Bi.~hops
told no-fault morality unworkable
DALLAS (NC) - In dealing with AIDS and other "behaviordependent" diseases, the Catholic Church "must teach and instruct that no-fault morality does not work in medicine or morals," U.S. bishops were told earlier this month. Msgr. William B. Smith, Ii moral theologian and academic dean of
St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y., made the comments to about 150 bishops from the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Netherlands Antilles attending a weeklong medical-morals workshop in Dallas. Among them was Bishop Daniel A. Cronin. Msgr Smith 'was one of two speakers who presented a lecture
on "AIDS - A Public Health D,ilemma" during the workshop, sponsored by the P<?pe John XXIII ,Medical-Moral Research and Education Center based in Braintree. While the church must be compassionate in treating AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome - "we must be compassionate in prevention as well," Msgr.
t eanc 0 VOL. 31"NO, 9
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Friday, February_27, 1987
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Smith said, "and that means we must tell the truth, especially to our young." The theologian said, "There is no indiscriminate sex without consequences - whether those consequences be spiritual, emotional, social or, now, medical. Promiscuity of same sex or opposite sex has real consequences, now obvious
public health consequences." Msgr. Smith pointed to AIDS, alcoholism and pelvic inflammatory diseases among women as "almost entirely behavior dependent; they can be avoided or pre'vented by an act of the will." He criticized concepts of "nofault morality" and "safe sex" and Turn to Page Six
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Major synod impact looked for from U.S.
Bishop's Lenten Letter Dearly beloved in Christ, The.revealed word of God reminds us, "there is a time for every 'season under the sun."As brothers and sisters infaith, we embark upon the very important journey of Lent, a God-given time to grow in the spiritual life - a time ofprayer, a time ofrepentance, a time of love. The days and weeks of this holy season invite us to pause and to assess our relationship with God and one another. Do we try to conform our will to God's'! Are we growing in charity for all of God's people'! Pondering these two questions alone could readily take usforty days. What is most at issue, my brothers andsisters, is that you and I not neglect this special time to grow in grace and peace. The traditions of Lent are well known. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving, additional acts of worship and the discipline ofpenance are wholesome ways to grow in our capacity to say "yes" to God and one another, and "no" to sin. May I encourage your faithful observance ofthese and other spiritual exercises during the season of Lent. Permit me, in a particular way, to invite parents to seize the opportunity which this spiritual journey presents, namely, to inculcate in our young people the importance of sacrifice. The capacity for discipline, which Lent bespeaks, nurtures values which are fundamental to our life on earth and to life eternal. A sking the Lord's abundant blessings upon you and your loved ones as we undertake this time of penance together, I have the pleasure to remain Faithfully yours in Christ,
Bishop of Fall River
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NC), The U.S. church is likely to have a major imp"act on the world Synod of Bishops on the laity since U.S. lay leaders are "probably the most able, best educated and most experienced in the work of the church," said Archbishop John L. May of St. Louis. "I think that our input is going to be important, and I think that bishops from around the world are going to look to the American church for a great deal of thought," he said in an interview with The Catholic Key, diocesan newspaper of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo. Archbishop May, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, is one of the U.S. delegates to the synod, to be held in October at the Vatican. , "As Americans, we may not be looked upon as towering intellectuals or great theologians by many - although we have our share but I do think we have a certain distinction because of our lay people," he added. "Their role in our schools, institutions, health care and social service is unmatched. The laity are a leadership group more and more in the church and they have a lot to say." Pope John Paul II's 1987 pastoral visit to the United States is, "potentially very important" for the U.S. church, Archbishop May said.
Members of the U.S. bishops' conference, including Archbishop May, will meet the pontiff beforehand "to help him understand what he's going to face in this country ... and the mood of the American people, over and beyond Catholic people," he said. "There is no question that there's ·certainlya perception among.some people - and I don't know whether it's true or not - that the pope is out of touch with American Catholics," said Archbishop May. "So we need to acquaint him with that, we need to be honest with him, and help him... He wants our advice and counsel."
The 64-year-old archbishop said issues that will demand attention in the church in the United States in the next five years include: - Follow-up education on the U.S. bishops' pastoral letters on peace and the U.S. economy. - The role of laity and women in the church. . - The ongoing development of liturgy and worship. - The assimilation of "the many ethnic groups that are causing the American church to grow." In additon, he said, vocations and health care are topics to be addressed. Turn to Page Six
INSIDE, Lenten Regulations page 2
Lenten Calendar pages 8 - 9
BISHOPS IN Sistine Chapel for'a session of a previous synod, a scene that will be repeated this fall. (NC photo)