Roe v. Wade not to be reopened

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — A federal appeals court has rejected an attempt to reopen Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. The case was brought before a three-judge panel in the 5th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans Sept. 14 by Norma McCorvey, the woman known as Jane Roe in the Supreme Court case 31 years ago, who now publicly speaks out against abortion. The Justice Foundation, a San Antonio law firm representing McCorvey, filed a motion last year asking the federal courts to overturn the Roe decision, saying it was not "fair or just" and submitting evidence claiming that abortions harm a woman’s mental and physical health. In its eight-page ruling, the court said McCorvey’s appeal was moot because it was based on the case challenging Texas law that made abortions illegal, but that law no longer exists.

Toledo diocese to close 33 parishes

TOLEDO, Ohio (CNS) — Toledo Bishop Leonard P. Blair announced Sept. 17 that a task force has recommended the diocese close 33 of its 157 parishes. The six-member Parish Futures Task Force, which has been working on the issue for more than two years, recommended the diocese suppress 17 parishes and merge each one into another parish and reconfigure 16 parishes to create six new parishes. A diocesan-wide consultation process called "Embracing our Faith, Envisioning our Future" runs through November, when suggestions from each parish will be examined at the deanery level and sent to the pastoral planning office. The planning office will give Bishop Blair its final report at the end of the year.

New priests to serve Polish

CHICAGO (CNS) — When Father Waldemar Stawiarski thought about his future life as a priest, he always pictured himself doing missionary work, but he never imagined it would be in the United States. "I never thought about coming here," said Father Stawiarski, now associate pastor of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Parish in Tinley Park. Five years ago, when he was studying to become a priest in his native Poland, Father Stawiarski was among the first group of seminarians invited to Chicago’s Bishop Abramowicz Preparatory Seminary. Now heading into its sixth year, more than 61 men from Poland have transferred to this seminary.

Bill would harm immigrants

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration has asked members of Congress to eliminate "several provisions which are extremely harmful to immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees to this country" in the House of Representatives intelligence reform bill. Among provisions opposed by the chairman, Coadjutor Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, Fla., were more stringent alien identification standards, elimination of due process safeguards against arbitrary deportations and a section that would let U.S. authorities return people seeking asylum from torture to the country where they were tortured. H.R. 10, titled "9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act," is intended to reform U.S intelligence and security operations in light of the recent findings and recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.

Parish affected by deployment

WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) — When Charles Horner rushed to move his family into a new house Sept. 9, he knew he would not have a chance to live there for at least 18 months. When Alex Lapinsky took his wife and three children to dinner the evening of Sept. 9, he realized as he looked across the table at them that he would miss his oldest daughter’s high school graduation next spring. Similar scenes played out 108 more times as 110 members of the Milford-based Delaware Army National Guard mobilized for active duty. At least 12 months of their 18-month deployment will be in Iraq, a Guard spokesman said. But as members of the 945th Service Company left for Fort Dix, N.J., Sept. 10, they knew that they and their families would be strongly supported by relatives, friends, a school community and people they have never met.

Women steered clear of abortion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — They’re making a difference. That’s what pregnant women and new mothers tell employees of Cradle of Hope, and those women numbered 1,222 last year. "We’ve got stacks of thank-you notes," said Lu Eggenberger, Cradle of Hope board member and a member of St. Joseph Parish in West St. Paul. The nonprofit Roseville organization assists pregnant women in financial need, women who might otherwise abort their babies. It is a "program of last resort," Eggenberger told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese. To some pregnant women, she added, a small sum of money can help a great deal. "People will call here, and 50 bucks will make a difference in their lives," Eggenberger said.

Chaput on freedom commission

WASHINGTON (CNS) — President George W. Bush has named Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput to a second term on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The reappointment of Archbishop Chaput and appointment of Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, to the commission was announced at the White House Sept. 20. "Archbishop Chaput has made invaluable contributions to the work of the commission since his appointment a year ago," Preeta D. Bansai, who chairs the commission, said in a statement.

Foster mother of 121 honored