Bridgeport Diocese Sues the State

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport filed a federal lawsuit Friday afternoon against the state for seeking to have the church register as a lobbyist because it organized rallies against a bill to have independent boards oversee the churches finances.

Church officials are asking the court to issue an injunction against the Office of State Ethics' attempt to make the church register as a lobbyist.

"I believe the OSE's extension of the lobbying laws to these activities will interfere with the diocese's ability to mobilize its members and, if necessary, to urge them to rally at the Capitol," Bishop William Lori said.

The Hartford Courant has the whole story here.

In March, more than 4,000 Catholics gathered at the Capitol to protest a proposed bill to have lay councils oversee the finances of local parishes, relegating Catholic pastors and bishops to an advisory role.

Crossroads Magazine covered the event, and will bring you the video shortly.

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S.B. 899 Passes with Amendment to Protect Religious Freedom

Senate Bill 899, the codification of same-sex marriage in the state of Connecticut, passed through the Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday, after a 10-hour marathon of debate and compromise.

Democratic Senator Edith Prague spoke to us about what this bill really does for our radio newscast on WJMJ Radio.

The Bill as passed will allow same sex couples who are currently in a civil union to be automatically married as of October of 2010.

Lawmakers endorsed an amendment that allows religious organizations to opt out of the law's requirements, meaning that a group such as the Knights of Columbus would not be required to rent out its function halls for same-sex wedding receptions. Nor would a Catholic priest be obligated to preside over such a union.

The Hartford Courant published the full story on yesterday's vote.

One key problem opponents of this bill are still fighting against is the possibility of homosexuality being taught in schools. Supporters of the bill say this is not an issue, as there is no language in the bill specifically relating to teaching the lifestyle within school curricula.

Crossroads Magazine will have the entire story - including what voters think about the passage and the amendment - later this week.

Live Mass at St. Francis of Assisi in Naugatuck

The Office of Radio and Television offers a daily televised Mass on TXX at 10 a.m. Once a month, we're honored to take our television crew on the road to highlight a parish in Connecticut, and televise their Mass, live on location.

This month, we'll be at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Naugatuck, on Sunday, April 26.

There are 2,400 families that make up the St. Francis parish, which is the oldest Catholic Church in Naugatuck. It's located prominently in the center of town.

The origins of the parish date back to the late 1840s when Waterbury and Derby priests started celebrating Mass in private homes and in the Naugatuck Hotel. It soon moved to Water Street. This first small wooden church, named St. Anne, received mission status and was dedicated in 1860. Six years later, St. Anne mission was elevated to parish status, changing its name to St. Francis of Assisi. It later moved to Church Street, where it remains today.

If you'd like to attend, the parish is located at 318 Church Street. The Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 26.