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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Thurs. June 23, 1977
themoorin~ Human Rights and Carter's Sincerity It is becoming very clear that the Soviet Union is upset with President Carter's position on the human rights issue. As we wade through the press releases that concern themselves with the Belgrade conference, it is obvious that the Russians are becoming quite sensitive to any real discussion of human rights that might reflect their own totalitarian position on this subject. The Russian bear is roaring because it has been stung by a Georgia bee. Those who would have Mr. Carter be silent on this vital world issue, such as the ubiquitous John Connolly of Texas, fail to realize the positive contribution' that the President is making for the peoples of the world. To be sure, it must be recognized that the pragmatic. politics which permeates the Carter administration is hard at work keeping this issue alive. However, let us all realize that this is being done in the face of great opposition from those political factions in our nation that have been drugged by the politics of dubious "detente." It is about time that the American people realize that a real positive detente can never be achieved between the opposing philosophies of the United States and the Soviet Union. Detente is a mere political invention employed for purely political ends. If the deeper question of human rights upsets the calculating plans of political detente, so be it. The cries of oppressed people throughout the world should not be muted by the deadly drone of demagogues. As Russia continues to inte'nsify its campaign to silence all domestic critics and their defenders in the free press of the West, it is imperative that support be given by the American people to President Carter for his position on human rights. In turn, it is the responsibility of the people. of this nation to make sure that the issue of human rights does not become a selective political ploy. Mr. Carter must uphold human rights even when it . might mean stepping on the toes of some of our so-called friends. If he supports the efforts of the oppressed peoples of Eastern Europe to achieve their basic rights, he must equally support the efforts of all other men and women who seek their personal freedoms, be they in Brazil or Northern Ireland. If the President is sincere in his effQrt~ to uphold the dignity of world man, then he will perhaps make one of the greatest contributions that any American President has made to world freedom. If he reduces and dilutes his stand on human rights for the' sake of personal politics, then he will certainly prove himself one of the greatest hypocrites who ever occupied the White House.
The Watergate Industry; Only In America It really is hard to believe that countless Americans are making a fortune on Watergate. For a really amateur burglary, it has generated some truly professional bankrolls. It must be a unique part of the American system whereby those who are guilty before the law are rewarded by the bank. As difficult as it is to believe, it is not only the reporters who have cashed in on the hottest deal of American politics but also those who started the fire that burnt the house that nearly destroyed our political system. For example, it is estimated that Mr. Nixon earned, if we can use that word, $600,000 plus 10% of the profits from his Frost interviews and about a cool million as an advance for his memoirs. The smiling Mr. Haldeman, has received $50,000 for his CBS interview and the charming Mr. Ehrlichman $75,000 for film rights sold to ABC. What does this prove? It proves that something is really wrong in our system of values and priorities. Whose fault? Everyone who is willing to support the guilty. Hopefully, as we continue to be exposed to tl1is unique brand of political commercialism, may we not forget the tragic wound that Watergate truly inflicted on the body politic.
ph'otom,edita1ti.on A teenage boy sits in a window . . . in a quiet corner . . . reading . . . taking time away from the day's bustle and busyness . . . to enrich his mind and heart. His book . . . is about God's involvement in human life . . . a book of Christian spirituality drawing upon centuries of experience of God . . . a challenging book for 'so young a reader. He exemplifies ... what was long called "spiritual reading" . . . a practice common to millions of Christians ... eager to probe the mysteries ... of life graced by God . . . yet tortured by sin. Such reading puts us in touch ... with our faith roots . . . allows us to share the experience and insights . . . of sensitive, reflective men and' women . . . who shared . . . or continue to share . . . the same search . . . for God in their daily lives. Why is it so difficult to find time . . . to read about life with God? . . . What keeps me from such enriching . . . challenging reading? If this energetic youth . . . can find time . to read a spiritual book . . . perhaps I can too . It's worth a try.
Rights for Handicapped' By Jim Castelli "The next decade will bring real progress in civil rights for the handicapped," says Father Thomas Cribbin chairman of a new U. S. Catholic Conference (USCC) committee on ministry to the handicapped. Father . Cribbin estimates there are 35-45 million handicapped persons in the United States, probably 10-15 million of
whom are Catholics. But, he says, the Church has been "woefully negligent" in its treatment of this minority. His committee plans a survey to determine just what the Church is doing for the handicapped and will discuss a statement on the matter for consideration by the U. S. bishops at their November general meeting.
the ancho,(S)
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 410 Highland Avenue Fall River Moss. 02722 675-7151 PUBLISHER Most Rev. Daniel A, Cronin, 0.0" S,T.D. EDITOR Rev. John F. Moor~, M.A.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR Rev. Msgr. John J. Regan
"":EJ.g>n.
leary PreSl-- Fall River
Father Cribbin said he was encouraged by the White House Conference, where various government officials appeared to take the problems of the handicapped seriously. -President Jimmy Carter said he saw the conference as "just a beginning" and said he would seek a way to coordinate federal programs affecting the handicapped. -,Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph Califano joined Carter in promising tough enforcement of new HEW regulations prohibiting discrimination against the handicapped in agencies and programs receiving HEW aid. Church-operated schools, hospitals and social service agencies receiving direct or indirect federal aid are covered by the HEW regulations, which will be the basis for similar rulings in other federal agencies and will eventually apply to aH agencies receiving federal aid. The regulations were three years in the making and were. issued when Califano responded to pressure from increasingly militant handicapped persons who were upset at his predecessor's refusal to sign them. In approving the regulations last April, Califano said they would open "a new era of civil rights in America" and "will work fundamental changes in many facets of American life." Here are some of those "fundamental changes": -All new facilities receiving federal aid must be barrier-free and readily accessible to the handicapped. Older facilities must be harrier-free within. 60 days after the HEW regulations take effect June 3. -Employers may not refuse to hire a handicapped person if his handicap does not prevent him from doing a particular job with "reasonable accommodations" such as changing work schedules, reassigning nonessen路 tial tasks to another employe, moving an office to a more accessible area and so on. Employers may not ask a job applicant if he is handicapped, although they may ask if he can perform a certain function such as drive a car. Every handicapped child will be entitled to a free public education and the auxiliary services he needs to learn. If a handicapped child needs facilities which a public school cannot provide, school officials must pay for the facilities in a private setting. It's also important to note that the regulations' definition of "handicapped" includes persons not traditionally thought of as handicapped, for example, persons who have suffered from cancer or heart trouble and are sometimes passed over for promotion.
eyo Golf Tourney The Attleboro Area CYO will sponsor a golf tournament Thursday, July 14 or the following day in case of rain at Norton !Country Club in Norton. Youths ages 12 through 26. are eligible for entry and will compete in cadet, junior, intermediate and senior divisions. Applications are available at the country club and area rectories and must be returned by Sunday, July 10.