The Alaska Legislature has sent legislation to Gov. Bill Walker to sign that requires sex education teachers as well as their curriculum and classroom materials to first be approved by local school boards before such classes can begin. Governor Walker has until July 28 to sign it, veto it, or do nothing and let it become law.
Catholics and many other Christians disagree with legalizing same-sex marriage and enacting laws that force organizations and businesses to publicly affirm homosexuality. These laws run contrary to human flourishing and we must oppose them. But that is where it ends. In a civil society we must be free to disagree with someone because of their life choices or beliefs without being blamed for inciting hatred and murder.
In a world saturated with virtual reality and online distractions, a diverse group of men, joined by Catholic priests, will soon be headed to the mountains for adventure and inspired conversation in Alaska’s backcountry.
Traveling from communities across Alaska, youth from the Fairbanks Diocese, Juneau Diocese and Anchorage Archdiocese heard from nationally renowned speakers, Christian bands and religious order brothers and sisters. They also attended daily Mass, spent time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and took opportunities to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation with one of a dozen priests who volunteered to hear confessions.
The only faith-based news outlet in the Alaska Press Club, the Catholic Anchor nevertheless continued its long tradition of being honored at the annual journalism conference.
The Catholic Anchor would like to thank the many Alaska businesses that advertise with us online and in print. We rely heavily on your financial support to maintain and improve this award-winning Alaska newspaper. There are very few faith-based media outlets in the state and the Catholic Anchor is by far the largest and most widely circulated.
Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage will welcome two new Dominican priests this summer, including a new pastor as retiring Dominican Father Anthony Patalano steps down to take a part-time assignment in Los Angeles.
As people of faith, we are called to unconditionally love those who suffer from a sexual identity crisis, listen to their struggle and lighten their burden however we can. Where friendship, prayer and counsel are needed we must step up. Christ would have no less.
CatholicAnchor.org Fifth-year seminarian for the Anchorage Archdiocese, Robert Whitney, was ordained a transitional deacon on June 3 at Holy Family Cathedral. Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz prayed over him, laid his hands upon his head and administered the sacrament of holy orders. That marked the one-year count down to Whitney’s ordination next summer when he is…
The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) has agreed to allow students in Alaska to play sports in accordance with whichever gender they identify as regardless of their biological sex at birth.