Rachel Vargas

Cardinal John J. O'Connor of New York said he was not consulted about the excommunication of a Roman Catholic woman for heading a Texas abortion clinic and insisted he had no plans for taking similar action in his archdiocese. Speaking after Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, O'Connor said he had no role in the excommunication of Rachel Vargas by Bishop Rene Gracida of Corpus Christi, Tex. Gracida excommunicated Vargas in June for working as the director of an abortion clinic.

Cardinal John J. O'Connor of New York said he was not consulted about the excommunication of a Roman Catholic woman for heading a Texas abortion clinic and insisted he had no plans for taking similar action in his archdiocese. Speaking after Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, O'Connor said he had no role in the excommunication of Rachel Vargas by Bishop Rene Gracida of Corpus Christi, Tex. Gracida excommunicated Vargas in June for working as the director of an abortion clinic.

The Roman Catholic Church has formally excommunicated an abortion clinic director, saying in a decree that her work "is a sin against God and humanity." An abortion rights leader said Friday that the action may be unprecedented, but a church official noted that a Rhode Island woman had received a letter in 1986 saying she had brought excommunication on herself by helping women get abortions. Rachel Vargas, director of Reproductive Services Inc., was excommunicated by Bishop Rene H.

The Roman Catholic Church has formally excommunicated an abortion clinic director, saying in a decree that her work "is a sin against God and humanity." An abortion rights leader said Friday that the action may be unprecedented, but a church official noted that a Rhode Island woman had received a letter in 1986 saying she had brought excommunication on herself by helping women get abortions. Rachel Vargas, director of Reproductive Services Inc., was excommunicated by Bishop Rene H.

Shawnee Slade, who had a win streak end at three April 2, will try to begin another in tonight's $15,000 Pacific Beach Handicap at 350 yards. Trained by Adan Farias for owner Rachel Vargas, Shawnee Slade, a 4-year-old Red Hot Rhythm mare, finished second to an extremely sharp That Lovely Day in the Paradise Handicap last month. The loss by a head came after the Utah-bred had begun 2004 with three consecutive victories. Rider Rodrigo Aceves retains the mount in the field of six.

Contributing to the Times earthquake coverage were Alan Abrahamson, Fred Alvarez, Mike Alvarez, Eric Bailey, Lilia Beebe, Leslie Berger, Edward J. Boyer, Bettina Boxall, Miguel Bustillo, Sara Catania, Robert Chamberlin, John Chandler, Carol Chastang, Mathis Chazanov, Stephanie Chavez, Jack Cheevers, Susan Christian, David Colker, Richard C.

Key to Election Tables * An asterisk (*) denotes an incumbent candidate; a dagger (**) denotes an appointed incumbent. * A double dagger (***) indicates a race in a district shared by two or more counties. For that reason, individual tables do not reflect the total vote. * Elected candidates and approved measures--or those leading with 99% of precincts reporting--are in bold type. Results are not official and could be affected by absentee ballots.

Key to Election Tables -- An asterisk (*) denotes an incumbent candidate; a double asterisk (**) denotes an appointed incumbent. -- A triple asterisk (***) indicates a race in a district shared by two or more counties. For that reason, individual tables do not reflect the total vote. -- Elected candidates and approved measures are in bold type. Results are not official and could be affected by absentee ballots.

Key to Election Tables * An asterisk (*) denotes an incumbent candidate; a dagger (**) denotes an appointed incumbent. * A double dagger (***) indicates a race where a runoff election will be held between the top two candidates if no one receives more than half of the vote. * Elected candidates and approved measures--or those leading with 99% of precincts reporting--are in bold type. Runoff elections may be required in nonpartisan races where no candidate receives over 50% of the vote.