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Volume

Number

1 1

NEWS

2002

April 19,

30

Serving Catholics

HERALD

& in

Western North Carolina

in

the Diocese of Charlotte

Sex abuse spans

Inside

spectrum of churches By

Professor presents pope's

message on medical ethics ...Page

Volunteers find

purpose

in

4

new

Belmont ...Page

7

MARK CLAYTON

The Christian Science Monitor Despite headlines focusing on the priest pedophile problem in the Roman Catholic Church, most American churches being hit with child sexualabuse allegations are Protestant, and most of the alleged abusers are not clergy or staff, but church volunteers.

These are findings from national surveys by Christian Ministry Resources (CMR), a tax and legal-advice publisher serving more than 75,000 congregations and 1,000 denominational agencies nationwide.

Woman religious says life

CMR's annual

surveys of about Photo by Alesha M. Price

1,000 churches nationwide have asked

is fulfilling through

her

ministry ...Page

16

about sexual abuse since 1993. They're a remarkable window on a problem that lurked largely in the shadows of public awareness until the Catholic scandals arose.

The

surveys suggest that over the

Clockwise, Belmont Abbey College students Chris Turner, Anthonia Franks, Lori Woody and Christine Tileston draw pictures for their group resume presentation at the young adult and campus ministry leadership training weekend April 12 and 13 at the Sisters of Mercy campus. The Diocese of Charlotte is the first to finish the national certification program, which took place over four weekends in Belmont.

past decade, the pace of child-abuse allegations against American churches has

News

Local

The surveys downward trend

averaged 70 a week.

regis-

tered a slight

in re-

ported abuse starting in 1997, possibly a result of the introduction of preventive

Spanish classes make

measures by churches.

"I think the numbers are striking, yet quite reasonable," says Anson Shupe, an Indiana University professor who's written books about church abuse. "To me it says Protestants are less reluctant to come forward be-

CMR

better ministers ...Page

5

cause they don't put their clergy on as

Help

is

requested for

high a pedestal as Catholics do with their priests."

refugees

70 incidents a week Dr. Shupe suggests the 70 allega-

At ...Page

15

least

tions-per-week figure actually could be higher, because underreporting

Every Week Entertainment

10-11

...Pages

Editorials

& Columns 12-13

com-

mon. He discovered this in 1998 while going door to door in Dallas-Ft. Worth communities where he asked 1,607 families if they'd experienced abuse from those within their church. Nearly 4 percent said they had been victims of sexual abuse by clergy. Child sexual abuse was part of that, but not broken out, he says.

James Cobble, executive director of

CMR, who oversees

...Pages

is

data

show

the survey, says the

that child sex-abuse happens

broadly across

all

denominations and

that clergy aren't the major offenders.

The LORD

'The Catholics have gotten

my

is

shepherd;

I

shall

not want.

He

guides

me

in right

paths for his

name's sake.

Even though walk in the dark valley fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give I

I

me

courage.

-Psalm

all

the

attention from the media, but this prob-

lem is even greater with the Protestant churches simply because of their far larger numbers," he says.

Of the 350,000 churches in the US, 19,500

—

5 percent

—

are

Roman

Catholic. Catholic churches represent a slightiy smaller minority of churches in

23:1,3-4

See

SPECTRUM,

page

8

People gather to focus on

young adult community By

ALESHA M. PRICE

dation to offer the four-weekend pro-

Staff Writer

BELMONT

— About

55 people

from the Charlotte and Raleigh dioceses gathered for the culmination of four weekends of spiritual guidance, leadership skills and fellowship in young adult and campus ministry April 12 and 13 at the Sisters of Mercy campus. Since November, the Office of Young Adult and

Campus Ministry has given

interested

gram to those working in young adult and campus ministry. The CMD is a non-profit, national, Catholic organization,

adult,

Which offers training for young youth and family ministers and

religious educators.

CMD

"The

went

to the

Raskob

many

Catholic

Foundation, which funds activities,

taking

all

and proposed this concept of of the best practices and offer-

people the opportunity to participate in

ing training programs for young adults

an inaugural national program, and the

and people interested

Diocese of Charlotte

ministry," said

this

program

The

is

the

first

to finish

and

Practices: Leadership for

Ministry with Young Adults," was created in response to the United States

Conference of Catholic Bishops' 1996 pastoral "Sons and Daughters of the Light," which addressed the ever-changing and growing needs of the young adult population in the Catholic Church.

Since then, young adult ministries have been developing in dioceses across the country with the main goal of service to and for young adults on campuses and in parishes.

The certification program, first prompted by the Center for Ministry Development (CMD), stage,

is

in

F.

young

adult

Manion, ex-

ecutive director of the Catholic Leader-

in the country.

certification series, entitled

"Principles

in

Matthew

its

and the Diocese of Charlotte

pilot is

one

of 12 dioceses in the country that received funding from the Raskob Foun-

ship Institute and adjunct faculty for the

program. "Hopefully, after program, this will become a offerings and a part of the regular part of what the church offers this gencertification this pilot

CMD

eration."

This two-day gathering, which inwho completed all of the sessions and those who are interested in future leadership positions, used the text and supplemental materials from 'Leadership for Life: Discovering Your Gifts for Christian Leadership" from the CMD. The book included chapters dealing with Christian leadership, the tools used to lead and resources for continued learning. People who completed all of the cluded those

sessions received certification in

See

YOUNG ADULTS,

young

page

15

The Catholic News & Herald

2

The World

in

A decade after reforms, Mexican bishops discuss expanding rights MexiMEXICO CITY (CNS)

before

gious rights outside

when they met

Mexico City

it.

TV

he would firmly oppose

also

The

bill

human em-

pending action

is

unacceptable.

UNITED NATIONS (CNS)

sary of constitutional reforms that marked a major move forward for the church within the aggressively secular Mexican state. Among the reforms were the normalization of Mexico's relations with the Vatican after a 125-year break, the go-ahead for private religious education, and the formal recognition of the right of priests to celebrate Mass in pub-

— The

Vatican told a U.N. committee April 9 that it found the lack of progress on nuclear disarmament alarming. "Even more serious than the lack of progress is the overt determination of

weapon ons

some nuclear

states to maintain nuclear

weap-

in a critical role in their military

doctrines,"

it

said in a statement deliv-

ered at the United Nations. Declaring nuclear weapons "incompatible with the

lic.

Postal increase to hit periodicals harder than others

WASHINGTON

we seek for the 21st century," the Vatican declared that "there can be no

peace

— When

(CNS)

moral acceptance of military doctrines that embody the permanence of nuclear weapons."

Liturgical music publishers team up for 9-11 benefit album

the cost of a first-class postage stamp

goes up to 37 cents

summer, the

this

publishers of nonprofit periodicals, in-

cluding diocesan newspapers, will have

much

to swallow increases of as

percent to 20 percent. "This

is

as

WASHINGTON

15

as big an

increase as periodicals have seen in five

Neal Denton, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers. The Postal Service's Board of Governors on April 9 announced that standard first-class postage would increase by 3 cents on June 30. Domestic mail rates will go up across the board, by varying amounts, depending on type of service. instance, priority mail rates for the

pound

will increase

ers

CNS

photo from Reuters

point

how much

It's

Smoke

rates will increase for

other customers because of the complex rate structure for bulk mailers.

The new

bump comes on

two

the heels of

Denton

rate

ZIP

pieces into individual fies for a

codes, quali-

reduction in the rates.

Bush, other cloning opponents rally forces to push for ban

—

WASHINGTON ban

saving measures available, he

cloning research with an April 10 White

all

forms of human

House event rallying some of the bill's most prominent backers. 'Allowing cloning would be taking a significant step toward a society in which

human

grown for spare body parts and children are engineered to custom specifications," Bush said, "and that's not beings are

acceptable."

The

Senate

take up legislation on

is

expected to

human

cloning

ITh

NEWS

2002

April 19,

Volume

Episcopal, j calendar

& H E R A L D

11

•

Number

30

Most Reverend William G. Curlin Joann S. Keane

Editor:

Staff Writer:

April

in thefollowing events:

26 BELMONT

April 22

—

7 p.m.

Confirmation

Alesha M.Price

St.

Michael, Gastonia

Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick

April 24

Beason 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237

Secretary: Sheriil

— 7 p.m.

Confirmation St.

Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382

Benedict, Greensboro

April 26 — 7:30 p.m.

E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

Confirmation The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for enrollees in

Roman

for $1 5 per

parishes

of

year

Charlotte and $18 per year for

other subscribers.

postage paid other

cities.

News &

of

Second-class NC and

at Charlotte

POSTMASTER: Send

Herald, P.O. Box 37267,

NC

28237.

Therese, Mooresville

—

April 27 11 a.m.

Lay ministry graduation St.

Gabriel, Charlotte

all

address corrections to The Catholic Charlotte,

St.

the

Diocese

Catholic

Diocesan, planner

Bishop William G. Curlin will take part

Publisher:

Associate Editor: Kevin E. Murray

Hope,

&

the Sept.

each extra sorting step, such as dividing

for legislation to

and

USA's

teamed up for the album. The entire $16 retail cost of the CD-only album is being donated to Catholic Charities USA, which set up a relief fund the day after

dent Bush raised

said,

Faith,

continued his efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians. Pope John Paul II prayed for the success of Powell's mission and an end to suffering in the Holy Land.

news isn't all bad for nonprofit publishers. For one thing, there are many cost-

said the

'With

relief efforts.

Love: In Support of the Victims of Terrorism" is the name of the album.

GIA Publications, Oregon Catholic Press and World Library Publications

(CNS) Presithe volume on support

increases in 2001, but

to help Catholic Charities

1 1

billows over Manger Square in Bethlehem Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity steeple towers above smoke from nearby explosions in Manger Square April 15. Some 200 Palestinians remained in the church, while U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell

from $3.50 to from harder to pin-

The

have joined to co-produce a benefit

album Sept.

$3.85, while postcards will increase

21 cents to 23 cents.

—

(CNS)

three main U.S. liturgical music publish-

years," said

For

types of

all

disarmament alarming

discussions were carried

out in the context of the 10th anniver-

first

One

Bush

cloning.

Vatican calls U.N.'s lack of progress on nuclear

carry out religious services within the military.

research in

said that version

and the right to

stations

human

all

said

permit research on cloned human embryos which are destroyed after stem cells have been extracted. The president

seek permission for religious control of radio and

summer. The

July that would

in the Senate would prohibit research in cloning for reproductive purposes, but would

The

The bishops

bill last

ban

bryos.

assembly, held in Cuautitlan Izcalli, focused on the bishops' request for religious education in public schools if students' parents ask for

a

cloning research involving

reli-

for five days

in early April.

recesses for the

it

House passed

—

can bishops discussed expanding

2002

April 19,

Brief

— The Abbey

1 1

terror attacks.

The

publish-

hope to make an $80,000 donation to Catholic Charities in August, representers

ing a sellout of

5,000 copies of the

all

album manufactured. "(Catholic Charities') Disaster Response Office connects the church's social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation," the publishers said in

tion to the

an introduc-

CD.

Brown at (828) 437-1392 or e-mail downtownalanbrown@hotmail.com The 2nd Annual 26 CHARLOTTE Crystal Ball and Gold Classic to support

—

the Modafieri Foundation will be held to-

Players/

night at 7

p.m

at the

Adams Mark

Hotel.

Belmont Community Theatre will be performing "Parade," opening tonight at 8 p.m. in the Haid Theatre, 100 Belmont-Mt

The

dinner-dance includes a silent auction

and

live music.

Holly Rd. The play will continue to run April 27-29 and May 2-4. The play centers around the story of Leo Frank, a

Sycamore Golf Club

Brooklyn-born Jewish man, put on trial for the alleged murder of one of his factory

workers

in

1913 Georgia. For

other information,

call

tickets

and

the theatre at (704)

The

golf tournament will

also be held during the in

day

at the

Mint

Hill.

Olde For

information, call Joan Petruski at (704)

846-7408.

27 ASHE VII I£

— The

diocesan Office

of Justice and Peace will be hosting

Are

Called:

'We

A Conference of Social Justice

from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m at St. 1 Culvern St Workshops and presentations will include: the Afghan Issues" today

Eugene Church,

825-6787.

26 CHARLOTTE

The Region VII

of justice, global

spring Cursillo meeting will take place this

refugee

evening from 6-9 p.m. and April 27 from

climate justice, death penalty moratorium,

p.m with 7:30 am. and 5 p.m St Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd.

crisis, spirituality

advocacy and socio-economic

7:15 a.m.-9

legislative

Masses

concerns of Western North Carolina. For

at

5:30 p.m.

The meeting will

Confirmation Good Shepherd, King

tations, lunch, discussions, sub-regional

tion, call

meetings and an Ultreya. For pre-registration and other information, call Alan

or e-mail justicepeace(^harlottediocese.org.

include breakfast, presen-

April 23 registration and other informa-

Linda Franks

at (704)

28 HENDERSONVILLE

370-3231

— The

St.

April 19,

2002

The World

The Catholic News & Herald 3

Brief

in

Expert says myths about priests, sex abuse need to be dispelled.

Myths NEW YORK (CNS)

changes are taking

—

J.

"We

who have

our

St.

Rossetti said that even

among

are worried at the ease with which

obligations from their political, profes-

and cultural commitments."

sional

Man who shot himself at New York cathedral

priests

molested minors, a compul-

parish house dies YORK' (CNS) The man

Boston John Geoghan "is the rare exception, thank God." America is a Jesuit-run national Catholic magazine based in New York. Its April 25 edition, which also had an editorial and two other articles on clergy sexual abuse, was the second in less than a month devoted mainly to the topic. Father Rossetti,

who

shot himself at the parish house of

Patrick's Cathedral in

St.

said. Arem Gazaryan, a native of Armenia who came to the United States seven years ago and was working at a bank in Brooklyn, came to the parish house and asked to talk with a priest.

institute specializes in treatment

of priests and religious suffering addic-

When

and psychological problems,

priest

that because of the complexity of issues

surrounding child sexual abuse, there no simple solutions.

are

Christian groups send convoy of food to West Bank towns BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) A group of Christian organizations

cal

to the West Bank, hoping to allevihunger caused by two weeks of Israeli army incursions. The initial convoy went to Bethlehem, Beit Jalla and Beit Sahour April 15 after coordination with

CNS

when

March and

Border town residents cross Santa Fe bridge

— As

(CNS)

violence plagued the In-

bombers left dozens of Israelis dead and hundreds injured. "Today the

dian Ocean island of Madagascar, Armand Antananarivo Cardinal Razafindratandra called on the interna-

immediate need is food, but our concern how to get over this situation which we are in," said Claudette Habesch, secretary-general of Caritas Jerusalem, one

dency of Marc Ravalomanana. The official results of December's contested presidential poll were "neither legal nor

early April,

a series of Palestinian

suicide

is

of the organizers of the convoy.

'We

are

from peace today than ever before, but we must believe that peace is possible in this land that has to be shared by two peoples." farther

Madagascar cardinal urges nations to recognize candidate's presidency ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar Francis of the Hills Fraternity of the Secular

Franciscan Order will meet today from

3-5 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 208 7th Ave. West. Visitors and inquirers .are welcome, so for more information, call Helen Gillogly, SFO, at (828) 883-9645.

May 1 CHARLOTTE — The

community

tional

valid,"

'We

said Cardinal Razafindratandra.

are sure that

took to the streets to protest the election results.

Church and

civic

observer

groups estimated that Ravalomanana

Rodite at (704) 541-9744.

2 GUILFORD COUNTY

— The

tine

parish activity

age 55 and older are welcome. For more information, call Charles Nesto at (704) 398-0879.

2 CHARLOTTE

—

St.

Matthew Church

Respect Life Ministry will be sponsoring pro-life educational

Matthew Kauth series,

which

will

programs. Father

be die speaker for the

will discuss the following top-

on the following dates from 7-9 p.m.: "Human Embiyonic Stem Cell Research" and "The Ethical Aspects of Human Cloning" - tonight and 'End of Life Issues" May 31. For more information, call Pat ics

to bear on public life (CNS) While the Catholic Church in Bolivia relies heavily on faith-filled, educated lay people to lead communities in remote

—

VATICAN CITY

parts of the country, the

Bolivian Catholic laity

first

is

faith to

bear on public

Paul

said.

vocation of

to bring their

Pope John

life,

"This specific vocation of

the laity has a decisive importance in

modern

society in which, as

is

happen-

ing also in Bolivia, rapid and profound

and therapist

will lead the

Father John Putnam, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, as the

Ancient Order of Hibernians Guilford County Division 1, an Irish-Catholic social and charitable inter-parish group, will be having a meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Ladies' Cottage at Our Lady of Grace Church, 2205 West Market St. in Greens-

the recognition of his presence and power.

speaker.

For

Potter at (704) 366-5127.

For further information,

Schmidt

at (336)

—

call

Alice

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, formerly known as the Catholic Hispanic Center and now located at 6212 Tuckasseegee Rd., will be

Mass

English every Sun-

day at 8 a.m. beginning

3 MAGGIE VALLEY

Marriage

— The

staff

of

Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters Lane, invite

all

women

to their special 25th Anniversary Retreat this

—

CHARLOTTE

celebrating a

at (336) 274-4424.

Women

5

weekend. Paula DArcy,

details, call

in

this

morning. For

Vincentian Father Vincent

Finnerty at (704) 391-3732.

Sacred Heart Church, 5 SALISBURY

—

128 N. Fulton

St.,

will

charismatic and healing

be celebrating a

Mass today

at

4

p.m. Prayer and worship with prayer

teams

will

be available at 3 p.m., and a

potluck dinner will follow the Mass. Father John Putnam, pastor, will be the cel-

ebrant For further information, Owens at (704) 639-9837

5

CHARLOTTE —

nual International

call

For more

10 HICKORY

926-3833 or e-mail lwcrc@main.nc.us.

All married couples are

invited to participate in the next

for

further details, call jhe center at (828)

288-0983.

Encounter this weekend at the Catholic Conference Center, 1551 Trinity Lane.

Marriage Encounter is a 44-hour period when couples can take time off from families, work and other responsibilities to focus on each other to grow spiritually and emotionally as one. For more information or reservations, call Tom and Emilie Sandin

p.m. in

Pope says Bolivian Catholics must bring faith

II

pilgrimage could negatively affect the predominant Orthodox Church, said an opinion poll. In the early April survey by Bulgaria's agency, 48 percent of Bulgarians said they counted on seeing Pope John Paul II "with their own eyes" during the May 23-26 visit, while 4 percent believed that the pope's presence could "negatively affect" the position of Bulgaria's Orthodox Church. The pilgrimage will include a Mass in Plovdiv and a meeting at the Orthodox Church's governing synod in the capital, Sofia. Pope John Paul will begin his visit May 22 in Azerbaijan.

Catholics comprise 3 percent of Bulgaria's 9 million population.

MBMD

Razafindratandra.

spiritual writer

program

1

hope to see the pope when he makes country in May, while only a small percentage said the his first visit to the

retreat which will explore God's love and

3 HICKORY

at

in criti-

—

Ladies

of St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd., will be having a meeting with a luncheon and center. All adults

Center and remained there

to half the inhabitants of Bulgaria

had won enough votes for an outright victory, said Cardinal

to recognize the presi-

Ravalomanana should have won." Ravalomanana, a popular politician and Christian leader, declared himself president in February after hundreds of thousands of his supporters

boro.

Happy Timers

took out a gun, the

Half of Orthodox Bulgaria hopes to see pope during May pilgrimage WARSAW, Poland (CNS) Up

PHOTO by Agostino Bono

Residents of sister cities El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, cross the Santa Fe bridge that connects the countries of Mexico and the United States. Families with relatives living in both cities used to have easy access to each other until the U.S. tightened border controls several years ago.

the Israeli army. Israeli forces entered the Palestinian areas in late

man

cal condition until his death.

—

ate

the

was able to get out of the room, but Gazaryan then shot himself in the face. He was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital- Weill Cornell Medi-

said

first

New York

Aprjl 3 died April 12, a hospital official

-

organized six food convoys and sent the

—

NEW

priest

tions

and moral

laity separate their faith

sive pedophile like defrocked

whose

bishops

the bishops' conference, told the pope,

Rossetti,

Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md. Writing in the April 25 issue of America magazine, Father president of

pope told

The

were in Rome for their "ad limina" visits, which bishops make every five years.

Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval of Santa Cruz, president of

about Catholic priests and child sexual abuse need to be dispelled if the real goal is protecting children, says priest-psychologist Father Stephen

place," the

Bolivian bishops April 13.

Bill

The 52nd Semi-AnRosary Day will be held

is

details, call

Kathleen

— Engaged Encounter

for couples planning marriage,

desire a richer, fuller

life

who

together. Al-

though the encounter weekend is Catholic in origin and orientation, it is open to couples of any faith. Couples are encouraged to attend the weekend three to six montiis prior to their wedding date. Engaged couples may take part in one of several Engaged Encounter weekends, which will take place at the Catholic Conference Center, 1551 Trinity Lane: today through May 12, Aug. 23-25,

Sept 20-22 and Oct. 25-27. For registration and other information, call Carl Whitesel at (704) 987-9420 or (888) 310-9040 or e-mail eeregistration@yahoo.com.

-

Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd. with

this afternoon at 3 p.m. at St.

Please submit notices of events for the Diocesan Planner at least 20 days prior to the publication date.

The Catholic News & Herald

4

Professor presents pope's

By KEVIN

E.

MURRAY

dozen books and scholarly

Associate Editor

— Do unto

GASTONIA

others as

you would want them to do unto you.

Dr. William E. May, professor of moral theology at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C., presented The Gospel of Life: Current Perspectives in Catho-

Biomedical Ethics at St. Michael Church April 10. Approximately 100 people attended the lecture on Pope John Paul IPs 1995 encyclical letter, "Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life"), dealing with the value and inviolalic

of human

bility

"I

(the audience) take

away

no matter how

burdened they can be," said May after the lecture. 'There are ways to overcome the burdens you send them to a doctor,

—

you give them medicines. You don't simply

kill

Human

have a living body,

May's presentation, however, cused mainly on the encyclical,

many

which describes our culture as The roots of this

referring to abortion and

two procedures adopted by

countries in the world, including

the United States.

'They (the countries) do not regard unborn persons as humans protected by law," he told the audience. "An unborn baby is not a potential person, but a person with potential and that must be

human

freedom, said May.

'People think, TSTobody's going to

me what

I'm going to do.

I

tell

am the one to

God

this. But he gives us the understand right and wrong through our intelligence."

"No,

does

ability to

death

for the culture of

the mentality that "recognizes

is

as a subject of rights only the

enjoys

one who

or at least incipient au-

full

tonomy and who emerges from a state of total dependency of others," said May. Basically, "a person is aware of

versity of

and capable or relating to others but unborn babies, newborns, the demented, the comatose, etc'., are not, on this view, persons."

"Hence, they do not have the rights of persons and are not entitled to protection of the law," noted May. 'To the contrary, Christian faith and sound philosophy

for

maintain that every living

allowed to develop."

May, a renowned author and

lec-.

turer in the field of Catholic moral theol-

ogy, taught the subject at Catholic Uni-

America in Washington, D.C., 20 years. Appointed by Pope John Paul II, May served on the International Theological Commission from 1986 to 1997 and was a consultant on the vocation and mission of the lay faithful in the Catholic Church for the 1987 Synod of Bishops. The pope also awarded him the medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1991.

May has authored more than a

For First

&

May of the culture of death

said

"A

living

is

a person. This

is

we have

Communion

Confirmations

E.

Murray

are united in us after baptism," said

In the instance of rape, said

abortion

is

May's lecture

how

said.

also touched

upon

the encyclical bears on in vitro

fertilization,

man

May. May,

not the answer. 'The product

good, not the means," he

is still

experimentation on hu-

subjects and stem cell research.

•

"Stem

cell

research in itself

moral," said

not im-

is

May. The church opposes

the kind of research that requires

ing the embryo to get

cells,

In the chapter "For a for

have the responsibility to educate their children in the truth, and to love them and teach them to love others."

Father John Allen, pastor of St. Michael Church, was delighted by the lecture and the turnout, which he said included some 30 physicians.

'The quest of all church teachings is to apply the message of Christ to new areas of thought," said Father Allen.

"Some of these concepts (in the encyclical) would have been inconceivable 13 to 15

Human

new human

Life,"

he

years ago."

"Human

kill-

New

life

requires

more than our

"We need to have respect for a human person in its entirety both as a bodily person and someone who is more than a body." bodily

said.

Culture

life,"

concluded May.

—

the development of a

upon ordinary people and the family is meant to be the sanctuary of life, said May. "Married couples have the vocation to bring into being a new person," he said. "Parents culture rests

Contact Associate Editor Kevin E.

Murray

by calling (704)

370-3334 or

mail kemurray@charlottediocese. org.

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we are made in God's image. "We are impeccable images of God. God wanted a kind of person who could receive divine life. The divine nature and human nature that

."

encyclical

we

a person

a central truth of this

is

Dignity

Mon.

thinking.

a person. If

sage Concerning Life" chapter confirms

itself as a self ...

human body

made in the likeness of God." The encyclical's 'The Christian Mes-

determine right and wrong,'" said May.

Another reason

May was

fo-

chapter of the

first

a "culture of death."

them."

euthanasia,

May, are an eclipse of a sense of God and of man, and widespread social acceptance of and legal protection of contraception, abortion and euthanasia.

"People in comas have useless lives.

Euthanasia is doing them a favor by relieving them of their burdensome lives," said

that they are bodily persons, and their

bodies are a gift from God,

Manifestations of the culture of death,

articles.

culture include a perverse idea of

life.

hope they

message on medical ethics

His recent book, "Catholic Bioethics and the Gift of Human Life," was published in 2000.

May began the presentation by summarizing the four chapters of the "Evangelium Vitae" - "Present Day Threats to Human Kind"; "The Christian Message Concerning Life"; "God's Holy Law"; and "For a New Culture of Life."

2002

April 19,

Around the Diocese

Knights of Columbus

Luncheon Address: Pastor, St.

Rev. Francis T.

Eugene Catholic Church,

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April 19,

2002

By ELLEN NEERINCX

SIGMON

Correspondent

BELMONT

— They

start their

classes with a prayer in Spanish.

On

March

St.

26,

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Around the Diocese

was the Prayer of

it

Spanish classes make better ministers

Francis: "Senor, hace instrumento de tu

make me an instrument of

(Lord,

paz...."

your peace.

These

...")

classes in conversational

women

Spanish for clergy,

religious

Abbot

and

when

diocesan employees came about

Placid Solari, O.S.B., abbot and

Abbey

chancellor of Belmont

College;

Father Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese; and Dean de la Motte, dean of academic affairs at Belmont Abbey College, began to talk about what the college and the monastery could do to work with Hispanics in the area.

The

start of

what de

Spanish classes are just a

hoped to be

is

a larger

Motte.

"The details of that larger effort are

effort, said

la

Photos by Ellen N. Sigmon

not going to be really known until we know what sort of support we will have among our alumni and leaders in the

At

Latino community," said de

include, at right, Pat Onaindia, secretary for faith

la

Motte.

A

meeting with those groups is being planned for May, he said. Other ideas that have been discussed are to provide ESL (English as a Second Language) courses and providing other re-

de

la

Liz Diaz, a Spanish instructor at

Belmont Abbey College, is teaching the two Spanish classes this semester one

Motherhouse on Monday evenings, and another for clergy and diocesan personnel at

Belmont Abbey College on Tues-

day evenings.

"It's

such a blessing to work (with

these students)," said Diaz. into

it

because

it

impact for them."

To her Tuesday class,

she said, "You

when

I

get here," said Franciscan

Mona

Wingert, assistant superintendent of schools for the diocese and a member of the Tuesday class. "It's a great opportunity, and we're happy to Sister

do

it."

'We are getting more and more His-

They put

panic children in school," said Sister of St.

really has

more

Joseph Helene Nagle, principal of St.

Ann

Thursday,

May 16

College, teaches Spanish classes

— one

for the sisters at the

Belmont Abbey College, which formation; Kay Jordan, secretary for youth, young adult and and diocesan personnel

at

director of diocesan facilities; and his wife, Rachel Piche, a public health nurse.

School in Charlotte. "It's not necessary for them, because they can speak pretty good English. need it for their par-

that are useful in religious

ents."

saying the Hail

We

Sister Helene added that she could not rely on the children to translate for their parents because "the children can say anything they want to." She laughed.

'That's why we have to hurry up and

learn

all

of this."

"Liz helps us to understand the cultoo," said Sister

Hermana Mona are getting more

On

Mona, who in

Spanish

is

called

class.

'We

cultures in the schools."

Tuesday, the and

this particular

class practiced trilling double r's

saying the names of the months, the days of the week and types of sports and games. They also practiced useful words, phrases and questions. They practiced terms from the liturgical year and verbs

life,

such as

"predicar" ("to preach") and "meditar" ("to meditate").

Members new

that their

They ended the class by Mary in Spanish.

of the class are finding Spanish

skills

are not only

useful in their work, but in everyday

life

as well.

"It's

ish," said

tures (of the various Hispanic countries),

Michael's Church

First Annual Invitational

Abbey

for clergy

helping

me to read better SpanGuy Piche, director of

Rev. Mr.

diocesan facilities. "I've gotten some things from the Hispanic community, and I can identify them now."

Pat Onaindia, secretary of faith formation for the diocese, talked about a recent encounter she had with a Hispanic man and his new baby in a fast food restaurant She said that she was able to ask him if the baby was a boy and how old he was. "As soon as I said, TVluchacho?' ('Boy?'), his eyes just lit up," she said. "We just seemed to connect."

*

Steve Hughes

COME AND JOIN US FOR

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St.

Guy Piche,

'They have

taken tremendous strides.

more

Rev. Mr.

tired

Motte.

for the sisters at the Sisters of

campus ministry;

Mercy

conference the Spanish classes to the Asheville and Greensboro areas. "We hope to have a course up and running in said

Mercy Motherhouse and another

—

Plans are also in the works to use the college's distance learning facility to tele-

fall,"

Liz Diaz, a Spanish instructor at Belmont

guys can speak more Spanish than my (college) class that meets three times a week for an hour and a half" Diaz leaves no one out during the classes. She puts her hands on her hips and turns to each student in turn, asking questions such as, "Que te gusta?" ('WTiat do you like?") and joking with them about their answers. Each student is expected to respond in Spanish.

"I go home wide awake, and I am

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6

The Catholic News & Herald

Pope beatifies

People

in

April 19,

the News

— Queen Mother

six

Elizabeth prepared for death by living a "good and generous Christian life," said Cardinal Cormac

people, including

Nicaraguan, Argentine

VATICAN CITY

— Cel-

(CNS)

ebrating examples of priestly and

Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster. The Queen Mother's April 9 funeral in

reli-

gious holiness in the church, Pope John

Paul

II beatified six

Westminster Abbey, London, followed a five-day period of lying in state when an

people, including the

Argentine and a Nicaraguan woman. "These (six) newly beatified

estimated 200,000 people passed her cof-

first

fin.

were able to recognize the Lord's living presence in the church and, overcoming difficulties and fears, became his enthusiastic and courageous witnesses to the world," the pope said April 14 during a solemn liturgy in St. Peter's Square. As the pope pronounced the Latin formula of beatification under an overcast sky, drapes slipped off large tapestries on the basilica facade that depicted those

declared "blessed."-

Supreme Court

his

ment of the carries.

for

CNS

photo from Reuters

St. Peter's

operated fully in the investigation.

Pope to skip annual mountain vacation due to full travel schedule (CNS) Pope

—

VATICAN CITY

or potential

no

life

The image of Sister Maria

del Transito de Jesus Sacramentado hangs from St. Peter's Basilica April 14. The Argentine nun founded the Congregation of the Tertiary Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Argentina. She was one of six people beatified by Pope John Paul II.

said the majority opinion

the

already

II

full,

will skip his

his traveling schedule

Vatican sources

said.

Nor-

mally the pope spends about 10 days in the northern Italian alps in mid-July. He used to spend much of his Italian vacation hiking, but in recent years he has

taken drives instead. This year, the pontiff,

to

who

May, plans to travel World Youth Day cer-

turns 82 in

Toronto

for

emonies, then to Guatemala and Mexico.

The

July 23-Aug.

1

trip is

expected to

The pope

power of judicial

rule."

archbishop enthusiastic about restoring Baltimore

also has been

basilica (CNS) Italian Archbishop Francesco Marchisano can wax poetic about the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the

mer, and Vatican sources said

Mary

in Baltimore.

The

the Church, visited the basilica 30 years

trip probably would include a stop in the Tatra mountains, where the pope hiked as a young man.

Queen Mother prepared

to die by living Christian life, cardinal says MANCHESTER, England (CNS)

Commission ago and

for the Cultural

Goods of

an enthusiastic supporter of it time for its 200th anniversary in 2005. "It has immense historical importance," said the archbishop, whose primary task is to encourage the preservation and appreciation of church art and historic buildings. is

efforts to restore in

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Life

The

archbishop, president of the Pontifical

mid-August.

Assuring Absolute

voce

Blessed Virgin

—

sumhe was

invited to his native Poland this

likely to travel there in

was "an

Italian

VATICAN CITY

John Paul

which she

constitutional warrant

improvident and extravagant exercise of

outside Toronto.

co-

life

find

I

...

imposing such an order of priorities on

White

Image of Argentine nun hangs at

is

Mahony

had retired from

the people and legislatures of the states."

summer because

said Cardinal

He

that "the court apparendy values the convenience of the pregnant mother more than the continued existence and develop-

Dwayne Johnson

He

Denver.

in

months of the Clinton presidency. One of his more famous dissents at the Supreme Court was in the 1973 Roe case. He wrote

of molesting her. Fresno police officer

substantiate the allegation against the

home

term stretching from his appointment by President John F. Kennedy to the first

begin with a rest and relaxation stop of

cardinal.

White,

the court in 1993 after serving 31 years, a

three days at a yet-undisclosed location

interviewed former students and and found nothing to

died April

84, died of complications of pneumonia at

customary

staff at the school

who

Wade decision legalizing abortion.

vacation in the Italian mountains this

lice

—

(CNS) Retired Byron White, a

was remembered for dissenting from some of the most controversial court rulings of his time, including the Roe vs.

bottom garment was gone and thenMsgr. Mahony was standing over her.

She told reporters she was seeking compensation to cover her psychiatric

that po-

Brit-

15,

the claim

1 1

by

Justice

football hero turned jurist

an immediate thorough investigation by church and law enforcement authorities and categorically denied that he had ever sexually abused anyone. His accuser, a 51-year-old Fresno woman with a history of mental illness, claimed that when she was a student at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, she was knocked unconscious in a fight at school.

She alleged that when she awoke, her

said April

also attended

voice against abortion

surfaced in March, the cardinal asked for

members and co-workers

was

WASHINGTON

being

bills.She also has accused fellow stu-

British

Byron White remembered for

tion that he molested a teen-age girl in

dents, family

by the

ish senior political figures.

—

When

funeral attended

across Europe,

The group was made

in Fresno, Calif.

The

royal family and royal families from

up of three priests, two religious sisters and a religious brother.

Los Angeles cardinal cleared of abuse allegation WASHINGTON (CNS) A police investigation has cleared Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of an allega1969

2002

E.

Independence Blvd.

704-531-3131

and Health Insurance

Frank LaPointe, President,

7001

E.

Independence Blvd.

704-535-4444 Member

of

St.

Gabriel Church

April 19,

2002

new purpose in Belmont

Volunteers find MARY MARSHALL

Belmont. The Wisniewskis spend their days assisting at Holy Angels. Renn has become a relished fixture at Catherine's House.

The Wisniewskis had lived in the

and mentally challenged people; teenage mothers; and people in both urban and rural settings, from large cities to Native American reservations and migrant communities. The Mercy Volunteer Corps staff and the potential volunteers work together to achieve the ideal placement.

"Our goal was t© live in community and develop our own spiritual lives as well as be of service," said Mary Jane Wisniewski. "For years, we kept hearing in the Gospels the idea of being of service. Now we were able to

same home

see

By

cally

Correspondent

BELMONT

—

Andy and Mary

Jane Wisniewski are natives of Chicago. Jo Renn hails from Albuquerque, N.M. The chances of them even meeting were slim until they decided to join

Mercy Volunteer Corps and found themselves

sharing

for

a

home

40 years, raising

in

six

Their family grew to include nine grandchildren, and as Andy Wisniewski's retirement date drew near, they saw an ad in their church bulletin about Mercy Volunteer Corps and sent for information.

Mercy Volunteer Corps is a program of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas that invites women and men to service with people in the United States and Guyana, South America.

Volunteers commit to compassionate activities.

service, a simple lifestyle in the

com-

munity and spiritual growth for a period of one year in the United States and two years for international programs.

Placement opportunities range from working with: people with HIV/ AIDS; children and adolescents; elderly persons; homeless people; physi-

as a full-time possibility."

it

The Wisniewskis

children and participating in church

sold their home,

stored their furniture and, following a

week's orientation period

in Philadel-

headed to Holy Angels

phia,

— which

provides innovative services and programs for children and adults with

mental retardation and other disabilities in Belmont.

Mercy Volunteers receive a small stipend, orientation and retreat opportunities, transportation to and from the site of service, the opportunity to live within a prayerful community, medical insurance, AmeriCorps Edu-

—

cation

Awards and school loan

for-

New York,

The Wisniewskis

readily adapted

Belmont community, enjoying the town walking to Holy Angels and strolling and attending movies in the park. They seized to the

—

pluses of a small

Week May 27th - June 3rd at our

Motherhouse 20 miles

North of

We

live in

vows

New York City.

community and take

of chastity, poverty

and obe-

dience. Daily prayer and our apostolate of caring for incurable can-

cer patients are integral parts of our offering to God.

Many who have no women

are invited to

visit

For more information call or write,

All

enter our

care

is free.

Community

prior nursing experience.

throughout the year.

Sr.

Teresa Marie, O.P.

Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, 600 Linda Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532 (914) 769-4794 or 769-0114

e-mail: Visit

our

SrTeresaM@aol.com

WEB site www. hawthome-dominicaris.org -

Address.

Stale.

Telephone

(

member of

the Mercy Volunteer Corps, takes care of

from Chicago to Belmont to work for the Mercy Volunteer Corps, a program of the Sister of Mercy of the Americas that invites women and men to service with people in the United States and Guyana, South America. spiritual benefits

Abbey College and

its

of Belmont

lovely campus.

Andy Wisniewski's Holy Angels volunteer job is two-fold. He assists in the greenhouse with horticultural therapist Will Berry, who taught him how to work with the residents.

excitement in their eyes as they arrive at the greenhouse," said Wisniewski. "I also spend part of my day working with the residents in the classrooms where I have established a special bond with several of them."

Mary Jane cares for the residents with motherly instincts. She provides daily hygiene needs and works oneon-one with several residents within the classroom setting. She works to achieve goals set up by the professional staff, documenting what she has done and the residents' response to her interaction methods.

About this same time, Renn, who has four children and four grandchildren, wanted a new experience in a different part of the country. A retired nurse, she had traveled and did volunteer work in Central America* where she met the Sisters of Mercy she worked in their soup kitchen and clinic. Returning home, she felt antsy.

Turning to the Sisters of Mercy for guidance in her volunteer journey, she became interested in Catherine's House, a dwelling for homeless women and their children in Belmont.

Soon she was bound for Belmont, staying at the Mercy Corps home with the Wisniewskis and assigned to office help at Catherine's House. But there was just one hitch she knew very little about office work. But she loved to organize, clean and pull things together. She soon found her niche, which included accepting and orga-

—

—

Name.

Cily

a

a young Holy Angels resident named Savannah. She and her husband Andy moved

Wisniewski learned who can handle tools and who participates by feeling and smelling. "It's delightful to see the

Come visit for part or all of our

Interested

Mary Jane Wisniewski,

upon the

personal growth.

Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, Minnesota

Vocation

Photo by Mary Marshall

bearance, as well as professional and

Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne

Home

The Catholic News & Herald 7

From the Cover

Zip.

C-NC

nizing donations, inspecting residents'

housekeeping chores, assisting with empowerment classes and coordinating volunteers. Renn offers a pleasant greeting to a resident, a shoulder to cry upon and often serves as a good listener. She helps plant flowers, has

and

led a children's cooking class

is

currently busy organizing a picnic for

many

student volunteers.

"This is very satisfying for me," said Renn. "I wondered how I would be able to help. I remembered that God doesn't ask our ability or inability, just our availability.

"It's gratifying for me to know that I am offering a part of myself to help a homeless woman or child move on to a better way of life. This has also been a spiritual journey for me," she said. "I've learned to communicate and love my brothers and sisters whose position in life is different than mine. perpray spontaneously here haps with a woman on her way to a job interview or as one prepares for a test. This experience has brought me the

—

We

internal peace."

Renn loves the small city atmosphere of Belmont with all its trees.

She enjoys walking home each day and meeting local people. She and the Wisniewskis prepare meals together and share the highlights of their days, culmulating the evening with prayer.

The three Mercy Volunteers have experienced spiritual growth through interacting with residents at Holy Angels and Catherine's treats.

The

living

and learning."

House and

at re-

volunteers have found they are not the same people as when first they arrived.

For the Wisniewskis, the spirit of the staff who are so faithful and nurturing will stay with them when they leave, as will their motto of "loving,

The Catholic News & Herald

8

In 30,000 churches

SPECTRUM,

says that his churches are more highly educated on child abuse prevention procedures than most, which may account

CMR

surveys which aren't scientifirandom, but "representative" demographic samples of churches, Dr. Cobble explains.

Since 1993, on average about 1 percent of the surveyed churches reported abuse allegations annually. That means on average, about 3,500 allegations annually, or nearly 70 per among the predominantly Protestant group, Cobble says.

for a

cally

the

Law

suits or out-of-court settle-

all

show

is

a settling

Men

who've been screened and

may work

—

may change

with children

surveys also show

many

indicates they've been cleared

ing soon.

Some

fended by all bowed out of children's activities.

But the new procedures have already proven their worth, Ms. DeBernardi says. "We did have someone already apply who had a police file and had been accused of child molestation. Because of our new procedures, we caught it.... Sometimes you have to bring people in and say, 'Look, you're

tough new prevention measures, say insurance company officials and church

adopted a tougher sort of love since 2000. That's when criminal back-

culture of trust that

ground checks, finger printing, detailed

organization.

themselves.

The peak

year for allegations was

questionnaires, and careful policies

—

com-

long-time volunteers, ofthe new policies, have

such programs, while larger churches with more resources and management controls have led the way. A«d for good reason: They have more to lose, and a larger abuse problem.

"I don't know of a church that isn't doing this," says Simeon May, of the Richardson, Tex.-based National Association of Church Business Administration, which gives training for large churches with administrators.

At Grace Community Church in Tempe, Ariz., the executive pastor, Gary Maitha, says his churph has

are

is

that

churches are the perfect environment for

sexual predators, because they have numbers of children's' programs, a shortage of workers to lead them, and a

large

is

Mark

ing an allegation of sexual misconduct

adults "one-on-one"

Cobble reports.

It's

percent level,

still

the

suggests that

amount of abuse reported

in the

kids. That's all there is to

CMR "at

a staff writer for The

reprinted with permission by

than 100,000 cop-

Science Monitor.

a necessity with

for other church activities during the week, he says.

"We have fingerprinting and a criminal background check for anyone over age 18 that works with children," says the Rev. Maitha. "If it comes back with a blemish, they're not working with

Child sexual-abuse insurance claims

Ind.,

is

many more

significantly less

have slowed, too, industry sources say.

Hugh White, vice president of marketing for Brotherhood Mutual Insur-

Wayne,

Clayton

Christian Science Monitor. This article

700 to 800 children showing up for Sunday School and

than the 1993 figures, Cobble says.

ance, in Ft.

—

large, costly lawsuits."

Churches have been active since the

More

rules

shift to "trust

the essence of the

compared with just 0.1 percent in 2000.

But 2001 data, indicates a swing back to 1

But the

but verify" impelled to a degree by current headlines has been ongoing since a conference in Chicago in November 1992 when more than 100 denominational leaders met for the first time to discuss how to deal with child sex abuse. About that time, insurance companies were dropping coverage of churches without screening policies.

"What drove leaders to begin to respond to this issue was not the welfare of children," Cobble says. "It was fear of

—

demoralizing to a church organization.

early 1990s in addressing the problem,

the

new

and to protect against lawsuits and which xan be nearly as

such as never having children and kicked into gear.

Fear of lawsuits sparked

false allegations,

1994, with 3 percent of churches report-

—

tory reporting requirements."

That sort of toughness is swiftly becoming a prerequisite for insurance cover-

problem, Cobble says,

helped several churches

week draw up some guideline policies," he says. "I've encouraged churches to secure legal advice, to make sure they are meeting the legal mandathis last

children's area.'"

The

when Roman Catho-

dioceses nationwide began drawing

activity. "I've

welcome to come to the church, we love you. But you may not minister in the

age,

it."

Debby DeBernardi,

2001 data is reasonable though the higher end" of the scale.

Mr. White's company insures

director of

ART SHOW AND AUCTION

Grace Community's children's ministry, says

with

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The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, for instance, is reportedly drafting a new sexual-abuse policy.

Ralph Colas, of the American Council of Christian Churches, a Bethlehem, Penn. organization representing fundamentalist denominations, reports fresh

may work

— and photo IDs

Volunteers are more likely than clergy or paid staff to be abusers. Perhaps more startling, children at churches are accused of sexual abuse as often as are clergy and staff. In 1999, for example, 42 percent of alleged child abusers were volunteers about 25 percent were paid staff members (including clergy) and 25 percent were other children.

Still, it is the reduction of reported allegations over nine years that seems to indicate that some churches are learning how to slow abuse allegations with

officials

But

White

in

headlines over pedophile priests, some church organizations have focused anew on revamping sexual abuse policies.

Only

diapers.

Abuse

sold.

Since January, lic

2002

of a book he co-authored, "Reducing

Church" were

— not volun-

adults wearing an identity badge that

smaller churches have lagged in starting

•

in the nursery.

only female staff members

quency and severity of church sexual misconduct claims from the mid-1980s, says.

ies

the risk of Child Sexual

fin-

teers

CMR

2000 survey.

when

Sunday school

Fingerprints for gerprinted

the data

in pairs

supervising bathroom breaks for children and that they check to ensure no adults are in the bathrooms, before children enter.

that followed "a large spike" in the fre-

result in 21 percent of the

allegations reported in the

surveys.

What

Beckstrom, chief operating officer for the church insurer GuideOne Insurance in West Des Moines, Iowa.

cases involve a single'victim.

•

CMR

go

instance, that adults

lower rate of reported abuse than

"Church insurance carriers implemented educational programs and policies that have helped decrease and then stabilize the trend," agrees Jan

The CMR findings also reveal: • Most church child-sexual-abuse

ments were a

0.2 percent to_

which annually report an "incident" of child sexual abuse. But he

0.3 percent of

from page 1 the

— about

April 19,

the News

CALL (704)

825-9599

Thank you fir your help and support ofour

ministry.

The

was

Christian

April 19,

The Catholic News & Herald 9

2002

the New;

In

More

allegations of misconduct

JOANN

S.

KEANE

O'Neill

CHARLOTTE — Over the course of six days, the

Apostle for

at St. Paul

Joseph Morrissy informed parishioners at the close of each of the weekend masses. "I ask you as members of the

and cooperate with civil authorities," said Father Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor. "While we truthfully respond to reasonable inquiries from parishioners and the media, we respect the rights and privacy of those involved."

In March, Bishop William G. Curlin reiterated and clarified the diocesan policy of zero tolerance for child sex abuse. All allegations of sexual misconduct are turned over to civil authorities. The policy is applicable to all

parish

community

to hold

all

of us in

and laity who work in any capacity, whether staff or volunteers in the Diocese of Charlotte. "The most recent allegations within our diocese leave me saddened beyond belief," said Bishop Curlin.

On April 10, the diocese reported two

was employed by a Catholic organization, not a parish. He has been removed from his position, and his priestly faculties were removed. The allegations

allegations of sexual misconduct to civil

against the priest took place

an allegation filed against a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte, a priest currently

clergy, religious,

authorities.

serving outside the diocese.

The

priest

more than

Both allegations concerned

15 years ago, in the Diocese of Charlotte.

more than

"Each time I hear of allegations of child sexual abuse anywhere in the country, I am heartsick and turn to God in prayer," said Bishop Curlin. "I pray for

events that allegedly occurred

25 years ago within the Diocese of Charone in 1973, the other in 1957.

On April 13, the diocese was noti-

lotte,

by the Oblates of

Francis de

the victims of these horrific crimes that

Sales that an allegation of inappropriate

they may begin the healing process and once again learn to trust. I pray for the accusers that the truth will come out and justice prevail. The path to truth is often heartbreaking and painful, but I am confident that the God of justice, truth and

fied

St.

behavior was filed against Father James O'Neill, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle in Greensboro. Father O'Neill was removed of his responsibilities of pastor of the Triad parish. The allegation occurred years ago, before Father

Investing

Is

mercy

will

accompany us on the journey."

O1

Not as Simple

as A, B, C.

forms of public ministry.

News Service WASHINGTON (CNS)

In a brief exchange two days later

—

The

in

The

steady spread of the scandal be-

priests

from posts while reassessing past

sex abuse allegations against them.

More

prosecutors began asking dioceses for

The summit was

Law

summit

being called to address the

yond the Boston area continued in the first half of April. More bishops removed

officials.

Bernard F.

Rome was

issue of clergy sexual abuse.

They were to be in Rome April 22-25 meet with Pope John Paul II and top

Vatican

Washington, he confirmed

in

that the then-not-yet-announced

the bishops' conference. to

CNS

with

clergy sex abuse crisis in the U.S. Catholic Church took a new turn April 15 as it was revealed that the Vatican scheduled a Rome summit on the issue with U.S. cardinals and top officers of

prayer, particularly Father Jim's accuser

and Father Jim himself Every believer is touched by these most tragic events."

During the interim, Oblate Father Thomas Morrissy will assume responsibility as temporary administrator for St. Paul the Apostle effective April 19. Father Morrissy served St. Paul the Apostle from 1991 to 1994 as parochial vicar.

Allegations arose on April 15, with

JERRY FILTEAU

Catholic

years.

to completely inform

tions over to civil authorities.

1

1 1

the Apostle, Oblate Provential Father

all

By

North Carolina. Father

allega-

four cases of misconduct, turning

is

to

During weekend masses

Diocese of Charlotte learned of

"Our policy

came

O'Neill has been pastor of St. Paul the

Editor

meet in

Rome on clergy sex abuse crisis

reported in diocese By

U.S. church leadership to

called as Cardinal

new

of Boston faced

And hun-

their records of past allegations.

dreds of individuals came forward with

calls

to resign because of a loss of trust over his

new

past reassignment of priests accused of

ally

sexual abuse of minors.

not intend to

In California, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony was cleared by police of an allegation by a woman with a history of

did not take

mental

In a faxed letter to 12,

all

his priests April

Law said he did many observers

Cardinal

resign, but

the letter as a final

word on

The

the topic.

allegations that they had been sexuabused by a priest as a child.

may

have

molested her more than 30 years ago

when

illness that the cardinal

The claim

Boston Globe, the city's leading daily, issued a second editorial call for the

she was in high school in Fresno.

cardinal's resignation April 14.

vague and police said interviews with former staff and students produced noth-

about an alleged incident at the school was

Meanwhile, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, 111., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told Catholic New Service at the end of a week of meetings in Rome that the pope "assured us of his willingness and desire to assist us in any way we find necessary."

He said that at a working lunch April 9 the pope was especially concerned with

ing to substantiate

scandals, which have rocked the Boston Archdiocese and much of the nation for the past three months. in

Rome

April

13,

Bishop Gregory said one of the key policy issues the U.S. bishops have yet to resolve is the question of reassignment of priests

who

The

have committed sexual abuse.

on the same page" on that issue, he said, but he suspected there was growing sentiment toward permanently removing such priests from all bishops "are not

Cardinal

Mahony

New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan, former bishop of Bridgeport, Conn., came under new fire in mid-April over his handling of abuse cases during his time in Bridgeport in the 1990s. As Connecticut newspapers investigated details of those cases, they contended the cardinal protected priests and did not pursue allegations as vigorously as he should have.

In response to one news report, Bridgeport and New York church officials issued a joint statement denying that the cardinal had known that a teen-age girl impregnated by a priest was a still a minor under the state's statutory rape law when the sexual relationship began. In an

the spirit of U.S. Catholics in the face of the

Interviewed

it.

denied ever molesting anyone.

all

April 14 editorial the Connecticut Post,

Bridgeport daily, said Cardinal Egan should resign.

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For information on specific programs, please call your local office.

10 The Catholic News & Herald

April 19,

Readings

2002

Book reviews Buchanan's migrant views Reviewed by

JOHN

Catholic Political

pundit and former presiden-

candidate Patrick

tial

CARROLL

H.

News Service J.

Buchanan once

again has entered the booklists to joust in

its

Sunday Scripture Readings:

Buchanan expresses

similar concern for the

future of the United States in view of the

—

especially

Mexican

—

migration into the country. He states that warnings of drastic and unsettling in "Mexicans not only ethnic changes come from another culWestern Europe and By the testselling author of Right from the Beginning ture, but millions are of the United States. another race. History Most readers may and experience teach us agree in principle with that different races are the author's stand

J.

more

against abortion, eu-

far

thanasia, the decline of

similate."

Judeo-

traditional

Christian morality and

BUCHANAN

difficult to as-

He

fears that

the emerging

may view their po-

west

values and traditional

tential political

Of

course

there are questions about the causes of this Buchanan malaise. contends that it is as a result of a "catechism of revolution" propagated

by European Marxist

Hie DEATH

that

Dying Populations

and Immigrant Invasions Imperi

academic and cultural possible that the prosperous middle-class lifestyle now enjoyed by many Americans may have contributed to the decline of traditional standards as well.

Buchanan also is upset about what he describes in

two chapters

as

"The

War

Against the Past" and "DE-Christianizing America." He contends that these developments have caused what he believes is the decline of an "intimidated majority" is making the United States into "a house divided." The author regrets that America and the rest of the world have changed since 'The Greatest Generation"

that

came home after World War II. Still, time marches on and conditions change.

However, Buchanan's main thrust

ciety as

it

possible

Still

it

if the

church

is

is

able

2)

In the early part of the 20th century,

Madison Grant of the New York Zoological Society and American Geographical Society wrote "The Passing of the Great Race."

He

expressed concern about

the influx of Asians, Eastern Europeans

— both Jews and

Slavs

—

Irish, Italians,

He concluded that as a result of immigration "the type of native American of colonial descent will become as extinct as the Athenian of the Age of Pericles and the Viking of the days of Rollo." So, we have heard Buchanan's lament in the past

Western Europe and among Euro-

rights struggles despite difficulties.

predicts that the large-

new immigration by Muslims into Europe from the Near East and Africa scale

may

result in

more

ethnic disruptions

condemning

on

his shoulders.

finished

my virtual

the risk of an excruciating death.

week of

tors urge us to use

scribes himself as the

In the Gospel reading for this

its

it for researching everything from automobiles to home-

work assignments. With

the Internet

we

I

to their belief in the risen Lord, often at

seamy side.

Pitchmen, entrepreneurs and educaInternet or

tour,

pondered the faith of our ancient sisters and brothers, and sensed the vibrant love they had for Jesus. This love gave them the courage to witness

fifth

the Easter season, Jesus de-

Good Shepherd. does not tell his listeners a story about stupid sheep, rather, he tells a

He

who

can find the shortest route to our friend's new home, take a virtual tour of Canterbury Cathedral in the UK or watch events unfold on the other side of the world. Like it or not, using the information superhighway has be-

even though strange voices may call them. The shepherd Jesus reveals leads his sheep to a safe, more abundant existence. The artisans of the an-

many

cient Christian burial sites testify to us

part of daily

One evening

life

for a great

a few days ago, our

daughter Lynn called to share a Web site she had located while doing research for her class in intensive Greek.

"Mom, I'm sending you the most interesting Web site. You can view early Christian art and burial sites in the catacombs in Italy. Go look at it."

At the click of a mouse, I spent hours visiting the catacombs. I read inscriptions left

and viewed

by ancient Christians artwork as well as

their

Reading

their final resting places.

story about sheep

recognize their

master's voice and are not deceived,

about their faith even though the Roman world they knew vanished long ago. The sayings of Jesus they held as dear as life itself continue to inspire us to live our faith and to discern the call of the Good Shepherd.

Questions: Does the image of being carried and rescued have special meaning for you as you seek to follow Jesus? Is it an image you can use to communicate his love to someone you know who needs a gentle lift?

States.

and yet the nation survived two world wars, the Great Depression and the civil

He

10:l-irj

I

Mexicans and Negroes into the United

deals with the declining birthrates in

Americans.

When

Peter 2:20b-25

John

that of the shepherd, carrying a

helpless sheep

story describing the importance of the

of us.

an occasional Spanish Mass.

sacred and often illustrated in their art

By BEVERLY CORZINR Catholic News Service Not a day goes by without a news

come

did with earlier ethnic Catholic

1

3) Gospel:

giance of the Latino im-

groups. Perhaps the author should attend

A Readings:

Psalm 23:1-6

to maintain the alle-

migrants, it may gradually integrate them into American so-

Civilization

thinkers in American

circles. Still, it is

perhaps a form of

Santa Anna's revenge.

of the WEST Our Country and

power as

the reconquest of the area,

How

Mexican

majority in the South-

the erosion of family patriotism.

was

im-

dire

,n

Easter 1) Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Cycle

In a chapter entitled "La Reconquista,"

large Latino

April 21, Fourth Sunday of

about the brutality and uncertainty of that world of long ago, I was reminded that one of the earliest images of Jesus these early Christians held

April 21, 2002

ancient culture.

the ongoing cultural struggle for the soul

of America. His political theories and beliefs are proclaimed anew in his latest book, 'The Death of the West," along with

Word to Life

such as those that occurred between South Asians and local whites in the north of England within the past year. The author fears for the future of Europe and

No

one denies the author's devotion to American ideals and aspirations and his efforts to debate national issues, but the future

may

not be as bleak as he predicts.

Weekly Scripture Scripture for the week of April 21 - April 27 Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Easter), Acts 2:14, 36-41, 1 Peter 2:20-25, John 10:1-10; Monday, Acts 11:1-8, John 10:11-18; Tuesday, Acts 11:19-26, John 10:2213:5, John 12:44-50; Thursday (St. Mark), 1 Peter 30; Wednesday, Acts 12:24

—

5:5-14, 52,

Mark

16:15-20; Friday, Acts 13:26-33,

John

14:1-6;

Saturday, Acts 13:44-

John 14:7-14

Scripture for the week of April 28 - May 4 Sunday of Easter), Acts 6:1-7, 1 Peter 2:4-9, John 14:1-12; Monday (St. Catherine of Siena), Acts 14:5-18, John 14:21-26; Tuesday (St. Pius V), Acts 14:19-28, John 14:27-31; Wednesday (St. Joseph the Worker), Genesis 1:26 2:3, Matthew 13:54-58; Thursday (St. Athanasius), Acts 15:7-21, John 15:9-

Sunday

(Fifth

—

Friday (Sts. Philip and' James), Acts 16:1-10, John 15:18-21 11;

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April 19,

2002

The Catholic News & Herald 11

Entertainment

Movie Review

"Changing Lanes" By

ANNE NAVARRO

—

NEW 15

first

close

News Service For the YORK (CNS) minutes or so of the tense drama Catholic

"Changing Lanes" (Paramount), director Roger Michell traps the audience in a claustrophobic, anxiety-ridden situation as a chance encounter

men

between two

sets off a terrifying retaliation

game.

And

bit as

the film unfolds and the movie-

while the pressure eases a

goer adjusts, the intensity of the vicious tit-for-tat does not.

Michell has constructed an uneasy morality tale that provokes reflection on corporate ethics, individual responsibility and self-destructive behavior. The day starts off pretty well for young hotshot lawyer Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck), a partner at the Wall Street law firm established by his father-in-law, Delano (Sydney Pollack). He has the

simple task of handling a probate case involving late millionaire Simon

Dunne

being disputed by Dunne's granddaughter (Jennifer Dundas Lowe).

Late for court and stuck in traffic, Banek maneuvers his car into another lane just as Doyle Gipson (Samuel L. Jackson) does the same, causing an accident. Gipson, also rushing to court, is a divorced father and recovering alcoholic whose ex-wife (Kim Staunton) is planning on moving with their two sons to Oregon. Gipson's right to see his children rests on the decision of a surly judge with a full docket and no

which

is

patience for tardiness.

Neither

man

has time to waste, but

Gipson wants to "do the right thing" and rejects Banek's offer of a blank check for any damages. Unwittingly he tips the first domino in a long series of retaliation tactics that each

man

puts

hurry to make it to court, Banek drops the one crucial file he needs to prove his case. Gipson picks it up, but arrives late for court and the judge refuses to hear his case or consider the fact that he's about to purchase a home for his ex-wife and kids to stay in New York.

Matters escalate when, in response to an obnoxious fax from Gipson, Banek, desperate to retrieve his file, hires a computer hacker (Dylan Baker) to fool with Gipson's credit line and bankrupt him, making it impossible to into effect. In his

on the house.

(In the 21st cen-

— not

tury, the enforcer uses his brain

Each time the story turns

his brawn.)

another corner, the layers of deception, fraud and despicable behavior increases. But it's also a trip in self-real-

Banek discovers

ization.

his father-in-

law and his law firm are not models of decency, and admits to his deceptive part in convincing an ailing Dunne to sign a power of attorney that was never on the up-and-up.

Backed into a corner, the men realize they need something from each other.

Both are flawed individuals, which results in a complex, intriguing drama that refuses to make things easy by choosing an obvious good or bad guy.

Alcoholism is not the worst of Gipson's problems, his self-destructive nature In his meteoric rise to the top,

is.

Banek has

traded in his scruples for power,

money

and pleasure. At various points, it seems that one or the other will relent, stop this twisted game and act like a civilized

human

being. Instead, the barbaric be-

havior continues until the story slowly

unwinds and

The

stops.

overtones are readily felt it's Good Friday; at the end of his rope, Banek, although not a Catholic, finds himself in a confessional searching for the meaning of life; and film's religious

—

crucifixes, pictures of Jesus

and rosary

beads sporadically show up in the background. But their purpose is ambiguous. Neither man explicitly turns to God, yet each man has a sense that faith, values and a guiding force are missing in their lives.

The ending is a tad too sunny to match the preceding events. But after being -put through the wringer, the viewer leaves feeling hopeful that doing the right thing is its own reward.

Compromise and redemption are worth the price, and vengeance belongs to God alone.

Because of brief violence, much menace and intermittent rough language with some profanity, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III

—

adults.

The Motion

tion of America rating

Picture Associa-

is

R

—

restricted.

CNS photo from

Scene from movie 'The Other Side of Heaven' Christopher Gorham stars as Mormon missionary John Groberg in a scene from the film "The Other Side of Heaven." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop classification is A-I general patronage. The Motion parental guidance Picture Association of America rating is PG suggested.

—

nudity and inter-

mittent rough language.

The

is

on the staff of tlie U.S. Con-

ference of Catholic Bishops' Office for

Film

and Broadcasting.

—

is A-IV adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America

—

is R restricted.

"New Best Friend"

rating

minish the overall impact. Intermittent violence including a suicide and

shy, bookish student

(Mia Kirshner)

rough language. The U.S. Conference of

(CNS)

Catholic Bishops classification

Bishops' Office for

Film and Broadcasting.

"Frailty" (Lions Gate) tale set in 1979 about a widowed father (Bill Paxton) who believes he has been sent by God to destroy demons and enlists the help of his two young sons (Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter) to murder people he senses are wicked. Told mainly in flashbacks by the adult older son (Matthew McConaughey), the story of a disturbed father and a family poisoned by the evil it supposedly rejects is deftly woven together by director Paxton, although narrative holes and a jumbled ending di-

ly-

ing in the hospital accidentally overdosed on drugs or was the victim of attempted murder by her popular new friend (Meredith Monroe).

when

it

Muddled

director

isn't predictable,

Zoe

embarrassing with caricatured characters and an amateurish narrative that plods Clarke-Williams' awful film

is

of America rating

along interminably. Several gratuitous sexual situations including same-sex

—

adults,

with reservations.

tion Picture Association of

—

R restricted.

"Human Nature"

ing

is

Twisted

is

A-IV

The Mo-

America

rat-

(Fine Line)

Bizarre story in which a

woman

excess body hair (Patricia Arquette) and her boyfriend, a behav-

with

ioral

scientist

(Tim Robbins) who

teaches mice table manners, capture a

man (Rhys Ifans) living in the wild and attempt to civilize him. With the premise that humans are propelled by their sex drive and society's role is to control it, first-time director Michel Gondry's eccentric romantic comedy has a few laughs, but mostly leaves the zany characters spinning their wheels as feral

ing

is

R

—

is

in El Salvador while his attorney wife (Ashley Judd) and a disgraced former Marine (Morgan Freeman) dig to unearth a cover-up that could prove the

rat-

restricted.

"The Other Side of Heaven" (Excel Entertainment)

accused's innocence. Although sleekly directed by Carl Franklin, the suspense falters amid cliches in the final

Earnest portrayal of a young Mormon missionary (Christopher Gorham) from Idaho who crosses the

half-hour. Intermittent violence brief sexual situation.

The Motion

tion of America rating tal

is

PG — paren-

and a

U.S. Confer-

—

-

adults. The Motion Picture is A-III Association of America rating is PG13 parents are strongly cautioned.

—

Some

material

for children

may

under

be inappropriate

13.

Picture Associa-

guidance suggested.

The

ence of Catholic Bishops classification

—

tronage.

restricted.

Disappointing courtroom drama which an ex-Marine (Jim Caviezel) stands accused of murdering civilians

A-IV

ocean to the exotic island of Tonga during the 1950s, leaving behind his family and true love (Anne Hathaway) to preach the word of God. Based on a true story, the film is very likeable with top-notch special effects, but firsttime writer-director Mitch Davis falters with overpowering music and melodramatic moments. A few scenes may be too intense for the very young.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishgeneral paops classification is A-I

is

— R—

in

The Mo-

America

stale writ-

"High Crimes" (20th Century Fox)

some nudity, sporadic drug use and intermittent rough language with brief profanity. The U.S. Conference of adults, with reservations.

Roger Kumble,

ing doused with vulgar expressions make up the painfully stupid plot, which is simply an excuse for the female leads to parade around in their underwear. Benign view of promiscuity, several explicit sexual situations and many gross references, partial nudity and recurring rough language.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishmorally offenops classification is O sive. The Motion Picture Association

campus where the local sheriff (Taye Diggs) investigates whether a

some

NEWS SERVICE

are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic

directed by

Dreadful drama set on a Southern

Catholic Bishops classification

NEW

— Following

away, she and her best friend (Christina Applegate) set out to find him. As

(TriStar)

college

—

By CATHOLIC

YORK

Con-

U.S.

ference of Catholic Bishops classification

tion Picture Association of

Movie Capsules

"The Sweetest Thing" (Columbia) Trashy comedy about a sassy young woman (Cameron Diaz) who can have any guy she wants, but when the right one (Thomas Jane) gets

the film drags on. Several sexual situations, recurring frontal

—

kissing,

Navarro

Excel Entertainment

ATHOLIC NICATION

CAMPAIGN

12 The Catholic News & Herald

April 19,

& Columns

Editorials

Remembering a thinker who

The Bottom

so respected religion

The Pope

Years ago,

read William James' 'The Varieties of

I

Line

Religious Experience," when I was studying science. As a young Catholic at the time, I felt much confusion with the argument some tried to make that science was provable and religion was not because, it was said, religion was only an individual bekef based on need. Religion, it was claimed, would soon be dumped into the wastebasket as science

Speaks

took over to answer

No wonder POPE JOHN PAUL

II

who was

2002

all life's

questions.

took some comfort

I

in

reading James,

a scientist a psychologist and a philosopher.

pulled out quotes from his writings, and

ANTOINETTE BOSCO CNS Columnist

I

became a fan of his

for such statements as:

"Our science

In

times of trial, trust

else

in

Catholic

whole point

News Service (CNS) Even when

—

be-

of trial, they can joyfully trust in God's consolation, Pope John Paul II said.

Speaking at

his

weekly general audience April

hymn

the pope underscored his point with a

from the Book of Isaiah, past period of trial to his

in

'The person singing

"But has

come

is

behind him,

bitter experience justice," the

which the author

own

the

to pass.

trial

The

in

has a

as an act of divine

St

Peter's Square.

The

has ended.

Lord's anger

purification

replaced with

is

a smile (and) the availability to save and console,"

he

said.

The pope

by God was the dark day

said the salvation offered

able to produce "joy

and trust even

certain

in

—

Whatever

that the world of

lies in really

ideal.

Remember

that the

believing that through a certain

He

noted that God's salvation often was described in the Bible using the symbolism of water.

"Unfortunately, too often humanity abandons this spring,

which quenches the

and then

time,

I

received a mailing. This year

is

the 100th

anniversary of the appearance of "The Varieties of Reli-

gious Experience," originally delivered as the "Gifford Lectures" at the University of Edinburgh. this,

a special

Commemorat-

program on James was

to be held at

Columbia University in New York, part of the John Templeton Foundation Research Lectures on the Constructive Engagement of Science and Religion.

Still fascinated by the science/ religion debate, I registered.

It

now

seemed wise to reread "The

gaining insights not possible to

Unquestionably, there was, as the

Varieties,"

me

first

in

and

my late

I

did,

teens.

speaker, Professor

David A. Hollinger of the University of California

at

life,"

—

could

feel his

struggle in discerning the

questions that relied on scientific evidence for answers and

Spirituality

for Today

FATHER JOHN CATOIR

CNS

Columnist

the Vatican-

remarks in English at his

weekly general audience April 1 7.

sisters,

From the prophet Isaiah, we have a hymn which first looks back upon a bitter experience which the people saw as God's judgment. In the end, however, the hymn praises God, whose anger passes and whose love lasts forever. The prophet uses the image of water to describe God's action: "You will drink joyfully from the springs of salvation." These are the springs of God's love, the waters of new life. Yet at times we prefer the waters of death; and then we condemn ourselves to sorrow.

The Book of Isaiah speaks of a king through whom salvation comes. For Christians, Jesus is the royal figure in whom we find the fullness of God's saving grace. With the words of the prophet, we profess our faith in Christ our king, and we proclaim to the world the salvation which is in him.

I

warmly welcome the English-speaking

nam who

visitors, especially

pil-

the priests from Viet-

are returning to their country after studies

Europe. Dear

your brothers and sispray for them every day; I pray for the peace and progress of the whole nation. Upon in

priests: Tell

ters in the faith that I

the pilgrims and visitors from England, Sweden,

Denmark, Canada and the United the peace of the risen Christ

God

God.

his

I

Text Audience

grims and

of stories in which people

how they were literrealm of the Eternal and became

I

I

wondered why these

stories so fasci-

concluded that James must have been

still

will

be reading James, connecting with

bekef and unbekef, and his search for the truth of an

incredible "promise."

thirst of the

By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) Here is

Dear brothers and

believers in

suspect people

science.

pope, speaking in English.

II's

ally catapulted into the

modern

the end of the audience, the pope greeted

of Pope John Paul

full

related extraordinary experiences of

caught between his Protestantism and the demands of

Vietnamese priests who were about to return to their country after studies in Europe.

"Dear priests, tell your brothers and sisters in the faith that I pray for them every day; I pray for the peace and progress of the whole nation," said the

text

within the sphere of faith.

engaged in a very personal struggle for bekef I felt he could have been one to say: "I believe, Lord. Help my unbekef."

I went to the lectures, which have been called "dated," actually wondering what I was looking for. Now I know.

Wilkam James exposed what is basic in all of us, the need to believe that there is an unseen eternal order in this word.

In his time people were "worried about the fate of religion in the face of emerging science," as Columbia Professor Wayne Proudfoot expressed it. James, acknowledging his own struggle with belief still wanted a better answer to how "human beings get through life without being overwhelmed by despair," said Stanford Professor Richard Rorty, adding, "We need a vocabulary which gives our life promise."

I think James was searching for that vocabulary and found it in a word, "God." This became for him, as Proudfoot put it "a kcense for hope." A century from now, I

hadn't thought of James or his writings for a long

I

person's whole being," he said.

At

fell

James' lectures were

Eternal."

Berkeley, noted, "great tension at the center of James'

of trial."

those that

nated him, and

ing

who

a person

pope told pilgrims

now

links a

sinfulness.

felt

is

point or part in you, you coalesce and are identical with the

lievers face times

17,

a drop, our ignorance a sea.

present can frame no positive

JOHN NORTON

VATICAN CITY

is

certain, this at least

our present natural knowledge is enveloped in a larger world of some sort of whose residual properties we at

God's consolation By

be

States,

bless

you

I

invoke

all!

Biblical fundamentalism Fundamentalists ignore the historical understanding of Scripture and run the risk of appearing to be insincere because of their inconsistency.

By

insisting

on the

literal

interpretation of the

sacred texts, they put themselves in the position of accepting absurdities. How many actually believe that Herod had a tail and four legs? They know that Jesus wasn't speaking literally when he called

Herod

a fox.

How many demands us

it is

but

we

of them actually believe that Jesus

self-mutilation of his followers?. Jesus tells

better to cut off our right hand

know he

if it

offends,

wasn't speaking literally.

Biblical fundamentalists only insist on the literal interpretation of Scripture when it suits them.

When it does, however, some come on like gangbusters, making all kinds of false accusations.

For instance, some say that Catholics are not saved because they are not "born again."

Apart from the audacity of presuming to limit the mercy of God, they ignore the fact that all Catholics must be baptized. Later in their teen years, Catholics are also asked to make a formal commitment to Jesus as the Lord of their lives. This is done in the sacrament of confirmation.

Some also falsely accuse Catholics of thinking that they are saved by acts alone. This is pure all

nonsense! Catholics never have been taught that actions alone will save them. Quite the contrary, they know very well that faith in Jesus saves, but he wants more than lip service from his followers.

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what my Father in heaven wants you to do?" (Mt 7:21) In a world filled with suffering and injustice, Jesus commands us to act on our love. Fundamentalist Christians may strangely turn a deaf ear to the social Gospel; some even scorn it. This is a shame because Jesus was so definite on this point: "Woe to you for when I was hungry you did not give me to eat.... I tell you solemnly, insofar as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.... Go away to eternal

punishment" (Mt 25:46) I

fear for the salvation of those

who

as Lord, but

refuse

who

accept Jesus

him obedience.

Fundamentalists like to jar Catholics with selfserving questions like this one: "Where in the Bible does it say there is a purgatory?" This loaded question implies that Catholics make things up that are not in the Bible. Nonsense!

The concept of purgatory goes back to the Hebrew Bible (2 Mace 12:46): "The just judges begged prayerfully that the sins of those who had fallen might be fully blotted out. For if we had not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas in fact it is ... holy and devout." Why would it be holy to pray for the dead if they are already in heaven or in hell?

Do not be disarmed by the uncharitable tactics of fundamentalists. They may mean well, but they love to disrupt and dominate. They are misguided zealots.

who have abandoned the Eucharist bowl of lumpy porridge they serve up

Catholics for the cold

have been sorely deceived.

Pray that one day we will all "come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved."

April 19,

2002

editorials

One

Light

pher

Candle

News

God

help

to feel

in

Note.

me

wonder

It's

The Catholic News & Herald 13

& Columns

worth sharing:

Coming of Age

—

a leaf

in a ray

of sun

in a snowfall.

To

MSGR. JIM LISANTE

laugh and cry

with somebody

else

AMY WELBORN

Guest Columnist or all by myself.

The color of wonder Back around the beginning of the year, a couple of astronomers at a well-known university made headlines by announcing that they had determined the color of the universe:

for no

To To

Maybe

because most of us had probably never thought about such a thing, or because the color itself was rather pleasing bright yet peaceful, combining elements of sea and sky but the idea intrigued a lot of people. Unfortunately, a couple of months later came the bad news: it wasn't true. The scientists

bined to

The

a mistake.

original survey of 200,000 galaxies, or

large star systems,

was actually designed

to learn

more about the history of star formation; the color question was just an afterthought based on the average color of all the light in all those galaxies. It was discovered that, in fact, the computer program skewed toward green. And the average color is now believed to be beige.

Beige is a letdown a perfectly nice neutral color, but boring. Still, the whole incident has made me think about all the colors and textures and smells and all the everyday amazing wonders we tend to take for granted. Looking for some words on the subject, I found this prayer in an old Christo-

—

believe

becoming

May

—

and their computer program had com-

make

value the small things but to

Columnist

One more program You know

special reason.

want

to

do

what your Son said about

like little children.

I be at home in your Kingdom. Amen.

for teens?

about programs, right? Students

all

tend to be subjected to quite a few of them.

—Programs —Programs

great things.

a light turquoise.

—

CNS

To let gaiety into my life and to show someone else how.

To take a friend's hand

to discourage smoking, drinking

alcohol and doing drugs.

to raise awareness of how

of difTerent people ethnicities

all

kinds

people of various nationalities,

live:

and handicaps.

—Programs

have the most incredible sense of wonder. Everything is new and fresh. We adults think that "been there, done that" shows our experience, even sophistication. But it's really a little sad.

If we knew so much, wouldn't we be more overcome in awe of God's creation, not less?

Little children

So, this spring,

when the much-needed rains the muddy puddles and shining

come, look down at grass, then look up at the sullen sky. Eventually you will see a rainbow. Beautiful and fleeting, it's something that even the most jaded among us will stop to take notice. Think about God's words to Noah, "I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember." (Genesis 9:13,16) Surely, there can be nothing boring about God's universe. Come to think of it, not even beige. ...

about the importance of the church or school, or about parent-teen understanding.

Here's the latest program.

program

It's

for girls. It's a

to teach girls not to be so darn

mean

to

each other.

There are

several around the country, as de-

New York Times "Owning Up" and "Girls

scribed in a recent issue of the

Magazine, with names

like

as Friends, Girls as Foes." In them, girls get together facilitators, unpack their attitudes and actions toward one another, and try to change.

Maybe not such a bad idea.

After all, ask any girl Ask any grown woman, in fact Ask them what their most searing, long-lasting hurtful memory is. It probably involves the cruelty of

with

a

girl.

For me,

it

was eighth

grade.

It

was

1973, and

my very old-fashioned mother would not allow me to wear slacks or jeans to school. No way. had to wear I

dresses and skirts.

You

How

to return to the church I have two friends who left the Catholic Church

Q. years ago

—

Question

one because he became disillusioned with a

and the other just stopped attending Mass. Now want to return, but don't know how. Someone said they must go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process, which doesn't make sense to me. Another said they must talk with a priest, make a good confession and that is all.

I'm sure other former Catholics would also like to know how to come back. (Maryland)

Corner

priest,

they both

FATHER JOHN DIETZEN

CNS

Columnist

it

wouldn't think

The second person you correct. Theoretically, all

to the sacraments

and resume in the Mass.

a

prayer

life

is

one needs to do

— penance and

In practice, however,

thing more

refer to

basically is

return

the Eucharist

—

and regular participation

most of the time some-

not practically necessary. If one has been away for a number of years, for example, much may have happened in the intervening time that could be unfamiliar; they need to catch up.

Particularly, anyone who has not been to Mass for the past 30 years or so will have missed many changes in the liturgies of the Mass and sacraments that will confuse them if they're not prepared.

Perhaps most obviously, experiencing and trying to participate in the Mass in English will be puzzling unless someone helps them understand is

at least helpful, if

would be a problem, but

to someone who's different And in 1973, when everyone was wearing bell-bottom jeans and halter tops (this was a public school with no dress code), my plaid skirts and Peter Pan collars were definitely a

problem for me. I still remember the problem's name and face Lynn.

But never mind about all that You have your own memories.

The question is, Why can girls be so mean to

With some

each other?

people are thinking this

A. You are right. Many Catholics have departed from the practice of their faith and sometime later wish to return, but are discouraged because they envision some complicated process to do so.

Most of us don't realize how hesitant and afraid Catholics can be who have been away, perhaps feel some guilt and frequently see themselves as somehow unworthy to be active in the church again.

Encouragement and support from people such as you is invaluable. I thank you for being interested in their struggle, and I hope other Catholics who have friends like this will follow your example.

this

was. Thirteen-year-old kids can be incredibly cruel

research in mind, a lot of is

a big enough problem to

merit a program. Sounds good. But

is it?

Here's the issue for you think about There are

reasons for those changes, and how they enhance and enrich our Catholic worship.

Another factor in helping them return could be the reason they stopped living a Catholic life in the first place. A real or perceived injury suffered from a priest or other representative of the church, or just a serious misunderstanding, is the reason a huge number of Catholic people stay away, often for years. They need help in healing.

Whatever the reason, I believe it is well worthwhile for "former" Catholics to meet with a parish priest or other parish minister to explain what is necessary, and ease their return.

Of course, a priest will also be able to help such individuals deal appropriately with other possible factors previous marriages, for example - that will necessarily be involved in renewing their practice of the Catholic faith.

—

lots

of ways that

girls,

we

hurt each other

— boys and

teens and parents, adults and kids. But

really

need any programs to

doing

is

tell

do we

us that what we're

wrong?

Do you?

I

doubt

it.

I'm pretty sure that your conscience

sufficiently fine-tuned to

know

is

what's right and

what's wrong, and you don't need discussion groups

or role-playing to instruct you about that

What you

is maybe a little more more openness to God's grace so

need, though,

strength of will; a bit

you can see the people you're tempted to hurt through his eyes; a little stronger commitment to Jesus so that

it

will

be just a

little

easier to resist the

crowd and treat others as he, not selfish other kids, would treat them.

When I was a teacher, we had to attend a program designed to help us work together better.

See, adults have to endure programs, too! As we were

me under her breath: "Why do we need this to teach us how to get along? I leaving, another teacher said to

that's what the Gospel was for!"

There you go. We know what's right. Let's not be dependent on others to tell us that we need to fix

thought

the tensions in our friendships. Let's just turn to Jesus

and

him take over.

Sounds like a good program, don't you think?

let

14 The Catholic News & Herald

April 19,

the News

In

Tips for parents on preventing, NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN Catholic

News Service (CNS)

WASHINGTON

Even when

— With

the estimated 100,000 reported cases

of child sexual abuse each year believed to represent just the tip of the iceberg, parents may wonder how to protect their children and what potential trouble signs to look for.

Experts emphasize that most child sex abuse is perpetrated not by a shadowy stranger but by someone the child

knows and

often trusts

relative, family friend, teacher,

munity Reader or even a

—

a

com-

priest.

important to remember that physical force is often not necessary to engage a child in sexual activity," says the American Psychological Association on its Web site. "Children are trusting and dependent and will often do what is asked of them to gain approval and love."

To counteract that too-trusting nature, parents need to give their children some basic sexual education, with the proper names for body parts and a message that no one should touch the "private" parts of their body, unless necessary to treat an illness or injury.

"It is

For younger children, the experts say, "private" body parts can be summed up as anything covered by a bathing suit.

Stop Child Abuse and Neglect, or SCAN, a program of the National

Children's

Advocacy Center

Huntsville, Ala.,

in

recommends teach-

ing children to be wary both of strangers and of unusual behavior in the people they know.

"Teach them to listen to their feelings and that it is OK to say no if any adults (including family members) ask them to do something that makes

them feel uncomfortable," the program says on its Web site.

SCAN

Other basic safely rules also apply like knowing your child's friends, using a buddy system when children walk home from school or other activities, teaching children to refuse anything from strangers and to not give strangers directions or help; and using secret codes with your children to screen out those who might falsely say they are sent by

For the Charlotte

a child has only hinted

at sexual abuse, the

must show ously what the ents

academy

says, par-

that they "take seri-

If a child is not able to share his or her experiences, there are many be-

might mean

that

a child has

sexually abused.

from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "The response to the disclosure of sexual abuse is critical to the child's ability to resolve and heal the trauma of sexual abuse."

Please

send

resume,

skills.

V.

Well-rounded in catechist

Good

minorities.

cultural

Spanish a plus.

requirements

salary

Dr Cris

to:

Sensitive to

and

three

Villapando, 1123 S. Church

letters

of

St., Charlotte,

NC. 28203. Tel (704) 370-3246.

been

These include:

nightmares, trouble sleeping or fear of the dark; loss of appetite or trouble eating or swallowing; sudden mood, swings; fear of certain people or places; a continuing stomach illness with no identifiable reason; new

words

for private body parts; references to a new older friend or a "secret" the child has with an adult or older child; or simulated sexual ac-

with toys or other children.

Stop It Now!, a nonprofit organization in Haydenville, Mass., that works to end child sexual abuse by helping abusers and their victims, said any one of the warning signs does not necessarily mean a child has been abused, "but several of them mean that you should begin asking

Director of Evangelization/Adult Education Diocesan Director of Evangelization/Adult Education for the Diocese of Charlotte: Position involves a three-fold responsibility:

evangelization,

of

questions."

site.

Stop

It

the

to oversee the mission

and to

program,

ministry training

lay

New

Loyola University,

Orleans)

within the diocese.

Applicant must be a

practicing Catholic and have earned an advanced degree in an appropriate area

of study; have three years' experience in evangelization/adult education; be sensitive to cultural minorities.

and resumes

Church

Reverend James

to:

St., Charlotte,

Spanish-speaking a plus. Submit applications F.

Hawker, Vicar for Education, 1123 South

NC 28203, no

later than April 30,

2002.

DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY Belmont Abbey College, a Benedictine undergraduate liberal arts college is seeking a Director of Campus Ministry.

The dynamic individual will be responsible for the development and fostering of faith-related activities for students, faculty and staff, including retreats, education, located fifteen miles west of Charlotte,

"Some of these behavioral signs can show up at other stressful times in a child's life such as divorce, the death of a family member, friend or pet, or when there are problems in school, as well as when abuse is involved," says the organization on its

Web

direct

to

coordinate LIMEX (a diocesan-based master's degree program sponsored by

tivities

Now!

offers further tips

and information through help line at (888)

its

toll-free

PREVENT.

service programs, etc.

Qualifications include significant experience in

or Youth Ministry, a practicing Catholic

Master's Degree

in

an appropriate

field.

reference information to Search Committee for Director of

Dean

Campus

communion with the Church, and a Send letter of interest, resume, and

in full

Campus

Ministry, c/o

Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road, Belmont, NC 28012. Review of resumes to begin immediately and continue until position is filled. No phone calls please. Belmont Abbey College was founded by Benedictine monks and is guided by its 1,500 year-old Catholic heritage and tradition. Belmont Abbey College is an equal opportunity employer. of

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The candidate should also

their trust in adults," says a fact sheet

Collaborative.

skills.

havioral and physical warning signs

"Teach your children about appropriate and inappropriate secrets and that some secrets have to be told if children and parents are to be kept safe," SCAN recommends.

But if the unthinkable occurs and a child is victimized by sexual abuse, how can a parent best respond and child tells someone about sexual abuse, a supportive, caring response is the first step in getting help for the child and re-establishing

formation

recommendation

for the abuse.

SITY, an

a

successful experience in parish/diocesan work.

blame

is

The Diocese seeks person with a

area.

Ed/allied field, five years of demonstrable

Religious

written/oral communication

child

the parents.

"When

metropolitan

master's degree in

saying" and assure the child that he or she has done the right thing in telling and is not to

—

help the child to heal?

DIOCESAN REGIONAL COORDINATOR (Office Of Faith Formation)

spotting child sexual abuse By

2002

historically Black College/

We

demonstrate excellent leadership, organizational, administrative, and computer skills. Prior Campus Ministry experience is preferred but not required.

Letters of Interest and Re-

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pus

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April 19,

2002

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Around the Diocese

what they are

Help is requested for refugees YOUNG ADULTS,

By KEVIN

E.

MURRAY

Associate Editor

CHARLOTTE Charlotte

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

The Diocese

of

asking for your help in relo-

is

two United Nations-administered camps in Cambodia for the past year. The 905 people in the two camps had opted to staying in

cating refugees to North Carolina.

United

resettle in the

ing repatriated to their

home

Approximately 300 of the 905 Montagnard refugees from Vietnam are ex-

Vietnam's Central Highlands.

pected to arrive in Charlotte late April to

Cambodia worked

May. Bishop William G. Curlin and

early

villages in

A joint opera-

of the United States, United Nations and

tion

to bring the refugees to

the United States, with national, state and

Catholic Social Services are asking area

voluntary resettlement agencies coordinat-

churches and parishioners for much-needed

ing to resettle the refugees in North Carolina

assistance in relocating these people fleeing religious persecution

and

who

"We resettle 350 refugees a year in our diocese.

Now

300 refugees

week

we're being asked to resettle

our diocese

in

the diocese Refugee Resettlement Office, an

of the United States Conference of

Catholic Bishops.

Due to cooperative resettlement efforts of the U.S. Special Forces and the Depart-

ment of State, North Carolina is currently the largest Montagnard resettlement site in the Western hemisphere. The Diocese of Charlotte has helped resettle 614 Montagnards in the diocese since 1986.

The Montagnards (a French word for mountain dwellers and pronounced as "mountainyards" in American English) are Christians

who have lived

for centuries

upheaval

political

and

spiritual unrest

cries

out to us to put our Catholic

of a distant nation faith to

Bishop Curlin.

action," said

The Montagnard community

in a four- to six-

period," said Cira Ponce, director of

affiliate

"Once again, the

are

violence.

in the

Diocese of Charlotte has established a mountain Christian church located in their own community.

"Fortunately, we have an established

Montagnard community but

help,

it's

That

here.

will

not enough," said Ponce. "This

require additional support from

will

community

churches, volunteers and other

resources

The

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

especially financial resources."

refugees,

who

will

be arriving with

more than the clothes on their backs, will be divided into approximately 60 households, with five people to a household. For

little

each household, $1,000 in additional funding is

needed to cover expenses during the

nam. They aided U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War in the 1960s, and

many became

prisoners in re-education

of fellowship, but receives the necessary ser-

camps

war ended.

after the

Most of

coming

to

Many volunteers are urgently needed to help set up apartments with donated furni-

ecution.

and

'Those that

fled to

the jungle have

survived almost unimaginable hardships, gaining spiritual sustenance from their Christian faith," according to "A Culture in Crisis:

The Montagnards

of the Vietnam-

still

living in the Highlands suffer poverty,

malnutrition and disease."

The Montagnard

ministry,

life

Mercy community, the Benedictines at Belmont Abbey and College and the Raskob Foundation, they were able offer a successful program to people

directly impacts one's

ship abilities, one-on-one

own

leader-

communica-

knowledge with othand development of programs and ministries, said Manion.

"During the first weekend, we covered general principles and shared a lot of teaching and general research. For the second weekend, we reviewed the seven elements of ministry and went through the best practices in each of those," said Manion. "We applied the principles and the best practices on a tion skills, sharing

to

ers

in

the diocese.

"We

have had 30 participants to all four weekends, and other dioceses across the country have been looking to us to see what the experience has been like. It has been an extremely complete

McDermott.

"We've had students from several local colleges including Belmont Abbey College, Western Carolina University and Wake Forest and several churches including St. Eugene Church in positive experience," said

local level as far as

making plans dur-

ing the third weekend."

McDermott

said that she

is

inter-

more leadership opcampus and young adult

ested in developing

Holy Family Church in Clemmons and Our Lady of Assump-

Asheville,

portunities for

'We hope we can continue work with Matthew and Michelle ministers.

Church in Charlotte.

"We have had presenters from around the country come in for each of tion

develop programs

Needed items

Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail amprice@charlottediocese.org.

the four weekends, and this has been an

opportunity for participants to reflect on their gifts for leadership in ministry and

include kitchenware, toiletries

linens, plus

medium

sizes.

men's clothing

in small

and

Instead of food, vouchers to

area supermarkets are welcomed.

The Refugee Resettlement Office is also hoping to find kill-time, entry-level, nonskilled

jobs with benefits.

"It's

a huge endeavor, but Charlotte's

always been a receptive community for

our resettlement efforts," the

all

of

said Ponce.

For more information or ways to help Montagnard refugees, please contact die

ment

Office at 704-370-3256.

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to

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ture and household items before the refugees'

Catholic Social Services Refugee Resettle-

refugees have been

campus

through support and the donation of meeting spaces from the Sisters of said that

expected arrival in two to three weeks.

ese Central Highlands," a teacher's guide

by Barbara Pierce in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. 'The millions of Montagnards

ministry.

Organizing donation and

men who have left their fami-

lies in

Young

fundraising drives are encouraged.

Vietnam and fled to Cambodia after the communist Vietnamese government crushed their protests over intrusion on traditional tribal lands and religious pros-

Charlotte are

Miller, direc-

Adult Ministry Association, presented the leadership skills needed for the development and implementation of parish programs. Weekend topics included Jesus and his role as leader and how his

Colleen McDermott, diocesan director of young adult and

cam-

three

vices as well.

the 300 refugees

campus

their

said.

tor of the National Catholic

first

months after arrival.

Area parishes are asked to ensure that each refugee is not only welcomed in the spirit

Highlands of South Viet-

in the Central

adult and

do on

Manion and Michelle

from page 1

States, rather than be-

called to

puses and in parishes," she

High Point.

NC 27260 336 886.2444 .

.

16 The Catholic News & Herald

April 19,

Living the Faith

By

ALESHA M. PRICE

ing.

GREENSBORO

—

Sister of St.

Joseph Phyllis Tierney "had a sense early on" that she was to become a

woman

Her

religious.

I

followed

my

her ministry reforms within her community. She

instincts."

She was able to connect with a group of friends who lived in a dorm with a housemother, a woman religious, and found a link into the community. While she became more as-

Staff Writer

father, a veteri-

narian, and her mother, a housewife

sured that the sisterhood was to be a

and part-time secretary for her husband, taught their two girls the importance of their faith while growing up in Sennatte, N.Y. Her young

major stop on her road, she was nervous at the prospect.

"They (the sisters) were kind of awesome to me. It was kind of frightening, and I didn't feel comfortable with them in general," said Sister Phyllis. "I knew I was interested in religious life but wondered how I would communicate with them. I

revolved around the church, and she was fascinated with all aspects of her religion.

"In the atmosphere in which I grew up, people were really involved life

was

a certain

to

your novi-

tion at the facility as director of vol-

the

time of testing

unteers and communications. After eight years, she accepted a position as the director of religious education at a rural parish. She saw abject poverty for the first time and began her crusade of change.

"It was frustrating to see people

right thing to do. in

Christ, but

life

tique about them," said Sister Phyllis,

tiate is a

who

cation to religious

whether you have a vo-

attended summer faith formation classes taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph in public while school. "I had a de-

However,

She tackled her and Sister Phyllis professed' her final vows in 1968. Her nine-year process at the motherhouse in Rochester, N.Y., included learning about community's her French origins and their founder, Jesuit

she her

for

life."

test,

sire for religious life."

made time

You

with the intention

of giving your

mys-

friends, extracurricu-

Joseph

St.

and dates ^i^ir rnyms Tierney while in high school.

Father John Pierre Medaille; Vatican II In 1957, with the thought of entering the religious life at the forefront of her mind changes; and the daily routine of her lar activities

to a treatment facility for emotionally challenged youth. She enjoyed her years working with her sisters and the youth.

"I was reluctant about going because I had heard that the kids were difficult to work with," she said. "It was probably one of the most exciting

Triad parish since 1995.

She works with various ministries under parish life, which include welcoming newcomers, bereavement and sick. She supervises outreach ministries under community life including food collection for the Servant Center and the Food Pantry, similar to her work in New York. She reflects on her journey through life thus far with joy and a love for her sister community, the people she has served and

who has a vocation questions if it is the go

was assigned

When the opportunity to move to the Diocese of Charlotte came up through a possible position as the pastoral associate of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, she was interested in continuing in parish ministry but was unsure about moving south.

"I had so many misgivings about leaving home, but as soon as I came, I was very welcomed," said Sister Phyllis who has been working at the

and rewarding experiences I could have had. I learned how to teach disabled children by creating individualized activities for reading, math and language arts."

Parish ministry intrigued her, and she participated in a six-week course that focused on the up and coming ministry. Although she was interested in pursuing parish work, she was offered a newly created posi-

think that everyone

church and school. was quite imI pressed with the sisters. I suppose there in

Oswego, N.Y., and the Council of Churches in Fulton, N.Y. During these years, she opened a drop-in center for low-income families, ran a food pantry and started a food co-op effort, which tried to teach people about socio-economics and food. ties in

Woman religious says life is fulfilling through

2002

in that situation.

What

I

saw was

devastating," she said. "I saw people living the way we were in the 50s."

She earned her master's in social in order to better serve the people she wanted to help and worked for the Office for Human Develop-

work she has done. really enjoy interacting with

"I

people on any

level.

I

like the variety

of

do and the challenges my work presents. There is always something new on the horizon," said Sister Phyllis.

what

"I

I

life has been a very experience and opened many

find that religious

fulfilling

wonderful to experichurch along with lay leadership and lay involvement. We have come so far." doors for me. ence the faith

It is

in the

work

ment

Albany, N.Y., Catholic Chari-

in

Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail amprice@charlottediocese.org.

"I entered when religious life was very structured. Even though it was an active religious community, we had a lot

after high school graduation, she went to Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y., administered by the Sisters of St. Joseph during that time.

"It was a conscious move on my part (because) it was time for me to find more about religious life," she said. "I dated a boy from home and was sort of serious about him, but it was time for me to think about enter-

order.

of religious practices that were monastic. followed a daily horarium, a schedule of praying, rising and eating to-

We

gether," said Sister Phyllis.

Also during those years, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in

English and was a witness to Vatican

II

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