blog>
From the AZ Republic:
April 16-More than 200 Arizona Catholics, led by Bishops Gerald Kicanas and Thomas Olmsted, are taking part in Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to the United States.
Each diocese has an official delegation consisting of the bishop, the Catholic school superintendent and others. The rest are coming from various parishes and organizations. < read article>
Tempe Catholic church weathers rain damage, plans to rebuild
Lawn Griffiths, East Valley Tribune
April 5-Ominous weather forecasts make the Rev. Joe Patrick McGaffin jumpy these days.Twice in the past eight months, heavy rains have penetrated the roofs of Church of the Resurrection Catholic Community in Tempe, causing massive damage and forcing the parish to embark on a nearly $2 million repair and new building project. <read blog>
<news archives>
2008 CDA Videos online: