I feel it is an injustice for me to come in, just as the archbishop, and tell the church, “Here’s what we’re going to do.” That’s not my style. I will be a leader and I will, at the appropriate time, share my vision. But I will collaborate with pastors and parish and diocesan leaders in setting that vision in motion.
This marks the sixth time since 1996 that the ACLU has sued the State of Alaska or one of its subdivisions over pro-life laws or policies. The ACLU has a proven track record: Alaska Supreme Court decisions stemming from ACLU abortion litigation have all ended by striking down pro-life measures.
Our God is very near and he comes in humility and with love. God who created the universe, now dares to be born in time, born of a virgin, born in human flesh, coming in the weakness and dependence of a new-born child. He comes as pure gift, not imposing himself upon anyone, but present to all who would receive him.
The ACLU of Alaska filed a lawsuit Dec. 14 against the Kenai Peninsula Borough on behalf of two plaintiffs who wish to use time set aside for opening prayers at assembly meetings to voice support for atheistic ideologies and celebrate Satan.
“I am humbled and grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for this appointment as the next bishop of the Diocese of Dallas,” Bishop Burns told Juneau’s Southeast Alaska Catholic newspaper. “At the same time, this announcement fills my heart with gratitude for the privilege and honor of serving the priests, deacons, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Juneau.”
On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe we ask for the grace to be ‘with God’s people’ in such a way as to credibly carry the faith into the culture of our time.
The bishop, with the laying on of hands, imparts the gift of the Spirit and then the priest, placing his hands inside those of his bishop, promises perpetual obedience. To the secular world this must seem horribly arcane but not to priests.
Planned Parenthood, Alaska’s largest abortion chain, has teamed up with the ACLU and the Center for Reproductive Rights to sue the state in order to repeal state regulations on second trimester abortions.
For four years now, Catholic Men For Life, an apostolate of Holy Family Cathedral, has organized this Mass and the ensuing peaceful prayer vigil outside Planned Parenthood. The all-day event takes place twice a year, during the larger spring and fall 40 Days For Life prayer campaigns, which take place outside abortion clinics around the world, including Anchorage.
Until recent years, there was a nearly decade-long drought in priestly ordinations. However, in the last three years, two men have been ordained, and another is scheduled for this summer. There are currently six men in seminary, which is the highest number the archdiocese has ever seen.