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t eanco VOL. 37, NO.3.
Friday, January 22, 1993
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER
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Following Roe anniversarY..
Catholics to deluge Congress with pro-life postcards By Marcie Hickey - River diocesan Pro-Life Aposto- elected representatives informed about pro-life issues, Dr. Taylor Bishop Sean O'Malley has asked late. By mid-January, demand for said. While local Project Life that diocesans today observe the Project Life Sunday materials had campaigns have been taking place "tragic" 20th anniversary of legal abortion in the United States as a already exceeded supply, said Dr. for three years, this is the first Michael Taylor, executive direc- coordinated national effort, he day of prayer, fasting and reflection and that they participate this tor of Human Life Amendment added. INA UGURAL BALL: Bishop Sean O'Malley, at his.first weekend in a national post card committee. He said that the National ComDr. Taylor and Professor Mary mittee for a Human Life AmendBishop's Charity Ball awaits start of ceremonies with cochair~ campaign urging defeat of the Freepersons Mary Mikita and Len Nicolan. (More photos p. 8) dom of Choice Act. FOCA would Ann Glendon of Harvard Law ment is considering development . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . establish a national policy of abor- School joined Bishop O'Malley in of a national database of pro-life tion on demand, superseding any speaking at last week's clergy persons in order to "communicate court decisions permitting abor- meeting, held at Holy Name par- and educate people about the ish, New Bedford. issues." Therefore, along with posttion restrictions. They stressed that while FOCA cards for their representatives, Bishop O'Malley and many supporters.claim the bill will merely Project Life participants will have ,diocesans are in Washington, D.C. participating in the March for Life codify Roe v. Wade, it actually the opportunity to fill out a regisheld every Jan. 22 on the anniver- goes further to eliminate and pro- tration card signifying willingness Bishop Timothy J. Harrington proper perspective. That perspechibit restrictions on abortion- to participate in future pro-life sary of the U.S, Supreme Court's of Worcester has written the foltive can only be truly seen in rela- 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legaliz- such as waiting periods and in- efforts. lowing letter to the faithfUl of his tion to Jesus Christ. It is Jesus ing abortion. In a letter read at formed consent-that courts ha"e Professor Glendon noted that diocese, affirming the priests who Who called us, and it is Jesus diocesan parishes last weekend, upheld. the priests are on the "front lines" serve them. His tribute could apply Whom we serve as we serve those the bishop asked all Catholics "to "FOCA is different from all other in conveying the pro-life message equally to the vast majority of entrusted to us. St. Paul tells us in abstain from meat and, pray on moves" by the pro-abortion lobby in a society that has developed an priests in every ¡diocese in the naHebrews 5, that priests are men this sad anniversary, 20 years of a "because it is so extreme that even "abortion mentality." tion. The Anchor is proud to reprint taken from among men because mistake." Complete text of the let- many pro-choice people are backMany people have the attitude it. we share their weaknesses. God ter appears on page 10. ing off from it," said Prof. Glendon. that "if it's legal, it's okay; it's my was good not to have called angels At a meeting of diocesan clergy The bill did not reach a floor right," commented Father William My dear brothers and sisters in the to be His priests because as pure last week to discuss implementavote in either the House or Senate Norton of St. Joseph's parish, Lord, spirits they could not understand tion of the National Project Life in 1992, but backers are expected Woods Hole. In the past few months, a great human frailty. postcard campaign to defeat to reintroduce it this year. Presi"It's an unpleasant issue," Prodeal of our attention as a diocese Priests have been blessed to serve FOCA, Bishop O'Malley called dent Bill Clinton has said that he fessor Glendon responded. "Peohas been focused on the deplora- God and others in the good times abortion "the 11).0st pressing moral will sign the bill if it is passed by ple recoil from thinking it all the ble allegations against a few priests. and the bad that they and their issue any of us will face in our Congress. way through." Our deep pastoral commitment people endure. They are pleased lifetimes." Dr. Taylor said the postcard She said that after Roe v. Wade to persons who have been victims and proud to be God's goodser"Every age has its moral blind- campaign gives churchgoers a she made a comparison of nations' of abuse as well as a deep concern vants. ness ... which affects sensitivity chance "to express their faith in a abortion policies and was "shocked" for the faithful at large have An alien world may rush to about spiritual values and the value concrete way" a'nd to influence leg- at how extreme the U.S. attitude prompted me to take several steps. attack the whole Church because of life itself," the bishop said, reislators by showing them that they IS. On October 16, 1992, I an- of a few. Stories about a few ferring to slavery and the Holo- have a vocal pro-life constituency. "You have to go to the People's nounced that no child abuser would priests may be repeated so inces- caust as examples from past generaIn recent years the abortion issue Republic of China before you find be assigned to ministry in this dio- santly that in peoples' minds those tions. ' . has increasingly moved into the another nation as callous toward cese. And on December 24, 1992, I few seem like many, many more ... legislative arena, and letter writing human life." "Encourage people to pray," the established telephone hotlines so and even all. is an important part of keeping , Tum to Page I 1 that victims of sexual abuse could In all honesty, we are talking bishop told clergy members: "We are not going to win this battle by contact me and other diocesan about a few priests. We are anofficials. guished by any misdeeds. Our bludgeoning people over the head Now, I believe, it is of utmost hearts go out to their victims. All with our position, but by faithful importance to take a third step of us must recognize that we are witness to church teaching with and to affirm publicly the faithful only talking about a few, even serenity, encouragement and persuasiveness." priests who work in this diocese. though one is too many. Those priests who go about the No priest should allow the alleNational Project Life Sunday daily work of the priesthood are to gations against those few to distort This weekend Catholics attendmy mind the heroes of our times. the focus of his mission of service ing Mass nationwide will receive a They function in an atmosphere to others. set of postcards opposing FOCA that has been poisoned by suspiNow is a time of great challenge to be signed and mailed to concion. They labor day in and day for priests. We are the servants of gressional representatives. Parishionout bringing the unpopular mes- the Lord. We are called to noble ers will receive instructions for sage of the Gospel to a world that ministry. completing the cards in their indidoes not welcome the words of Let us keep our hearts and our vidual parishes, and they are also Jesus Christ. minds focused on the job He has encouraged to personally write their Indeed, some may feel that the given us. The work is His. legislators about pro-life issues. very image of the priesthood has The National Committee for a I want the people of the diocese been tainted by the accusations to know that I am proud to serve Human Life Amendment and the concerning a few individuals. But I them as their bishop. I also want U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Prodisagree. The priesthood was insti- all in this diocese and beyond to Life Affairs, Project Life cospontuted by Christ Himself and al- know that I am proud and blessed sors, hope the campaign will deliver AFTER ATTENDING Massachusetts Citizens' for Life's though a few of us may bring dis- to call the faithful priests who more than 5 million postcards to 19th annual Assembly for Life Sunday in Boston, Bishop Sean credit to all, nothing can taint or serve them my brothers. Congress. 75 percent of U.S. O'Malley and diocesan Pro-Life Director Father Stephen A. discredit the God-given institution The apostle Paul tells us to rejo- dioceses are slated to participate in Fernandes greet diocesans at the program.' At left is Louise of the priesthood. ice in all circumstances. I rejoice the effort, which originated with Bolton, director of the New Bedford area chapter of MCFL. It is important for us all, priest that there are so many wonderful the diocesan pro-life offices of and lay person alike, to look at men who serve the faithful of the Massachusetts, said Father Stephen Bishop O'Malley offered a greeting during the assembly's priests and the priesthood in the Diocese of Worcester. A. Fernandes, director of the Fall speaking program. (Lavoie photo)
Worcester bishop affirms his priests