Weigel slams media treatment of Pope, Church

(Catholic News Agency) In an article published on Monday, noted Catholic scholar George Weigel condemned the recent media treatment of Pope Benedict XVI, particularly by the New York Times, as part of a larger agenda to take “the Church down” and discredit its moral authority. Read More...

Bishop Stika Sticks up for the Church

Knoxville, Tenn., Mar 11, 2010 (CNA).- The recent distribution of Anti-Catholic tracts in a Tennessee town constituted “reprehensible acts of prejudice and hatred” by people who were ignorant of true Catholic teaching, the Bishop of Knoxville has said.

Copies of a Chick Publications tract titled “The Death Cookie” were being distributed in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. by members of Conner Heights Baptist Church. The 1988 cartoon tract claims that the Church was founded by the Devil and that Catholics worship a “wafer god.”

A student upset about the tract discussed it with Fr. Jay Flaherty on March 3, the Diocese of Knoxville said. The priest then contacted the diocesan chancellor, who in turn informed Bishop Richard F. Stika about the material. Read more...

Knights Win Pledge of Allegiance Case in Court

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) -- The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the words "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance "do not violate the Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The Knights of Columbus led the campaign to add the words "under God" to the Pledge in the early 1950s, and the trial court agreed to allow the Knights of Columbus to join the present case as defendants when it was originally filed in 2005.

"This decision is a victory for common sense," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. "It is also a welcome reversal of the Ninth Circuit's 2002 decision in a similar case that was ultimately thrown out by the Supreme Court on technical grounds. Today, the Court got it absolutely right: recitation of the Pledge is a patriotic exercise, not a religious prayer. Read more...

Message from the Supreme Knight: Abortion Funding Showdown, Action Needed Now!

March 8, 2010

Worthy State Deputy:

The debate on health care legislation has now reached its final and most critical stage, with final votes expected in Congress within the next two weeks.

The legislation is being fast-tracked through Congress using a rare parliamentary maneuver known as "reconciliation." This procedure will push the bill through Congress over the objections of a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives that wants to remove abortion funding from the bill.

Very soon the House will be asked vote on a Senate bill containing provisions that would overturn the thirty-year federal policy against tax-dollar funding of abortion. If the Senate bill is approved by the House, it goes immediately to the President's desk and will be enacted into law. A second "reconciliation" bill will then be voted on by both houses to make changes to the new law. These changes will not amend the abortion mandates enacted through the Senate bill.

The American Catholic bishops oppose the Senate bill, calling it "deficient" because it contains multiple pro-abortion provisions and federal subsidies for abortion. It allows for federal dollars to flow to abortion providers in community health centers; it allows for federal subsidies for overall health plans that cover abortion. Lastly, it provides no conscience protection for those who refuse to participate in abortion.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including brother Knight Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), is working to ensure that health care legislation contains language that would ban abortion funding. They need the support of brother Knights from across the United States.

I urge you to encourage every Knight in your state to contact their representatives in Congress. Ask them to go to the Knights of Columbus homepage at www.kofc.org for instructions on contacting Congress.

Your immediate action is critical. If the Senate bill becomes law, it will be the largest expansion of abortion in our country since Roe v. Wade.

Fraternally,

Carl A. Anderson

Supreme Knight

Third Degree Exemplification is March 20th

The next Third Degree exemplification is March 20, 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Church. If you are still languishing at Second Degree, it's time for you to take the next step to FULL Knighthood. If you are a proposer of a brother still at Second Degree, it is your duty to encourage them to take the next degree. It is important that ALL brothers complete the journey to full Knighthood xo they can take full advantage of the benefits the Order offers. Proposers, please be sure to have your candidate at the church by 9:30 a.m.

Dominican Sisters to return to Notre Dame this fall

Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced that three Dominican Sisters will serve at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, beginning in fall 2010.

The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, headquartered in Nashville, are a teaching order. The congregation—also called the Nashville Dominicans—will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding later this year. Read more...