Nation in brief: Cardinal defends presiding at Mass
Boston – The Archdiocese of Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley has defended his decision to preside over the funeral Mass for Sen. Edward Kennedy, whose support for abortion rights clashed with Catholic teachings.
O’Malley wrote on his blog Wednesday he strongly disagrees with his critics. He notes Kennedy had written to Pope Benedict XVI to acknowledge his failure to always be a faithful Catholic and ask for prayers as he faced brain cancer.
Kennedy died last week at age 77.
O’Malley said it was appropriate for him to represent the church at the funeral service out of respect for Kennedy, his family, those who attended the Mass and those who were praying for the senator.
Christian group announces layoffs
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Focus on the Family announced Wednesday it is laying off 8 percent of its work force, casualties of the latest budget shortfall at the influential conservative Christian group.
Seventy-five employees will lose their jobs and an additional 57 vacant positions will remain unfilled, said Gary Schneeberger, spokesman for the evangelical ministry founded by child psychologist James Dobson.
The cutbacks are necessary because projections show the group will fall 5 percent short of a $138 million budget for the fiscal year ending this month, Schneeberger said.
Focus on the Family president and CEO Jim Daly wrote to donors in July asking for help in addressing a “serious budget shortfall.” Schneeberger said a decline in giving from large donors was the primary culprit.
The layoffs will leave Focus on the Family with about 860 employees, down from a peak 1,400.
Man slaps crying toddler
Stone Mountain, Ga. – Police said a 61-year-old man annoyed with a crying 2-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart slapped the child several times after warning the toddler’s mother to keep her quiet.
A police report said that after the stranger hit the girl at least four times, he said: “See, I told you I would shut her up.”
Roger Stephens of Stone Mountain was charged with felony cruelty to children.
Authorities say the girl and her mother were shopping Monday when the toddler began crying. The police report says Stephens approached the mother and said, “If you don’t shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you.”
Authorities said that after Stephens slapped the girl, she began screaming.