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t eanc 0 VOL. 31, NO. 22
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Friday, May 29, 1987
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSmS CAPE COO & THE ISLANDS
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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58 Per Year
"Because of them we're at peace" WASHINGTON (NC) - "It's only because of them that we're at peace," said Archbishop Joseph Ryan of the U.S. Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services about the 37 U.S. sailors who died in an accidental Iraqi missile strike May 17 on the USS Stark in the Persian Gulf. "It's because of kids like those that our country is at peace withothers, and that many other countries are at peace," the archbishop said. Most of the dead were in their 20s, and some were in their late teens. In a telephone interview May 20, Archbishop Ryan said he felt "extreme sorrow" over the deaths and "outraged, not understanding how it could have happened." His only consolation, he said, was "my personal belief that God takes us when we're most ready." A similar faith was voiced by Barbara Kiser, wife of Senior Chief Petty Officer Stephen Kiser of Elkhart, Ind., one of those killed. "God doesn't make mistakes.... I know my husband is in heaven," Mrs. Kiser said. The Kisers and their 5-year-old son John were described in news
reports as a "close-knit Christian family." U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Sam Zakhem later told reporters that Mrs. Kiser and her son had asked him to deliver, through Iraqi officials, a Bible in Abrabic and a letter of peace to the pilot of the plane that attacked the Stark. Mrs. Kiser wanted to show the pilot "that even the son ... and the wife do not hold any grudge," he said. Both the U.S. and Iraqi governments described the missile attack as an accident. JUST BEFORE they left for Washington, diocesan delegates to the Black Congress met Archbishop Ryan said that often with Bishop Daniel A. Cronin. From left, Jack Livramento, Rosa Lopes, Mark Correia, Sister -others do not understand the role that young men in the U.S. mil- Marianna Sylvester, RSM, Bishop Cronin, Frank Barros, Deacon Antonio M. da Cruz, itary playas they risk their lives in Dorothy Lopes and David Rose. (Motta photo) world peace-keeping efforts, but "I feel God understands." One casualty, Lloyd Wilson of Summerville, S.c., was identified immediately as Catholic. Wilson, 24, was an altar boy and attended WASHINGTON(NC) - Dele- their blackness and their CathSister Thompson told her lisCatholic elementary and high gates met in Washington May 21olicism. teners it was not time for mournschool in Charleston, S.c., before 24 for the first National Black They included an 8-member deling - "Our folks know a lot about he joined the Navy in 1982. Catholic Congress since 1894. egation from Our Lady of the mourning" - but was a time of The Catholic military archdioTheir goal was the development Assumption parish, New Bedford: resurrection. cese, with headquarters in the of a national pastoral plan emphaJack Livramento, Rosa Lopes, Blacks must be about change, Washington suburb of Silver sizing evangelization and the sendMark Correia, Sister Marianna she noted. "Blacks love their church ing of a message to the liuger U.S. Sylvester, RSM, Frank Barros, Dea- and believe in its potential to be an Turn to Page Six church-that they are proud of con Antonio M. da Cruz, Dorothy extension of God's glory here on Lopes and David Rose. earth." Keynote speaker Franciscan SisSuch power is "not a threat to ter Francesca Thompson, assistour white brothers and sisters. It is ant to the dean and associate pro- a promise. It's not about moving fessor of Afro-American studies at from being the oppressed to being Fordham University in New York, the oppressors," Sister Thompson said the congress was ab,out black said. She urged her audience to show Rev. Mr. Healey School. Its first graduate to enter power. In an address punctuated by the rest of the church what Christhe diocesan priesthood, he entered A native of St. John the Evangetianity "can really be like." the seminary in 1982, after earning applause and shouts of "Amen" list parish, Attleboro, Rev. Mr. a bachelor of arts degree from and "Yes," Sister Thompson said Healey is the son of Edward J. and As victims of racism and oppresWestfield State College and a mas- some may see "black power" as a sion blacks are "the harbingers of Viola M. (Murray) Healey. He has ter of arts degree and certificate of frightening or negative term, but a better church, a better America" one sister, Rosemary Healey. advanced graduate study in reha- said for her it is positive. Born September 16, 1954, in and must challenge racist institubilitation counseling from AsAttleboro, he is a 1972 graduate of Without power "all the theolog- tions and policies, "our own church sumption College, Worcester. He ical, sociological talk is just that notwithstanding," she said. that city's Bishop Feehan High was also for two years a service -talk," she said, adding that black "The God worshiped in the Unicoordinator for the Massachusetts power means black freedom, black ted States is manmade, the God-of State Department of Mental self-determination and black pride. our prejudiced, bigoted society, a Health. It is time for black Catholics to God made to uphold the dominant At St. John's, he was first secre- become "inheritors of the king- culture," Sister Thompson said. tary of the seminary coordinating dom, not merely the stepchild, and Such a "pseudo-God" fails to committee, coordinator of the rise to their God-given challenge." meet the needs of black Catholics, Peace and Justice Committee and Black Catholics have stood at she added. a member of a faculty/student the doors of their church "many a Culturally, she said, blacks pray committee studying revision ofthe long year timidly knocking, anx- differently because they come from student evaluation process. iously beseeching, often begging a culture which elevated God as a While a seminarian, he was for recognition. We come today friend and constant companion. waterfront director at Cathedral God-inspired, Jesus-fired to insist Pastoral priorities approved at Camps, East Freetown, and St. on the recognition we've long de- the congress, held at the Catholic Vincent de Paul Camp, Westport. served." University of America, concerned He was also head counselor at St. evangelizing the larger black comBlacks are not going to take Vincent de Paul Camp for one munity, being black and Catholic, over but to share, she said, adding, season. leadership and pastoral ministry, "We dare to proclaim to our church and outreach to the community He served as a transitional dea- 'Here we are.' " through schools and parishes. con at Holy Name parish, New "I stand before you," she conThe 1,500 delegates from 110 Bedford. . tinued, "black, female, Roman CaU.S. dioceses also issued a strong Rev. Mr. Healey will offer his tholic, a religious. How's that for a first Mass at 2 p.m. June 7 at St. corner on the minority status?.. I call for appointment of black bishops as heads of dioceses when John the Evangelist parish. Rev. look at my status positively. I like vacancies occur. Mr. Robert Bowers and Rev. Mr. to consider myself the Ku Klux Klanner's dreamgirl." Turn to Page Six Turn to Page Six REV. MR. LANDRY
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Two to join diocesan priests Men are from Attleboro, Westport Bishop Daniel A. Cronin will ordain two men for the Fall River diocese in ceremonies at II a.m. June 6 at St. Mary's Cathedral. They are Rev. Mr. Edward Joseph Healey Jr. and Rev. Mr. David Joseph Landry. Both prepared for the priesthood at St. John's Seminary, Brighton.
REV. MR. HEALEY