L.A. Archdiocese Loses Legal Battle

REUTERS, April 17 — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles lost its four-year battle to keep private files related to two priests who were accused of sexual abuse of children, reported Reuters.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a lower court ruling means that 14 documents pertaining to the cases will be made available to a Los Angeles grand jury. It also means that other confidential records being sought by more than 500 people who have brought civil lawsuits against the archdiocese may be made available.

The archdiocese described the ruling as “disappointing,” and is attempting to settle the civil cases through mediation.

Agencies Won’t Be Penalized for Refusing Adoption

BOSTON GLOBE, April 15 — Massachusetts’ Catholic adoption agencies in Fall River, Springfield and Worcester will not be penalized by the government for their refusal to place adoptive children with homosexual couples, said the Globe.

While the policy violates the state’s antidiscrimination laws, the Department of Early Education and Care said it will hold off taking any action because the governor has proposed legislation that could exempt such agencies from considering homosexual adoptions based on religious grounds.

Gov. W. Mitt Romney filed the bill after Catholic Charities of Boston decided to end its adoption services rather than continue a practice that was against Catholic Church teaching.

Catholic Charities of Worcester said that they refer such applicants to other agencies.

Connecticut Church Attendance Rising

WTNH, April 11 — The Dioceses of Hartford and Bridgeport, Conn. are reporting noticeable increases in Catholic Church attendance, reported WTNH TV in New Haven.

According to the Diocese of Bridgeport, attendance at the diocese’s 87 parishes has increased 14% this year.

“I think people are trying a lot of different things and they’re coming up empty,” said John Colagrossi, a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church in Stratford. “They realize Church is the real deal.”

Diocesan officials aren’t sure why attendance is on the rise.

Msgr. William Shultz, spokesman for the Diocese of Bridgeport, said, “I hope they realize we all need faith and Christ in our lives, especially when you look around the world and see what’s happening.”