t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO. 44
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Friday, November II, 1994
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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Pope and Mafia continue battling during papal visit to Sicily
FATHER COLEMAN
FATHER NORTON
FATHER HESSION
addicts, found the dead lamb on SYRACUSE, Sicily (CNS) Pope John Paul II and the Mafia his doorstep. "The Mafia exists," Father Saccontinued their battle during a Nov. 4-6 papal visit to Sicily, the chetti, who lives in Termini Imerese, near the Sicilian captial of Palermo, criminal organization's home turf. While the pope urged an end to said in newspaper interviews. The "timid mediocrity" in the battle dead lamb is "a warning coming at against crime, a lamb with its a special time, the visit of the pope throat slit was found on a prison . in Sicily." "I'm worried but I don't intend chaplain's doorstep with a sign saying: "The same will happen to to leave," said the priest, whose car was burned in an arson attack in you." The event emphasized the strong September. The pope almost anticipated the determination and courage needed to reduce the Mafia's tentacle-like threat. In a message to juvenile prisoners written six months eargrip on Sicilian society. The pope advocated such deter- lier when he was originally scheduled to visit, he praised prison mination and courage. "Rise up and dress yourself in chaplains and their difficult work light and justice," he said in his of bringing "religious guidelines" first speech, setting the tone for his to prisoners. He asked chaplains to stand anti-crime crusade. "There can be firm in their work. no room for cowardice or inertia," he told thousands of people in The pope handed the message to Catania Nov. 4, the first of two a group of young prisoners Nov. 5. cities on the papal tour. His trip six months earlier was Pope John Paul criticized the postponed after he broke his right Mafia by name several times and thigh. praised Father Giuseppe Puglisi, Prior to the pope's trip, church an anti-Mafia priest killed last leaders had urged him to continue year. the anti-Mafia crusade he launched Before the pope had carried his during a 1993 visit to Sicily, which crusade to Syracuse, the other city also sparked Mafia reaction. Two on his schedule, the Mafia reacted. important Rome churches were The morning after the pope arrived bombed and Father Puglisi killed in Sicily, Father Gino Sacchetti, a after that visit. Police blamed the prison chapla.in who was organiz- Mafia for the incidents. The fear of anti-Mafia church ing a rehabilitation center for drug
leaders was that a softer papal stand this year could deflate crime fighting programs, giving the popular impression that the Mafia had succeeded in intimidating the church. Sicilian society is still permeated with "the always open, painful and bloody plague of the Mafia, with its underhanded arrogance, with its tentacles and its recurring murders," said Archbishop Luigi Bommarito of Catania in an open letter to the pope less than three weeks before the start of the visit. Fighting the Mafia means more than combating crime, he said. It means changing the "daily mentality" and "widespread Mafia culture" in society, he added. The archbishop was referring to the Mafia's deep roots in society and the codes of honor, patronage and silence that it imposes. Archbishop Giuseppe Costanzo of Syracuse asked the pope to "help us in the true fight against the Mafia which is won by regenerating souls, announcing the Gospel and mobilizing consciences." A main aim of church leaders is to reach children, especially in poor areas which are fertile grounds for Mafia recruitment, and teach them alternatives to a criminal life. "Find the strength to be good Turn to Page 13
FATHER TOSTI
11 diocesans tobe inducted into Holy Sepulchre Order Four priests and seven laymen and women of the diocese will be inducted as Knights or Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the context of ceremonies to take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19, on Cape Cod. Priests to be enrolled are Very Rev. George W. Coleman, vicar general and moderator of the Diocesan Curia; Father Mark R. Hession, parochial vicar at St. Mary's parish, New Bedford; Father William W. Norton, pastor of St. Joseph's parish, Woods Hole; and Father Ronald A. Tosti, pastor of Christ the King parish, Mashpee. Laypersons are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Feitelberg of St. John the Baptist parish, Westport; Mrs. Marian Hogue of Falmouth, a
member of St. Joseph's parish, Woods Hole; Mrs. and Mrs. Lawrence Sullivan, also ofSt. Joseph's; and Mr.and Mrs. John Urbanand Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Franchi of Christ the King parish, Mashpee. Admission to the order recognizes meritorious service to the Church. It was founded in 1099 by Godfrey of Bouillon and its name derives from the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, where members were knighted during its early years. In later times national divisions were established in various countries, and were further subdivided into Lieutenancies. The diocesan members will belong to the Northeastern Lieutenancy of the United States. Bishop Sean O'Malley, who will Turn to Page 13 ,
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STUDENTS FROM the four diocesan high schools participate in "River of Dreams" vocations program at St. Ann's parish center, Raynham. Story on page 10. I '
Is God calling yOU? See pages 5 to 12. j
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