Carroll signed Declaration of Independence for fellow Catholics MILWAUKEE (NC) - When Charles Carroll signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he "unwittingly signed on behalf of all his fellow Catholics who would become American citizens," says Kevin Long, public affairs direc-
tor of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. In a statement for Independence Day, Long noted that two years before the Declaration the Continental Congress had protested a guarantee of religious freedom to
French Canadian Catholics in the British Parliament's Quebec Act. But in America the patriotism and courage of Catholics during the Revolutionary War quieted critics, Long said. Over the next 50 years, Catholic
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Friday, June 26, 1987
FALL RIVER, MASS.
immigrants, especially the Irish, began streaming into the United States, he said. He pointed out that Alexis de' Tocqueville, French observer and chronicler of American life in the 1830s, wrote that Catholics "constitute the most re-
publican and the most democratic class in the United States" and that "on doctrinal points the Catholic faith places all human capacity upon the same level; it subiects the Turn to Page 10
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Creation • sCience nixed
Jewish dialogue urged
WASHINGTON (NC) - The Supreme Court ruled June 19 that the Louisiana creationism law violates the constitutional requirement on the separation of church and state. In a 7-2 decision the court struck down the 1981 Louisiana law, known as the "Balanced Treatment Act," which called for creationism to be taught in public schools along with evolution. Creationism, or creation science, teaches that Earth and most life forms came into existence suddenly about 6,000 years ago, a view that parallels the biblical account of creation. The theory of evolution teaches that Earth and life on it developed slowly over millions of years. Catholics have lined upon both sides of the case, arguing either that the Louisiana law does violate separation of church and state or that it contributes to the public school's role of teaching a variety of ideas. Writing for the Supreme Court majority, Justice William J. Brennan said the act "impermissibly endorses religion by advancing the religious belief that a supernatural being created humankind." The Louisiana law was not aimed at protecting academic freedom, Brennan said. Rather it "has the distinctly different purpose of discrediting evolution by counterbalancing its teaching at every turn with the teaching of creation science." Dissenting from the court's decision were Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Antonin Scalia. Bishop Andrew J. McDonald of Little Rock, Ark., had joined with three Protestant clergymen in filing a brief stating that the Louisiana law was a violation of the Establishment Clause, the First Amendment's prohibition against establishment of religion, and that the theory of evolution is compatible with the practice of their religious beliefs. Some Catltolic officials have either directly opposed creation-
WASHINGTON (NC) - The president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops has praised the idea of "further dialogue" with Jewish leaders who protested Pope John Paul II's planned June 25 audience with Austrian President Kurt Waldheim. But he left open the question of what form the dialogue should take. In a June 22 statement the NCCB president, Archbishop John L. May of St. Louis, said, "I see the wis- dom of considering further dialogue at some appropriate level with a representative international Jewish agency." But he added, "How this may be done is beyond my particular competence to determine." U.S. Jewish leaders urged a "substantive"discussion with Pope John Paul in light of his decision to meet with Waldheim, whom they have called "an unrepentant Nazi." Allegations have been made that Waldheim, a former U.N. secretary general, was connected with Nazi wartime atrocities in Yugoslavia. Waldheim has denied the allegations, saying they are an attempt to smear him. Rabbi Mordecai Waxman, chairman of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, said the Jewish leaders would prefer that the substantive meeting take place before the scheduled Sept. I I meeting between the pope and Jewish leaders in Miami but that it could occur during that event or after it. Archbishop May noted that the pope did not initiate the meeting with Waldheim and that "such a meeting is in keeping with the standard practice of the Holy See to receive duly elected political leaders." "It can also be noted that to be received by the pope does not mean that the Holy See is making a statement on the personal character of the one being received. It is the pope's practice to maintain dialogue with many of the world's political leaders, a duty he exercises frequently as he fulfills his
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AS PART OF THE RITE of ordination to the permanent diaconate, candidate James M. O'Gara promises obedience to Bishop Daniel A. Cronin and his successors. Others, standing from left, Deacon Robert D. Lemay, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, Father John F. Moore, Father John J. Smith. (Gaudette photo)
"Dynamite" deacons ordained By Joseph Motta An account of one man's journey to diaconal ordination is on page 11. How does a man feel when he's just been ordained a permanent deacon? "Like dynamite!" Mr. Dynamite, Louis A. Bousquet of St. Anthony of Padua parish, New Bedford, and 10 other men were ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Fall River diocese by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin in ceremonies Saturday at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River.
The other ordinands were Richard M. Dresser, St. Francis Xavier parish, Hyannis; Claude A. LeBlanc, St. Mary, New Bedford; Paul J. Macedo, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Bedford; James Marzelli Jr., St. John the Evangelist, Pocasset. John de Amaral Moniz, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River; Marcel G. Morency, St. Anne, New Bedford; Michael E. Murray, St. Ann, Raynham; Robert G. L. Normandin, St. Louis de France, Swansea; Jame~ M. O'Gara, Our Lady of Loufdes, Taunton; and John Welch, St. Ann, Raynham.
Ordination for the II came after a four-year formation period. A permanent deacon is a man who serves God and his fellow man as an ordained representative of the church. In the early church, besides bishops and priests, deacons were ordained to serve the Christian community. But for the past seven centuries, the sacred order has been received almost exclusively by those who would eventually be ontained priests. The Second Vatican Council recommended that the diaconate Turn to Page Six
The Japanese connection By Joseph Motta If you're in Japan and you happen to see a map of the United States, look for the town of North Attleboro. The community and its Sacred Heart parish just might be shown in bold letters. This summer, Sacred Heart has become the diocesan Japanese connection for two reasons: parishioners Roland and Blanche Dubuc, parents of Columban Father Martin R. Dubuc, pastor of a church in Japan, recently hosted their son's friend, Yorihiro Yasunaga of Oita; and Presentation of Mary Sisters Denise and Rachel Pinsonnault,
blood sisters and natives of Sacred Heart parish, wh'o teach in Japan, made a home visit. Yorihiro, 24, introduces himself by his baptismal name, Peter. A
NOTICE In keeping with our SOweek 'publishing schedule, The Anchor will not be published next Friday, July 3. Our next issue will be dated July 10.
Catholic since age 8, he is a recent graduate ofOita University, where he studied electronics engineering. He came to America and the Dubucs to study English, his visit arranged by Father Dubuc. In addition to being pastor of the Catholic church in Nobecka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, the priest is prefecture youth activities director and director of the Oita foreign community. Peter is adviser and a past president of the youth group in his home parish and active in other religious undertakings. Turn to Page 12
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