I I
anc VOL. 48, NO.8· Friday, February 27, 2004
FALL RIVER, MASS.
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Abuse reports part of moving ahead, Bishop Gregory writes • The study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice is slated for release
"go forth and sin no more." Acknowledging the extent of abuse is one step toward moving ahead, he said. An audit released in Janutoda~ ary showed 90 percent of Catholic dioceses in complete By CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE compliance with elements of NEW YORK - A study of the U.S. bishops' "Charter for how the Church has handled the Protection of Children and sexual abuse cases may be Young People," Bishop Grepainful, but it's a necessary gory said. The charter was appart of moving ahead, said the proved by the USCCB in 2002 president of the U.S. bishops· as a plan for the Church to preconference in an opinion col- vent abuse, reach out to victims umn in The Wall Street Jour- and be accountable for how nal. abuse cases are handled. The study by the John Jay When the John Jay study is College of Criminal Justice of released, the National Review the City University of New Board, which also was estabYork being released today will lished as part of the charter, analyze the extent of sexual will release a report about the abuse of minors by U.S. "how and why" of the abuse Catholic clergy since 1950. crisis, he continued. "While its focus is not on That report, while not sciindividuals, it will contain a entific, will provide perspecportrait in aggregate of the pain tive from the view of a board and the suffering, the crimes of Catholic laity commisand the sins, encompassed in sioned to work for a safe futhis outrageous misconduct," ture for children, he said. said Bishop Wilton D. GrePope John Paul II's mesgory, president of the U.S. sage for Lent voices hope that Conference of Catholic Bish- this season will "be a time of ops, in the article in the Feb- ever greater concern for the ruary 19 Wall Street Journal. needs of children." Bishop He wrote that more than one Gregory said the pope points person has asked him why the out that some young people bishops requested this study- "have been profoundly hurt by "Won't it just be another the violence of adults," includwound?" ing sexual abuse. Despite being painful, "the "The reports that will beChurch in the United States come public so soon after Lent needs to shine a light on the begins will cause us not only past to gather as much infor- to grieve over the past, but also mation as possible about how to keep alert to present and futhis dreadful chapter in our his- ture challenges to defend the tory came about," wrote young and innocent," he Bishop Gregory, who heads wrote. the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Bishop Gregory said he's "We cannot change history; apprehensive about "the forthbut greater and more accurate coming difficult news" but knowledge will help assure feels confidence born of "facing a situation clearly and that it is not repeated." He explained that Catholics fully." He said he believes believe one must overcome sin "God can bring new life out of and repent before being able to Turn to page five - Reports
ERIC ETHINGTON and partner Doug Okun, carrying twins Sophia and Elizabeth, hold their marriage license as they depart San Francisco's City Hall recently. Under the direction of Mayor Gavin Newsom, a backer of gay rights, city officials issued marriage licenses and married same-sex couples, despite a recently passed state law that institutes marriage as a union of a man and a woman. The next session of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention that will consider a marriage protection amendment is scheduled for March 11. (CNS photo from Reuters)
MCC still holding the line on Marriage AffirDlation and Protection ADlendDlent BOSTON - As the old saying goes, it's never tion loomed large: after all the hullabaloo, where do pretty to watch sausage, Jello, and laws being we stand with Marriage Affirmation and Protection made, say officials of the Massachusetts Catholic Amendment? Conference, the official public policy voice of the' First, here's what happened procedurally, the botRoman Catholic tom line of which is that Church in the Com- . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , MA & PA is still alive. Before the joint session monwealth. even started, Rep. Phil An update from the MCC in the wake of Travis of Seekonk had the two days of debate placed on the calendar, the FALL RIVER-Motor coach transportation will worksheet, I'f you WI'll , f or during the recent Constitutional Convention be available for people who want to go to the State the convention, his pro. . I House in Boston on March 11 for the reconvening in the state legislature of the Constitutional Convention to consider the posed constItutlOna said, it was, for many, amendment, H. 3190, the Marriage Affirmation Protection Amendment. M' Aff' , & especially those who arnage umatlOn don't make it a habit Departure and return times to be announced. Protection Amendment, or - Fall River, leaving from Immaculate Concep- MA & n'A. to follow the legisla- tion Church. Call Beatrice Martins at 508-678-3351. r, . tive process, a disapSen. Jarrett Barrios then d hid - New Bedford, leaving from Holy Name: Pointing and confus- Church and the Taunton Park & Ride. Call Diane mserte onto t e ca en ar ing experience. Bolton at 508-994-8421. a proposed amendment to Travis's constitutional When theJ'oint ses. - Cape Cod, leaving from Holy Trinity Church, sion was gaveled to a Amendment. Barrios's Burger King in West Barnstable, and Kingsbury d ld close at midnight Febamen ment wou gut Plaza Commuter Parking. Call Charlotte LeBlanc & PA b .. ruary 12, to be re- at 508-430-1269. MA y turnmg It sumed at 2 p.m. on Reservations are $5. Deadline is March 9. Turn to page 12 Amendment March 11, the ques-
Motor coach transportation to Boston on March 11
How did your elected officials vote on the marriage protection amendments? See page 13.