SERVING SOUTHEAS,TERN MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & 1rHE ISLANDS
t eanc 0 VOL. 22, NO.5
FALL RIVER, MASS., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1978
15c, $5 Per Year
Pope Calls. for End Catholic Press , Of路 Racism" Torture Mosl Powerful' ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (NC) - The Catholic press, with its ability to capture people's attention, "is the most powerful arm of the Church in America," said Robert Fenton, the president of the Catholic Press Association, in a message marking February as Catholic Press Month. The message follows: The Cathollc press takes on new importance in today's world. As Alvin Toffler points out in his book "Future Shock," the world is changing at an accelerating pace, not just in economics and government, but also in the structure of society, family life and in religion. The Catholic press is the most powerful arm of the Church in America, in capturing the attention of the people. It includes 152 Catholic newspapers in the U.S. and I 1 in Canada, as well as '298 magazines. The total circulation is 26,818,099. The bishops at the recent synod in Rome and meeting of the U.S. Catholic Conference were told that the Catholic press is "the least expensive way of conveying comprehensive Catholic-oriented news and views on a regular basis to the largest number of Catholics."
Lenten Penance Is Urged In a pastoral letter to be read at all weekend Masses in the diocese, Bishop Daniel A. Cronin reminds the faithful of the importance of Lenten penance. "Lent reminds us," he writes, "that Christ has given us an example. If we are to live for Christ, we must, in imitation of him, live in love of one another. "And we cannot live in fraternal charity and love for our brethren unless, like Jesus, we have humbled ourselves, unless we have undergone that total change of heart which is a kind of death to selfishness. The very
first step, thus, is the voluntary and generous acceptance of a program of penance and selfdenial. Lent leads and encourages us in this regard, and I urge you, one and all, to make use of this holy season to turn away from those things which hinder and obstruct the capacity to give that most important gift of all, the gift of self. "As we begin the season of Lent, may we resolve to change in whatever ways are necessary in order to reflect better the love of Christ. An ever deeper pracTurn to Page Three
As Pope Paul VI recently said, "In presenting news, the journalist has a responsibility to consider his reader's matters of concern, their real needs and their deepest aspirations as citizens and, in many cases, as believers, as Christians. In acting thus, the journalist is showing true respect and service toward the reader." The press has reversed the decline that followed Vatican II and is now experiencing sustained growth. To maintain the momentum of these gains, the Catholic press needs - and' deserves - the support of everyone.
VATICAN CITY (NC) In a landmark speech on human rights, Pope Paul VI has appealed to world nations for freedom of religion, an end to racism, especially in southern Africa, and rejection of physical and psychoogical torture. During his annual meeting with diplomats accredited to the Holy See, Pope Paul urged Communist governments to give up their fight against religion. By so doing, said Pope Paul, Communist states would regain the trust and loyalty of millions of believers.
The Pontiff openly critioized racist regimes in southern Africa for denying universal suffrage and self路determination to Blacks. "For anyone who accepts the Go~pel message," said Pope Paul, "to deny fundamental human equality in the name of the alleged superiority of one race or ethnic group is inconceivable." The Pope opposed the torture Qf persons under arrest. He esp'~cially spoke out against committing political prisoners to mental hospitals. Turn to Page Eleven
Funded Abort~iQ,ns Reduced Under New HE'~ Guideline WASHINGTON (NC) - New regulations issued by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare say federal funds can be used to pay for abortions for poor women who become pregnant after rape or incest, if the rape or incest is reported to a law enforcement or public health facility within 60 days. Observers estimate that the regulations would result in federal funding for 100,000 or fewer abortions each year, about onethird of the number funded in the past. The victim does not have to report the incident herself, but can let a third party such as a doctor do it, according to the regulations. The regulations, also say federal funds can be used for abortion following statutory rape that is, intercourse, whether voluntary or not, with a minor - which results in pregnancy. Rape or incest may be reported to virtually any law enforcement or public health agency, including rape crisis centers or police chaplains, but not to abortion clinics or specialized law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration or the Secret Service, the regulations said. The new regulations were issued to implement the new law restricting federal funding for abortion. The law, passed and signed last December, said fed-
erai funds could be used to pay for abortions when the mother's life was endangered and when twc doctors certified that the pre,~nancy threatened severe, long-lasting physical health damage. The law also said federal funds could pay for medical proTurn to Page, Fifteen
Pledge Recalled B~, School Head Vol ASHINGTON (NC) An official of the U.S. Catholic Conference has reminded the Carter Administration of its campaign pledge to assist parents of nonpublic school children after the Administration opposed tuition tax credits at Senate hearings in mid路 January. (During the 1976 campaign, Carter said he was "firmly commit':ed to finding c~>nstitutionally Turn to Page Thirteen
You're Invited loday through Saturday there will be a mammoth Catholic Scbools Week exhibition at Dal1mouth Mall, North Dartmouth. With 20 schools partidpatlng, the program will include art displays, slides, and choral, mUl;ical, dance, and gymnastic pre>entations.
read the anchor - spread the good nlews
CATHOLIC PRESS MONTH