March for Life - Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of thousands of people are pouring into Washington D.C. to protest abortion for the annual March for Life. Office of Radio and Television reporter Jason Calvi is with a group from the Archdiocese of Hartford. Tonight there will be a special Mass, which, we're told, more than 10,000 people will attend. Tomorrow, a pro-life breakfast, another Mass, and then the march itself. WJMJ and Crossroads Magazine will be there live and bring you reports throughout the day.

An Ongoing Saga: FIC, Courant, and DCF

If you read today's Hartford Courant, then you may have seen this letter to the editor from The Family Institute of Connecticut's Executive Director Peter Wolfgang. In the letter, Wolfgang defends the Institute's request that the state's Department of Children and Families take down links that promoted "the revisionist view that the Bible and religion approve of homosexual activity and attack those churches that disagree."

This letter is part of on ongoing saga between the FIC, The Courant, and DCF. As we reported on WJMJ Religious News on July 15, the Connecticut Department of Children has taken down web links that promoted a pro-gay interpretation of the Bible. DCF removed the links after being threatened with a lawsuit from the Family Institute of Connecticut and the American Center for Law and Justice. The links were to various websites saying the Bible takes a positive view of gay actions. The Family Institute’s Peter Wolfgang says DCF was violating the First Amendment because DCF was using public funds to try to change religious views of children. DCF has agreed to take the site down until the issues are addressed. They say they will remove information that promotes a particular religious viewpoint.

However, Wolfgang says the Courant has distorted the story. On July 17, he posted his first blog post reacting to the paper's coverage. You can read that reaction here, along with links to the article he questions. He also blogged again today, acknowledging the Courant's correction of the original piece, while still wondering about the original piece, asking, "Who lied to the Courant about the content of our complaint?"

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Pope Undergoes Surgery for Wrist Fracture

Court Upholds Ban on Passing Out Bibles in School

Much more headlines to come. Listen to WJMJ Catholic Radio on 88.9 in Hartford, 93.1 in Hamden, and 107.1 in New Haven. WJMJ Religious News airs weekdays at 8:25, 11:25, 2:25, and 4:25. Don't forget ABC News and Connecticut news are on the hour.

Updated:

Pope Smiling, Arm In Cast

Enrollment Decline at Catholic Schools

Only 33% of Scientists Believe in God

Legion to Take Over College

Confession: An Oil Change for the Soul

Pro-Soccer Players: Faith on Shirt Debate

Diocese of Bridgeport: Not a Lobbyist

As we reported in the WJMJ Religious Headlines yesterday, Connecticut's Office of State Ethics has decided to stop its inquiry into whether the Diocese of Bridgeport needs to register as a lobbyist. The Office had said the Church's organization of rallies at the State Capitol made the Church a lobbyist group, and must register as such. The Diocese sued for an injunction against this request. The American Civil Liberties Union sided with the Diocese in this case. On June 30, the state's Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal urged for the end of the investigation. Ethics enforcement officer T.J. Jones will close the investigation, in light of Blumenthal's letter.

The Diocese has issued the following statement in response to the end of this probe:

“We are pleased to hear that the Office of State Ethics will abide by the Attorney General’s opinion and drop its action against the Diocese of Bridgeport.

“This is welcome news, not only for the Diocese but for all citizens who cherish the fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

“We look forward to receiving written confirmation from the Office of State Ethics. At that time we will make a decision on our lawsuit.”

SB 899 Passes - Voter Reaction

SB 899, the same-sex marriage codification bill, has passed through both the Senate and the House of Representatives, but not without a strong amendment protecting religious freedom. The amendment allows church organizations to opt out of the requirements of the law, meaning priests will not have to wed gay couples, nor will organizations such as the Knights of Columbus have to rent their halls for that purpose. Archbishop Henry Mansell personally thanked Catholics across Connecticut, saying that constituent phone calls and emails to representatives resulted in the amendment. He spoke on WJMJ.






Governor Jodi Rell says she will sign the bill when it reaches her desk. It then goes into effect in October of 2010. Crossroads Magazine asked voters, senators and lobbyists what they thought of the law, and what it means for residents. Click here to hear the full story.

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.