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All 6 Boston groups lose appeal to Vatican to reopen church buildings at closed parishes
BOSTON (AP) — The Vatican has rejected the appeals of all six groups in the Boston Archdiocese who argued that the church buildings at their closed parishes should be reopened years after the archdiocese shut them down.
The decisions, handed down over the last two months, came after the Vatican granted similar appeals to parishioners from several other closed parishes, including in New York and Pennsylvania.
Those recent wins had Sean Glennon, a parishioner at Mary Star of the Sea in Quincy, hopeful about their appeal. On Tuesday, he was puzzled why none of the Boston-area parishes prevailed.
"It's just very disconcerting, and it's very disappointing," he said.
In the appeals, parishioners weren't asking the Vatican to reopen the parishes, which include rectories, churches and other buildings. They instead argued that their local diocese hadn't justified its decision to convert the church building from sacred to secular use, a necessary move before sale.
The parishioners can appeal the decision to the Vatican high court, the Apostolic Signatura, and at least four of the groups will do so, said Peter Borre of the Council of Parishes, which was formed to protest the church closings.
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Nebraska governor says bias protections for gay, transgender people should be up to voters
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's governor says Omaha and Lincoln ordinances barring discrimination against gay and transgender people should be put to public votes.
Gov. Dave Heineman, at a news conference Tuesday in Lincoln, cited a recent opinion from the state attorney general's office. The May 4 opinion said voters could approve changes to city charters to extend protections to groups not covered by state law, but local governments lack the authority.
Opinions issued by the office lack the force of law but guide legislators and officials statewide and often are cited in disputes over hotly debated issues.
Nebraska's anti-discrimination laws and federal regulations don't extend protection to gay and transgender people.
Omaha narrowly adopted an ordinance in March that said employers, employment agencies, job training programs, labor groups, public accommodations and businesses that contract with the city are barred from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. It provides exemptions for religious organizations.
Omaha city attorney Paul Kratz has said the city's legal team disagrees with the attorney general office's opinion, and he doesn't think it will have any effect on the new ordinance.
Backers argued that the proposal would make Omaha a more welcoming city to a diverse workforce. Opponents countered that the proposals would add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and open up businesses to lawsuits.
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Judge allows Shoshone tribe into faith-based eagle permit case
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge is allowing the Eastern Shoshone Tribe to challenge the Northern Arapaho's plan to kill bald eagles on the reservation they share in Wyoming.
BOSTON (AP) — The Vatican has rejected the appeals of all six groups in the Boston Archdiocese who argued that the church buildings at their closed parishes should be reopened years after the archdiocese shut them down.
Those recent wins had Sean Glennon, a parishioner at Mary Star of the Sea in Quincy, hopeful about their appeal. On Tuesday, he was puzzled why none of the Boston-area parishes prevailed.
"It's just very disconcerting, and it's very disappointing," he said.
In the appeals, parishioners weren't asking the Vatican to reopen the parishes, which include rectories, churches and other buildings. They instead argued that their local diocese hadn't justified its decision to convert the church building from sacred to secular use, a necessary move before sale.
The parishioners can appeal the decision to the Vatican high court, the Apostolic Signatura, and at least four of the groups will do so, said Peter Borre of the Council of Parishes, which was formed to protest the church closings.
____
Nebraska governor says bias protections for gay, transgender people should be up to voters
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's governor says Omaha and Lincoln ordinances barring discrimination against gay and transgender people should be put to public votes.
Gov. Dave Heineman, at a news conference Tuesday in Lincoln, cited a recent opinion from the state attorney general's office. The May 4 opinion said voters could approve changes to city charters to extend protections to groups not covered by state law, but local governments lack the authority.
Opinions issued by the office lack the force of law but guide legislators and officials statewide and often are cited in disputes over hotly debated issues.
Nebraska's anti-discrimination laws and federal regulations don't extend protection to gay and transgender people.
Omaha narrowly adopted an ordinance in March that said employers, employment agencies, job training programs, labor groups, public accommodations and businesses that contract with the city are barred from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. It provides exemptions for religious organizations.
Omaha city attorney Paul Kratz has said the city's legal team disagrees with the attorney general office's opinion, and he doesn't think it will have any effect on the new ordinance.
Backers argued that the proposal would make Omaha a more welcoming city to a diverse workforce. Opponents countered that the proposals would add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and open up businesses to lawsuits.
____
Judge allows Shoshone tribe into faith-based eagle permit case
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge is allowing the Eastern Shoshone Tribe to challenge the Northern Arapaho's plan to kill bald eagles on the reservation they share in Wyoming.
