Will Faith-Based Plan Hurt Churches?

WALL STREET JOURNAL, April 30—President Bush's faith-based initiative would have the same destructive effects on religious charities that government intervention has had on secular ones, the New York daily argued.

An editorial column in the newspaper praised two aspects of Bush's plan: removing regulations that hinder charities, and offering tax incentives for charitable donations. But it decried the plan's federal grants to religious charities.

The newspaper warned that decisions about who would get the money would be swayed by churches’ political clout and the religious biases of officials. It also argued that the plan would make charities concerned more with “keeping the grants flowing” than with serving the poor.

Noting that some churchgoers choose their churches based on the services they provide, the Journal asked, “Do we really want federal funding to affect America's religious dynamics in this manner?"

Ashcroft's Rules: No Pride Allowed

NEWSWEEK, April 30—Attorney General John Ashcroft has brought his faith to work, the weekly magazine reported.

Ashcroft holds daily prayer sessions in his office—Christian morning prayers and smaller meetings for both Christians and non-Christians. And Ashcroft told staffers not to use the phrase “no higher calling than public service” or the word “proud” in letters that will bear Ashcroft's signature, explaining that God is above government and that pride is a sin.

Georgia Lesbians Seek Recognition of Vermont ‘Union’

PLANETOUT.COM, April 27—A Georgia woman asked a court to force the state to recognize the homosexual civil union she got in Vermont, the homosexual news service reported.

Susan Freer and Debra Jean Freer are seeking custody of Susan's sons. The children's father said that Susan violated the terms of their 1998 visitation agreement by living with a person to whom she is not married. Susan argued that her civil union with Debra Jean constituted the equivalent of marriage.

Vermont's law distinguishes between marriage and civil unions.

Christian Charm School

DETROIT NEWS, April 25—Joseanna Kimball runs an unusual charm school, the Detroit daily reported.

Along with etiquette and dining behavior, Josie's Haven teaches Christian principles. The school teaches children aged seven to 17, with classes featuring topics like confidence, stress reduction, abstinence, and anger management. Fifteen kids have signed up so far.

Awards Honor Schlafly, Mock Wills

THE CATHOLIC NEW WORLD, April 15—Catholic Citizens of Illinois gave out twin awards to Phyllis Schlafly and Garry Wills, the Chicago Catholic newspaper reported.

Schlafly, founder of the pro-family group the Eagle Forum, received the St. Thomas More award.

Wills, journalist and author of Papal Sin, received the “Archbishop Cranmer Award for Disservice to the Church.” The Illinois group likened Wills’ attacks on the Eucharist and the papacy with the actions of the 16th–century Archbishop of Canterbury who sided with Henry VIII against Rome.