Newsbriefs: St. Andrew Church marks 125th anniversary with April events

Covering the old, new, traditional and avant-garde with a comprehensive curriculum, the Conservatory enrolls over 1,200 students annually onsite and serves nearly 3,500 students through extensive outreach programs for the Pasadena Unified and other School Districts.

 Faculty performers appearing at St. Andrew’s will offer a full program of stirring classical pieces, including selections from “Il Trovatore” and “Romeo and Juliet.” The public is invited and no tickets or reservations are required for this event. St. Andrew Church is located at 311 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena; for information, call (626) 792-4183.

 St. John’s open house cancelled

CAMARILLO — The St. John’s Seminary Open House planned for April 9 has been cancelled, and will be rescheduled for a later date this fall. Over the last several days the access road to the seminary was partially washed away by recent rainstorms. The road needs to be repaired before the Open House is scheduled. For information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (805) 389-2035.

High court tosses out challenge to Arizona tuition tax credit program

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court April 4 tossed out a challenge to Arizona's tuition tax credit program — which directs money to scholarships for students at mostly Catholic nonpublic schools — saying that because no direct state expenditures are involved, taxpayers have no legal basis for suing.

The 5-4 ruling written by Justice Anthony Kennedy held that because the arrangement is for taxpayers to receive tax credits for their donations to tuition scholarship organizations, no actual state spending is involved and that therefore taxpayers in general lack jurisdiction for challenging the program.

"In an era of frequent litigation, class actions, sweeping injunctions with prospective effect, and continuing jurisdiction to enforce judicial remedies, courts must be more careful to insist on the formal rules of standing, not less so," wrote Kennedy. He was joined in the decision by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Scalia also wrote a brief concurring opinion.

In a strong dissent, Justice Elena Kagan said that because of the program the state has lost an estimated $350 million in revenue that never got into government coffers since the 1997 law took effect.

The program allows tax credits of up to $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples who donate money to a scholarship tuition organization, which in turn uses the money to fund scholarships for students who attend private schools, including religious schools. The vast majority of such scholarships have gone to students who attend religious schools.

"The court's arbitrary distinction threatens to eliminate all occasions for a taxpayer to contest the government's monetary support of religion. Precisely because appropriations and tax breaks can achieve identical objectives," wrote Kagan, "the government can easily substitute one for the other.

Ron Johnson, executive director of the Arizona Catholic Conference, told Catholic News Service that Kagan's conclusion that the program costs the state money overlooks how much Arizona saves by not having to pay for educating the thousands of children who get scholarships to nonpublic schools.

Johnson said the average credit --- or the amount that doesn't go into state coffers --- is $2,000, while the average cost to the state to educate a child is $9,000 to $10,000 a year. The difference of $7,000 to $8,000 per child is an expenditure the state doesn't have to make for that student. Johnson said private schools typically have lower per-student costs, and the balance of the expense is covered by the parents and by the parishes or other private organizations that sponsor the schools.

Thousands rally at Georgia Capitol to protest immigration measures

ATLANTA (CNS) --- Catholics were among the thousands of people who filled the streets surrounding the state Capitol to oppose legislation that targets illegal immigrants in Georgia. Critics say the proposals will weaken the state's economy and lead to racial profiling. The crowd railed against a measure in the state House and one in the Senate, holding signs with messages such as "The pilgrims were undocumented" and "No human being is illegal."

Throughout the rally, the crowd chanted in Spanish: "Yes, we can!"

Nora Soto, 35, who is in school to learn hairdressing, spent March 24 on Washington Street in the shadow of the Capitol's gold dome. She worships at Our Lady of the Americas Mission in Lilburn. "It's going to separate families. It's not fair. We came here to work and find a better life," said Soto, who has lived in the United States for 20 years. Soto was one of a reported 6,000 people at the rally, which featured musicians, priests, political leaders and activists.

The proposals would broaden the powers of local police to enforce immigration laws and would require businesses to use an online verification system when hiring. The bills would also create criminal penalties for assisting people who are in the country illegally. Each bill passed in the chamber where it originated. A compromise measure was expected to take shape in the final days of the legislative session.

Georgia isn't alone in trying to deal with illegal immigration. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 2010, 46 states and the District of Columbia enacted 208 laws dealing with immigration and refugees.

New Arizona law mandates ultrasounds, bars 'telemedicine' abortions

PHOENIX (CNS) --- Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law legislation that will require abortion providers to allow women the opportunity for an ultrasound exam at least one hour prior to obtaining an abortion.

"This bill sends a message that Arizonans continue to care deeply about protecting life and protecting families," Brewer said April 2 as she signed H.B. 2416, which was passed by the Legislature March 30. It also prohibits the practice of "telemedicine" with regard to chemical abortions, whereby a physician consults via video conference with a woman seeking a drug to induce an abortion and gives her a prescription without ever seeing her in person.

The new law will likely save lives, according to Ron Johnson, executive director of the Arizona Catholic Conference, the public policy arm for the Phoenix and Tucson dioceses and the Diocese of Gallup, N.M., which includes part of Arizona. "The woman can say no, but they do have to offer her an ultrasound at least an hour before," Johnson said. "We want to give them a little bit of time to have meaningful reflection so they can actually see their unborn child."

Johnson said women could still refuse the ultrasound, but will at least have the option and time to think before undergoing an abortion. Not surprisingly, he said, those who favor abortions have opposed the bill. "We see people who call themselves pro-choice showing themselves to be anything but," Johnson said. "You would think that these so-called pro-choicers would be supportive of legislation or efforts that would enhance the woman's informed choice of what she was going to do. But of course, they are always opposed to this type of legislation."

Archbishop, Cardinal scheduled to speak at Napa Institute in July

IRVINE --- The Napa Institute, a grass-roots organization designed to “lead Catholics to a deeper understanding of the truth behind the faith,” will be held July 28-31 at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa. Organized by Catholic businessman and philanthropist Tim Busch of Orange County, the Institute’s list of speakers includes Archbishop José H. Gomez and Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, Archbishop-emeritus Alexander Brunett of Seattle and Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento. “As Catholics, we are challenged in our ability to influence the course of American culture,” Busch said. “The Napa Institute will equip us to meet that challenge by achieving several goals — not the least of which is to more fully understand the Magisterium of the Church, as well as to find our voice and our strength with our Catholic peers.” For information, call (949) 474-7368 or visit www.napa-institute.org.