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Friday, March 8, 1996
FALL RIVER, MASS.
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Striving for Christian unity by Christine Vieira Mills with report from Church Women United Roman Catholic priests and Protestant clergy and laity gathered on Leap Year Day, Feb. 29, at the Family Life Center, North Dartmouth, to explore local implications of the 1995 papal encyclical
Ut Unum Sint, - That All Mal' Be One - and subtitled "O~ Commitment to Ecumenism." These ambassadors of peace came together to study the impor-
tance of Pope John Paul II's directive on ecumenical unity, and to work towards promotion of a 'Christian community that embraces both unity and diversity. "We all have gathered to learn about the importance of these documents," said Rev. David A. Anderson, Associate Director for Ecumenical Development for the Massachusetts Council of Churches. He was speaking of the papal encyclical, and of the 1993 Directory for
ral, Fall River, and Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM, Cap. "We are delighted that there is a positive reaction among priests and ministers to carrying out a
response to t he pope's message of ecumenism among churches," said Bishop O'Malley before the meeting. In the encyclical, Pope John Turn to Page 13
the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism. issued by
BISHOP Sean O'Malley will celebrate a 10 a.m. Latin-language Mass of the Angels at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, on Sunday, March 17. During the liturgy he will bless a new statue of St. Patrick for the cathedral. At noon the bishop will be grand marshal of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, to start at Eastern Avenue and Bedford Street in Fall River and continue west to North Main Street.
the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. "We want to come together to providecooperation among Protestants, Greek Orthodox Christians, and Roman Catholics." The Massachusetts Council of Churches was e:stablished in 1902, said its executive director, Rev. Diane Kessler. "There are 15 Protestant denominations in a working relationship with the four Catholic dioceses in Massachusetts and ihe Greek Orthodox Church to heal division among Christian churches," she said. The daylong event began with greetings from Father Horace Travassos, Fall River Diocesan Ecumenical Commission chairman and rector at St. Mary's Cathed-
BISHOP SEAN O'Malley stands with Rev. Diane Kessler, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, at a recent ecumenical forum. (Anchor/ Mills photo)
Last of the, key Vatican II transition bish'ops dies PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -
Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM, Cap., was among members of the United States hierarchy present at the funeral. of Cardinal John J,
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Index Church & World 12 Daily Readings 8 Editorial 4 Mail Packet 2 Necrology 2 Our Rock & Hole.. 15 Saluting Seniors .. 10 CARDINAL JOHN J. Krollistens to proceedings of the bishop~' annual meeting in Washington in this 1990 U.S. Steering Points 16 photo. The 85-year-old cardinal, who died March 3, recently Youth News 14 . reflected on his long career in the Church. (CNS file photo)
Krol. Cardinal John J. Krol, the last of the key bishops who led the U.S. church through the Second Vatican Council, died at his home in Philadelphia March 3. He was 85. . In poor health in recent years from diabetes and a heart condition, the retired Philadelphia archbishop was hospitalized in midFebruary for lung and kidney problems. At his request he was allowed to return home March 2 when it was clear he would not recover, and he died early the following morning. His funeral was scheduled for noon on March 8, at the Basilica Cathedral ofSts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, with burial to follow in the cathedral crypt. A bishop since 1953 and a cardinal since 1967, in the same group as future Pope John PaulH, Cardinal Krol was archbishop of Philadelphia from 1961 until his retirement in 1988. He was the first vice president (1966-71) and second president (1971-74) of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and U.S. Catholic Conference, the postcon-
ciliaI' national organizations of the U.S. hierarchy. In 1965 he headed the committee that reorganized the National Catholic Welfare ConferenCe into the NCCB and USCe. He also headed the bishops' committee which from 1967 to 1971 conducted a controversial U.S. priesthood study, one of the most massive and comprehensive studies of priests in history. He was one of the leaders of Vatican II as undersecretary of the council. He was a member of the central commission formed after . the council to interpret the council and coordinate postconciliarcommissions. A son of Polish immigrants, he played important roles in strengthening the Polish churCh under communism and bringing Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Krakow to the atteniion of other church leaders around the world. In 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II. One of eight children of Anna and John Krol Sr.. who met and married in Cleveland after immigrating from Poland. John Joseph Krol was born in Cleveland, Oct. 26,1910. After grad uation from Cathedral Latin School he joined the Kroger supermarket chain as a Turn to Page 13