Good morning . . .
The College of Cardinals has set April 18 for the start of the conclave to elect the next Pope.
Vatican spokesperson Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the date was set Wednesday after the cardinals read a spiritual testament from John Paul II.
The conclave will begin with a morning mass followed by the cardinals being sequestered in the Sistine Chapel in the afternoon.
According to church law, prelates are expected to hold at least one ballot on the first day of a conclave. If no one gets the required two-thirds majority after about 12 days, cardinals may change procedure and elect the pope by simple majority.
These are just part of the changes initiated by Pope John Paul II.
All but a handful of the 117 Cardinals eligible to vote were elevated by John Paul II. One prelate will not be attending the conclave. Jamie Cardinal Sin of the Philippines will not attend the Conclave due to illness. Under Canon law he may not send a substitute to Rome for the election.
Boston.com / News / World / Europe / Secret papal election set for April 18
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Another state has joined a growing list passing state constitutional amendments banning same sex marriage.
Kansas voted decided overwhelmingly to ad a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state. The ban upholds the state's long-standing policy of recognizing only marriages between one man and one woman. The amendment also declares that only such unions are entitled to the "rights and incidents" of marriage. This effectively prohibits the state from authorizing civil unions for gay couples.
Kansas is the 18th state to amend its constitution against same-sex marriage.
Yahoo! News - Kansas Voters Approve Gay Marriage Ban
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Meanwhile on the other side of the country, Connecticut lawmakers say they have enough votes to pass a bill that will allow civil unions in the state.
This would be the first state that has passed such a law without court intervention.
Connecticut eyes civil unions - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - April 06, 2005
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Speaking of Connecticut. The state may be the first to challenge the No Child Left Behind Act in court.
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said a lawsuit is being prepared that would contend the law illegally and unconstitutionally requires states and communities to spend millions of dollars more than the federal government provides for test development and school reform programs.
While other states have questioned the law and its affects on educational programs and have asked for changes (translate - more money), they have not gone to court. Blumenthall believes other state will join in the suit.
Newsday.com: Connecticut to challenge No Child Left Behind education law
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House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) was scheduled to lead a House delegation to the funeral of Pope John Paul II, but he is currently in Bethsda Naval Hospital undergoing treatment for kidney stones. A press release says, "He is expected to make a quick recovery." The procedure will not allow the Speaker to attend the funeral on Friday.
CNSNews.com -- News This Hour
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More later.
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