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St. Ignatius audience enthralled by black Catholic history address

Charles Village resident Mark Kirby found the topic of a St. Ignatius, Baltimore, presentation on the history of black Catholics in Maryland mesmerizing, mainly because he hadn’t examined the race with the religion in a historically relevant manner before. “It’s one of those hidden corners of our history,” the white St. Ignatius parishioner said. “I think it’s an interesting topic – something I’ve always wondered about.” Mr. Kirby was joined by more than 75 other congregants May 21 to hear Dr. Diane Bates Morrow – associate professor of history and African studies at the University of Georgia and an award-winning author of black Catholic history – discuss the early struggles of black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and their triumphs today.

Cardinal Keeler ordains nine new deacons

As nine candidates knelt before Cardinal William H. Keeler May 19, the archbishop of Baltimore placed his hands on each man’s head and ordained them a deacon. Thunderous applause reverberated throughout the packed Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland, during the 10 a.m. Ordination to the Diaconate, after each of the nine candidates completed his four-year odyssey to serve the Archdiocese of Baltimore. All nine men were deemed worthy to administer the sacred ministries in the archdiocese by Father Patrick M. Carrion, director of deacon formation.

Baltimore activists featured in book produced by students

The product of a semester-long collaboration between Loyola College in Maryland and the Students Sharing Coalition (SSC) is a recently published book about 18 Baltimore youth activists, “Changing the World Around Us: Profiles in Youth Activism.” Students in Cinthia Gannett’s writing class interviewed the activists and wrote profiles while students in Peggy O’Neill’s class contributed sections on history, operation and the mission of SSC. The book was designed by senior Kristen Cesiro and Loyola graphic design professor Diane Samet, a member of the SSC board of directors.

Zambian bishops express dismay over delay

LUSAKA, Zambia – Zambia’s Catholic bishops have expressed “great dismay” over the government’s delay in reviewing and enacting a new constitution. “The people are tired of the slow pace” of the constitutional review process, said the Zambian bishops’ conference in a May 16 statement. The bishops urged the government “to desist from excessive legalism” and said that Zambia “can no longer afford the luxury of procrastination, which has characterized the government’s approach” to the process. Zambia, where a British-drafted constitution has been used since the former colony’s independence in 1964, “is in dire need of an inclusive constitution that will not only stand the test of time but also empower” Zambians to face challenges, they said.

Mercy High establishes endowment

Mercy High School in Baltimore is establishing its first-ever endowment and has already raised $1 million during a “quiet phase” of a capital campaign supporting the fund. School leaders formally launched the “Securing the Future” campaign May 3, bumping up the initial target goal of $1 million to $1.5 million. Mary John Snyder, a member of the school’s board of trustees and chair of the endowment campaign, said it was a “very nice surprise” that the school has already secured $1 million. “Everyone is very, very excited,” said Ms. Snyder, a member of Mercy’s class of 1965. “This is all about securing the future for Mercy.”

Tender signs of love displayed years after loved ones die

Coins still rest on Conner Greig’s grave stone engraved with a baby angel at St. Ignatius, Hickory. Toddler Blaine, age 3 at the time of his brother’s death, placed the money there a dozen years ago so Conner would be able to call home. Now age 15, The John Carroll School, Bel Air, 10th-grader continues to visit his sibling’s grave with parents Susan Larney Greig and Blaine Greig, and 18-year-old-sister Allie. Conner now would have been 13; he died in 1995 at age 2 with a brain tumor.

Rancher claims he never paid for murder of American nun

SAO PAULO, Brazil – A rancher on trial for ordering the February 2005 assassination of U.S. Sister Dorothy Stang claimed he is innocent of paying $25,000, along with another rancher, for her murder. Vitalmiro Bastos de Moura, known in the Amazon region as Bida, said in court May 14 he did not know Sister Dorothy, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and only had contact with her two assassins after she was dead. Mr. De Moura said the two men found guilty of killing the nun came to him after the crime and confessed the assassination.

Indigenous tell pope they face genocide

SAO PAULO, Brazil – Representatives of four Brazilian indigenous organizations wrote Pope Benedict XVI, graphically describing the problems and threats facing the country’s native peoples. The indigenous organizations used the word “genocide” to describe the “persecution, land takeovers, murders, epidemics, sterilization of indigenous women and contraceptive measures imposed by governments, neglect and breakup of our communities” during the past century, but highlighted “the solidarity of the church and countless missionaries throughout the country.” “We wish to transmit some of our anguish and hope, counting on your friendship and solidarity in building a more just and harmonious continent and world,” said the letter, presented to the pope May 10 by Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns, retired archbishop of Sao Paulo.

Cumberland native serves Air Corps

William Joseph Kelly Jr. didn’t decide to sign up for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) at age 21 – Uncle Sam decided for him. During the World War II era, enlistment in the military was mandatory. “If you were physically fit, you went,” said Mr. Kelly, inducted July 15, 1941, at Fort Meade (From 1926 to 1941, USAAC was the predecessor of the U.S. Army Air Forces, today’s U.S. Air Force.) Four days later, the young man transferred as a Private to Luke Field, Ariz. and was assigned to the 74th Air Base Group.

Archdiocese receives abuse allegation against teacher

Official Statement from the Archdiocese On April 25, representatives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore received an allegation of child sexual abuse against Mr. Patrick McIntyre, a seventh grade teacher at Immaculate Conception School, Towson. The alleged abuse took place in the late 1970s and involved a male middle school student attending Bishop John Neumann School in Baltimore, where Mr. McIntyre taught. The allegation was immediately reported to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office and Department of Social Services which indicated to the Archdiocese on April 27 that no charges were expected to be filed due to the age and nature of the allegation. On April 27 County officials granted representatives of the Archdiocese permission to contact Mr. McIntyre regarding the allegation.

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