National Public Radio: on Families & Children

Pope Francis: Not ready for married priests, nor female deacons

The proposals came out of a special Synod of Bishops last October. Deacons are allowed to oversee weddings and baptisms but are not permitted to consecrate the Communion wafer and wine. A critical shortage of priests has hobbled Catholics' ability to celebrate sacraments in the Amazon. Pope Francis [released] a document titled Querida Amazonia--or "Dear Amazon."

"Priests are necessary, but this does not mean that permanent deacons (of whom there should be many more in the Amazon region), religious women and lay persons cannot regularly assume important responsibilities for the growth of communities," Francis wrote. The pope added that women "should have access to positions, including ecclesial services, that do not entail Holy Orders."

Richard Blumenthal: McMahon's WWE is adult entertainment marketed to children

Outside the debate, hundreds of supporters for both candidates tried to shout down one another. Blumenthal supporters, many representing local labor unions, brought a huge inflatable "fat cat" with the name tag Linda McMahon around its neck. The cat held an inflatable worker, which hoisted a sign that read: "Don't cut my minimum wage," a reference to McMahon's recent comments about how future minimum wage increases should be closely scrutinized to make sure small businesses are not being harmed.

Blumenthal criticized WWE accepting $10 million in state tax credits and later laying off 10% of its work force in 2009.