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News Digest

Issue of January 6 – January 19, 2007
The following items are condensed. For the complete articles, please read the print edition of The Catholic New World. To subscribe, call (312) 534-7777.

News Update

Man charged with fetal homicide

A Wisconsin man accused of causing his pregnant girlfriend’s abortion by spiking her drink with RU-486 is being prosecuted under the Wisconsin fetal homicide law that classifies unborn children as potential crime victims.

Manishkumar Patel of Kaukauna, free on a $750,000 cash bond, was awaiting a Jan. 30 preliminary hearing in Outagamie County. “In charging Patel with attempted homicide, Outagamie County law enforcement is simply using common sense,” said Peggy Hamill, state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. “All preborn children deserve equal protection under the law, without exception,” she added. “Ironically, under Wisconsin law, if the woman had taken RU-486 by her own hand, there could be no charges. God willing, more law enforcement officials will work to protect the lives of preborn children in our state, wanted or unwanted.”

Ex-PM Blair now a Catholic

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair became a Catholic during a private ceremony in London. Blair, previously an Anglican, was received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Westminster.

Blair was sponsored at the Mass of reception by his wife, Cherie, a Catholic. The Dec. 21 Mass at Archbishop’s House was attended by Blair’s family and close friends. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said in a statement Dec. 22 that he was “very glad” to welcome Blair into church.

“For a long time he has been a regular worshipper at Mass with his family,” the cardinal said.

News Digest

Pope’s 2008 calendar confirms life doesn’t slow down after 80

As Pope Benedict XVI looks at his 2008 calendar, he’s no doubt recognizing that life doesn’t slow down after 80.

With three foreign trips, a world Synod of Bishops on the Bible, a jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul, an important dialogue with Muslims, and an encyclical and a new book in the works, 2008 is shaping up as perhaps the busiest year of his pontificate.

Travel, consistory, writings kept pope busy in 2007

Pope Benedict XVI never gives the impression of being overburdened, yet a look back at 2007 reveals a long list of papal activities and achievements.

The pope’s output included four major documents and a lengthy book, more than 200 speeches and sermons, two foreign trips and three in Italy, the creation of new cardinals and encounters with a lineup of world leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush.

Latvian mission closes doors

Our Lady of Aglona Mission, 2543 W. Wabansia, has closed its doors after nearly 50 years of service to the Latvian community in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Cardinal George celebrated a closing Mass at the mission Dec. 23 with the mission’s director, Father Boleslaus Baginskis, a member of the Congregation of the Marian Fathers of St. Casimir.

The congregation asked that the mission be closed because few Latvians still live in the neighborhood or attend Mass there.

Christians pray together for unity — for 100th time

When Catholics gather with fellow Christians to pray for unity Jan. 20, they will mark the 100th anniversary of common prayer for that cause, and the 40th anniversary of the Vatican and the World Council of Churches working together to develop a joint prayer service to be used around the world.

This year’s theme, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17), will be featured at the 8th Annual Chicagoland Ecumenical Prayer Service organized by the Ecumenical Millennium Committee at 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Christ Community Church, 1151 E. 170th St., South Holland.

Making racial justice personal

It’ll be fun, Sue O’Halloran promises. Entertaining and interesting, and, yes, thought- provoking.

O’Halloran, a Chicago-area storyteller, will be the main presenter at “Race … Place … Grace,” a series of storytelling events examining attitudes towards race to be held throughout the archdiocese over the next two months. The presentations are keyed to the themes of “Dwell in My Love,” Cardinal George’s 2001 pastoral letter on racism, which included information on individual racism, spatial racism, institutional racism and internalized racism.

Looking ahead: what Catholics can anticipate in 2008

Those who put stock in the expression “an idle brain is the devil’s workshop” can take heart that American Catholics won’t give the devil much to work with in a very busy 2008.

Four archdioceses — Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Louisville, Ky. — will be celebrating their 200th anniversaries with special events slated throughout the year. The archdioceses were erected from the Baltimore archdiocese in 1808.