In the wake of Governor Spitzer's Resignation . . .

• Bishops hope to work with new governor for 'common good' of New York Catholic News Service:

  ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- The head of the New York State Catholic Conference in Albany, on behalf of the conference and the state's Catholic bishops, assured New York's new governor of prayers as he "assumes his awesome responsibilities under extraordinarily difficult circumstances."
  

  "I look forward to working closely with Gov. (David) Paterson and the Legislature on behalf of the common good" of the state, said Richard E. Barnes, the conference's executive director, in a March 12 statement.
  

  Paterson, the state's lieutenant governor, was to be sworn in as governor March 17 to succeed Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who announced his resignation March 12 in the wake of a prostitution-ring scandal.
  

  Barnes described Paterson as "highly intelligent, well versed on the issues and extremely affable." He noted that they have not always agreed, but said that Paterson has been respectful of the state's Catholic conference "in our role as advocates for the most vulnerable members of society."
  

  The Catholic conference represents New York state's bishops in matters of public policy.
  

  Barnes also said Paterson has "an appreciation for the role of the Catholic Church, which is the largest nongovernmental provider of health care, human services and education in New York state, and for the perspective we bring to the public policy arena."

  
  

• Elliot Spitzer and Abortion, by Paul Moses. dotCommonweal:

  New York state’s Catholic bishops had a long-awaited appointment with Gov. Eliot Spitzer at the state Capitol in Albany on Monday at 3 p.m. to protest his pending abortion rights legislation. For some reason, it kept getting put off, and Cardinal Edward Egan and fellow bishops were left to wonder why. They were told at one point that the lieutenant-governor, David Paterson, would meet with them. But that failed to come through. They were finally able to deduce the problem after a New York Times report on the Web indicated that Spitzer was occupied with other worries.
  

  Spitzer’s legislation would declare abortion a “fundamental right.” The New York State Catholic Conference argues that state regulators could use such a “radical” law to coerce Catholic hospitals to provide abortions. . . .

  [See: Spitzer Pushing Bill to Shore Up Abortion Rights New York Times April 26, 2007 for background details].
  

Let's hope New York's Catholic Bishops meet a more receptive and cooperative governor in the person of David Paterson.

As for ex-governor Spitzer -- let's keep the man in our prayers that he may seek true repentence, and particularly for his wife and family that they will weather the media's storm.