05.18.90

Page 1

VOL. 34, NO. 20

Friday, May 18, 1990

F ALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

$11 Per Year

Unborn have friend in Richard Coleman By Pat McGowan It took fellow lawyers aback when a past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, long active in the top echelons of the American Bar Association, resigned from both. Richard M. Coleman, formerly of St. Mary's parish, South Dartmouth, now a prominent Los Angeles trial lawyer, gave his reasons in a letter to ABA president L. Stanley Chauvin. The letter was written Feb. 26, 13 days after the House of Delegates of the powerful national organization had voted 238-106 to back a woman's freedom to have an abortion without legal interference. In it, Coleman said: I believe that the abortionon-demand position is wrong on the merits - wrong logically, wrong morally and, for many persons, wrong theologically. I understand that some disagree (and I would be happy to debate them in some other forum). But before the merits are reached, three other issues must be considered. Each of the following considerations should have mandated the defeat of the resolution. Each was rejected by the House of Delegates. I. The abortion issue is not within the purview of the ABA; it is not central to the work-

ings of the profession or of the courts, the legitimate scope of the ABA. 2. A stand on such a divisive issue should not have been taken without a prior poll of the members. Polls repeatedly have demonstrated that a majority of the general public opposes abortion-ondemand. The members of the House of Delegates were not selected or elected because of their views on the abortion Turn to Page Six

Diocesan highs graduate 647

PRISONERS IN Durango, Mexico, kiss the hand of Pope John Paul II. Some inmates who were to be r~leased a month before the pope's trip asked to extend their jail time until after his visit. (CNSjUPI-Reuters photo) .

647 diocesan high school graduates will be honored in ceremonies June 3, 5 and 7. The class of 1990 is composed of 294 boys and 353 girls. Bishop Daniel A. Cronin will officiate and speak at all the ceremonies, which begin at 2 p.m. June 3 at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth'. The Bishop Stang valedictorian is Meghan Foley. Class president Jonathan Kemp will also adqress his fellow graduates. School chaplain Father Stephen J. Avila will be celebrant and homTurn to Page Six

Pope concludes Mexico visit

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Diplomatic ties, evangelization were major concerns MEXICO CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II visited Mexico's shrines and shantytowns to serve notice that his desire for diplomatic relations does not mean the church will muffle its voice on political issues. Throughout eight days in May, the pope mixed praise for improved church-state relations in Mexico with pinpointed criticisms of government policies, ranging from ster-

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TAUNTON AREA workers for the Catholic Charities Appeal with Bishop Daniel A. Cronin, fourth from left, are Very Rev. Gerald T. Shovelton, area director; Joseph Roderick, Horace J. Costa, diocesan lay chairman; Levin Ellis, Rev. John J. Steakem, assistant area director. (Studio D photo)

ilization programs to restrictions on Catholic education. Although papal criticisms during a pastoral visit are nothing new, in Mexico they came against the backdrop of anti-clerical laws that prohibit clergy involvement in politics. Another factor is general Mexican skepticis!TI, even among Catholics, of a church role in politics. During the 18th century, church

leaders favored dictators and oligarchs hoarding power. The fear is that the church would use its new political clout to seek privileges. Amending the anti-clerical consititution is a major issue in current church-state relations, and establishment of diplomatic relations revolves around this. In Mexico, the pope added to debate over the church's role in Turn to Page Six

CCA total now $1,601,321.81 Latest reports of Special Gift donations and parish contributions have brought the 1990 Catholic Charities Appeal total to $1,601,321.81. Contributions from parishes, priests and Special Gift donors should be made in person to Appeal headquarters from Wedne,sday, May 23 through Friday, May 25. The Appeal books will close Friday, May 25. This coming weekend, said Msgr. Anthony M. Gomes, CCA director, every parish and Special Gift solicitor should make a last effort to canvass every potential donor. These reports should be made to Special Gift and parish headquarters on Monday. 23 parishes have surpassed their final totals since last week's edition of The Anchor. These honor roll parishes are St. Joseph and St.

Stephen, Attleboro; St. Patrick, Falmouth; Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs; St. Joan of Arc, Orleans; St. Peter, Provincetown; St. Augustine, Vineyard Haven; Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet. Also Holy Cross, Our Lady of Angels, Our Lady of HeaIth, Sacred Heart, St. Louis, St. William, Santo Christo, Fall River. St. John of God, St. Patrick, St. Thomas More, Somerset; St. Casimir, St. Hedwig, St. Kilian, New Bedford; St. John Neumann, E. Freetown; St. Joseph, Taunton. A detailed report of Special Gifts, parish totals, leading parishes and parish donations begins on page 2 of this issue of The Anchor and continues on pages 14 through 17. Listings will continue to appear until all donations have been recorded. .


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05.18.90 by The Anchor - Issuu