NEWS
This is the NEWS page of this website. In reality, however, it serves not so much as a news page as an
announcements page, for it is beyond the scope of this page to act as a newspaper
or newsletter.
Announcements found on this page will likely be of general interest
but will often fall short of requiring official and/or assured promptness. Indeed, in some cases, they
will be of interest even long after the date of the announcement or of what is announced; and when that
is deemed to be so, they will eventually be moved to an News Archive page on this website: to
go there, click
here.
Generally, an article will show (just below its headline) the following on two lines in the following
order: when the article (even if revised to keep it up to date) was first posted to this page and the
date (if any) of any main event, as being announced or reported on in the article. If and when an
article is archived, it may retain these two lines of information, to assist the historians among us.
IRS Rules on Charitable Deductions
New: 2007 (and revised periodically since)
Event: Indefinite
The IRS has updated its rules regarding deductions for cash gifts (including by check) to charitable
organizations, such as Dignity. A gift is deductible only if
the taxpayer has in hand a receipt (when the tax return claiming a deduction
is being filed), regardless of the amount; but
your cancelled check can serve as a receipt. For any gift over
$250, one must have an acknowledgement of the gift from the donee; but this may be
one for each gift over $250 or an overall one listing all such gifts for the year, showing
date and amount of each and the total of gifts for the year. The chapter each year acknowledges
the total of verified gifts made by an individual when the
total for the year is in excess of $250, specifying the date and amount of each gift that
is in excess of $250 and the total for the year. Gifts given in unverifiable manners (such as
loose cash in the collection basket at a liturgy) cannot be included. Those who want
the ability to deduct their total donations should consider the annual pledge
drive as the way to donate and to then satisfy the pledge
by check(s), so that the chapter can easily compute a verifiable total and acknowledge the
total and each gift in excess of $250, promptly at the end of the tax year (in time for the
tax-return season) and meeting IRS rules.
Click
here
for the record-keeping rules (Publication 526), including for cash gifts (p. 18) and the special
rules for non-cash gifts (pp 18-19), out-of-pocket expenses (pp 19-20), and reporting gifts
on your tax return (p. 20).
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Hans Kung
In 2010, the renowned Swiss theologian (and former collegue of the Pope) wrote an
Open
Letter
to all bishops, to call for an Ecumenical Council. More recently (in 2012), he has called for
a revolution from below to force radical reform at the Vatican, particularly its crushing of
dissent by use of "rigid ... rules for choosing bishops." The "only way for reform is from the
bottom up," he says. "The priests and others in positions of responsiblity need to stop being
so subservient, to organize themselves and say that there are certain things that they simply
will not put up with anymore."
Pax Nidorf Speech
At the 2012 anniversary dinner of Dignity/LA, Dignity founder
Pax Nidorf spoke. Click to view his
speech
and event
photos,
including a photo of him.
Contraception
Dignity/USA has endorsed an open
letter
on public policy on contraception.
Priests Speak Out
400 Austria priests issue broad
appeal
for a Church reform movement.
Pastor on Vatican Mandate to Nuns
Cleveland pastor writes on the Vatican mandate to LCWR; click
here
to read.
Parish Closings
The Vatican has reversed Cleveland's bishop on closing of 13 parishes. To read more, click
here.
Church Workers
Click
here
to read an Open Letter from CTA to Lay Church Workers.
Hans Kung Letter
Renowned Swiss theologian writes an
Open
Letter
to all bishops, to seek a new Ecumenical Council.
Accountability
Read the VOTF
demand
bishops be more accountable.
Catholic or R.C.?
Dilemma Rome poses for Catholics analyzed by priest in QV
article.
Natl Convention
The 40th anniversary convention of Dignity USA was held in July 2009 in San Francisco. Click
here
to see the Convention brochure and
here
to see chapter's ad in Program book.
4th of July Party
The July 4 Party was at home of Jim Sheya.
Click
here
to see the flyer for the event.
Picking Bishops
Popes appointing all the world's bishops is not the
traditional way.
Receipts for IRS
See the IRS
rule
and a
summary
re deducting donations to chapter.
Firing Protested
CTA
spotlights
a campaign to hold back donations, to protest firing of a church worker.
HIV Testing
Free HIV
testing
is available from DAP, at six local facilities.
McNeill Letter
Read the
Open Letter
of 2003 to the U.S. bishops by Jesuit Fr. John McNeill.
New Poster
Event: ongoing
Copies of a new
Poster
are ready now at the Center. Please help to get it widely posted.
Abuse of Power
Event: June 2008
In June 2008, a retired Australian bishop spoke in the U.S. on abuse of power by the
bishops. Click
here
for his reflections on his time in the U.S.
J&J Marriage
Event: June 28, 2008
Members Jack and Joaquin got married on June 28 at their home. Click for a group of
photos of the event.
July 4 Party
Event: July 4, 2008
A July 4 Party was held at home of Greg/Martin.
Memorial Day Party
Event: May 26, 2008
The chapter had a Memorial Day party. Check
here
for photos.
Lay Convocation of southern California
Event:
March 29, 2008
A Lay Convocation was held for southern California on March 29, 2008, at the St. Joseph Center in
Orange, California (in northern Orange County). It was a Calling Together of the Laity.
Its purpose was to focus attention on the participation and responsibilities of the laity in the
Catholic Church, reflecting on the gifts received, the hurts endured, and the desire to respond
to the needs of the Church. The objectives are to inspire hope for the future of the Church and
a commitment to action. The oligations and rights of the laity, as articulated in the documents
of the
Second Vatican Council
(1963-65) and in
Canon Law,
were addressed. All were welcome.
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Pastoral Care of GLBTs
At inauguration of this webpage
July 2007
At its biennial national convention in July 2007 in Austin, Texas, Dignity/USA issued its Guidelines
on Pastoral Care of GLBT People; click
here
to read the Guidelines.
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Pope John Paul II on Evolution
At inauguration of this webpage
Indefinite
The englightened teachings of Pope John Paul II on evolution and faith are explained in an excellent
article in the Jesuit America magazine of February 20, 2006. The Pope stated "the theory of
evolution is no longer a mere hypothesis"; and the article refutes some attacks on him since
his death for having adopted that position (and even questioning whether he actually adopted that
position). Click
here
to read the article.
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"We are not on Earth to guard
a museum, but to cultivate
a flourishing garden of life."
Pope John XXIII
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"We must beware of those who
burn with zeal but are not en-
dowed with much sense."
Pope John XXIII,
at the opening of
Vatican Council II
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In 1958, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (he is pictured above) was, at age 78, elected as Pope John XXIII (after
what was widely rumored to be a near miss by Giovanni Batista Montini, who at the time was not yet
a Cardinal but would later be elected Pope Paul VI). Pope John was expected to be just a caretaker; but
he was not. He spoke out for an "updating" of the Church, admitted it needed "some fresh air," and
summoned the Second Vatican Council to help supply it. The Council enacted many reforms, of which
many are still not fully implemented, partly because Pope John died in 1963 (and was succeeded
by Pope Paul, a cautious, almost fearful person), while the Council was still just starting its deliberations.
Pope John is a candidate for sainthood.
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