.Priests get death threats for anti-drug crusade
The Anchor Friday, Sept. 1, 1989
11
Eastern Television
CHICAGO (CNS) - Father the car and that "I better quit George Clements, known for his before it is too late." And a brick was thrown through adoption of three boys and social Sales And Service activism, has received death threats the front door of St. Sabina Church for continuing an anti-drug cru- in Chicago, where Father Pfleger Fall River's Largest is pastor. A sign attached to the sade started in June. Both Father Clements and Fath- church threatened further reprisals. Display of TV s The priests said they remained er Michael Pfleger are under police RCA - ZENITH - SYLVANIA protection. They say the threats undaunted. "I know what we're doing is right" Father Pfleger said. 1196 BEDFORD STREET will not deter their crusade. Fathers Clements and Pfleger The priests were arrested in June . 673-9721 after they broke down the door of will speak at anti-drug rallies, help an alleged drug paraphernalia ware- monitor stores suspected of selling house. The charges were later drop- drug paraphernalia, and organize protests in front of houses identiped. , More recently Fathers Clements fied by parishioners and communOUR LADY'S, and Pfleger lobbied the lJIinois ity residents as the scene of drug RELIGIOUS STORE SISTER ELAINE FISCHER of Atchison, Kan., wanted Legislature for a bill that bans the sales, Father Pfleger said. "We are in a mighty struggle to Mon, ' Sat. 10:00 - 5:30 P.M, of drug paraphercommercial sale to put her training as Cln emergency medical technician to good nalia. The bill was passed and save the United States," Father GIFTS use -.so she joined the fire department. (eNS photo) signed into law by Gov. James R. Clements said. "Drug abuse is the worst plague to hit the world since Thompson last month at Holy CARDS Angels Church, where Father Clem- the bubonic plague." Father Clements was also arrestents is pastor. BOOKS The priests said ·they will work ed in Shrevepo~t, La., in mid-June 673-4262 for passage of a nationwide ban on with comedian-activist Dick Gredrug paraphernalia introduced by gory ·while protesting the sale of 936 So. Main St.. Fall River "It's given me another view of U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel, D- drug paraphernalia.. WASHINGTON (CNS) - BeneHe first made headlines during N. Y. Father Pfleger said either he dictine Sister Elaine Fischer never firefighters," she told Catholic or Father Clements will testify in the civil rights struggles of the fully realized the risks firefighters News Service. "You realize how September on drug abuse before 1960s. In the 1980s, his adoption many risks are involved in the job. face daily. of three boys and his founding of the Senate Judiciary Committee. It's not an easy job." Then the 23-year-old nun became "One Church, One Child," a proSister Fischer, who joined the a firefighter in Atchison, Kan. At the signing ceremony, Father Atchison Fire Department in July, Clements called for a national day gram aimed at getting black churchsaid she had not given much. of prayer and fasting on Sept. 5, es involved in finding homes for Train for careers In thought to being a firefighter until the day President Bush is expected hard-to-place black children, she realized it was the only way she to unveil his administration's anti-, prompted the making of a television movie, "The Father Clements could use her skills as a certified drug strategy. Story." emergency medical technician, "Jesus Christ told us some things HONOLULU (CNS) - Hawaii known as an EMT, in the northPlanned Parenthood may move its eastern Kansas community ofabout can be accomplished only through Reciprocity prayer and fllsting,',' Father Cleoffices, where it performs abor- 11,000 people. "To accept a favor from a friend ments told the New World, Chications, from a building which sits is to confer one." - Collins' "The main reason I became a go's archdiocesan newspaper. on land owned by the, Honolulu firefighter was because you had to Since their anti-drug activities . Diocese next door to Our Lady of be a firefighter if you wanted to be became publicized inJune, Fathers Peace Cathedral. an EMT," she said. "You can't be The Hawaii'State Health Plan- one witho'ut the other. I never Clements and Pfleger have received ning and Development Agency ap- intended to be a firefighter, but I death threats. Father Pfleger said callers often identify themselves as proved Planned Parenthood's re- really enj oy it." drug dealers. quest to move to another site in Sister Fischer grew up on a farm "You feel a. sense of anger," he Honolulu. The move was expected in Ottawa, Kan., and received a said. "But sometimes you feel like to take place in early September. bachelor's degree in biochemistry "We're delighted that they've from Kansas State University in you're talking to a grown, mature decided ,to move· elsewhere," di- Manhattan. During her senior year businessman. We've been told we've Train to be a Professional ocesan attorney Jack Dwyer told of college, she took an EMT course created a great loss of income, so I . ·SECRETARY the Hawaii Catholic Herald, di- at a nearby vocational technical can see why that fits." The priests have also suffered I .EXECUTIVE SEC. ocesan newspaper. "We are hop- school. property damage. In July Father I .WORD PROCESSOR ing and praying that they actually "I have an older sister who is Clements' car radio and air condimove out." handicapped, and I've always been tioner were stolen. Left behind Planned Parenthood and the ' interested in medicine," she said. diocese have battled since 1987, "Emergency medicine has always was a sign thllt read: "The first of many. Your friendly drug dealer." when Planned" Parenthood first fascinated me." Later' his car was stolen and proposed performing abortions at 373 New Boston Road In August 1987, she decided to found the next day heavily damTHE HART SCHOOl its office. join the Benedictine 'order at the Fall River 678-5677 a D1v. of A.C.T. Corp. aged. Father Clements said teleMount St. Scholastica Convent in Nan hdqtre. Pompano Bch. FL . The diocese lost challenges to phone callers told him 'they took the state's process'that grants cer- Atchison. The majority of the 320 tificates of need for new medical nuns in the order are teachers, but facilities. The abortions started in she wanted to use her medical -November 1988. skills, she said. 1989 FALL GRADUA TE COURSES IN Two other suits brought by the Her co-workers and the sisters Providence RELIGIOUS STUDIES diocese may be withdrawn if Plan- at her convent have been very supned Parenthood moves. portive of her decision to be a fireBIBLICAL STUDIES College One suit challenged the state fighter, but some people are surRELIGIOUS EDUCATION health agency's decision to permit prised to find out she's a nun, she ' abortions at the facility. The other said. contended Planned Parenthood "It took a few people aback," violates its lease by performing she said. "It's just not a normal The Synoptic Gospels Terence Keegan.O.P. abortions. thing for a nun. to do." Moral Problems Today Paul Seaver. O.P. Planned Parenthood had threatSister Fischer said she works ened to sue the diocese and Hawaii about 10 24-hour shifts a month as ·Contemporary Trinitarian Thought John Reid. O.P. Right to Life last year when they a firefighter. She said she had not The Chw'ch Matthew Morry. O. P. blocked initial requests for the used any of her emergency llJedical Wisdom Literature Helen O'Neill.O.P. abortion facility. skills yet, but that she was still Dwyer said the diocese has not learninga great dealabout firefighting. Medieval Spirituality Mary Ann Follmar been involved in Planned Parent"The most difficult thing is not Early Christian History Mary Francis McDonald.O.P. hood's decision to move. Planned knowing everything about firefightProphetic Faith Patrick Reid Parenthood had claimed it was ing," she said. "It's kind of scary, always willing to move but sug- but it's great to know you are a Wholistic Approach to Personal gested it shouldn't have to be the useful member of a group." Development Elaine Scully.R.S.M. CLASSES BEGIN THE one to pay for it. Her most serious fire to date WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11. Honolulu Bis,hop Joseph A. Fer- was a garage fire that she helped rario said that while Planned Par- put out by carrying the large hose For further information call (401) 865 2274. enthood's move could solve the on the fire truck. No one was current controversy, the diocese injured. Or write to: Religious StUdies Graduate. Program. Providence College. Providence. RI. 02918 would not pay relocation assis"It was kind of exciting," she said. . tance.
She's firefighter so she can use EMT skills
Planned Parenthood may move clinic
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