Catholics makeup the single largest denomination in Minnesota. With more than a million members and hundreds of thousands in financial contributions, Minnesota Public Radio calls the Catholic Church "a powerful force in the debate over a constitutional amendment" that would essentially prohibit gay marriage.

Catholics for Marriage Equality Minnesota wants Archbishop John Nienstedt to put a stop to the church's support a state Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. The archdiocese has been a leading contributor to the campaign.

News that Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has been uninvited to speak at a south Minneapolis Catholic church may be premature, according to church officials. Ritchie was scheduled to talk before mass on Aug. 12 at St. Joan of Arc. A spokesman for the archdiocese had reportedly said that invitation was being rescinded over Ritchie's efforts to change wording of the proposed marriage amendment.

The Daily Planet profiles two of the seven female Catholic priests in the state. They have been excommunicated by the church, but they persist. "It's a dysfunctional family," Linda Wilcox says of the Catholic church. "But it's still my family."

The Church of the Holy Spirit says the charges are credible enough to warrant a meeting. The unidentified deacon is accused of abusing two boys over 40 years ago.