t ean VOL. 30, NO. 41
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Friday, October 17, 1986
F ALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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$8 Per Year
Technology demands, consistent ethic Spectrum involves all life issues
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A MISSIONARY SISTER brings joy and hope to a needy old person. You can support her work through the World Mission Sunday collection this weekend.
Prayer, gifts asked Sunday Mission effort of Church depends on the faithful This Sunday, World Mission Sunday, is the annual occasion, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, for the entire Catholic world to pray at the Eucharist for the missionary work ofthe Church and to offer financial support crucial to the ongoing work of world mission. The Church in the missions is growing and becoming more widely served by native-born priests, religious, and lay catechists. To care for the needs of increasing numbers of Catholics, and to reach out to other millions with the living Gospel of word and service, the mission Church relies heavily on the annual support of the Propagation ofthe Faith and more particularly on the prayers and sacrifices of the entire Church which are offered on World Mission Sunday. Moneys collected this weekend under direction of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith are distributed in their entirety to provide for the missionary and pastoral work of the Church worldwide. 51 percent of the collection is disbursed in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and parts of Latin America. Nine' percent goes to the Eastern churches and 40 percent is for missionary work in the United States.
In the Fall River diocese, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, local director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, coordinates the collection effort. Through the Propagation, help is provided for priests and religious who have little or no other source of sustenance. The bishop of a South Pacific diocese, for instance, writes that only help from the Propagation makes it possible for him to pro-
IN OBSERVANCE of October as Resped Life t
spedal teatures p3.
vide living expenses of $100 'a month for the priests and religious serving fulltime in his diocese. This amount covers not only food, clothing, and shelter, but must provide upkeep of the parish, school, social services and any medical facilities. The bishop noted that he would like to raise the stipend to $200 a month, but has no way of doing so. His priests, sisters and people are among a great many who would benefit from an
increased Mission Sunday collection. Through the Propagation, support is also provided for the formation of catechists, seminarians and novices, as well as for the essential mission work of announcing the Gospel, teaching the faith in greater depth to t,hose who have just barely heard of Christ, instructing children and adults in skills needed to live a better life and caring for the sick. This year's theme for World Mission Sunday, "Believe in your heart. .. Proclaim to the world... Jesus is Lord!" reminds us of our own gift of faith which, in the words of Pope John Paul II, is not meant for us alone but is to be shared with all the world as we support the mission Church with our prayers and gifts. Keeping al~ this in mind, Msgr. Oliveira asks on World Mission Sunday for the prayerful and generous support of members of the Fall River diocese. "I ask you to continue once again this year your assistance to the missions," he said. "The need is great. Your help is critical. I and those who benefit from your prayer and sacrifice will remember you and your intentions in our own prayers. May God bless you!"
PORTLAND, Ore. (NC) Technology challenges ethics "along the whole spectrum of life," Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin of Chicago said earlier this month at a two-day Conference on the Consistent Ethic of Life at the University of Portland. Technology, the cardinal said, demands a consistent ethic because "the spectrum cuts across such issues as genetics, abortion, capital punishment, modern warfare and the care of the terminally ill. We desperately need a societal attitude or climate that will sustain a consistent defense and promotion of life." Cardinal Bernardin, who chairs the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, popularized "consistent ethic of life" as a term for the underlying principle that shapes church positions on a wide range of issues affecting human life and dignity. Also featured at the conference were Father J. Bryan Hehir, U.S. Catholic Conference secretary for social development and world . peace; Sen. Mark O. Hatfield, ROre.; and author Sidney Callahan, psychology professor at Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. In a question session, Cardinal Bernardin said he hoped for a quick resolution of a major church controversy going on in the Seattle archdiocese, defended his position on gay rights, and defended church teaching on artificial contraception. The controversy in Seattle centers on the Vatican instruction to Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen to transfer authority over several areas of archdiocesan life to his auxiliary, Bishop ponald Wuerl. When a panelist questioning Cardinal Bernardin called Archbishop Hunthausen "a martyr to the consistent ethic of life," the comment drew immediate applause from the audience. Cardinal Bernardin said he knew Archbishop Hunthausen and Bishop Wuerl and thought they were wonderful men. "My heart goes out to both of them. I know Archbishop Hunthausen is suffering," he said. He said he was not free to comment publicly on specifics in the case, however. "It is my hope that in the near future this conflict can
be resolved in a way that will bring peace and harmony to the church," he said. "I will do all I can to promote that." On civil rights for homosexuals, an issue on which he was recently engaged in public controversy in Chicago, he stressed the distinction between homosexual activity and orientation. One has no responsibility for one's orientation, he said, but one must take responsibility for one's behavior or activity. He said he supports the church's teaching against artificial birth control, but would not include it within the consistent ethic of life framework because the moral issue in question was different. At a later press conference, Cardinal Bernardin was asked about news reports that the Vatican is tryingto move the U.S. church in a more conservative direction. He said he preferred to view the present as a period of consolidation after 20 years of radical change following the Second Vatican Council. Not all of the changes that took place were good for the church, he said, and some evaluation and adjustment is needed. Father Hehir, speaking of implications of a consistent ethic of life for U.S. power and technology, said, "We have the capability to shape the beginning of life or threaten to end all of it. The consistent ethic oflife attempts to take this capability and creativity and give it human meaning." On the nuclear threat to life on earth, he quoted Pope John Paul II's comment at Hiroshima that only "a series of conscious choices" can save humanity. Father Hehir urged a halt to nuclear testing as one way to control nuclear weapons. "This drives the arms race," he said. "It is time to say, 'Enough.' " Hatfield, unable to appear in person because of his congressional schedule, pleaded in a video address for nonviolence at home and abroad. Mrs. Callahan called abortion a "betrayal" of feminism, saying it does not contribute to women's rights, but pits women against their unborn children.
Vote your conscience on November 4