New Orleans Archdiocese Plans to Cut Jobs

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Sept. 26 — In dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Archdiocese of New Orleans said that it will need to lay off an unspecified number of employees over the next few weeks, reported the Associated Press.

The archdiocese is trying to decide how best to utilize fewer resources. All employees were asked to report to work by Oct. 3. Those who will be laid off will be given two weeks pay.

Archdiocesan spokesman Father William Maestri said he did not know what number of the archdiocese's 9,000 workers would be laid off.

Court Denies Pharmacists’ Contraception Objection

STATE JOURNAL REGISTER, Sept. 23 — Pharmacists who are morally opposed to dispensing “morning-after” emergency contraception will have to follow the Illinois governor's rule requiring pharmacies to dispense such medications, reported the Journal-Register.

A Sangamon County judge denied the pharmacist's request for a temporary restraining order to block Gov. Rod Blagojevich's rule. Judge John Belz said that the pharmacists failed to meet the legal standards for him to issue a restraining order.

“We feel like this is a setback,” said Edward Martin, an attorney with Americans United for Life, who is representing the pharmacists. “I'm sorry for my clients who have to now go back to living with this rule that's onerously put on them.”

In April, Blagojevich issued a state administrative rule that requires pharmacies that sell contraceptives to also fill prescriptions for emergency contraceptives. Many pharmacists object to the so-called “morning-after” pill because it can cause an abortion of an early embryo.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Resigns

WASHINGTON POST, Sept. 24 — Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Lester Crawford announced his resignation Sept. 23, and President Bush asked National Cancer Institute Director Andrew von Eschenbach to serve as acting commissioner.

Von Eschenbach is responsible for a National Cancer Institute workshop that concluded that there is no link between abortion and breast cancer, despite a majority of studies showing it exists, said Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. She was quoted by Lifenews.com.

Crawford's tenure was beset by criticism over drug safety and emergency contraception, the Post pointed out. The commission has repeatedly delayed a decision about whether to allow emergency contraception to be sold over the counter.

Group Seeks Boys Town Founder's Beatification

SIOUX CITY JOURNAL, Sept. 22 — Supporters of Father Edward Flanagan, the founder of Girls and Boys Town, are increasing their efforts to see him beatified, said Iowa's Sioux City Journal.

While the process is in its earliest stages, Sharon Nelson, the coordinator of a prayer group, believes Father Flanagan is already responsible for a miracle. She said that a Wisconsin man's tumor stopped growing after he sought the intercession of Father Flanagan.

Supporters gather at the Omaha, Neb., tomb of Father Flanagan monthly to pray for the cause. Father Flanagan founded Boys Town in 1917 to aid orphaned children. He died in 1948. Today, the organization encompasses 19 sites across the country that aid troubled children and their families.