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VOL.47, NO. 21
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FALL RIVER, MASS.
• Friday, May 30, 2003
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
GROUND-BREAKING ceremonies were held recently at the future site of St. Pius X School, South Yarmouth, which will open its doors to students in the fall of 2004. From left: Eileen Ward, donor; Philip Baroni, fund-raising chairman; Frank Ward, donor; Msgr. John J. Smith, pastor of St. Pius X Parish; Father Paul Bernier, parochial vicar; and Bishop-Elect George W. Coleman. The Wards contributed $1 million towards the project and Msgr. Smith thanked them and all donors for "making this school a reality and encouraging Catholic education on Cape Cod." At right, parishioners pray with Bishop-Elect Coleman as he opens the program. He said he "was pleased that the study undertaken by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley OFM Cap., for Catholic education on the Cape is coming to fruition." (Anchor/Gordon photos)
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Massachusetts bishops defend sanctity of marriage
marriage. Such an outcome will have devastating consequences here and nationally. In response to the Goodridge case, state lawmakers in Boston have filed the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. This proposal would amend the state constitution. It would reaffirm the legal definition of marriage as the union between Dear Catholic Faithful in one man and one woman. It ..... Massachusetts: Furthermore, we believe the! would reverse any decision Our public officials are in Goodridge that changes debating the definition of : natural institution of marriage has i this definition. We strongly marriage. As the bishops of been blessed and elevated by I support this amendment. the four Catholic dioceses Christ to the dignity of a sacrament. i jr--.",._ _ The Church's teaching in Massachusetts, we wish This means that Christian marriage: on marriage remains conto offer some reflections on ~: is more than a contract. Because i stant and clear. We would this debate. We want also to they are married in the Lord, the: like to share with you a sumDOMINICAN SISTER of Charity Maryanne Pierre, right, ask for your help. This is a with an unidentified colleague, at work in Baghdad. spouses acquire a special relation-I mary of our teaching, as iscritical time in our Comsued on behalf of all the monwealth! I ship to each other and to society. i Catholic bishops in the J First, we will describe I. United States in a "Statewlult is happening in the ment on Same-Sex Marstate courts and at the State House ply for a marriage license. The riage." The Statement, issued in in Boston. Second, we will share plaintiffs want the court to declare 1996, reads as follows: an overview of Church teaching that this policy violates the state "The Roman Catholic Church By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR on marriage. Third, we will urge constitution. They want this Hospital in Fall River. believes that marriage is a faithBut Dominican Sisters of you to contact your state legisla- policy struck down so that any ful, exclusive, and lifelong union DIGHTON - She is remembered as a quiet, diminutive nun Charity of the Presentation Sister tors to support the Marriage Af- two adults, regardless of gender, between one man and one with a raspy voice who spent time Maryanne Pierre is now consid- firmation and Protection Amend- can get married. Many experts on both sides of woman, joined as husband and during the 1960s at the provincial ered a hero in her hometown of ment. wife in an intimate partnership of Let's start with the marriage the debate think the odds are high house here and pursued medical Baghdad in Iraq, where she kept life and love. This union was esand nursing training along with the doors of her St. Raphael's debate in our courts and legisla- that the plaintiffs will get what Turn to page 13 - Marriage ture. The state Supreme Judicial they want, a ruling redefining her colleagues at Saint Anne's Turn to page 13 - Sister
Editor's note: The following is a joint statement by the three Catholic bishops of Massachusetts and Bishop-Elect George If. Coleman of the Fall River diocese, regarding the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment currently before the state legislature.
Sister who served diocese is 'hero' in Baghdad
Court has a case before it asking the judges to change the legal definition of marriage. The case is called Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. The court may issue its decision sometime this summer. Under present state policy, only a man and a woman can ap-