Religion around the world

Catholic inmate can watch Mass

BATON ROUGE, La. — The state and the ACLU Foundation of Louisiana have filed an agreement in federal court that will allow a death-row inmate at Angola to practice his Roman Catholic faith. The ACLU, on behalf of Donald Lee Leger Jr., and the state Attorney General's Office also filed a joint motion asking the federal District Court in Baton Rouge to dismiss Leger's lawsuit against the state.Leger, sentenced to die in the 2001 shooting death of 35-year-old Troy Salone, claimed in his lawsuit that prison officials unfairly limited Sunday television services on death row to Baptist or Pentecostal services. Leger complained he was unable to participate in Catholic Mass. The settlement will give Leger the opportunity to watch Catholic Mass on Sunday mornings and up to twice during the week.

Diocese wins halt to ethics probe

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport said it will withdraw its federal lawsuit against Connecticut's ethics office after learning it is no longer being investigated for possible lobbying violations. The Office of State Ethics informed the diocese in writing it was ending the inquiry.

Church officials had sued the office after being notified they were under investigation for possibly failing to register as a lobbyist for a March 11 protest at the state Capitol. Hundreds of Catholics were transported by bus to Hartford that day to rally against legislation that would have changed the way parish finances are handled.

Kentuckian wants displays removed

McKEE, Ky. — A man has asked a federal judge to order nine copies of the Ten Commandments taken down from an eastern Kentucky courthouse.

Eugene Phillips Jr., with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union, sued Jackson County and Judge-Executive William O. Smith over the displays. In the suit, Phillips calls the displays an improper governmental endorsement of religion. It seeks an injunction ordering the county to take down the copies.

Smith told The Lexington Herald-Leader that he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit, but that most county residents would support keeping the display. He said a judge might order the county to remove the Commandments, but "that doesn't mean it's right."

Protesters heckle morality crusader

OKLAHOMA CITY — A state lawmaker who made national headlines by claiming homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism was heckled by protesters as she launched a campaign for a morality proclamation that opponents said promotes an atmosphere of hate.