Should Catholics boycott film?

The Baltimore Sun

William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, is urging Catholics not to see “The Golden Compass,” a children's fantasy based on the first book of British author Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Donohue, who has not yet seen the film, set for release Dec. 7, says it promotes an atheist agenda that is profoundly anti-Church. His Dark Materials centers on a world run by the sinister and dictatorial Magisterium, a force that suppresses free will, demands conformity and punishes anyone who deviates from the norm. More info here»

Schools want to stay Catholic

The Washington Post

Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl announced he is considering plans from three D.C. Catholic schools that want to continue operating as parochial schools instead of being converted to charter schools. Last month, Wuerl proposed that eight Catholic schools convert to charter schools -- a move that would allow them to operate with public funds. In an interview, Archbishop Wuerl repeated his desire for Catholic schools to remain open as religious schools if they can be financially viable. His proposal has touched a nerve among many Catholics, including some African Americans who say the conversions would limit academic options for minority children. More info here»

Coat-of-arms confusion

The Independent

The red hat for Cardinal-designate Sean Brady could lead to a diplomatic incident for the Irish Government. By tradition, a newly crowned cardinal gets an official “coat of arms” from the government. But the suspension of Ireland's heraldic services over doubts about its legitimacy has created the scenario where, if the new cardinal is to secure a coat of arms "he must either wait or apply to the queen of a foreign jurisdiction in London," according to one expert. More info here»