South~astern
FALL RIVER, MASS.
VOL. 45, NO. 22 • Friday, June 1,2001
Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Canonization cause for Father Peyton opens ~
Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., announces beginning of the process for the famed 'Rosary Priest.' By JAMES N.
DUNBAR
FALL RIVER - Fonnal approval by the Vatican's Con~ gregation for the Cause of Saints marks the opening of the cause for the possible canonization of the late Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, the world famous "Rosary Priest" and pioneer radio and TV producer. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., who made the announcement today, sought the fonnal approval of the Vatican congregation because Father Peyton is buried in North Easton, which is within the Diocese of Fall River. . "The approval from the Congregation of the Faith to open the cause for canonization of Father Peyton is wonderful news," Bishop O'Malley said. "I know I share my joy in making this announcement with the members of Father Peyton's religious community, the Congregation of Holy Crosf;, as well as with countless people whom he helped be faithful through his ministry. For the 51 years of his priesthood he encouraged millions of families around the world to pray daily, especially the rosary, to strengthen families and to achieve world peace. He knew that with prayer all things became possible." The bishop added that: "It was a privilege for me to have known Father Peyton. It is now an honor for me to officially open his cause."
That came even as Masses celebrating the ninth 'anniversary of Father Peyton's death at age 83 in 1992, were scheduled to be said this weekend in North Easton; San Pedro, Calif., where he died; and in Ireland, where he was born. Bishop O'Malley has received the nihil obstat, ("no objection") from the Vatican congregation to open a Diocesan Inquiry into the sanctity of Father Peyton. Last November, the Vatican approved a "transfer of competency" in the cause to the Fall River diocese from Cardinal Roger Mahoney of the Archdiocese'of Los Angeles, in which Father Peyton died. Cau~es are to be opened in tI,e diocese where the candidate died unless "competency" is transferred. With the opening of the Diocesan Inquiry, Father Peyton has the title . "Servant of God." Bishop O'Malley has appointed Holy Cross Father Tom Feeley of North Easton as the vice-postulator of Father. Peyton's cause to gather all materials and tes-. timonies pertinent to the cause and as such will carry on the investigative work of the Diocesan Inquiry. The bishop will establish a Historical Commission to
oversee and report on the gathered material and will appoint . a Theological Commission to examine the writings of the new "Servant of God." Bishop O'Malley asked that anyone who has any original writings or other documents by Father Peyton as weU as any infonnation and testimonies about their experiences with Father Peyton when he was alive and any favors or miracles received from his intercession to contact Father Feeley at the Office of the Vice- Postulator, Father Peyton Center, 518 Wash. ington Street, North Easton, MA 02356; phone: 508-238-4095. Materials on Father Peyton are available from Father Feeley. Bishop O'Malley is also asking people to pray for favors through Father Peyton's intercession. A prayer is printed in today's Anchor on page nine. It is also available from the vice-postulator's office. More than 50,000 cards have been distributed and many favors have been reported. Turn to page eight - Father Peyton
Diocese to ordain four new priests ~
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Two men will be ordained on June 9 and another two on July 14, all in St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River.
A. Cook of Pembroke and Father David C. Frederici of West Harwich. And on July 14, at 11 a.m., in St. Mary's Cathedral, the bishop will ordain Father David A. Pignato of Foxboro and Father Rodney E. Thibault of Fall River.
FALL RIVER - Four men will advance to the priesthood for service in the Fall River diocese at ordination ceremonies this month and next. On June 9 at 11 a.m., in St. Mary's Cathedral, Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., will ordain Father Kevin
FATHER KEVIN
A.COOK
Father Cook Born in Boston, Father Kevin Andrew Cook, 28, is the son of Louis and Rosemary (Crowley) Cook. Raised in Pembroke, he has five brothers and five
FATHER DAVID
C.
FREDERICI
sisters and was a member of St. Thecla Parish in Pembroke. He is a graduate of North Pembroke Elementary School, Westbridge School in Lexington, Westbridge School in Brighton and Silver Lake Regional School. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Dallas in 1994 and completed his pre-theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary in 1997. Turn to page five - Ordination
FATHER DAVID
A.
PIGNATO
FATHER RODNEY
E.
THIBAULT
.:1
mCHA;1I1'US . ..
/
APPEAL,
"~'
Appeal continues in full swing FALL RIVER - The late, legendary Msgr. Anthony M. "Tony" Gomes, longtime director of the Catholic Charities Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River often spoke of the campaign in terms drawn from the world of sports. "He'd say, 'We were now in the. third quarter,'" laughed Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, current director of the Appeal, "or he would speak of being in the sixth inning. Actually, those notions are not far off the mark. We're at an encouraging stage in this Turn to page 12 - Appeal