Dennis Coday's blog

Here’s a story for critics of clergy sex abuse court cases who say “they’re only after the money.” From the Green Bay Press Gazette:

Cleveland Catholics demand Lennon reopen parish immediately

Philadephia -- Msgr. William J. Lynn took the witness stand at his landmark trial Wednesday, asserting he "did my best" to weed out sexually abusive priests. During hours of tense testimony, Lynn tried to counter charges that he spent a dozen years burying sex-abuse claims and shuffling accused priests around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Philadephia -- Philadelphia Priest Takes Stand In His Own Defense At Child Sex Abuse Trial (Video)

Opinion: Is Catholic groups’ lawsuit against health law political?

A nation-by-nation look at Arab Spring's progress

SETI Astronomer Jill Tarter Retiring After 35-Year Alien Hunt

Nuclear talks begin in Baghdad, a day after U.N. watchdog says deal with Iran is near

' Thousands of pages of confidential files for nine Franciscan friars accused of molestation tell the story of systemic abuse with the Roman Catholic religious order dating back decades. More than 4,000 pages of confidential files were obtained by The Associated Press before they are to be made public Wednesday.

Jim Arkedis of the Progressive Policy Institute says that Catholics -- one of the country’s most divided and complex voting blocs -- should be the swing voters of this presidential race.

A Gallup poll from April has President Obama and Mitt Romney tied among Catholics, 46 percent each. Arkedis writes:

Gosh, he makes it sound so easy.

The Associated Press' Nicole Winfield is reporting from Vatican City this morning that the "head of the embattled Legion of Christ religious order admitted Tuesday to covering up news that his most prominent priest had fathered a child and announced a review of all past allegations of sexual abuse against Legion priests amid a growing scandal at the order."

Read the full story.

Bomb hits Damascus as Ban warns of 'pivotal moment'

Election 2012 -- Dick Cheney to host fund-raising event for Mitt Romney

Catholic heavyweights challenge Obama rule on contraception

Catholic dioceses, colleges sue over Obama mandate

Obama alienates electorally important Catholic voters

National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus held in Montgomery

Erstwhile NCR contributor Anthony T. Massimini sends word that he has started a blog in which he is writing a diary of his experiences at the Second Vatican Council. He attended the first session. The blog is www.the21stcenturyamericancatholic.blogspot.com.

Canada -- Niagara bishop who disappeared amid abuse case found in Montreal

Phila. Archdiocese takes steps against 2 more priests

Philadelphia -- Hundreds of students, as well as parents and teachers, addressed Roman Catholic Masses over the weekend to urge parishioners to lobby their legislators to support tax-funded school vouchers.

Gay advocates urge no prison time for Rutgers student

Catholic bishops threaten lawsuit to block HHS contraceptive rule

Some Minn. priests differ with Catholic church over marriage amendment. Three retired priests who are still part of the church came forward to oppose the amendment, putting them on a collision course with the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who last year informed all priests that they could not publicly dissent.

Catholic church official trial rested in Philadelphia

The Politics Of Catholic Schools' Graduation Speakers

I am turning to NCR readers, looking for help. Share this with you networks.

Deadline is May 25.

In a coming special section of NCR, we plan to offer a list of 12 U.S. Catholic lay women under age 40 who are likely to make a difference in the U.S. church in the 21st century. We are asking for suggestions from our Facebook readers as well as from the readers of our website.

Appleton, Wis. -- Opening Statements Heard In Trial Against Green Bay Diocese

Leaders of the scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ religious order knew that their most famous priest had fathered a child for many months before they acknowledged it this week, a top Vatican official told Reuters on Wednesday.

Canada -- Ontarians favour the right of students to form gay-straight alliance clubs in Catholic schools by a margin of almost two to one, a new poll suggests.

Lori installed as Baltimore archbishop

Former Commander of U.S. Nuclear Forces Calls for Large Cut in Warheads. General Cartwright said that the United States’ nuclear deterrence could be guaranteed with a total arsenal of 900 warheads, and with only half of them deployed at any one time. Even those in the field would be taken off hair triggers, requiring 24 to 72 hours for launching, to reduce the chance of accidental war.

USCCB joins in petition asking US to change 'outdated' nuclear policy

Washington’s Catholic archbishop, Georgetown president spar over graduation invitation to Kathleen Sebelius

Philadelphia -- Archdiocesan lawyer: Church leaders lied to me about secret list

Commentary -- What the Catholic Church in Philadelphia hasn’t learned about silence. By Kevin Cirilli

Editorial: Girl Scouts on defense once again

South Sudan: Episcopal and Catholic Bishops Ready to 'Do All in Their Power' to Realise an End to War

Canada: Bishops urge believers to ensure ‘religious voice’ is heard on abortion, gay marriage. a rising tide of “radical secularism”

Lexington, Ky. -- A Lexington Catholic High School student claims she was barred from prom because she planned to bring a date of the same sex.

To Bishops J. Peter Sartain of Seattle: We were hopeful when you arrived here in 2010. The early scuttlebut was that you're a good listener. Yet, on two issues -- marriage equality and women religious -- a lot of us are deeply, deeply disappointed.

E.J. Dionne: I'm not quitting the Catholic church

Letter writers respond to Washington Post editorial: The Catholic Church’s relative standard

NCR columnist Phyllis Zagano is on a lecture tour in Australia. Here is the information that I have:

"Women in Ministry: Past, Present, Future" sponsored by John Garratt Publishing

Saturday, May 12, 2012,
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m
Whitehorse Club
East Burwood, Melbourne

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
2:00 p.m.
The Carmelite Centre,
Middle Park, Melbourne

Thursday, May 17, 2012
Chisholm Center
Pennant Hills, Sydney

Saturday, May 19, 2012
9:00-5:00 p.m.
Salvation Army Congress Hall
Sydney

For more information, email: sales@johngarratt.com.au or call 1300 650 878.

“Does she have cooties?” Phoenix Catholic school forfeits baseball championship game because opponent has female player. The school said it teaches boys respect by not placing girls in athletic competition, where “proper boundaries can only be respected with difficulty.” Our Lady of Sorrows is run by the U.S. branch of the Society of Saint Pius X.

Catholic bishops continue to delve into concerns about Girl Scouts

Do Most Catholic Theologians Support Same-Sex Marriage?

Milwaukee, Wis. -- Archdiocese clears priest in sex abuse; Vatican may take ups case

President Obama Cites 'Winds of Change' in Same-Sex Marriage Shift

Catholic and Baptist leaders react to Obama's gay marriage support

A Real Conversation for the Rest of Us Catholics "If I were not a Catholic and knew what I know today, would I become one?" That was the question asked a few weeks ago by a member of the gay men's group at a local Catholic parish.

Gay marriage a distant dream around the world. Gay people in many countries would settle for simply getting to be themselves without fear of being attacked or thrown in prison.

Read and listen: Catholic Bishops Call For Protests Over Government Overreach, William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, and NCR's John Allen appear on NPR program "Here & Now."

NCR editorial: Consolation on LCWR rings hollow in unhealthy church

North Carolina's ban on gay marriage sparks cheers, jeers

Election 2012 -- Republican Party's Latino outreach off to a stumbling start

Philippines -- Catholic radio broadcaster killed; media watchdog, church urge justice

The Slatest reports on Education Secretary Arne Duncan's comments on Morning Joe today:

The Boston Globe: Reports link Law and Lori to crackdown on nuns, Lori denies the assertion.

The NCR report naming Lori and Law: LCWR crackdown more complicated than 'Rome vs. America'

Washington Post Editorial: The passivity of the Catholic Church "In its reluctance to discipline Catholic leaders who covered up or ignored sex crimes, the church also deepens the impression that it remains focused more on safeguarding its image than protecting victims. ... Worryingly, there are even signs that the church’s passivity has morphed into hostility toward its accusers."

Chaput removes five Philly priests from ministry Three priests cleared of accusations; 17 cases for suspended priests still pending

You did it, NCR readers, you did it! Late Saturday night, you pushed us over $100,000 in our webathon. You surpassed our goal and put us on good standing for another year of quality, independent reporting on the Catholic church and the issues that matter to you. Thank you very much. The words seem inadequate, but I express them with sincere gratitude: Thank you very much. You readers have shown incredible generosity in your monetary pledges. Now our pledge to you is to use your gifts wisely and carefully in the mission of NCR.

Yesterday I wrote about feeling humbled by the generosity of so many contributors to this year's webathon. I have to repeat myself today. Yesterday was an incredible day. To keep us on track for our goal, I said that we needed $20,000. That is what you all gave. Thank you all so much. We haven't reached our overall goal yet, but it is close. We can make it today. This is your last chance to give. Please donate.

This week has been a humbling, happy experience for me. To ask people for money in these troubling economic times, and then to see those people -- to see you -- respond so generously, fills my heart with gratitude. Thank you all so much for your help. We are trying to get to $20,000 today. It is a huge goal, but we can make it.

Please donate now.

Beginning at 12 noon central time and continuing as long as it lasts, an anonymous donor is matching all donations up to $1,000. If you act now, you can double your money. Please donate now. It is such a humbling experience. To ask people for help and they reach into their pocket and respond. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this webathon so far.

Please donate now.

Rome -- Even pope’s friends a bit leery on Lefebvrites by John L. Allen Jr.

Ireland -- Cardinal Brady: Political leaders and Vatican at odds

Ireland -- Brady never offered his resignation to the Vatican – Catholic Church

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Convents turn to Internet for recruitment

"Modern Family," the TV show known for the gay marriage of Cameron Tucker and Mitchell Pritchett, received the Television Award at the 2012 Catholics in Media Associates, ceremony in Beverly Hills.

As day six of our seven day webathon dawns, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity you all have shown to NCR. Wednesday and Thursday were stellar days for the webathon. Thanks to all who have given. As I stated yesterday, we pledge to use your gifts wisely and carefully to continue our mission of telling the stories about the church in the world. But we have two more days left in the webathon, and if we want to meet our overall goal, we need to raise as much money today and tomorrow as we did Wednesday and Thursday. Please donate now.

It’s nearly 7:30 p.m. central time in Kansas City, Mo. With a quick check I find that we are just short of the goal for our webathon today. If we can raise $2,500 before midnight Kansas City time, we will have made the goal. So I’m making a special appeal to our readers who check the website after what we call “normal” business hours. Come on late night and different time zone readers -- let us hear from you. One hundred $25 donations would put us over the top. Can you do it for us?

In a statement emailed to NCR, a California priest praises the work of Catholic nuns:

During our webathon this year, we have been lucky enough to have received a number of matching grants -- from Dana Greene and Richard Roesel, Raaberg and Lomont, John Wieser and an anonymous donor -- that gave a great boost to our webathon efforts. Right now, NCR publisher Tom Fox is announcing another kind of matching pledge.

Through the genorsity of NCR reader and supporter John W. Weiser, we have another matching grant: Beginning at 9:30 a.m. central time, John will match dollar-for-dollar your contributions up to $500. Act fast to double your money .