VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis declared on Tuesday he is allowing all priests in the church's upcoming Year of Mercy to absolve women of the "sin of abortion" if they repent with a "contrite heart," saying he is acutely aware some feel they have no choice but to abort.
With only one week left, the Boston Public Library's exhibit on the Handel & Haydn Society provides a fascinating retrospective of the illustrious group's 200 year history. It is the oldest performing arts organization in the country.
The choral society began on February 16, 1815, when the Second Baptist Singing Society performed the music of George Frideric Handel and Joseph Haydn at a concert in Boston. The performance was such a success that a second concert with 250 singers and musicians followed on February 22nd to celebrate George Washington's birthday and the end of the War of 1812. Later that year, the H+H Society was formally incorporated, taking its name from the two great composers.
