What made news in the Albany Diocese during 2003

Here is a review of major news items about the Albany Diocese that appeared in The Evangelist during the 12 months of 2003:

JANUARY: New York State's bishops challenge in court the new insurance mandate from New York State that religious employers cover contraception...Bishop Howard J. Hubbard applauds Armenian Christians during Week of Christian Unity...Parishes of the Albany Diocese soldier through winter blizzards...Diocese plans Avila housing for seniors...The Evangelist redesigns its website...Bishop urges advocacy for peace...St. Joseph's-St. John's Academy in Rensselaer announces it will close in June.

FEBRUARY: Catholic officials worry about state budget cuts...Diocese adopts Virtus training program against sexual abuse...Shelters struggle to meet needs during frigid winter...Supreme Court judge cautions attorneys in clergy sex abuse cases not to seek publicity for clients...Marian Academy in Schenectady announces it will close at end of school year.

MARCH: Bishop urges end to death penalty...Symposium at Siena College in Loudonville scheduled to examine clergy sexual abuse issue...The Evangelist publishes first in-depth interview with Bishop clergy abuse issue...Diocese's victims/survivors assistance coordinator profiled...Community Hospice program helps families deal with war deployments...Girls from St. Mary/St. Paul's parish in Hudson Falls sponsor can drive to help ill friend.

APRIL: Bishop outlines complexities of abuse scandal...Catholics weave palms received on Palm Sunday...Two diocesan priests removed after allegations of sexual abuse...Bishop's Appeal campaign seeks funds.

MAY: Inner-city parishes in Troy and Schenectady seek to improve communities...Seven students from The University at Albany join Church...Abuse hotline takes calls reacting to abuse crisis...Bishop writes on pastoral planning for future of parishes...Diocese continues to fulfill Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People as three more priests go on leave...Diocese links with Africa to help Hospice there...Bishop's Appeal collects record donations...Woman serves as chaplain at Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility.

JUNE: Diocese reaches out to clergy sex abuse victims through media...Diocese responds to national survey on abuse...Bishop states that faith formation never ends for Catholics...Bishop reviews diocesan efforts to combat abuse...The Evangelist wins five Catholic Press Association awards...Three Johnstown churches merge to become Holy Trinity parish.

JULY: Mentor for terminally ill inmates at Coxsackie Correctional Facility profiled...Pakistani nun visits Albany Diocese, describes oppression...Catholic Charities links to healthcare agencies for better service...Diocese debuts new Ignatian retreat...Bishop's Appeal final tally is more than $6.4 million, a seven-percent increase over 2002...Pastoral planning focuses on future of parishes in Watervliet and Green Island...Abuse lawsuit against Diocese dismissed.

AUGUST: Bishop lauds Jesuit document analyzing abortion debate...Priest boosts ministry to deaf in Diocese...Marine from Diocese describes war in Iraq...Missioners speak at parishes about their work...Teens raise funds to attend National Catholic Youth Conference...Bishop says Labor Day reminds Catholics to face economic concerns.

SEPTEMBER: Diocese distributes information to expand efforts to end abuse...Albany's South End becomes home to Mother Teresa Community to provide services, liturgies to needy...Lawsuit against Sister Anne Bryan Smollin withdrawn...Diocesan priest dropped from abuse suit; victims' lawyer warned of possible contempt charges.

OCTOBER: Woman's cancer battle leads her to write book...Diocese opens house of discernment for future priests...Diocese updates independent auditors on how abuse crisis is being handled...Newspapers in Education program brings The Evangelist into classrooms...Diocesan chancellor describes attending Mother Teresa's beatification ceremony.

NOVEMBER: The Evangelist spotlights Catholic teens in annual special issue...Bishop says lay ministry is sign of health in Catholicism...Pro-lifers celebrate federal ban on partial-birth abortions...On the 40th anniversary of his assassination, Catholics remember John F. Kennedy...Herkimer wedding taped for television show.

DECEMBER: Diocese releases statistics for half-century on clergy sex abuse...Study underway to determine changes in Saratoga County Catholic schools...Bishop calls Advent perfect time to think of homeless...Diocese announces new program, led by independent director, to help abuse victims heal pain.

(1/8/04) [[In-content Ad]]