VOL. 47, NO.33
• Friday, September 5, 2003
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Cele1Rrtllillg 25 Yean 'I
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oj Senliee to the ClrlJlTCh Pope John Paulll will mark the 25th anniversary of his election as pope on
l October 16, and to celebrate that The Anchor in the coming weeks will run a
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variety ofphotos and stories about His Holiness andthe events that have marked ,; his pontificate. ~ The stories will feature an overview of his papacy and how he has inspired I.' ~ millions ofpeople, his love for youth, how the Church has changed, interviews ~ • with people who know and work with him, areas in which he has had a special \ .~ impact, his role as a communicator, his evangelization and lifelong devotion to the VlTgin Mary, and what's in store as his pontificate continues.
In 25 years, pope has shaped events, inspired millions By JOHN THAVIS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY - As Pope John Paul IT celebrates 25 years in office, the world is taking stock of a pontificate that has helped shape political events, set new directions for the Catholic Church and offered spiritual inspiration to millions of people around the globe. By any measure, this is a papacy for the ages. Since his election Oct. 16, 1978, Pope John Paul has delivered more speeches, met with more world leaders, , canonized more saints and kissed more babies than any previous pontiff. Visiting 129 countries - from the steppes of Asia to the Rocky Mountains t - he has implemented the Church's own
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form of globalization. : And in more than 50 major documents, on themes ranging from economics to the .~ rosary, he has brought the Gospel and Church teachings to bear on nearly every aspect of modem life. Everyone agrees this pope already has left a moral legacy, inside and outside the Church. But the pope also has weathered his share of disappointments in recent years, including the U.S. clerical sex abuse scandal, the ecumenical rupture with Orthodox leaders, legislative defeats on ProLife issues in many countries and the frustration of not being able to visit Russia and China. Vatican officials are focusing on the ~ -t," Tum to page 13 - Pope
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BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman, center, celebrates a Mass dedicating the new Corpus Christi Church building in East Sandwich last Sunday. Concelebrating with Bishop Coleman, from left: Father Marcel H. Bouchard, pastor; former bishop of Fall River, Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap.; Boston Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Malone, D.D.; and Father Rodney E. Thibault, parochial vicar. Below, members of the area Brazilian community stand before a banner of newly canonized Mother Paulina of Brazil. The community presented Father Bouchard with a relic of Mother Paulina to be interred in the church altar. (Anchor photos by Bruce McDaniel)
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POPE JOHN Paul II appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected pope Oct. 16, 1978. Chosen as the 263rd successor to St. Peter, Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla became the first nonItalian pontiff in 455 years. (CNS file photo) .-_.-:>:
KENT MURPHY, of Kent J. Murphy, Inc., is lifted by crane to attach a cross to the new cupola atop S1. Mary's/ Our Lady of the Isle Church on Nantucket. The cupola will house the new Schulmerich Carillons, chromatically tuned bells. (Photo by Father Paul A. Caron)
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