Vatican reports budget surplus; donations down
Catholic san Francisco
By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican reported a budget surplus for the first time in four years in 2010, a dividend from tourism and financial markets rebounding from the global slump of 2008. But the Holy See said contributions from Catholics and dioceses around the world had gone down. The budget of the Holy See, which includes offices of the Roman Curia and related agencies, ended 2010 with a surplus of about $13.1 million. The separate budget of Vatican City State, which includes the Vatican Museums, ended 2010 with a surplus of about $28 million, according to a Vatican statement July 2. The figures were released following a three-day meeting of a council of cardinals charged with reviewing Vatican finances. The statement said the Vatican’s financial picture continued to improve, but it cautioned that the global financial picture still presented “elements of uncertainty and instability.” Worldwide giving to the pope decreased in 2010, the statement said. Peter’s Pence collected $67.7 million, compared to $82.5 million in 2009. Peter’s Pence is the sum of gifts made to the pope by particular churches, from institutes of consecrated life and societies VATICAN REPORTS, page 5
Lenience is strength, Sharon K. Perkins says in a reflection on this Sunday’s Scripture readings. And Effie Caldarola worries that the anonymity of today’s technology makes keeping a cool head a challenge many of us are failing. Page 16.
(PHOTO BY RICK DELVECCHIO/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)
Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
Chinese cardinal visits San Francisco Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun is pictured on the roof of the new St. Mary’s School and Chinese Catholic Center in Chinatown July 7 with Paulist Father Daniel McCotter, Old St. Mary’s Cathedral pastor. Cardinal Zen, emeritus bishop of Hong Kong, was in San Francisco on a North American pilgrimage to visit Chinese Catholics and urge them to pray about threats to church independence in China. Story on Page 11.
Bishops urge faithful to oppose bill blocking parental rights on vaccine By Valerie Schmalz The California bishops’ conference is urging Californians to contact their legislators to oppose a bill that would remove the requirement of parental permission for the vaccination of children 12 and older against sexually transmitted diseases. The bill would allow children to consent to treatment with the controversial Gardasil vaccine intended to prevent HPV or human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer. Ninety-one deaths attributed to Gardasil vaccinations have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System as of January, the California Catholic Conference said in a legislative alert. “Minors do not have adequate judgment to make a decision about a vaccine that, as
The bill, set for committee hearing on Aug. 15, would apply to both girls and boys. While vaccination against HPV is touted as a way to lower rates of cervical cancer, many pediatricians also recommend that boys receive the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said it is safe. The CDC recommends the vaccine for ages 11-26. California law already allows children 12 and older to consent, without parental involvement, to treatment for sexually transmitted disease. The law would expand that right to immunizations against sexually transmitted disease. “Most parents are involved in the lives of their minor children and need to know if they are seeking medical care – regardless of whether the care is curative or preventative,” the Catholic conference wrote. “This bill appears
of Jan. 15, 2011, had 21,171 adverse reactions and 91 deaths reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System,” the California Catholic Conference said. AB499 was passed by the Assembly June 2 and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee 3-1 June 14. It was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee July 6 because of new concerns that it could cost the state $300 to $500 per child’s vaccination. The concerns center on a provision that removes parental financial responsibility if a child chooses to be vaccinated without parental consent. “Who will pay if their parents are not knowledgeable or consenting? Since their parents’ insurance would not cover it, the local school or community health clinic would presumably bill the state,” said California Catholic Conference Executive Director Ned Dolejsi.
to be an ‘end run’ following the failure in 2007 to mandate HPV vaccination for all girls entering public junior high school — a measure strongly opposed by parents rights groups and vetoed by the governor,” the conference said. William May, chairman of the lay apostolate Catholics for the Common Good, joined representatives of the Catholic conference in testifying against the bill at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. He said that by removing parental rights, the bill gives inordinate power to doctors and other health care officials. Additionally, if there are allergic reactions, parents may not know why and may not be able to react in a timely manner, he said. “Children can be easily intimidated VACCINE, page 6
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Local papal honors . . . . . . . . 3 News in brief. . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Father Rolheiser . . . . . . . . . 18
Laguna Honda hospital volunteers ~ Page 10 ~ July 15, 2011
Parish’s mission to Guatemala ~ Page 12 ~
Bishop McGrath addresses theologians ~ Page 17 ~
ONE DOLLAR
Datebook of events . . . . . . . 21 Service Directory . . . . . . . . 22
www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 13
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No. 23