USCCB News Release
09-093
April 28, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Communities of color, immigrant communities traditionally undercounted Census numbers key to determine allocation of public funding
WASHINGTON—Through the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage participation in the Census 2010, in order to reach hard-to-count communities.
“By reaching out to more than 25,000 parishes and missions, we hope to trumpet the importance of being counted as well as channel interested persons toward employment as census takers,” said Beverly Carroll, assistant director for African American Affairs of the Secretariat.
Archbishop José Gomez of San Antonio, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity, urged parishes and dioceses to encourage local people to participate.
"It is important to get the word out because some of the populations we serve tend to normally be undercounted," Archbishop Gomez said. "Pastors have a responsibility to know their flock. The Church commends to bishops, priests and their many co-workers the care of all Catholics in their parishes and dioceses. The U.S. Census is a useful tool for learning about God's people, who and where they are, and many other facts that shed light on their lives, possibilities and struggles. A Church that seeks to evangelize is characterized by outreach. The U.S. Census gives us important information to do that."
The information gathered by the Census is confidential and only shared in aggregate numbers (statistics) once the surveys are completed.
Jesuit Father Allan F. Deck, executive director of the Cultural Diversity Secretariat stressed the social and political urgency of being counted.
“It is in peoples’ best interest to be counted,” Father Deck said. “This is how our country makes decisions about allocation of resources and local representation, regardless race or immigration status. Your participation is vital to insure that your community gets its fair share of federal funds for schools, roads, parks and other services.”
The 2010 Census preparatory efforts are already under way through address canvassing and partnership recruitment.
Approximately 140,000 census workers, hired from within each local community, will cover most neighborhoods to identify each residential address. This will help ensure that everyone residing in the United States receives a 2010 Census questionnaire. Combined with the use of new technologies, organizers hope the result of this effort will be the most comprehensive U.S. address list in existence. The Office of the Census Bureau has expressed the importance of community partnerships to raise awareness and increasing participation in hopes of gathering more complete data and offering a more accurate picture of each U.S. neighborhood.
“It’s easy, important and safe to participate,” said Cecile Motus, assistant director for Asian and Pacific Island Affairs of the Secretariat. “We are joining hands with other churches and community groups to encourage the participation and involvement of everyone in Census 2010 for the sake of our communities.”
“We urge Hispanics/Latinos to make sure they are counted,” said Alejandro Aguilera, the Secretariat’s assistant director for Hispanic Affaires. “At stake is congressional representation as well as the allocation of more than $300 billion annually in federal funds. We want to make sure the neighborhoods where we live get their fair share. It is also vital to get a more accurate picture of the diversity in the U.S. population,” Aguilera said.
A growing number of Catholic dioceses have already begun working with the Census Bureau.
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Keywords: Census 2010, U.S. Census Bureau, USCCB, Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity, Archbishop José Gomez, Allan Figueroa Deck
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
She makes me proud to be Catholic
Text of Glendon Letter to Notre Dame Declining Award
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is made available to the press by Susan Norton, assistant to Mary Ann Glendon:
April 27, 2009
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President
University of Notre Dame
400 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
FAX 574-631-2770
Dear Father Jenkins,
When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame's Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame's most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.
Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.
First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops' express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions "should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles" and that such persons "should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution's freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
Then I learned that "talking points" issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:
"President Obama won't be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal."
"We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about."
A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision--in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops-- to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.
Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops' guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame's example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.
It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.
In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
Yours very truly,
Mary Ann Glendon
Christian Newswire
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is made available to the press by Susan Norton, assistant to Mary Ann Glendon:
April 27, 2009
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President
University of Notre Dame
400 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
FAX 574-631-2770
Dear Father Jenkins,
When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame's Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame's most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.
Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.
First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops' express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions "should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles" and that such persons "should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution's freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
Then I learned that "talking points" issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:
"President Obama won't be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal."
"We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about."
A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision--in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops-- to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.
Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops' guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame's example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.
It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.
In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
Yours very truly,
Mary Ann Glendon
Christian Newswire
Parents Excluded from Multisexual Issues in Schools
MEDIA ADVISORY, April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Parents are being purposely excluded from multisexual issues in schools, as seen in mounting evidence from California school districts, the National Educational Association, and more.
Kindergarteners learn the definition of "gay," "lesbian," and "transgender."
Students discuss different kinds of families, including kids raised by a mom and dad, grandparents, and same-sex parents. In all age groups, the multisexual message is being woven into everyday instruction.
"This is a mainstream effort to force parents out of the classroom. If it's not this way in your school, it is only a matter of time before your school is confronted with efforts to exclude parents," said Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute.
State law now mandates that schools provide special accommodations for homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual behaviors. San Francisco Unified School District explicitly interprets state law to mean that it does not need to notify parents about multisexual curriculum and activities.
In a website launched just this month, SFUSD wrote, "As long as human sexuality is not the focus of the discussion, parent notification is not required." It claims a right to teach about same-sex romantic attraction, same-sex parenting, and much more -- starting in kindergarten.
"California leads the nation, and on this issue, San Francisco is leading California. Other school districts and influential organizations are pushing to follow the same path," England said.
"Do you want San Francisco school policies coming to your school district next?" she said.
The NEA issued standards for multisexual issues several years ago, which instruct school employees to "respect confidentiality." "This includes not telling other colleagues or a student's parents or guardians that someone has 'come out' to you without a specific reason," it said.
"The NEA says that parents -- who brought these children into the world and care for them daily -- may 'not react well' and even throw their kids out of the house," England said. "This is arrogance. It says schools have more right to know about students' sexuality than parents."
What if parents must be notified? School employees should attempt to "explore parents' likely reaction with the student first." "Come up with strategies for worst case scenarios. Do not blindside students by telling family members without their knowledge," advised the NEA School Employee's Guide to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues.
"What a burden on teachers. They must call Bob 'Betty' at school, but woe to them if they slip and say 'Betty' in conversation with that child's own parent," England said.
People must understand this is not a fringe attitude. Parental exclusion is being officially, systematically pushed for the so-called "safety" of kindergarten to high school students.
"Educators want students to totally embrace 'healthy attitudes' on multisexuality, instead of outdated traditional values -- without getting parents knowing it," England said.
Christian Newswire
Kindergarteners learn the definition of "gay," "lesbian," and "transgender."
Students discuss different kinds of families, including kids raised by a mom and dad, grandparents, and same-sex parents. In all age groups, the multisexual message is being woven into everyday instruction.
"This is a mainstream effort to force parents out of the classroom. If it's not this way in your school, it is only a matter of time before your school is confronted with efforts to exclude parents," said Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute.
State law now mandates that schools provide special accommodations for homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual behaviors. San Francisco Unified School District explicitly interprets state law to mean that it does not need to notify parents about multisexual curriculum and activities.
In a website launched just this month, SFUSD wrote, "As long as human sexuality is not the focus of the discussion, parent notification is not required." It claims a right to teach about same-sex romantic attraction, same-sex parenting, and much more -- starting in kindergarten.
"California leads the nation, and on this issue, San Francisco is leading California. Other school districts and influential organizations are pushing to follow the same path," England said.
"Do you want San Francisco school policies coming to your school district next?" she said.
The NEA issued standards for multisexual issues several years ago, which instruct school employees to "respect confidentiality." "This includes not telling other colleagues or a student's parents or guardians that someone has 'come out' to you without a specific reason," it said.
"The NEA says that parents -- who brought these children into the world and care for them daily -- may 'not react well' and even throw their kids out of the house," England said. "This is arrogance. It says schools have more right to know about students' sexuality than parents."
What if parents must be notified? School employees should attempt to "explore parents' likely reaction with the student first." "Come up with strategies for worst case scenarios. Do not blindside students by telling family members without their knowledge," advised the NEA School Employee's Guide to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues.
"What a burden on teachers. They must call Bob 'Betty' at school, but woe to them if they slip and say 'Betty' in conversation with that child's own parent," England said.
People must understand this is not a fringe attitude. Parental exclusion is being officially, systematically pushed for the so-called "safety" of kindergarten to high school students.
"Educators want students to totally embrace 'healthy attitudes' on multisexuality, instead of outdated traditional values -- without getting parents knowing it," England said.
Christian Newswire
Sebelius Confirmation Will Do Little to Diminish Mounting Opposition to President Obama's Radical Abortion Nominees
WASHINGTON, April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the U.S. Senate voted 65-31 to confirm Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as President Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services.
"Despite the results of tonight's vote, we're finding that more and more Americans are waking up to the danger of President Obama's nominations of extreme abortion advocates to serve in his administration," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "The high profile Sebelius confirmation battle has generated new interest and brought thousands of new activists on board for the pro-life cause. This grassroots energy will only increase our momentum as we confront the next round of President Obama's extreme pro-abortion nominees, beginning with former NARAL Legal Director Dawn Johnsen. We expect all pro-life Senators will oppose Dawn Johnsen's nomination for Office of Legal Counsel, and their support will be critical to keeping her extreme abortion views out of the White House."
Susan B. Anthony List activists generated over 60,000 letters of opposition to Senators regarding the Sebelius nomination. Already over 37,000 letters have been sent in opposition to the Johnsen nomination.
While Johnsen served as Legal Director for NARAL, she authored numerous legal opinions rejecting any and all restrictions on abortion. Some notable quotes from Johnsen's amicus curiae brief in the case Webster v. Reproductive Health Services include:
"Abortion restrictions 'reduce pregnant women to no more than fetal containers.'"
"The argument that women who become pregnant have in some sense consented to the pregnancy belies reality...and others who are the inevitable losers in the contraceptive lottery no more 'consent' to pregnancy than pedestrians 'consent' to being struck by drunk drivers."
Johnsen awaits a floor vote by the full U.S. Senate to gain confirmation to head the Office of Legal Counsel.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 156,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
"Despite the results of tonight's vote, we're finding that more and more Americans are waking up to the danger of President Obama's nominations of extreme abortion advocates to serve in his administration," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "The high profile Sebelius confirmation battle has generated new interest and brought thousands of new activists on board for the pro-life cause. This grassroots energy will only increase our momentum as we confront the next round of President Obama's extreme pro-abortion nominees, beginning with former NARAL Legal Director Dawn Johnsen. We expect all pro-life Senators will oppose Dawn Johnsen's nomination for Office of Legal Counsel, and their support will be critical to keeping her extreme abortion views out of the White House."
Susan B. Anthony List activists generated over 60,000 letters of opposition to Senators regarding the Sebelius nomination. Already over 37,000 letters have been sent in opposition to the Johnsen nomination.
While Johnsen served as Legal Director for NARAL, she authored numerous legal opinions rejecting any and all restrictions on abortion. Some notable quotes from Johnsen's amicus curiae brief in the case Webster v. Reproductive Health Services include:
"Abortion restrictions 'reduce pregnant women to no more than fetal containers.'"
"The argument that women who become pregnant have in some sense consented to the pregnancy belies reality...and others who are the inevitable losers in the contraceptive lottery no more 'consent' to pregnancy than pedestrians 'consent' to being struck by drunk drivers."
Johnsen awaits a floor vote by the full U.S. Senate to gain confirmation to head the Office of Legal Counsel.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 156,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
Monday, April 20, 2009
Vatican conducting 'doctrinal investigation' of US nuns' leadership group
The Vatican has launched a "doctrinal investigation" of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the umbrella group that represents most of the women's religious orders in the United States. The National Catholic Reporter, which made public the plans for the Vatican inquiry, indicates that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has expressed concerns for several years about the LCWR's attitudes toward Church teachings on issues such as homosexuality, the necessity of Christ's Church for salvation, and the impossibility of ordaining women.
In a February 20 letter to LCWR leaders, announcing plans for the inquiry, Cardinal William Levada, the prefect of the CDF, said that the Vatican's concerns had been renewed by "both the tenor and the doctrinal content of various addresses" given at LCWR meetings.
The Vatican's probe into the doctrinal orthodoxy of the LCWR-- which will be conducted under the auspieces of the CDF-- follows soon the February announcement of an apostolic visitation to assess the overall health of women's religious orders in the United States. That inquiry has been organized by the Congregation for Religious.
In a February 20 letter to LCWR leaders, announcing plans for the inquiry, Cardinal William Levada, the prefect of the CDF, said that the Vatican's concerns had been renewed by "both the tenor and the doctrinal content of various addresses" given at LCWR meetings.
The Vatican's probe into the doctrinal orthodoxy of the LCWR-- which will be conducted under the auspieces of the CDF-- follows soon the February announcement of an apostolic visitation to assess the overall health of women's religious orders in the United States. That inquiry has been organized by the Congregation for Religious.
Student Undercover Video Shows Tennessee Planned Parenthood Coaching 14-year-old to Lie About Age of 'Boyfriend'
MEMPHIS, April 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- A counselor at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Memphis, TN was caught on hidden camera coaching a 14-year-old girl to lie to a judge so he would not find out about her 31-year-old boyfriend and the girl could obtain a waiver for an abortion without her parents' knowledge. This is the sixth Planned Parenthood clinic implicated in a developing multi-state child abuse scandal involving the deliberate suppression of evidence of statutory rape.
Lila Rose, 20-year-old UCLA student and president of the nonprofit Live Action, entered Planned Parenthood's Memphis Health Center undercover and told a counselor that she was 14 years old, pregnant by her 31-year-old "boyfriend", and needed a secret abortion so her parents would not find out about her sexual relationship with the older man. Tennessee Code 37-1-605 requires health professionals to report suspected cases of sexual abuse of minors to law enforcement immediately.
The Planned Parenthood counselor tells Rose on camera, "Look, if we keep this conversation I'm gonna have to talk to my manager and yeah, [your boyfriend]'s gonna get in trouble," but promises, "I'm not gonna tell anybody, ok?" She adds, "And please don't say that I told you this." When Rose tells the counselor she thinks her boyfriend will get in trouble if her parents find out, the counselor advises Rose to lie about the man's age when speaking to a judge in order to obtain a bypass of Tennessee's parental consent law for abortion: "Don't mention it. Just say you have a boyfriend 17 years old...whatever."
"The Planned Parenthood counselor hears about the abuse, says she should report it, decides to remain silent, then tells me to lie to the judge about 31-year- old man." Rose notes of the video.
The new video marks the fifth in Live Action's "Mona Lisa Project," a nationwide undercover investigation that documents Planned Parenthood's repeated noncompliance with state mandatory reporting laws for sexual abuse of minors. Tennessee is the third state to be implicated in the controversy, along with Arizona and Indiana.
"This is the sixth clinic we have recorded that manipulates the law and covers up sexual abuse. Planned Parenthood's abortion-first mentality makes it operate as an advocate for terrible crimes against children," Rose states. "What more do authorities need to see before holding this organization accountable for its institutionalized indifference to statutory rape and sexual abuse of children?"
View the video online at http://liveaction.org/memphis
Friday, April 17, 2009
NOM Urges Connecticut General Assembly to Defeat SB 899: Bill Threatens Religious Liberty and Crosses Line into Promotion of Gay Marriage in Schools
"Presented under the guise of conforming state statutes to the Connecticut Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage, SB 899 would undermine existing legal protections for religious organizations and repeal statutes that help ensure that gay marriage is not taught to children in public schools." -- Brian Brown, Executive Director, NOM
PRINCETON, NJ, April 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the nation's leading organization, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), working to preserve marriage as a unique institution between men and women, urged the Connecticut General Assembly to reject SB 899.
"Presented under the guise of conforming state statutes to the Connecticut Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage, SB 899 would undermine existing legal protections for religious organizations and repeal statutes that help ensure that gay marriage is not taught to children in public schools," said Brian Brown, executive director for NOM. "SB 899 sounds simple, but it makes profound changes in the law that could hurt religious groups and will result in gay marriage being actively promoted in the state's public schools," noted Brown.
SB 899 repeals existing Connecticut statute 46a-81r, which provides that, the state's statutes "shall not be deemed or construed... to authorize the promotion of homosexuality or bisexuality in educational institutions or require the teaching in educational institutions of homosexuality or bisexuality as an acceptable lifestyle."
"By repealing this important legal protection, the General Assembly will be putting into the law that kids should be taught about same-sex marriage in Connecticut's public schools," Brown said. "We strenuously object to this sneaky legislative attempt, under the guise of conforming state statutes with the Supreme Court's ruling, to force gay marriage on young children in school. If SB 899 did not intend for gay marriage to be promoted in public schools, it would not need to repeal this section of the law. Make no mistake about it, gay marriage will be promoted in Connecticut schools if SB 899 becomes law."
NOM also warned legislators that SB 899 poses a threat to religious institutions that are currently protected from sexual orientation discrimination claims if those claims conflict with the religious mission of the organization.
"Connecticut's statutes protect religious organizations from legal claims by gay activists who
otherwise could bring sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits against them. This is a common- sense 'conscientious objector' exemption for religious groups." Brown said. "Unfortunately, SB 899 would leave these same religious groups open to lawsuits brought by gay couples who marry. A Christian school, for example, could be liable for refusing to hire a gay man married to another man to teach their students about family life."
NOM is airing radio and Internet ads urging Connecticut citizens to contact their legislators to oppose SB 899.
To schedule an interview with Maggie Gallagher, President, or Brian Brown, Executive Director of NOM, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com or Mary Beth Hutchins (x105), mhutchins@crcpublicrelations.com at 703- 683-5004 x130.
PRINCETON, NJ, April 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the nation's leading organization, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), working to preserve marriage as a unique institution between men and women, urged the Connecticut General Assembly to reject SB 899.
"Presented under the guise of conforming state statutes to the Connecticut Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage, SB 899 would undermine existing legal protections for religious organizations and repeal statutes that help ensure that gay marriage is not taught to children in public schools," said Brian Brown, executive director for NOM. "SB 899 sounds simple, but it makes profound changes in the law that could hurt religious groups and will result in gay marriage being actively promoted in the state's public schools," noted Brown.
SB 899 repeals existing Connecticut statute 46a-81r, which provides that, the state's statutes "shall not be deemed or construed... to authorize the promotion of homosexuality or bisexuality in educational institutions or require the teaching in educational institutions of homosexuality or bisexuality as an acceptable lifestyle."
"By repealing this important legal protection, the General Assembly will be putting into the law that kids should be taught about same-sex marriage in Connecticut's public schools," Brown said. "We strenuously object to this sneaky legislative attempt, under the guise of conforming state statutes with the Supreme Court's ruling, to force gay marriage on young children in school. If SB 899 did not intend for gay marriage to be promoted in public schools, it would not need to repeal this section of the law. Make no mistake about it, gay marriage will be promoted in Connecticut schools if SB 899 becomes law."
NOM also warned legislators that SB 899 poses a threat to religious institutions that are currently protected from sexual orientation discrimination claims if those claims conflict with the religious mission of the organization.
"Connecticut's statutes protect religious organizations from legal claims by gay activists who
otherwise could bring sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits against them. This is a common- sense 'conscientious objector' exemption for religious groups." Brown said. "Unfortunately, SB 899 would leave these same religious groups open to lawsuits brought by gay couples who marry. A Christian school, for example, could be liable for refusing to hire a gay man married to another man to teach their students about family life."
NOM is airing radio and Internet ads urging Connecticut citizens to contact their legislators to oppose SB 899.
To schedule an interview with Maggie Gallagher, President, or Brian Brown, Executive Director of NOM, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com or Mary Beth Hutchins (x105), mhutchins@crcpublicrelations.com at 703- 683-5004 x130.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
We have swum the Tiber
My son and I have converted to "Mother Church." I will try to start posting again very soon, as a proud Catholic!
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