CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN DIEGO : Surgeons Remove Bishop’s Tumor

Roman Catholic Bishop Leo T. Maher, who drew widespread attention when he banned a pro-choice political candidate from receiving Communion last year, was in serious condition after surgery to remove a brain tumor. Maher, 74, was alert and able to talk soon after the 2 1/2-hour operation at Scripps Clinic. Doctors said they were optimistic he would recover, but expressed concern about the possible recurrence of the life-threatening tumor. Maher, who oversees the 462,000-member diocese encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, may be released from the hospital in four to seven days, a Scripps spokeswoman said. Dr. Thomas Waltz, who led the operating team, said doctors removed 75% to 80% of the tumor, which was about 3 inches in diameter. “It’s a tumor that you really can’t classify as either malignant or benign,” Waltz said. “It doesn’t spread to other parts of the body. But it can recur.”