ADDENDA - a vote to insert a disclaimer in Oklahoma biology textbooks stating that evolution is a controversial theory - this and other items are discussed - Brief Article

National Catholic Reporter, Dec 3, 1999 by Matt Kantz

AN OKLAHOMA COMMITTEE has voted to require a disclaimer in new biology textbooks that says evolution is a "controversial theory." The Oklahoma State Textbook Committee's Nov. 5 decision makes Oklahoma the latest state, following Kansas and Kentucky, to make an official challenge to the way evolution is taught.

A U.S. TELEPHONE SERVICES COMPANY that makes phone cards carrying images of the Virgin Mary announced Nov. 11 a deal with the Vatican to sell Pope John Paul II phone cards, first in the United States and elsewhere in the year 2000. According to Steve May, chief executive of Sarasota, Florida-based Siesta Telecom, the cards will come only in a $15, 75-minute denomination. The Vatican will receive $1 for each of the cards, limited to a maximum of $4 million monthly.

ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL KPAKALA FRANCIS of Monrovia, Liberia, won the 1999 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Nov. 22 in Washington. "Archbishop Francis has shown great personal courage and tireless leadership in defense of human rights in Liberia," said RFK Human Rights Award judge Rose Styron. Francis is the founder of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.

MICHAEL SANTILLO, a former priest from Schenectady, N.Y., was sentenced to 10 years in prison in New Brunswick, N.J., for molesting a 13-year-old boy. Santillo pleaded guilty in June to one count of aggravated sexual assault against the boy in 1987. Santillo left the priesthood seven years ago.

BISHOP WALDYR CALHEIROS NOVAES, a leading progressive in Brazil's Catholic church, retired at age 76. Novaes stepped down Nov. 17, more than a year after he tendered his resignation. He denounced human rights violations as bishop of Volta Redonda and was accused of subversion during the 1964-1985 dictatorship in Brazil.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME has agreed to a full public disclosure of factories that produce the school's apparel. The disclosure will allow nongovernmental organizations to independently verify the conditions under which Notre Dame apparel is produced. Notre Dame joins about 13 other universities that have agreed to disclosure across the nation.

FR. ROBERT FRANCIS VASA of Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 21 has been named the new bishop of Baker, Ore., by Pope John Paul II. Vasa, 48, is currently vicar general of the Lincoln diocese and will replace retiring bishop Thomas Connolly, 77.

THE BISHOPS' CONFERENCE of the Philippines emerged as the most credible institution in Philippine society in survey results released recently. Sixty-six percent of the respondents to a survey conducted in September by the independent Pulse Asia research group said they trusted the bishops' conference above other individuals and institutions.

Briefs, gathered from news services, correspondents and staff, are compiled and edited by Matt Kantz.