Exonerated former inmate never gave up on God while on death row

Former Illinois death row inmate Randy Steidl of Paris, Ill., talks about his wrongful conviction and his lengthy incarceration during a program at the Archbishop O'Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis Dec. 2. Will McAuliffe, left, is the executive director of the Indiana Coalition Acting to Suspend Executions. (CNS photo/Mary Ann Wyand, The Criterion)

By Mary Ann Wyand Catholic News Service

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Seventeen years, three months and three weeks.

That’s how long wrongfully convicted Illinois death-row inmate Randy Steidl was incarcerated at the Danville Correctional Facility while awaiting execution for two murders he did not commit.

Steidl is one of 139 former death-row inmates throughout the U.S. who have been found innocent of murder charges and released from prison since 1972.

He was the keynote speaker for a recent program at the Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis about his wrongful conviction and lengthy imprisonment on death row in Illinois. The event was sponsored by the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry.

‘Not a shred of disagreement’ between CHA, bishops on health reform

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Despite a New York Times report to the contrary, the Catholic Health Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are working together to achieve health reform legislation that does not expand federal funding of abortion, according to the CHA president and CEO.

Vatican to decide fate of woman who knocked down pope

Pope Benedict XVI is assisted by aides, including Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of ceremonies, left, at the start of Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24. During the entrance procession, a woman jumped a barrier in the bas ilica and knocked the 82-year-old pontiff to the ground. The pope was helped up and continued with the Mass. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican will decide how to proceed with the young woman responsible for knocking down Pope Benedict XVI during Christmas Eve Mass only after it reviews medical and Vatican security reports, said Vatican spokesmen.

Critical to the prosecutor’s decision will be the doctors’ evaluation concerning the woman’s mental state and whether or not she was “of sound mind,” Father Ciro Benedettini, vice director of the Vatican press office, told Catholic News Service Dec. 28. The prosecutor will also take into consideration eyewitness accounts, he said.

Deacon named Orange Citizen of the Year

Deacon Larry David

By Jeff Dixon, ETC

Deacon Larry David has never known a life that didn’t include volunteering and helping people in his community of Orange. His two role models growing up were active in the city of Orange even before he was born.

“My grandfather and father were always active in the community. From an early age it was a part of my life. One of my earliest memories is going with my dad collecting for the Community Chest, which turned into the United Fund years later. We were collecting door to door,” Deacon David said.

Where is the word of God?

By Sarah Dupre, ETC

Catechists will get a chance to get involved and learn how to take time out for the word of God at the Catechetical Conference Jan. 30, 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption, 4445 Ave. A, Beaumont.

Keynote speaker Kathleen Hendricks will give the keynote on Where in the World is the Word of God.

“We are a people that are kind of encased in noise. We have things going on around us all the time whether it’s kind of external racket or just a lot of internal anxiety,” Hendricks said.

Diocese remembers Dr. King

Dr. King

By Jeff Dixon, ETC

More than 40 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated for standing up for what he believed in. What he believed in was a world where people would live in harmony, regardless of race.

The third Monday of January each year is observed in honor of Dr. Luther King. The holiday marks the date of his birth, Jan. 15, and is the only United States federal holiday honoring an African American.

Conference focuses on ‘Doers of the Word’

Father Mahan

By Jeff Dixon, ETC

The 2010 Stewardship Conference, “Doers of the Word,” is nearly here. Parishioners all over the diocese will soon be marking their calendars for Jan. 23.

The conference will be an all-day event featuring workshops, a Mass, a concert, and incredible guest presenters including internationally known speaker Father Dan Mahan and musician David Kauffman.

Father Mahan is the executive director of the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship. He serves as a faculty member and the director of formation for the Institutes and Conferences of the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

Catholic influence seen in House health bill but final fate unclear

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although the ultimate fate of health reform legislation in the U.S. Congress remained up in the air at the end of 2009, one thing is certain: With their unequivocal call to keep the legislation abortion-neutral, the U.S. bishops had a strong influence on the debate.

Problems remain with Senate health reform bill, USCCB chairmen say

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although authentic reform of the nation’s health system is “a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority,” the Senate version of health reform legislation “should not move forward in its current form,” the heads of three committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said Dec. 19.

Leyes son justas solamente si protegen vida humana, dice el papa

Por Cindy Wooden  Catholic News Service

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — Una ley es justa solamente si protege la vida humana, dijo el papa Benedicto XVI.

Las únicas leyes que pueden ser consideradas justas “son aquellas leyes que salvaguardan la sacralidad de la vida humana y rechazan la aceptación del aborto, la eutanasia y los experimentos genéticos no refrenados (y) aquellas leyes que respetan la dignidad del matrimonio entre un hombre y una mujer”, dijo el papa el 16 de diciembre durante su audiencia general semanal en el Vaticano.