t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO.3.
Friday, January 21, 1994
F ALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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Pro-tifle postcard campaign, march mark Roe vs. Wade anniversary WASHINGTON (eNS) - In preparation for Projl:ct Life Sunday Jan. 23, U.S. dioceses have ordered more than 6 million sets of postcards urging Congress to keep abortion coverage out of health care reforms. Michael Taylor, director of the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, said 84 percent of U.S. dioceses have Qrdered postcards. Taylor's committee is a Catholic pro-life group that is cosponsoring the campaign with the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for ProLife Activities. Father Stephen A. Fernandes, director of the Fall Riverdiocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, reports that postcards and manuals have been shipped to all parishc:s and implementation of the project will be accompanied by a letter from Bishop Sean O'Mall,~y to be read at all Masses this wl:ekend. Both Father Fernandes and the bishop are in Washington, DC, today with two busloads of diocesan pilgrims for the annual March for Life marking tomorrow's twentyfirst anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade deci_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _1
sion, which removed most state "Representatives from many restrictions on abortion. dioceses and parishes have told me The theme of the \994 postcard they ran out of pro-life postcards" campaign will be "Keep Abortion last year, Taylor said. "This year, Out of Health Care Reform." some dioceses have already run "Americans are becoming more out of cards and are placing lastacutely aware of how strongly they minute orders for more." object to the administration's plan The cam'paign involvesdistributo force them to pay for all abor- tion of sets of four postcards at tions through its health care plan, Catholic parishes during the' Jan. and the orders for postcards keep 22-23 weekend. Parishioners send rolling in," Taylor said. , postcards to each of their U.S. Last year, the committee and senators and their U.S. representhe bishops' agency' cosponsored tative. Another card goes to the the first Project Life Sunday with National Committee for a Human BALL HEADLINERS: Bishop Sean O'Malley with Bella a postcard campaign against the Life Amendment to track partici- Nogueira, president of the Diocesan Cou ncil of Catholic Freedom of Choice Act. That cam- pation in the campaign. The health care plan proposed Women, and Joseph Gromada, president of the diocesan St. paign generated from 3 million to by President Clinton would in- Vincent de Paul Society, chairpersons of the 1994 Bishop's 6 million cards to ~ongress and was credited by some members of clude abortion coverage for all Charity Ball held Jan. 14 at the Venus de Milo, Swansea. Congress with helping to prevent women. The U.S. bishops have Additional photos pages 2,7 and 8. (Hickey photo) passage of the legislation. backed aspects of the ClinFOCA "rests on the back burner ton planmany but strongly oppose the with the pilot light extinguished," inclusion of abortion coverage. Father Fernandes commented. The 1994 postcards carry this message: "Our nation needs to its health care system to CONFIRMATIONS reform protect the lives and enhance the SEE PAGE 9 for the dignity of all, especially the poor 1994 schedule of confirmaand vulnerable, the unserved and Father Charles A. Jodoin, pa- shops and seminars for those intions in diocesan parishes. the unborn. Abortion is not health rochial vicar of St. Patrick parish, volved in liturgical ministries. Turn to Page 13 1111'__ 1 Director During his tenure at Cathedral Fall River, has Office been appointed .. of the of Youth Camp, East Freetown, from 1984Evangelization in the Diocese of 1991, he developed a drama pro::' Fall River. The appointment, by gram and chorus, established a Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM., staff supervision program and was Cap., was effective Jan. 19. a department head, program diLocal Congressman Peter Blute has named Carilyn Flynn and Karen Read winners of an Father Jodoin, ordained to the rector, and head counselor. essay contest for tl~cnagerssponsored by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate to coincide with the During his priestly formation, priesthood last June by Bishop O'Malley, brings to his position a Father Jodoin was a religious eduJan. 22 anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. variety of experiences. From 1984- cation teacher, hospital chaplain, Essays for the contest on the topic "Why My Choice is Life" were accepted in two categories: 1986, he was youth minister for the prison chaplain and a therapeutic Grades 11 and 12 and grades 8 through 10. Mis,S Flynn is a senior at Bishop Feehan High New Bedford North End Youth clinician for adolescent juvenile School, Attleboro, and Miss Read an eighth-grader at Taunton Catholic Middle School. Fellowship and director for its law offenders. This year he was Second-place winners are Nate Cote, also a Bish~p Feehan senior, and Keni Schoonover, a annual retreats. He was also artist chaplain for the Fall River Girl in residence at Carney Academy in Scouts. 10th grade confirmation student at SS. Peter and Paul parish, Fall River. Known for his enthusiasm, sense New Bedford, where he taught Congressman Blute selected the winners from 10 essays in each category submitted to him speech and communications of humor and animated style of after initial judging of entries. He plans a meeting with the more than 85 diocesan pilgrims through use of the performing communication, Father Jodoin is including one of the contest winners - attending today's March for Life in Washington, DC. arts. He has conducted many workTurn to Page 13 The first-prize E~ssays follow. "
1--------------------------Youth evangelization director named
Winnillg pro-life essays announced
"Why My Choice is Life" By Carilyn Flynn She was nearly 46 years old, had six beautiful children, and was looking forward to retirement from motherhood. "'You're pregnant/' the doctor said, and he explained to her the risks of having a baby at such a late age in life. It could mean danger for her or the baby, Downs Syndrome, or retardation. When family and friends heard the news, they responded with congratulations or disapproval. All were worried of the dangers, yet some suggested a dark solution: ABORTION. The thought wrenched at her heart, for she had always believed that abortion was murder. Although she feared for her own life, she also feared for the life of her unborn child. She wrestled with her thoughts and feelings, and discovered that the risks did not frighten her. She put her faith in God to protect her and her child, and placed the situation in His hands. Months passed, and she began to be reminded of the chance she was taking as her baby grew. Family and friends, although fearful of what her decision might lead to, stood behind her in faith and prayer. Turn to
By Karen Read Sometimes 1 wonder how moral our society is when we permit the murdering of innocent, unborn babies. Our society suffers from a lack of responsibilIty, maturity and a basic love and respect for human dignity. I question how intelligent people can be when they destroy a human fetus just because they are not "ready" or "prepared" to raise a child. 1 can relate when young girls say they'cannot raise a baby ~ince they are only children themselves. How could they possibly assume such a task when they are so young and immature? Abortion is not just the killing of an unborn baby, it is the destroying of a soul, will, and intellect. An unborn baby has a right to be loved, to love, and to grow in the world. The fetus, even though it is in its e1TIbryonic stage, deserves the opportunity to develop and to fulfill its pro'mise and potential. God has given the gift of life, which should be respected and loved. When we abort life, we fail to accept God's most precious and cherished gift - the gift of life. The harsh facts on abortion are upsetting. For example, three out of 100 women between the ages of Page 13 .
Statement of the Diocese of Fall River Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., acting in consultation with the sexual abuse review board of the diocese, after thoughtful and lengthy deHberations has concluded that charges of misconduct against Rev. Thomas O'Dea are insufficient evidence of improper activity, The board's finding of innocence regarding Father O'Dea was unanimous. The bishop is grateful for the open, attentive and balanced manner with which the board has dealt with these troubling charges. He is also grateful for the cooperation of Father O'Dea in this investigation, including his willingness to submit to psychological testing. He regrets the pain that this process has caused both the accuser and the accused and prays that there is healing for both individuals. , In this difficult process, there must always be a presumption of innocence as an inherent American right of any accused person. While acknowledging this concern, the diocese remains committed to an open and complete response to all accusations of abuse against its clergy. The Fall River diocese cberishes its children and is profoundly committed to making this church community a safe place for all of them. In the approach of the Fall River diocese to the disturbing issues surrounding childhood abuse, Bishop O'Malley seeks reconciliation and education and is committed to a continuing process of healing for those whose lives have been affected by this tragedy.