Articles by Joel Davidson

Mat-Su camp aims to build Catholic culture across generations

A newly formed independent nonprofit, took over the long-standing Camp Challenge from Alaska General Assembly of the Church of God — a group that has operated the summer camp since the mid-1960s. In recent years, however, the Church of God has struggled to keep the camp in operation. In early 2012, St. Benedict Church in Anchorage held its annual teen confirmation retreat at Camp Challenge. Parishioner Rich Owens, owner of the Tastee Freez restaurants in Anchorage, was serving as cook for the winter retreat that year. That’s when he first learned that the camp property might be up for sale. Motivated by a belief that the campground could become an integral part of future youth ministry and the rebuilding of Catholic culture across the Anchorage Archdiocese, Owens helped to form a nonprofit to purchase the camp.

EDITORIAL: How the Catholic Church changes

While the synod certainly included energetic debates on how to best reach out to those who have suffered from divorce and those who live with same-sex attraction, in the end there was a resounding affirmation of the church’s long-standing teachings on these important issues. We must not be surprised if the church is unbending in affirming long-standing teachings even as it grapples with new applications. This is the kind of institution Christ established — a living church that moves through the variables of history while always inviting, urging and challenging each new generation to embrace the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ.

U.S. Senate Candidates’ views on key issues

As part of an effort to inform Alaskans about candidates and their positions on issues important to Catholic voters, the Catholic Anchor solicited responses to a questionnaire from the seven candidates running for U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Begich, Republican candidate Dan Sullivan, Libertarian candidate Mark Fish, non-affiliated candidate Ted Gianoutsos, Republican candidate Sean Godfrey, non-affiliated candidate Sidney Hill and Republican candidate John Jaramillo. Only Ted Gianoutsos and Sean Godfrey responded to the questionnaire. Wherever possible, the Catholic Anchor has included the positions of candidates who did not respond to the questionnaire.

AK governor candidates’ views on key social issues

In an effort to inform Alaskans about candidates and their positions on issues important to Catholic voters, the Catholic Anchor solicited responses to a questionnaire from the four candidates running for Alaska Governor: incumbent Republican candidate Gov. Sean Parnell, non-affiliated candidate Bill Walker, Alaska Constitutional Party candidate J.R. Meyers and Libertarian candidate Carolyn Clift. All candidates responded except for Clift, whose positions could not be ascertained from either her website or her public statements on the issues listed below.

Anchorage to establish co-cathedral

In an effort to better serve the needs of a growing Catholic population, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has decided to establish Our Lady of Guadalupe Church as the co-cathedral for the Anchorage Archdiocese. This will officially occur during a special Mass on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Holy Family Cathedral will continue as the “historic cathedral” and should always be considered to be the “primary church of the archdiocese,” Archbishop Schwietz told the Catholic Anchor.

Archbishop: Alaska Native suffering must never be forgotten

The Catholic Church must never forget its “failure to honor” Alaska Natives or the suffering these people endured as many missionaries to Alaska failed to appreciate the depth of native language and culture. This was one aspect of the Oct. 22 homily given by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at Holy Family Cathedral during the annual Mass celebrated just before the start of the Alaska Federation of Natives yearly convention.

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