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Catholic bishop suspends priest and issues trespass order over blog about clergy sex abuse A months-long standoff between a Catholic bishop in Virginia and a priest who blogs frequent, strident criticism of the church’s handling of clergy sexual abuse has boiled over, with the diocese suspending the priest from ministry and changing parish and residence locks where he was assigned, the priest said Saturday. The Rev. Mark White, who has been assigned to two southwest Virginia parishes, had refused to leave the church properties despite a trespass order, saying Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout is the one violating canon law by...

Andrew White, the son of former Gov. Mark White, and a member and elder in a PCA church, is running for Texas governor as a democrat candidate. White, 45, is an elder at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Houston, a conservative congregation that is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). In recent days, he has taken heat from other Democrats for being personally against abortion, though he has said he recognizes that abortion remains legal and that he would not try to change that if elected governor. According to online policy papers, PCA opposes same-sex marriage...

Commentary: Dave McNeely Comptrollers count office as rung up Thursday, April 22, 2004 The three Texas comptrollers since 1975 have wanted to be governor. Carole Keeton Strayhorn is no exception. The first two — the late Bob Bullock and John Sharp, both Democrats — eventually settled for a run at lieutenant governor. Bullock won; Sharp didn't. Strayhorn, one loud grandma, has yet to announce her plans. Though she's a Republican like Gov. Rick Perry, Strayhorn has been slapping Perry every time he turns around. She says he: is an ineffective leader, should put more money into the Children's Health Insurance...

State GOP pays tribute to former Gov. Clements Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Republicans on Friday paid tribute to Bill Clements on the 25th anniversary of his first election to the governor's office, crediting him with being the catalyst for the party's rise to statewide dominance. Clements, 86, broke a centurylong Democratic hold on the Governor's Mansion when he was elected in 1978. He lost a re-election bid to Democrat Mark White in 1982 but came back to win the office again in 1986. His two full four-year terms make him the longest-serving governor in Texas history. "Governor Clements...

Democrats are lining up for hot seat Thursday, September 18, 2003 One might question why anyone wants to be the chair of the Texas Democratic Party In The Time Of George Bush. But several folks apparently do. Molly Beth Malcolm announced Tuesday she'll resign Oct. 25. On that day, the State Democratic Executive Committee will choose a replacement to serve until the party's 2004 convention. Malcolm has held the office for 5 1/2 years. Given the Democrats' miserable fortunes recently, some observers would compare the chairmanship to being captain of the Titanic. With the Democrats completely out of power, it's...