NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      SAN FRANCISCO (CWNews.com) - A group of Catholics in Oakland, California asked their bishop this week to take action against a priest who has been allowing blessing ceremonies for homosexual couples to take place in his church.

      The group said in a letter to Bishop John Cummins of Oakland that Father Dan Danielson of St. Augustine's Church in Pleasanton had allowed three ceremonies to take place in his parish. Father Danielson acknowledged that he had authorized the blessing ceremonies to take place, but did not preside at them himself. He added, "It was nothing resembling a marriage. There was no exchange of vows or rings."

      Sister Barbara Flannery, chancellor of the Diocese of Oakland, said the petition had been received and will be investigated.