FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETIS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
t eanc 0 VOL 26, NO.2
FALL RIVER, MASS., THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1982
20e, $6 Per Year
Test tube baby debate flares: WASHINGTON (NC) - The use of in vitro fertilization to produce test tube babies is ethic ally acceptable, according to Dr. Leroy Walters, director of the bioethics center at Georgetown University's Kennedy Insitute of Ethics. Although there are some ques tions surrounding the process in which an egg from the mother and sperm from the father are united in a laboratory dish and the resulting embyro is implant ed in the mother's womb, where it develops like another unborn child - the method itself can be used for either good or evil and should not be considered part of a pro-abortion mentality, Walters said. In vitro fertilization is used to help couples who cannot other wise have children because of reproductive system deficiencies. Some church leaders and pro life groups have opposed the process, and debate over its ethi cal permissibility flared again with the Dec. 28 birth of Eliza
beth Carr, the first test tube baby born in the U.S. In 1979, a federal ethics ad visory board which included re ligious and medical personnel, also decided that research on in vitro fertilization is ethically acceptable although it raises cer tain questions. Jesuit Father Richard McCor mick, Kennedy Institute ethics professor and an ethics board member, agreed with the board's conclusions, although he too ex pressed reservations. Among the other recommendations, board stated; in vitro fertiliza tion research that stopped short of transferring an embyro into the womb was acceptable if it met certain criteria, including one providing that no embryos would be sustained outside the womb for more than 14 days, the time at which inplantation .usually occurs. Also in 1979, Bishop Thomas Kelly, general secretary of the National ~onference of Catholic Tum to Page Six
Aren't they Americans too?
• disappointing
Response .IS President Reagan supports tui tion tax credit legislation but his attitude is not shared by legisla tors serving Southeastern Massa chusetts. Last Nov. 4 The Anchor wrote to Senators and representatives serving the diocesan area. Each was asked his or her stand on tuition tax credits ':as a method of achieving freedom of choice and equity in education," and on specific Senate and House bills addressing the matter; Senators Edward M. Kennedy "and Paul E. Tsongas and Repre sentative Gerry E. Studds ex pressed opposition to the tax credit concept. Representative Margaret M. Heckler did not answer the ques tions posed, simply outlining the status of various tuition tax
credit bills and concluding "This is one of the most complex and far-reaching education issues be fore this Congress, so I particu larly appreciate your thoughts and suggestions." The Anchor's letter and the complete texts of all responses are on page 8 of tl1is issue.
Father Coleman said it was crucial that tuition tax credit supporters should write to Rea gan now, as the fis~al 1983 bud get message is being prepared.
Despite disappointing reac tions from state legislators, said Father George W. Coleman, dio cesan director of education, he is encouraged by response to a diocesan letter-writing campaign" mounted last fall at about the time President Reagan told a meeting of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education that his administration would "keep its pledge to work with this Con gress to fashion the kind of legis·
"We should reiterate our gratitude for the president's stance," said the diocesan edu cator, "and encourage him to present it in the context of the budget." Agreeing that now is the time "for the non-public school como" munity to make a concerted ef tort to urge enactment of tuition tax credit legislation," Archbish op Thomas Kelly, general secreTurn to Page Eight
Precision to
JUDITH CARR admires her newborn daughter Eliza beth, the .first U.S. test tube baby. (NCIUPI Photo)
With clockwork preCISIOn " honed by the experience of 26" years, the 27th annual Bishop's Charity Ball will begin at 8 to morrow night at Lincoln Park Ballroom, North Dartmouth. Promptly at that hour the Top hatters, led by Gene Arieta, will begin playing for dancing in the
lation which provides tax reo lief to the families which pay tuition in addition to supporting their public schools."
marl~
Ball program
main ballroom. At 9 o'clock they will move to the ballroom lounge and the Buddy ,Braga orchestra will be heard in the ballroom. At 9:05 p.m. Bishop Daniel A. Cronin will be escorted to his brightly decorated box by hon orary ball chairpersons Joseph Gromada, president of the Fall
River Particular Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Miss Ethel· Crowley, presi dent of the Diocesan ·Council of Catholic Women. From 9: I0 to 9:35, young women, escorted by their fathers or other male relatives, will be Turn to Page Six
27th bishop"s ball tomorro\v night