Arizona court upholds clergy privilege in child abuse case
The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can refuse to answer questions or turn over documents under a state law that exempts religious officials from having to report child sex abuse if they learn of the crime during a confessional setting.
Bill to require clergy to report child sex abuse dies in Senate
Her daughter wouldn’t have spent the first 30 months of her life enduring violent abuse if a bill a panel of Arizona senators voted to kill under religious pressure today had been law six years ago, a mother told the Senate committee.
Time running out for some sex abuse victims to file suit
Time is quickly running out for many who were sexually assaulted or abused years ago as children to try to get some justice from perpetrators or those who allowed it to occur.
This Republican hopes Dems bring debate circus to town
If the Democrat candidates do find themselves on a debate stage in Arizona a few months from now, I look forward to watching them try to adapt their far-left rhetoric and policy agendas for a Southwestern audience. I wish them luck. They’ll need it.
Senate near on budget deal with holdout lawmaker
The fate of an $11.8 billion budget could be decided today as lawmakers debate the question of the liability of churches, the Boy Scouts and other organizations over old charges of sexual abuse.
Politics is not the place for religious evangelism
Our presidential election campaign is picking up steam, and money is being raised as never before, mostly to convince voters that the other party’s guy is a very poor choice to be president. Most voters have already dug in and need little convincing that their views are a kind of political light that must prevail over the opposing darkness. It’s as if we have brought religious sectarianism int[...]
Morning-after pill avoids spotlight in new contraception law
While a bill allowing religiously motivated employers to deny contraception coverage to workers spurred heated debate on its path to becoming law this session, one of its provisions was largely overlooked.
Catholics, Southern Baptists oppose anti-illegal immigration bills
For years, the Catholic clergy in Arizona has been among the most prominent religious organization opposing various anti-illegal-immigration measures at the Capitol. With the Mormon church’s statement, and a similar one from the Southern Baptist Convention, the Catholics now have new allies.
Pivotal witness against ethnic studies program files suit against TUSD, teachers
A former teacher considered to be a pivotal witness against the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American Studies program alleges in a lawsuit filed May 9 the district and his former colleagues defamed him.
Top lawyer to represent accused Arizona gunman
The attorney for a 22-year-old loner accused of trying to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has a low-key style and a record of saving high-profile clients from the death penalty.
Frenzy surrounds Ariz. shooting suspect’s hearing
Throngs of reporters waited hours Monday to get their first look at the mysterious man accused of a deadly shooting rampage that left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded.
Suspect in Tucson shooting held without bail
Jared Loughner, the 22-year-old loner accused of trying to assassinate a U.S. Congresswoman and killing six others, appeared in court Monday with his head shaved, a cut above the right temple and his hands cuffed.