t eanc 0 VOL. 36, NO. 39
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Friday, October 2, 1992
FALL RIVER, MASS..
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE'ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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IN ANTICIPATION of Respect Life Month, Bishop Sean O'Malley celebrates a pro-life Mass at Holy Family Church, East Taunton, last week, wearing vestments with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The parish was hosting a painting of Our Lady that is a replica of the image left on the tilma, or cloak, of Blessed' Juan Diego after she appeared to him four times in 1531 near Mexico City. Our Lady of Guadalupe is patroness of the unborn. In his homily, Bishop O'Malley called abortion a "scourge of humanity" comparable to slavery, apartheid, Nazi death camps and child abuse. At left, the bishop views the image replica; center, he stands with Holy. Family pastor Father George F. Almeida; right, he celebrates Mass with Father Almeida and Father Stephen A. Fernandes, diocesan pro-life director. Partially obscured is Msgr. John J. Oliveira, master of ceremonies. (Breen photos)
Diocese aids· hurricane victims Bishop Sean P. O'Malley has expressed gratitude to the thousands of individuals in the Fall River diocese who made generous donations to assist the victims of H.urricane· Andrew. ' .• Bishop O'Malley noted that the diocesan chancery office received not only proceedsfrom collections' taken at parishes but also individual donations. To date, said the bishop, slightly more than $200,000 has been contributed. He is sending the money to the dioceses where the hurricane struck, asking that it be ~sed for direct aid to victims. "I want to thank the people of
our beloved diocese for their generous response to their brothers and sisters iri need," said the bishop, noting that he is apportioning collection proceeds to the arch.di:o'~.ese of Miami and the dio: ceses' or: Baton Rouge, Houma: Thibodaux, Lafayette, La., and Nassau, Bahamas. "As one who experienced firsthand the ravages of a hurricane on the island of St. Croix when H urricane Hugo struck in 1989," he continued, ". know the pain and suffering that the victims are experiencing. These contributions will assist them greatly. The generosity of the pe'ople of the diocese of Fall
LIFE! 1992
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River is well known and I am grateful to know that this tradition continues. "On behalf of those who will be 'aided with these donations, I want to thank all who contributed. This is a concrete and large-scale manifestation of sharing with our brothers and sisters in need."
Individuals who have not yet contribut,ed to the diocesan hurricane collection and wish to do so ,
Turn to Page Two
Peace Mass to end quincentennial year Bishop Sean O'Malley, will celebrate the annual diocesan procession and Mass for Peace on Monday, Oct. 12. The celebration will also mark conclusion of diocesan observance of the quincentennial of the arrival of the Gospel ·in the Americas. Parish groups participating in the procession should meet at St. Mary's Cathedral schoolyard in Fall River by 5:45 p. m. Oct. 12. Carrying of banners and flags is encouraged and participants should bring their own candles. Those in wheelchairs or otherwise disabled should proceed directly to St. Anne's Church at South Main and Middle Streets in Fall River, where a special area will be reserved for them at the Mass for Peace. All priests are invited to concelebrate the Mass for Peace, each providing his own vestments. Deacons are also encouraged to participate in the liturgy.
Dear Friends in Christ, The Diocese is in the process of developing sexual abuse policies. I have established a committee of three priests: Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, Msgr. Henry T. Munroe and Father Peter N. Graziano. The task ofthis committee has been to develop a first draft using the suggestions of the victims in the Porter Case as well as documents which have been published in various dioceses in the United . . States and €anada. This week's issue ofthe Anchor contains this first draft . that the committee has worked out. I am now asking the. victims' group and people throughout the Diocese to· react to this first draft with their suggestions so th~t we might develop a definitive policy'to be invoked in cases of sexual abuse by clergy. Once this policy has been promulgated, we will hold meetings in the various deaneries to explain the document and promote a greater understanding of pedophilia so as to afford the greatest protection of our children. I want to thank the victims and the committee for their continuing assistance in developing the very best policies possible. Please send any suggestions to the address found at the end of the draft. I am, Devotedly in Christ,
I-~Mt, ~c.rBishop of Fall River
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