t eanc 0 VOL. 40, NO. 31
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Friday, August 16, 1996
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCI:SAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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513 Per Year
Cardinal asks for sacrifice
20tnSutufay
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Bishop's night aids diocesan charities
Index Coming of Age
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Daily Readings
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Editorial ...
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Father Dietzen
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Necrology .. "
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Saluting Seniors .. 10 Steering Points .... 16 Youth News
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NEW YORK (CNS) - Cardinal John J. O'Connor of New York has asked Catholics to wage a spiritual struggle against partialbirth abortions by committing themselves to abstain from meat on Fridays for the next year. He also urged Catholics and others to write to President Clinton and to their members of Congress urging that partial-birth abortions be outlawed. He made the requests in his weekly column, "From My Viewpoint," in the Aug. 8 issue of Catholic New York, his archdiocesan newspaper. Cardinal O'Connor described the "barbaric procedure" of partialbirth abortion as "infanticide." "Partial-birth abortion is the direct killing of an innocent human person. No subtleties here. No room for maneuver," he wrote. "A baby can be all but delivered from its mother's womb, its feet, legs and entire body out of the womb, with only the head inside," he said. "I n some cases the doctor has to hold the baby by the neck so that the head doesn't slip out before he can puncture it with a knife and suck the brain out. "If the baby should slip to the floor before he can do this, and he then kills it, he is charged with murder. If he kills it with the head in the womb, he is within the law." This spring Congress passed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, prohibiting the procedure unless the mother's life was at stake. President Clinton vetoed the legislation April 8. A veto override effort is expected shortly after Congress reconvenes from its August recess. "Why a year (of abstinence) if the partial-birth abortion vote is taken in early September?" Cardinal O'Connor asked. "One, if the presidential veto is not overridden we will continue to abstain while continuing our efforts to change BISHOP O'MALLEY greeted many Cape residents August 13 at the Tara Cape Codder in minds and hearts. Hyannis at "Bishop's Evening on Cape Cod" sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic "Even more we will abstain as Women. Among them were (top photo) Patrick, 8, and Chris, 12, Ahern from Our Lady of compensation for the sins of a Victory parish, Centerville. Also there, celebrating her 97th birthday, was Emma Todesca ofSt. nation that has permitted this horJohn the Evangelist parish in Pocasset. With her are the bishop and Father Robert C. ror. If the veto is overridden, we will abstain in gratitude to God." Donovan. (Kea~ns photos) He said he first suggested a restoration of regular Friday abstinence to overcome partial-birth abortion at the noon Mass at St. I president, Kitsy Lancisi, and Betty women who have been recently Patrick's Cathedral on July II, Despite a rainy evening in HyanMazzucchelli. chairperson of the released from prison. The house when Catholics nationwide were nis last Tuesday night, "An Evening on Cape Co~ With Bishop event. He also expressed his appre- will be an agency of the diocesan fasting and praying for that purciation to Monsignor Henry Mun- Catholic Social Services, and will' pose. "Many people have since O·Malley." took place at the Tara roe, pastor of Our Lady of Victory work in consort with the deacons encouraged the idea," he said. Cape Codder Hotel, raising funds parish. Centerville. and modera- and Cursillistas who are ministerBishop Anthony M. Pilla of to support the charities of the diotor for the Cape & Islands district ing in the Barnstable House of Cleveland, president of the National The annual event. sponsored cese. Conference of Catholic Bishops, by the Diocesan Council of Catho- of the DCCW, who helped organ- Correction. ize and promote the event. declared the July II fast and prayer lic Women (DCCW), provides resiAlso among those in attendance with unanimous backing of his feldents of Cape Cod with the opLast year t he proceeds were used with the bishop were the Vicar low bishops during their national portunity to greet and meet Bishop Sean O'Malley in a relaxed at- to help the new Catholic schools General, Monsignor George Cole- meeting in June. Abstinence from meat. a tradimosphere and enjoy refreshments, on the Cape. This year the bishop man, Monsignor Thomas Harringannounced that the funds will con- ton. director of the Catholic Char- tional form of penance for Cathohors d'oeuvres and dancing. Bishop O'Malley thanked the tribute toward the opening of St. ities Appeal. and secretary to the lics on Fridays throughout the year, Turn to Page 13 organizers, particularly DCCW Clare's House, a residence for bishop, Father Stephen Avila.
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