Catholic League president William Donohue commented on the decision reached today by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a challenge to its decision banning the Pledge of Allegiance because of the words “under God.” Here are his remarks: “Two things need to be done immediately: teachers and students should practice civil disobedience and the judges [...]
Catholic League president William Donohue commented today on the latest scandal to hit the Catholic Church—false charges against priests: “In June, 2002, Father Ronald Bourgault was removed from priestly ministry pending an investigation that he molested a boy in the mid-1960s. Now he’s back at work at St. Zepherin’s in Wayland, Massachusetts. The reason: his accuser [...]
The U.S. Supreme Court in an 8-1 decision ruled today that the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as the Hobbs Act, do not apply to abortion foes who protest outside abortion clinics. Catholic League president William Donohue commented on the decision today: “This is a major victory for freedom of speech. [...]
The February 24 edition of “Donahue” (MSNBC) featured an interview of Rosie O’Donnell by host Phil Donahue. The segment ended with an extended conversation on Catholicism. In discussing the sex abuse scandal in the Church, O’Donnell said: “And you know what? It needs to be out in the forefront. I really hope that the Catholic Church [...]
The Catholic League’s 2002 Annual Report on Anti-Catholicism is now available. The report offers evidence of anti-Catholicism drawn from events of 2002. It includes a preface and executive summary by league president William Donohue; the chapters cover various topical areas and there is a sample of offensive cartoons. The chapters cover anti-Catholicism found in activist organizations, the artistic [...]
Legislators in Florida and Maryland are following the lead of Kentucky and New Hampshire by targeting the confessional seal. In an attempt to deal with child sexual molestation, legislators in these states are considering bills that would end the priest-penitent privilege: if passed, it would mean priests would have to report knowledge of abuse learned in [...]
New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has been chosen to address the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day, March 17; “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw has also been selected to speak. The dinner, which will be held at the Sheraton, is one of the most [...]
The U.S. Senate will soon decide whether to pass the Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act. Co-sponsored by Senator Joseph Lieberman and Senator Rick Santorum, the bill is part of the faith-based initiative that President Bush has been supporting. It would provide incentives to charitable giving and allow some direct aid to social services. When [...]
A lawyer with three suits against the Albany Diocese has asked the presiding judge to recuse himself because he is a practicing Catholic. Attorney John Aretakis made the request of State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi on Monday, but the judge refused. When Aretakis commented that Teresi often goes to weekday Mass and is a “deeply [...]
Catholic League president William Donohue today accused Newsday columnist Jimmy Breslin of seeking to malign the Catholic League. Breslin called Donohue today making wild accusations. Donohue explains what happened: “Jimmy Breslin called this morning around 9:30 a.m. asking to see the office of the Catholic League. He said he wanted to know how many members we [...]
