Baseball Commissioner Reviewing Baseball Chapel

WASHINGTON POST, Oct. 1 — Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is reviewing the organization's cooperation with Baseball Chapel following Washington Nationals’ outfielder Ryan Church's remarks about Jews, said the Post.

In September, Church was quoted by the Post saying that he had asked the Nationals’ volunteer chaplain, Jon Moeller, if Jews were “doomed” because they did not believe in Jesus Christ. Moeller apparently nodded Yes in response to the question. The next day Moeller was suspended and the team issued an apology from Church.

Baseball Chapel is an evangelical Christian organization that provides volunteer chaplains to professional baseball teams.

Selig is considering a recommendation for rotating chaplains from various denominations.

Dioceses Ban Religious Organization

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Sept. 24 — Chicago Cardinal Francis George has become one of four bishops to ban Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission from meeting in archdiocesan facilities or presenting itself as Catholic, reported the Associated Press.

Founded 12 years ago, Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission holds weekly prayer meetings in more than 100 Catholic churches in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Members say that the group is trying to establish itself as a new religious order.

The cardinal's decision followed a six-month review of the group which has been described as cult-like by some. Relatives of mission members have complained that the organization isolates family members and convinces members that God will condemn them if they leave. Because the organization has not been forthcoming with information, the Chicago archdiocese was unable to reach a conclusion regarding the group.

Following similar concerns, the group was previously banned by Archbishop Jerome Hanus of Dubuque, Iowa, and Bishops Robert Morlino of Madison, Wis., and Thomas Doran of Rockford, Ill.

Hidden Treasure Found in Baltimore Basilica

WBAL, CHANNEL 11, Sept. 28 — An architect tapped on a wall above the arches that support the dome of Baltimore's National Shrine of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and found it to be hollow. Tearing away protective wood, workers found historic paintings of the four evangelists, a Baltimore television station reported.

The 19th century shrine, America's first cathedral, is undergoing a $32 million renovation. The paintings date to 1865 and had been covered during an 1870s renovation. The art will be there to greet worshipers when the basilica reopens next year.

Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore has invited Pope Benedict XVI to attend the reopening of the basilica. Spokesman Sean Caine said the Vatican wrote back, saying it would take the invitation into consideration.