Articles by Joel Davidson


PHOTOS: Archbishop Emeritus Hurley marks 45 years a bishop

Anchorage Archbishop Emeritus Francis Hurley celebrated his 45th anniversary as a bishop on March 19 with a special luncheon at the Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage. Attending the gathering were Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz, Archbishop Hurley’s long-time secretary Joann White, two of Archbishop Hurley’s nephews and many of the priests of the Anchorage Archdiocese.

Editorial: Meddle in Alaska’s politics

CatholicAnchor.org The March and April issues of the Catholic Anchor are historically our most political, as they come out at the time when the Alaska Legislature debates scores of bills that invariably shape Alaska’s cultural landscape. As Christians, we cannot shrink from politics or view it as the purview of elected officials and political insiders….

Anchorage Archbishop issues rules restricting marijuana use

CatholicAnchor.org In response to the legalization of marijuana use in Alaska, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has issued updated standards of conduct for all employees of the Anchorage Archdiocese. In a memo sent to all priests, deacons, religious employees and volunteers the archbishop instructed that all such pastoral ministers should refrain from “smoking, using, possessing or…

Planned Parenthood challenging Alaska law limiting elective abortions

Planned Parenthood is in court this week challenging a state law that prohibits Alaska abortion practitioners from being reimbursed by the state for performing “elective” abortions that are not done to preserve the life or physical health of the mother. With the help of ACLU of Alaska, Planned Parenthood is laying out its case for why the law should be overturned. The case, Planned Parenthood v Davidson, is being argued before Anchorage Superior Court Judge John Suddock. Supporters of the law note that it closes loopholes that have been exploited by abortion practitioners to gain public funding for so-called “elective” abortions.

Archbishop calls Alaska scouts to ‘respond to evil by doing good’

“Thank God for the gift of scouting and for our young people,” Archbishop Schwietz told the assembly. “Let us continue to pray for scouting in our society.” In his homily, Archbishop Schwietz spoke about the problem of evil and how the faithful are called to respond. Addressing the Sunday readings which recalled Job’s immense sufferings, the archbishop noted that Job “does not turn away from God but he turned toward God and asks, ‘Why is this happening?’”

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