Religion in, U.S. /
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Fall River, Mass., Thursday, March 29, 1973 $4.00 per year Vo I. 17, •0. 1 3 ©'1973 The Anchor PRICE 10¢
Bishop Cronin Hails CRS 'Lenten Appeal
American Laity Express Their Major· Concerns \
DUBUQUE (NC)-Life in the home-the disintegration of the American family, the problems . of youth and the importance of religious education-are among the major concerns expressed by nearly 8,000 laymen and women responding to a survey here. A comprehensive opinion survey just released here reveals that Catholics.in the Dubuque archdiocese are also concerned about the decreasing number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life; the Church's lack of social concern and the confusion of Catholics over changes made in the Church since the 'Second. Vatican Council. According to the survey, the Catholics in the archdiocese overwhelmingly believe their religion has a strong effect on their daily :lives. They reported strong support for Catholic schools and education programs' and almost· no reservations about ecumenical contact with churches and individuals of other faiths. The survey indicated strong·
A clear majority (83 per cent) concern over young people. Three-fourths of the respondents felt that Catholic schools were agreed that "young people have worth supporting, and most (77 less' regard for the Church today per cent) felt that parents should than 10 years ago" and that be more aware of the content of "young people are losing respect their children's religious education. for rightful authority." Eighty-five per cent believed In one section of the survey, that the Church "plays an im- Catholics were asked to rank 10 portant part ·in shaping the life areas of concern in the Church of the world community." How- today "according to the priority ever, only 52 per cent felt that you think should ·be given to the Church should "express her each." The 8,000 respondents 'views on day-to-day social and ranked the issues as foHows: political questions." problems of youth, decreasing Ecumenically, only 22 per cent llumber of vocations, disintegrafelt that "prayer and cooperation tion of the family, religious eduwith Protestant churches tend to cation, lack of social concern deny that the Catholic Church is (race, poverty, peace, etc.), conthe one true Church," and 93 'fusion of Catholics regarding per cent agreed that Catholics, changes in the Church, greater Protestants and Jews should emphasis on spiritual renewal, work together on community adult education, more meaningful Masses and better preaching. problems and projects.
The Catholic Overseas Relief . the aid of Vietnamese, Biafrans, Services will seek support from Pakistani and Indians in Banglathe parishes and chapels of the desh, homeless South Americans Diocese of !Fall River, and lin the Christmas Managua, Nicathroughout the country, with ragua earthquake-all last year a special collection at all thanks to last Lent's generous Masses on Saturday, March 31 collection. and Sunday, April 1. In a special lenten letter, BishUrging an earnest support for op Cronin wrote: the American Church's worldThe recent Consistory has wide charity especially at times given us all a wonderful vision of sudden and tragic emergency, of the universality of the Church. Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, Our Holy Father has elevated S.T.D., Bishop of Fall River, VATICAN CITY (NC) - The 23, it was explained by the Vaturged all to combine earnest to the Sacred College of CardiVatican has ruled that anyone ican press office. nals prelates from every part of charity and lenten penance to The excommunication decision violating the seal of Confession the world. Pilgrims from many be of assistance. was announced after newsstories by making recordings of Connations have visited Rome for fessions or publishing the texts in the Italian press reported the It was the CRS that rushed to this glorious celebration, jourof them is automatically excom- forthcoming publication of an neying to the center and to the Italian book entitled "Sex in the municated. visible Vicar of Christ, in an outpouring of faith and loyal devoThe warning of excommunica- Confessional... The book, the work of two tion. Our own -local pride in' tion was published March 23 by witnessing the elevation of Carthe Doctrinal Congregation, the Italian journalists, consists of Special Gifts dinal Medeiros is, then, an eleChurch's top administrative the texts of 112 tape-1'ecorded ment in this magnificent worldoffice' dealing with matters of Confessions conducted throughApril 23 - May 5 Church, officials are worried wide moment of joy. faith and morals 'and specially out Italy over a four-year period. about the effects of the proposed charged with the defense of the The authors of the book said the The consequences of the mark Confessions were staged without Nixon Administration budget for of "Catholicity" or universality sacrament of Penance. Door Door 'the knowledge of the confessors the 1973-74 fiscal year, which which characterizes our Church, The sanction of excommuni- and the contents of the Confeswould abolish or cut back 100 Turn to Page Two cation went into effect March sion were so arranged as to conMay 6-16 social services, construction and centrate the confessor's attention sOOool aid programs. on various sexual problems. Fear . over the budget is The day after the Doctrinal great in some dioceses, which Congregation announced the aucould lose hundreds of thousands tomatic excommunication of of dollars .in federal aid. those taking part in faked ConThe budget, according to ad~ fessions, the censures were exministration officials, would tended to include sellers and adsave the government $39 billion vertisers of such works. by abolishing' or trimming proCensures of excommunication, grams that aid the unemployed, the Doctrinal Congregation tenants, students, veterans,' the stated, apply not only to the mentally ill, farmers and small authors and editor, "if they fail businessmen. to take steps to remove their In the Philadelphia archdioTurn to Page Four cese, church officials have estimated Jilie potent·ial loss of $1 million 'and the elimination of several programs if the budget emerges from Congress intact. And in the Chicago archdiocese, the lrargest in the nation, officials foresee a loss of almost Rev. William G. Campbell, di$1 million in social servke prorector of the Diocesan Choir Digrams alone. rectors' Guild announced that "It's very crude," said Father the guild will sponsor an afterWilliam V. Macchi of the Oaknoon workshop on Sunday, land diocese's Catholic Charities April 1st, from 2:30 P.M. to 5:00 Office, which may be affected P.M. at St. Pius X Church, South by the proposed budget. Yarmouth. The guild, established "There was no evaluation of in 1972 as a vehicle'for promotwhich programs were good, ing the study and improvement which weren't. At worst there of sacred music in the new liturshould have been a phase-out gy, has assisted church musiMAKING PLANS: Greater New Bedford Area prepares for the upcoming Catholic period." cians in the Fall River, Taunton, , The churoh offoicials agreed Charities· Appeal. Left to right, Roland R. Loranger, Area lay chairman; Bishop Cronin; Attleboro, and New Bedford with Father Macchi. Rev. Roge.r D. LeDuc, New Bedford Area director; and 1973 diocesan lay chairman Joseph areas through a series of workH. Feitelberg. Turn to Page Two Turn to Page Six
Tape-Recording Confession To Bring Excommunication
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Budget Cuts Big Worry
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Choir Directors To Meet on Cape ,Sunday, April 1