July 22, 2005

July 22, 2005

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Franciscans in the news Sisters of St. Francis celebrate anniversaries; Conventual Franciscans elect leaders | Page 4

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI July 22, 2005

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

The view from afar

NFP Awareness Week to encourage ‘healthier view of parenthood’

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

by

See VACATION, page 13

Scientific data supports design in evolution, says cardinal by

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK — Any evolutionary position that denies the “overwhelming evidence for design in biology is ideology, not science” and incompatible with Catholic teaching, said Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna.

Many scientists want “to avoid the overwhelming evidence for purpose and design found in modern science,” he said in an article in the July 7 New York Times.

See EVOLUTION, page 12

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

LES COMBES, Italy (CNS) — Both body and soul can benefit from a relaxing, getaway vacation, especially one spent in the outdoors, Pope Benedict XVI said from an Alpine mountain retreat in northern Italy.

Vacation time with family and loved ones offers the opportunity to spend “more time dedicated to prayer, reading and meditation on the deep meaning of life,” he said July 17 before praying the Sunday Angelus in Les Combes, in Italy’s Valle d’Aosta region.

Because today’s lifestyles, especially in hectic cities,

‘The result of a thought of God’

no. 37

Planning families the natural way

Pope says body, soul can benefit from vacation, especially outdoors by

vOLUME 14

CNS photo from Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI looks out toward the mountains from an Alpine meadow near Les Combes in northern Italy July 14. The pontiff was vacationing at a Salesian villa in Les Combes through July 28.

CHARLOTTE — The Catholic Church sees sexuality as a gift from God that touches all aspects of the individuals involved — spiritual, moral, physical and psychological, according to Pope John Paul II. The late pope said in 1994 that the use of natural methods of family planning help couples keep these four aspects in mind as they decide together whether to take advantage of the wife’s fertile or infertile periods.

With Natural Family Planning Awareness Week July 2430 this year, the pope’s beliefs still hold true, according to many Catholic pro-life and family advocates around the country and in the Diocese of Charlotte.

On July 16, Bishop Peter J. Jugis blessed Northgate Family Medicine in Concord, where See PLANNING, page 7

Moved by faith: Six from diocese honored Hundreds gather for N.C. Black Catholic Conference RALEIGH — Six people from the Diocese of Charlotte were recognized for their outstanding service to the Catholic Church and the community.

The group, along with six from the Diocese of Raleigh, were honored during the second annual North Carolina Black Catholic Conference, held at the Sheraton Raleigh Capital Center Hotel June 24-26.

Msgr. Mauricio W. West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, presented the awards to Angella Brown of St. Benedict the Moor Church in WinstonSalem; Dale Brown, Freddie Dewalt and Sandy Murdock of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte; Father See CONFERENCE, page 5

Courtesy Photo by NC Catholics

African dancers and musicians open the North Carolina Black Catholic Conference in Raleigh June 24.

The pope and Potter

Youths in Action

Perspectives

Attention given to 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger letter on Harry Potter

Girl and Boy Scouts honor their own with awards, ranks

Stem cells without embryos; rushing to judgment

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| Page 11

| Pages 14-15

2 The Catholic News & Herald

July 22, 2005

InBrief

Current and upcoming topics from around the world to your own backyard

Commitments will help make world ‘more peaceful,’ says bishop

Pulling strings to make a difference

CNS photo by Dave Hrbacek, Catholic Spirit

Jessica Billings of Bloomington, Minn., poses with her puppets at her home in early June. Jessica was inspired by her autistic brother, Jamey, to educate others about people with disabilities.

Minnesota Catholic teen an advocate for people with ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Jessica Billings was 5 years old when, she recalled, a woman approached her family at a restaurant and complained, “My husband and I paid good money for our meals, and we don’t appreciate having him here.”

The woman was referring to Billings’ brother, Jamey, who has autism and sometimes makes loud noises or has erratic movements. At the time, Billings said, “I didn’t even know what to feel.”

But the experience left a lasting impression on her.

Now, at age 18, the teen has dedicated her life to advocating for people with disabilities and educating others about people with special needs.

Growing up, Billings said, her brother’s disability was not something she talked about. But at age 13 she won an essay contest sponsored by the Bloomington Human Rights Commission.

That’s when Billings found her voice — and her passion.

Billings founded a program called “Dare To Be Different” to educate youths about diversity.

When she won the Miss Minnesota Junior Teen pageant in 2002, she used her platform to educate people about dis-

USCCB official praises G-8 promises to help Africa, Palestinians

abilities.

Twice she spoke at the Minnesota Capitol about her family’s experiences with autism. She also is a volunteer and puppeteer with PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights), which provides services to families with special needs and performs puppet shows for children.

Through all of her volunteer work, Billings realized that “if we can teach kids to have a strong belief in who they are, then they can make positive decisions.”

To that end, she joined Students Against Destructive Decisions at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield.

The group helps students avoid underage drinking, drug abuse, driving while impaired and other destructive behaviors.

In May, Billings was named that organization’s national student of the year.

Next year, Billings will travel around the country to speak to her peers about making positive choices.

Billings said her faith has inspired her to take action in her community. “I have so many gifts from God and I need to use them,” she said. “Actions speak so much louder than words.”

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The commitment made by the world’s wealthiest countries to help improve living conditions in Africa offered “hope and promise” to the world’s poorest countries, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ international policy committee.

Bishop John H. Ricard of PensacolaTallahassee, Fla., said he welcomed the promise made by world leaders at the recent Group of Eight summit to extend debt relief and to double aid to Africa.

“At a time of sadness, fear and determination following the terror attacks on the people of London, the G-8 leaders have offered commitments of hope and promise. They launched a new partnership in pursuit of a more just, secure and peaceful world,” Bishop Ricard said July 12.

At the G-8 summit July 6-8 in Scot-

Diocesan planner ASHEVILLE VICARIATE

ASHEVILLE — Join us as we pray the rosary and support our sidewalk counselors who offer real help to women going in for abortions at Femcare in Asheville, at 62 Orange St., Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m., Saturdays at 8 a.m. No prayer is ever wasted. The Culture of Life needs you. Call (828) 689-9544 for more information and directions.

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE

land, leaders of the world’s industrialized nations promised a $50 billion package to help lift Africa from poverty and proposed up to $9 billion to help the Palestinians achieve peace with Israel. Bishop Ricard said the G-8 leaders should take steps to ensure that these goals are reached by 2010.

The bishop also welcomed the world leaders’ acknowledgment of the need to address climate change and encouraged them to continue to pursue measures to mitigate the changes and to examine the effects of such changes on the poor.

“Clearly one meeting will not overcome poverty and despair. However, through sustained implementation of ... commitments, our world can become more just and more peaceful,” the bishop said.

through 1965 is being considered for Fall 2005.

E-mail Madeleine Chartier Crawford at madeleine@harpermachinery.com or call Joyce Hartis O’Keefe at (704) 536-5049 if you are interested in celebrating Charlotte Catholic High School’s 50th anniversary.

HUNTERSVILLE — Elizabeth Ministry is a peer ministry comprised of St. Mark Church parishioners who have lost babies before of shortly after birth. Confidential peer ministry, information and spiritual materials are offered at no cost or obligation to anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a newborn. For details, call Sandy Buck at (704) 948-4587.

CHARLOTTE — Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski will present “The Catholic Church’s Teaching on ‘End of Life’ Ethics” Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Ministry Center of St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd., and Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. in the Annex Building of St. Peter Church, 507 S. Tryon St. These events are sponsored by the Office of Justice and Peace and the Respect Life and Elder Ministry Programs of the Family Life Office of Catholic Social Services. Call (704) 370-3228 or e-mail sabeason@charlottediocese.org for further information and to register. Go to www.cssnc.org for individual fliers on these events.

CHARLOTTE — The St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order gathers the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 2301 Statesville Ave. Those interested in learning more about the SFO and the Franciscan way of life are invited to attend. For more information, call Tom O’Loughlin at (704) 947-7235.

HUNTERSVILLE — A Mass to Honor Deceased Loved Ones will be celebrated the last Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Rd. For more Pam Schneider at (704) 875-0201.

CHARLOTTE — The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sons of Erin Mecklenburg County Division, the oldest and largest order of Irish Catholic men, is seeking Irish Catholic men to join them for meetings, community activities and social events.

Contact Tim Lawson at (704) 522-9728 or e-mail ncaoh@aol.com for more information including meeting times and location.

CHARLOTTE — The Vietnamese Cursillo of Charlotte School of Leaders meets the second Sunday of each month at 2:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Rd. For more information, contact Nam Le at (704) 549-1525.

CHARLOTTE — A reunion for Charlotte Catholic High School, O’Donoghue School and Our Lady of Mercy School classes of 1954

CHARLOTTE — The Happy Timers of St. Ann Church meet the first Wednesday of each month with a luncheon and program at 1 p.m. in the parish activity center, 3635 Park Rd. All adults age 55 and older are welcome. For more information, call Charles Nesto at (704) 398-0879.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — All Irish-Catholic women are invited to participate in the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, a social, cultural and charitable

July 22, 2 005 Volume 14 • Number 37

Publisher: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Editor: Kevin E. Murray Staff Writer: Karen A. Evans Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Manager: Cindi Feerick Secretary: Deborah Hiles 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

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 $15 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all other subscribers. The Catholic News & Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason deemed appropriate. We do not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and other cities. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237.

The Catholic News & Herald 3

July 22, 2005

FROM THE VATICAN

Pope appeals to London attackers, terrorists to stop

Vatican budget back in black despite weak dollar, drop in donations

the July 7 attacks on London’s transit system.

In a statement on its Web site, the group claiming responsibility for the attacks, the Secret Organization Group of al-Qaida in Europe, named Italy and Denmark as possible future targets.

Meanwhile the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, said terrorism today has become “an international plague that does not take account of one’s race, religion, social status.”

Terrorist acts no longer target “the enemy,” but rather “the crowd,” in such a way as to “bring about the most injuries possible” and to provoke fear, it said in its July 10 front-page editorial.

The paper said the best and only way to “unhinge the logic of terrorism, which is the logic of fear,” was to remain hopeful and not cave in to their “blackmail” of violence.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI urgently appealed to those responsible for the July 7 bombing attacks in London by calling on the perpetrators to stop sowing hatred and terrorism.

“I say to you: God loves life, which he created, not death. Stop in the name of God,” said the pope.

After praying the Angelus July 10, Pope Benedict asked the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray for “the people killed, for those wounded and for their loved ones.”

He then asked: “But let us also pray for the attackers. May the Lord touch their hearts.”

Pope Benedict asked that there be a conversion of heart in those who “fuel feelings of hatred” and “carry out repugnant terrorist acts.”

Meanwhile, Rome and the Vatican beefed up security measures after

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican had a budget surplus of almost $3.7 million in 2004 after running a deficit three years in a row.

Higher investment income and the sale of some property, mainly individual apartments in buildings outside Rome, offset increased personnel costs and a continued drop in the value of the U.S. dollar against the euro, Vatican officials said.

Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, president of the Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, presented the Vatican’s 2004 final budget figures during a July 11 press conference.

Cardinal Sebastiani also said the 2005 forecast was for a balanced budget; extraordinary costs connected with the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI will be accounted for separately, he said.

Cardinal Sebastiani is responsible for overseeing two separate budget reports: the Holy See, which includes the Roman Curia, Vatican diplomatic mis-

group for an ongoing series of fun and informative activities. LAOH will meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Kloster Center, 2210 N. Elm St. Please join us for refreshments and to learn more about our group. RSVP to Elaine McHale, president, at (336) 292-1118.

second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Rd. We draw strength from others’ experience of loss and grief. For more information, call Joy at (704) 664-3992.

Devastating Dennis

HICKORY VICARIATE HENDERSONVILLE — The Widows Lunch Bunch, sponsored by Immaculate Conception Church, meets at a different restaurant on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are necessary. For more information and reservations, call Joan Keagle at (828) 693-4733.

HICKORY — A Charismatic Mass is celebrated the first Thursday of each month in Sebastian Chapel of St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second St. NE, at 7 p.m. For further information, contact Joan Moran (828)-327-0487.

SALISBURY VICARIATE SALISBURY — Elizabeth Ministry is a peer ministry comprised of Sacred Heart Church parishioners who have lost babies before or shortly after birth. Confidential peer ministry, information and spiritual materials are offered at no cost or obligation to anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a newborn. For details, call Renee Washington at (704) 637-0472 or Sharon Burges at (704) 633-0591.

SALISBURY — Our Lady Rosary Makers of Sacred Heart Church, 128 N. Fulton St., are making cord rosaries for the missions and the military.

The group meets the first Tuesday of each month in the church office conference room, 10-11 a.m.

For more information, call Cathy Yochim at (704) 636-6857 or Joan Kaczmarezyk at (704) 797-8405.

SALISBURY — Sacred Heart Church, 128 N. Fulton St., celebrates a Charismatic and Healing Mass the first Sunday of each month 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 celebrant.

For further information, call Bill Owens at (704) 639-9837.

MOORESVILLE — A Support Group for Parents Who Have Lost a Child of any age meets the

Episcopal

calendar

Aug. 5 Discernment Days St. Barnabas Church, Arden

sions around the world, Vatican Radio and Vatican investments; and Vatican City State, which includes the Vatican post office and Vatican Museums.

The income reported by the Holy See in 2004 was about $246.3 million — at July 11, 2005, exchange rates — while expenses were about $242.6 million.

While salaries for the Holy See’s 2,663 employees rose by 9 percent in 2004, the amount of money spent by 127 Vatican diplomatic missions was lower than in 2003, mainly because fewer new offices were opened, the cardinal said.

The Vatican’s investment portfolio earned about $7.3 million in profits in 2004, while it showed a loss in 2003, he said.

Cardinal Sebastiani said all Vatican investments meet “ethical” criteria; “we have no relationship with funds that do not provide this assurance.”

Paolo Trombetta, the chief accountant, said that about 80 percent of the investments are in government bonds, while about 20 percent are in stocks.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE BRYSON CITY — Court St. Mary, Mother of God No. 2534, of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, will meet Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 316 Main St. Father Shawn O’Neal as guest speaker at the meeting, which will be open to the community. For further information contact Sandy Beauchemin, Court Regent, at (828) 585-1136.

WAYNESVILLE — Adult Education Classes are held the first three Wednesday evenings of each month beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the St. John the Evangelist Church Social Hall, 234 Church St. For more information, call Charles M. Luce at (828) 648-7369 or e-mail luce54@ aol.com.

WAYNESVILLE — The Catholic Women’s Circle of St. John the Evangelist Church, 234 Church St., meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the church hall. For more information, call the church office at (828) 456-6707.

FRANKLIN — The Women’s Guild of St. Francis of Assisi Church, 299 Maple St., meets the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The meetings feature guest speakers and special events periodically.

For more information, call Claire Barnable at (828) 369-1565.

CNS photo by Peggy DeKeyser, The Florida Catholic

Is your parish or school sponsoring a free event open to the general public? Please submit notices for the Diocesan Planner at least 15 days prior to the event date in writing to Karen A. Evans at kaevans@ charlottediocese.org or fax to (704) 370-3382.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events:

Aug. 6 5:30 p.m.

Knights of the Holy Sepulchre Scroll Mass

Hurricane Dennis ripped one-third of the roof off the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Pensacola Beach, Fla., when it hit the Florida Panhandle July 10 with 120 mph winds. Ten months before, Hurricane Ivan tore off the roof, rendering the building unusable. New pews were installed in the church two days before Dennis struck, in anticipation of reopening the church on the feast of the Assumption Aug.15. Now the facility will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

around the diocese

Sisters of St. Francis celebrate Sister Ganiel among 75 sisters honored at gathering

WINSTON-SALEM — Franciscan Sister Kathleen Anne Ganiel, pastoral associate at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem, recently celebrated her call to the religious life with hundreds of her fellow Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.

Sister Ganiel, who celebrated 25 years as a woman religious, was among 75 jubilarians with 25, 50, 70 and 75 years of service. They were honored during Jubilee 2005, an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.

The event, which drew more than 600 Sisters of St. Francis, was held at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pa., June 19-25.

With inspirational speakers, reflection and discussion, the sisters assessed their progress since their order’s 2002 decision-making gathering and decided on what they need to focus on during the next three years.

Since the beginning of the congregation in 1855, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia have ministered in a variety of fields, including education and health care, as well as to immigrants, orphans and the elderly.

The ministries of the jubilarians have

July 22, 2005

Charlotte youth wins WYD Hart receives $750 FROM SFO to visit Germany

Franciscan Sister Kathleen Anne Ganiel taken them to 23 states and 37 dioceses, as well as to Ireland, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Kenya, Antigua and Zambia.

Collectively, the jubilarians have offered 4,139 years of service.

The jubiliarian anniversaries of Sister Ganiel and other women religious serving in the Diocese of Charlotte were highlighted during the annual Sisters’ Appreciation Day, held in Belmont in June.

WANT MORE INFO? For more information on the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, visit www.osfphila.org.

CHARLOTTE — Kelly Hart, a parishioner of St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, recently received a $750 scholarship to attend World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, in August.

Hart, an aspiring youth minister and rising freshman at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, won the scholarship through an essay contest sponsored by the Youth and Young Adult Commission of the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region, Secular Franciscan Order.

She will be one of two winners to join the BSSF’s pilgrimage to World Youth Day. “God once called St. Francis to rebuild his church. I believe that I, along with many others, am being called to this same vocation nearly 800 years later,” wrote Hart in her essay.

“Over the past couple of years, I have been amazed at how God has worked in my life. I have witnessed him

Kelly Hart truly change me into a passion-filled young Catholic with a desire to serve him in all that I do,” she said.

The BSSF consists of Secular Franciscan Order fraternities in North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

WANT MORE INFO? More info on the BSSF SFO, as well as the winners’ essays, may be found online at http://community-2.webtv.net/ SFO_YYA/YouthandYoungAdult.

GOVERNING BOARD

For more information on women religious in the Diocese of Charlotte, contact Mercy Sister Mary Timothy Warren, vicar for women religious, at (704) 370-3213.

Courtesy Photo

Conventual Franciscan Father William Robinson, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem, was one of five Franciscans elected to a five-year term on the province’s governing board. Pictured are (from left): Father John Burkhard, Father Robinson, Father Justin Biase, Father Brad Milunski and Brother Ed Falsey.

Conventual Franciscans elect leaders Father Robinson to serve on order’s governing board

WINSTON-SALEM — Conventual Franciscan Father William Robinson, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem, will help lead his Immaculate Conception Province of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.

Father Robinson was one of five Franciscans from around the country elected to a five-year term on the Provincial Definitory, the province’s governing board.

Established in the United States in 1852 by five European friars ministering to immigrants, the province today extends from Canada down the eastern

U.S. seaboard to Costa Rica, with a mission in Brazil. Following the example of St. Francis, the friars strive to spend time in service to others, prayer and fraternity.

Father Robinson, a native of Abington, Mass., who entered the Franciscan order in 1964 and was ordained in 1974, served for six years as assistant general to the order.

During his 41 years as a Franciscan, he has worked in initial formation and parish administration.

WANT MORE INFO? For more information about the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, visit www. franciscanseast.org.

July 22, 2005

The Catholic News & Herald 5

black catholic heritage

Under new leadership

New director looks to highlight black Catholics’ legacy by

KAREN A. EVANS staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Making sure the African American Affairs Ministry (AAAM) is a strong body and voice for black Catholics is its new director’s top priority.

Sandra Murdock, chairperson of the board of directors of the diocesan African American Affairs Ministry (AAAM), has assumed the position of director of the AAAM following the retirement of Deacon Curtiss Todd in May. Murdock has been actively involved with the AAAM since 1990, and has served as chairperson for the past two years.

As director, she will continue to head the board of directors for the AAAM. She will be available to black Catholics — who includes Africans and anyone of African ancestry — to hear their concerns, to be a voice for them to the diocese and to keep them informed of programs and events of interest, such as the “Revival of the Spirit 2005” tent revival in August.

Murdock comes to the position with more than 10 years’ experience with the AAAM, having worked with the ministry from 1990-1995, and again since 2000. She also established Kabaka, a dance and drum group; and Sankofa, an African American heritage program for children and teenagers.

Black Catholics need to be recognized for the gifts and history they bring to the Catholic Church and to society in general, Murdock said.

“Quite often, our fellow parishioners who are not African American have no idea that there were three black popes and that there are black saints,” said Murdock. “There are many contributions that

Hundreds gather for conference CONFERENCE, from page 1

Photo by Karen A. Evans

Sandra Murdock is the new director of the diocesan African American Affairs Ministry. Murdock is also the chairperson of the ministry’s board of directors. have been made to our religion (by black Catholics).”

Since the AAAM was established in 1985, black Catholics have a “voice” in the diocese they didn’t have before, Murdock said.

Murdock and the board of directors plan to expand the AAAM by adding a leadership program for adults, a heritageappreciation program for teenagers and philanthropic projects to help children in Africa.

There is still much work to do, however. Murdock hopes the diocesan Catholic schools will try to appeal more to blacks — for students, teachers and staff. “(Black Catholics) need to be involved and visible in all aspects of the diocese,” said Murdock.

Contact Staff Writer Karen A. Evans by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail kaevans@charlottediocese.org.

Spirits to be revived at Our Lady of Consolation Church One of the most important events sponsored by AAAM is the upcoming revival, “Revival of the Spirit 2005,” at Our Lady of Consolation Church Aug. 12-14.

The keynote speaker and homilist for the revival will be Franciscan Father James E. Goode. Father Goode is known for his untiring voice for the sacredness of life and for leading the call for the African American Catholic community to support the end of abortion and all other acts of violence against human life.

Father Goode is also known for his work feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, educating the young and old, caring for the sick and those living with HIV/AIDS and caring for victims of violence, neglect and abuse.

On Aug. 12, the St. Augustine Catholic Church Gospel Choir will perform a gospel concert. Founded in 1977 by composer Leon Roberts, the choir has established a legacy of African American-based liturgical music in Washington, D.C. Over the past three decades, the choir has spread the good news in services, concerts and workshops throughout the United States as well as in Italy and France, performing for Pope John Paul II and former President and Mrs. Clinton.

Wilbur Thomas, pastor of the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville; and Deacon Curtiss Todd, recently retired vice chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Titled “Empowered by Faith for Ministry in the Holy Spirit,” the conference brought together 260 AfricanAmerican Catholics involved in lay ministry throughout North Carolina for inspiration and collaboration; to accomplish goals set by the National Black Catholic Congress; and to empower and encourage black Catholics to become more involved in the Catholic Church.

“We must find ways to provide and encourage responsible leadership roles for those black, adult Catholics who are by education and professional achievements entitled by right to such positions and who would serve but have often been made to feel unwelcome,” said Bishop Joseph F. Gossman of Raleigh during his address.

“Many have found secular uses for their talents and we suffer the loss,” he said. “The church needs competent, dedicated black Catholics in leadership positions if we are to survive and grow in the next millennium.”

Speakers and workshop presenters included Mercy Sister Larretta RiveraWilliams, pastoral associate at St. Benedict the Moor Church. Workshop topics ranged from the inspirational to the practical, from “Discerning Your Call to Ministry” to “Learning About Our Heritage Through Music and Stories.”

“This is showing how the Holy Spirit is working in the Catholic Church,” said Martha Carter-Bailey, executive director of Raleigh’s office of African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization, which sponsored the conference.

“It doesn’t matter where you are from.

We are all one body in Christ,” she said.

Editor Richard Reece of NC Catholics and Sandra Murdock contributed to this story.

6 The Catholic News & Herald

around the diocese

July 22, 2005

Returning home

Program to help welcome back inactive Catholics by

JOANITA M. NELLENBACH correspondent

MAGGIE VALLEY — You know they’re out there: Catholics who’ve been away from “home” for a long time. Their roots are in the Catholic Church, but for whatever reason, they no longer practice their faith.

“Inactive Catholics: Who Are They and How Can We Reach Them?” seeks to change that.

Paulist Father Robert S. Rivers will present the program, which is free and open to the public, at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley Aug. 13.

“In all of our towns there are many people who are Catholic (and are not participating),” said Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William Church in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville, and vicar of the Smoky Mountain Vicariate.

“We’re going to learn how to identify them and how to welcome them, to let them know that the home doors are still open,” he said.

The program’s three sessions are “Inactive Catholics: Who They Are and What Do We Know About Them?”, “Inactive Catholics: How Do We Reach Out to Them?” and “Successful Outreach Programs For Parishes.”

Father Rivers, vice president and director of parish missions for the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association in Washington, D.C., has 25 years of pastoral experience. He is the author of the book “From Maintenance to Mission: Evangelization and the Revitalization of the Parish.”

“Deeply committed to developing the ministry of evangelization,” the conference brochure states, “Father Rivers specializes in preaching and

teaching to help dioceses and parishes carry out the saving mission of Jesus Christ.”

Sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Vicariate, “Inactive Catholics” will especially benefit those in parish leadership positions, such as pastoral councils, evangelization, ecumenical and family life commissions and stewardship committees.

Contact Correspondent Joanita M. Nellenbach by calling (828) 627-9209 or e-mail jnell@dnet.net.

WANT TO GO? Father Rivers will present the program at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley Aug. 13.

Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., with the program from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Lunch is included.

To register, call St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church by Aug. 8. Call (828) 926-0106, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

July 22, 2005

The Catholic News & Herald 7

FROM THE COVER

Parenting the natural way PLANNING, from page 1

doctors prescribe only natural family planning methods to their patients.

On July 17, two of those doctors participated in “God’s Plan for Human Love,” a free three-hour workshop at St. James Church in Concord. The workshop was conducted by Benedictine Father Matthew Habinger, director of retreats for St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, and a member of NFP Outreach, a resource center for accurate natural family planning information and principles.

The awareness week, this year themed “Making Good Marriages Great,” was started by the American Academy of NFP (now the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals) and is promoted by the Diocesan Development Program for NFP, a program of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities.

The July dates were chosen to highlight the July 25 anniversary of Pope John Paul’s encyclical “Humanae Vitae.”

Conception and misconceptions Developed in 1968 by Dr. Thomas Hilgers, natural family planning is based on an awareness of a woman’s fertility as a natural way to postpone or achieve pregnancy.

The method involves interpreting certain signs of a woman’s body that indicate fertile and infertile times.

When followed correctly, natural family planning is up to 99 percent successful in spacing or limiting births, according to U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

Courtesy Photo

Bishop Peter J. Jugis blesses Northgate Family Medicine in Concord July 16. The doctors at the practice prescribe natural family planning to their patients.

Natural family planning is not the rhythm or calendar method, in which time of ovulation is estimated by calculating previous menstrual cycles. Although the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities states the rhythm approach has sound scientific underpinnings, in practice it often proved inaccurate because of the unique nature of each woman’s menstrual cycle.

Natural family planning, by contrast, has been proven scientifically sound in both theory and practice.

Scientific, spiritual benefits The Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities reports natural family planning:

contributes to marriage enrichment and mutual understanding, and the appreciation for the value of children; fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person; and encourages moral acceptability. Couples who use it learn they share responsibility for family planning.

The Couple to Couple League for Natural Family Planning Web site states that periodic abstinence, such as with natural family planning, helps keep relationships fresh, improves communication and gives couples a deeper respect for each other.

Natural family planning offers couples a scientifically supported way to regulate births while respecting each

other and the integrity of the human person, said Pope John Paul.

In a 2004 message to a Rome conference on natural family planning, the pope said that while natural methods of planning or spacing the birth of a child are based on science, they are not purely technical.

The methods, he said, help individuals recognize each other as “a unity of spirit, mind and body.”

Pope John Paul said that while the biological rhythms of a woman’s fertility cycle make natural family planning possible the methods should be taught in such a way as to promote an attitude where “every person, beginning with the child, is recognized and respected for his or her self and every choice is animated and guided by the criterion of a sincere self-giving.”

The late pope said many people today seem “almost intimidated by the responsibility of procreation,” yet at the same time believe it is acceptable to “dominate and manipulate life.”

The values taught by natural family planning, he said, help people return to a healthier view of parenthood, respect for God’s plan for marriage and sexuality and respect for human life.

Pope John Paul II praised health care workers who, “coherent with their vocation as servants of life,” promote research into natural family planning and teach the methods to others.

Contact Editor Kevin E. Murray by calling (704) 370-3334 or e-mail kemurray@charlottediocese.org.

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For more information on natural family planning in the Diocese of Charlotte, visit http://www.cssnc. org/naturalfamilyplanning

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July 22, 2005

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

The good and bad of Harry New attention given to 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger letter on Harry Potter

by CINDY WOODEN catholic news service

VATICAN CITY — With the sixth volume of the adventures of Harry Potter, the teen wizard, about to be released, new attention is being given to a 2003 letter from then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Although the Vatican press office July 14 said it would have no comment on the letter since Pope Benedict XVI and his secretary were on vacation in the northern Italian Alps, a former Vatican official said Harry Potter books must be read as children’s literature, not theology.

Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, wrote to Gabriele Kuby to acknowledge receipt of her book, “Harry Potter: Gut oder Bose” (“Harry Potter: Good or Bad”), which expresses her concern that children can become fascinated with the occult through reading the series.

In the cardinal’s letter, excerpted on Kuby’s Web site and published widely since late June, he praised the author’s attempt to “enlighten people about Harry Potter” and the possible “subtle seductions” that can distort children’s thinking before they mature in the Christian faith.

Cardinal Ratzinger did not say if he had read any of the Harry Potter books.

In the letter, Cardinal Ratzinger suggested Kuby send a copy of her book to Msgr. Peter Fleetwood, then an official at the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Msgr. Fleetwood told Catholic News

Service July 14 that he received a copy of the book in 2003 and wrote Kuby a fourpage letter explaining where he thought she may have misunderstood or read too much into the books. He said he never heard back from her.

The monsignor, now an official of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, said the primary focus of parents and teachers he has spoken with about the books is how enthusiastic children are about reading them.

On a moral level, he said, the books “pit good against evil, and good always wins.”

In J.K. Rowling’s books, he said, “Harry is the only one not afraid to name Voldemort — whom the others all refer to as ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.’

Because he names evil, he is not afraid of it,” but can confront it.

Msgr. Fleetwood said the most appropriate way to judge Harry Potter is not on the basis of theology, but according to the criteria of children’s literature and whether children will read the books willingly.

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: July 31, 2005

July 31, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A Readings: 1) Isaiah 55:1-3 Psalm 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18 2) Romans 8:35, 37-39 3) Matthew 14:13-21

God always feeds those with deep hunger

by DAN LUBY catholic news service

My brother-in-law was poetry in motion, sprinting across the busy street, juking and whirling through traffic like an all-star running back evading tacklers.

As he dashed through the steady flow of cars toward the hamburger joint, I watched him with a mixture of awe and anxiety — fearful for his safety, awestruck.

The object of his perilous journey was not simply hamburgers for our summer picnic. No, he was risking life and limb for hamburgers that were absolutely free.

In those ancient days when my brother and I were about 14 and 10, we were visiting our newly married sister and her husband at their tiny apartment in the college town where they lived as

nearly starving students. Money was tight, and having two hungry children as guests must have made my sister and her husband feel even more pinched than usual.

The prospect of free hamburgers doubtless appeared like manna from heaven to them, well worth whatever dangers the busy street had to offer.

I remember hungrily even now, more than 40 years later, the mouth-watering sight of that greasy bag of burgers and the heavenly perfume of their onion and pickle-scented aroma. The fact that all this savory goodness was free made the whole experience doubly enriching.

For whom is it good news to hear that the meal is free?

When Isaiah in Sunday’s first reading invites people to come to the rich banquet of the Lord, he invites those without money. That must have sounded irritating, or at least odd, to those with cash in their pockets, with good credit at the grocery store, with cupboards full of food.

God feeds us with his word and his body, not because we have paid for it with good deeds and strict religious observance. We can savor just how good this heavenly food is only when we recognize how empty our hands are and how deep our hunger is.

Questions: What are some gifts you have

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE Scripture for the week of July 24-30 Sunday (Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), 1 King 3:5, 7-12, Romans 8:28-30, Matthew 13:44-52; Monday (St. James), 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Matthew 20:20-28; Tuesday (St. Joachim and St. Anne), Exodus 33:7-11, 34:5-9, 28, Matthew 13:36-43; Wednesday, Exodus 34:29-35, Matthew 13:44-46; Thursday, Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38, Matthew 13:47-53; Friday (St. Martha), Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37, John 11:19-27; Saturday (St. Peter Chrysologus), Leviticus 25:1, 8-17, Matthew 14:1-12.

Scripture for the week of July 31 - August 6 Sunday (Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Isaiah 55:1-3, Romans 8:35, 37-39, Matthew 14:1321; Monday (St. Alphonsus Liguori), Numbers 11:4-15, Matthew 14:22-36; Tuesday (St. Eusebius, St. Peter Julian Eymard), Numbers 12:1-13, Matthew 14:22-36; Wednesday, Numbers 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29, 34-35, Matthew 15:21-28; Thursday (St. John Mary Vianney), Numbers 20:1-13, Matthew 16:13-23; Friday (Dedication of St. Mary Major), Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Matthew 16:2428; Saturday (The Lord’s Transfiguration), Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 2 Peter 1:16-19, Matthew 17:1-9.

July 22, 2005

YOUTH IN ACTION

Bonds of Scouting

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Youth wins top award in Girl Scouts CHARLOTTE — Christine Mancusi, a member of Girl Scout Troop 55 at St. Ann Church in Charlotte, recently earned her Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts.

To earn her recognition, presented by the Hornet’s Nest Girl Scout Council, Christine developed and instructed free classes on butterflies, reptiles and amphibian survival for the recently expanded Reedy Creek Nature Center in northeastern Mecklenburg County.

She also trained volunteers at the center to present the classes to the public using lesson plans, materials and activities.

Christine is a rising freshman at the University of North Carolina at

Courtesy Photo

Girl Scouts from Brownies 856, Juniors 10, Cadettes 216 and Seniors 288 at St. Ann Church in Charlotte celebrate their end-of-year ceremonies May 24. The event included an opening flag ceremony, where the girls, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years, presented their group flags and recited the Girl Scout Pledge and Pledge of Allegiance, and an awards ceremony in which girls received badges and other awards for various activities and community service. Some girls also participated in a bridging ceremony as they moved from Brownies to Juniors or Juniors to Cadettes.

Christine Mancusi Wilmington, where she plans to major in biology.

Six Scouts earn Eagle rank CHARLOTTE — Boy Scout Troop 8 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte recently awarded six members with the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Kristopher Bahar, Andrew Birch, Justin Carey, Stephen Carey, Thomas Huckbody and Nicholas Vari received the rank during an awards dinner May 21.

To receive the rank, the scouts had to complete individual service projects.

Nicholas planned and organized a Christmas party for refugees at St. Matthew Church for the Missionaries of Charity nuns.

Birch repaired 120 feet of fencing and built a raised 8-foot square garden at the Missionaries of Charity convent in Charlotte.

Thomas built a concrete walkway at the Hornet’s Nest Girl Scout Council headquarters in Charlotte.

Kristopher conducted a book drive for Holy Angels, a nonprofit corporation in Belmont providing services to children and adults with varying degrees of mental retardation.

Stephen constructed a picnic area

Courtesy Photo

Six Boy Scouts from Troop 8 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Pictured from left are: Thomas Huckbody, Andrew Birch, Nicholas Vari, Justin Carey, Stephen Carey and Kristopher Bahar. and walking area in a Habitat for Humanity neighborhood; Justin repaired a statue of Jesus and landscaped that neighborhood area, in addition to constructing a brick platform for recycling collection at St. Matthew School in Charlotte.

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Humans the design of EVOLUTION, from page 1

“Scientific theories that try to explain away the appearance of design as the result of ‘chance and necessity’ are not science at all, but, as John Paul put it, an abdication of human intelligence,” he said in the article that quoted the late Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI holds the same position as his predecessor, said Cardinal Schonborn.

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The article did not discuss the current debate in the United States over some local public school boards that want science classes to incorporate views holding that creation is the result of an intelligent design.

Cardinal Schonborn criticized unnamed “neo-Darwinian” scientists as claiming that “an unguided, unplanned process of random variation and natural selection” is acceptable in Catholic teaching.

“The Catholic Church, while leaving to science many details about the history

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of life on earth, proclaims that by the light of reason the human intellect can readily and clearly discern purpose and design in the natural world, including the world of living things,” he said.

“Faced with scientific claims like neo-Darwinism and the multiverse hypothesis in cosmology invented to avoid the overwhelming evidence for purpose and design found in modern science, the Catholic Church will again defend human reason by proclaiming that the immanent design evident in nature is real,” he said.

Evolving process “Evolution in the sense of common ancestry might be true,” said the cardinal.

Cardinal Schonborn, who was one of the main editors of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” said that in the debates over evolution “the Catholic Church is in the odd position of standing in firm defense of reason.”

The cardinal said that “neo-Darwinists” are claiming that Pope Benedict agrees with their views about an unguided and unplanned evolutionary process.

In refutation, he quoted from the pope’s inaugural homily.

“We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God,” said the pope at his installation.

In follow-up remarks published July 11 by Kathpress, an Austrian Catholic news agency, Cardinal Schonborn cited Popes Pius XII and John Paul II as saying that the theory of evolution — as long as it remains within the realm of science and is not made into an ideological “dogma” which cannot be questioned — is in con-

July 22, 2005

formity with Catholic teaching.

The cardinal quoted Pope John Paul as saying in 1985 that “the properly understood belief in creation and the properly understood teaching of evolution do not stand in each other’s way.”

By design The cardinal told Kathpress that it was the task of philosophy and the theory of science to determine the difference between scientific statements and extrapolations relating to a view of the nature of the world.

Erich Leitenberger, spokesman for Cardinal Schonborn, told Catholic News Service July 11 that “the cardinal believes that evolutionism as an ideology is to be rejected” because it cannot explain the existence of the soul and the spiritual world.

“He believes in a grand design that is in nature and that makes us understand the existence of the universe and life on earth,” said Leitenberger.

Leitenberger confirmed a July 10 New York Times news story saying that Mark Ryland, vice president of the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, which supports intelligent design, helped the cardinal place the article in the Times.

Ryland told CNS that the cardinal’s piece was not support for intelligent design.

“There is no mention of intelligent design in the essay,” said Ryland.

“I see it more as an attack on Darwinism, which argues that there is no intelligent design in evolution,” he said.

“But it is not an affirmation of any scientific response to Darwin’s theory.”

Ryland said he recommended the media firm that submitted the article to the Times on Cardinal Schonborn’s behalf. He noted that he has known the cardinal for five years.

Both are associated with the International Institute of Theology in Gaming, Austria. Cardinal Schonborn is the chancellor and Ryland is on the board.

July 22, 2005

from the cover

The Catholic News & Herald 13

Souls need rest, VACATION, from page 1

“leave little room for silence, reflection and being in touch with nature,” it has become “almost a necessity to be able to refortify one’s body and spirit” with a relaxing vacation, said the pope.

Some 6,000 pilgrims gathered at the small mountain village to hear Pope Benedict pray the midday Angelus during his first extended vacation since he was elected pontiff April 19.

“After the first months of the demanding pastoral service that (God) has entrusted to me, this summer pause is a truly providential gift of God,” he told the crowd.

Surrounded by fir trees and snowtipped mountains, the pope said “vacation time offers the unique opportunity to take pause before nature’s striking displays.”

He said nature was like “a wonderful book,” accessible to young and old. Being in touch with nature helps put things back in perspective; one “rediscovers oneself to be a small, but unique creature with a capacity for God,” he said.

Pope Benedict said seeing the “stupendous mountains of the Valle d’Aosta” brought back vivid recollections of “my beloved predecessor John Paul II,” who began the tradition of including an Alpine retreat during the summer holidays.

Pope Benedict was vacationing July 11-28 in an Alpine chalet owned by the

Salesians.

Though fewer than 40 people reside in the rural area of Les Combes, the village teems with people — pilgrims, tourists and journalists — every summer that a pope visits for vacation. More than 200 Italian agents were reported to be providing security for the pope.

The pope reportedly was spending a large portion of his summer holiday writing and reading.

Papal spokesman Joaquin NavarroValls, who was staying with the pope, said the pontiff was enjoying “a real holiday, but a working holiday.” Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone of Genoa said the pontiff was using the break to write a book.

Cardinal Bertone, who worked many years at the Congregation for the Doctrine for the Faith under then-Cardinal Ratzinger, visited the pope July 12 at Les Combes.

In an interview published July 15 by the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire, Cardinal Bertone said the pope’s mornings were dedicated to prayer and the late afternoons to long walks.

The rest of the day, the pope spends working, “reading, studying” and “writing a book,” he said.

Navarro-Valls added that the pope was also spending some time playing the piano.

For the past several days “I have heard him play Mozart,” the spokesman said July 18.

1 4 The Catholic News & Herald

July 22, 2005

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Stem cells without Putting the contrary claims to the test duced the Respect for Life Pluripotent Stem Cell Act. It instructs the National Institutes of Health to fund research in obtaining pluripotent stem cells without creating or harming human embryos.

Bartlett knows whereof he speaks.

He holds a doctorate in physiology and bases his proposal on a report by the President’s Council on Bioethics and the latest research findings.

His bill outlines two ways to get pluripotent stem cells without harming embryos. One is to remove the cells from embryos without harming or destroying them. The bill would fund such efforts in animal embryos to see if this procedure can be safe enough for humans.

The other approach would produce embryo-like stem cells without creating embryos at all. A dozen studies now indicate that umbilical cord blood and adult tissues contain stem cells that may be as versatile as embryonic stem cells.

In addition, cutting-edge research suggests that adult cells can be “reprogrammed” in several ways into pluripotent stem cells.

One avenue is dubbed “ANT-OAR” — altered nuclear transfer by oocyte assisted reprogramming.

“Nuclear transfer” is the cloning method that made Dolly the sheep. The nucleus of a body cell is combined with an egg deprived of its own nucleus.

Signals in the egg activate a much wider range of genes in that nucleus, so it no longer directs one specialized type of cell but begins the development of a whole new organism.

What if the egg and the body cell were altered in advance so that, from the beginning, the result is not a one-celled embryo, but a pluripotent stem cell like those now obtained by destroying embryos?

There are good scientific reasons to believe this can be done. And many Catholic scientists and ethicists have declared that it can and should be explored.

It would be good news indeed if modern science ends up resolving some moral dilemmas that an irresponsible use of science has created. Bartlett and his colleagues are helping to demonstrate what has always been true: science and ethics were meant to be allies, not enemies.

Richard Doerflinger is deputy director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

Pope says God’s plan always has been to save people from sin

by CAROL GLATZ catholic news service

Life Issues Forum RICHARD M. DOERFLINGER guest columnist

The battle lines of the stem cell debate have become familiar.

In one corner we have embryonic stem cells, obtained by destroying oneweek-old human embryos. The cells are “pluripotent,” capable of producing all the 210 cell types in the human body.

In the other corner are stem cells obtained harmlessly from adult tissues, umbilical cord blood and placentas. These pose no ethical problem, but supposedly are more limited.

Herein lies the alleged tension between science and ethics: We can cure devastating diseases, or respect embryonic human life, but not both.

That dichotomy has always been misleading. Embryonic stem cells are far from curing any disease, while adult and umbilical cord blood stem cells have helped many thousands of patients. Yet scientists still claim that cells obtained by destroying early human life have special advantages that cannot be duplicated.

This claim is about to be tested.

Just before Congress’ July 4 recess, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., intro-

Letters to the Editor

Closer look at Harry Potter needed book includes a possible allusion to abortion and fetal tissue research — plants, which look like babies, are to be chopped up to make medicines. These plants scream when uprooted for transplanting.

Catholic children don’t need these books.

— Martha Shuping Winston-Salem

VATICAN CITY — From the beginning of time, God’s plan has been to save people from sin and embrace them as his children, Pope Benedict XVI said at his general audience July 6.

The plan of salvation is God’s “great secret project” that he had in mind “before the foundation of the world,” the pope said.

It is “our predestination to be children of God” through Jesus Christ, he said in his July 6 catechesis reflecting on the first chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.

At one point in his address to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict lifted his eyes from his prepared text and told his audience he was moved every time he meditated on “this truth that from eternity we were before the eyes of God and he decided to save us.”

“We are not just human creatures” created by God, “but we belong to him as his children,” he said.

God calls everyone to become holy, but holiness is not an impossible dream, the pope said. Holiness, he said, is to take part in God’s love and “to follow God, who is charity.”

That God is love is “the consoling truth that makes us see that holiness is not something far from our lives,” he said, departing from his written text.

More than 20,000 pilgrims from all over the world braved the heat to hear the pope’s last weekly catechesis before he departed July 11 for his summer vacation in the Alps of northern Italy.

The weekly general audience at the Vatican was to be suspended until Aug. 3, when the pope was to return from Les

In a review of several books about Harry Potter (“Examining the good and bad of Harry,” June 24), author John Granger indicated that spells are okay and it is only calling upon demons that is forbidden by Scripture. Granger’s comments were unchallenged and untrue.

Scripture and the catechism forbid all type of magic. To say that spells (or as Granger called them, “incantations”) are acceptable is wrong. The blurring of these distinctions is one of my many concerns about Harry Potter.

In most children’s fantasy books, there are clear distinctions of good guys and bad guys. In the Harry Potter books, the distinctions become blurred, with good wizards and bad wizards, good magic and bad magic.

“Good guy” Harry lies, blackmails, breaks rules, ridicules others and takes revenge on other students.

The books refer to urination, excrement, “private parts” and students going off in pairs “into the bushes.” And one

The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI

Combes di Introd in Italy’s Valle d’Aosta region.

Though the pope will spend the month of August and part of September at the papal summer villa of Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, he will hold his Wednesday general audiences either at the villa or at the Vatican, depending on the number of pilgrims expected to attend.

Part of the July 6 audience was a delegation from the Italian town of Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict, patriarch of Western monasticism, patron of Europe and founder of the Benedictine order.

Every year, the town sponsors the Benedictine Torch of Peace initiative in which the torch is lit, usually in a European capital, and is carried back to Norcia as a way to underline the common Christian roots of Europe.

Pope Benedict said this year the torch was lit in Moscow with a representative of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II meeting with the delegation.

Before coming to Rome, the torchbearers stopped in Marktl am Inn, Germany, “where I was born,” said the pope.

“May this striking initiative foster an ever greater dedication to paying witness to Christian values in Europe,” he said.

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July 22, 2005

Rushing to judgment

Being Christian means not jumping to conclusions These days, articles abound on every book Pope Benedict XVI ever wrote, decrees he issued and actions he has taken. The pope isn’t the only person scrutinized in this manner.

Every public figure is under the same microscope.

This can become exasperating, especially when nonstop media coverage of an individual starts up and particularly when the coverage lacks any show of respect for the person under scrutiny. But can it be stopped?

If it did halt, an awfully lot of people would be out of a job. So much these days seems to revolve around figuring out people. Just look at the talk shows, newspapers and magazines that thrive on dissecting and passing judgment on people’s lives.

But how do we reconcile all of this with Christ’s admonition that we not judge others? Christ zeroed-in on judgment, but our culture thrives on it.

The word “judgment” means “pointing one in the right direction.”

Some years ago I learned the meaning of this word the hard way when cycling through Europe with a college student.

At one point I asked for directions to Freiburg, Germany. But after receiving the directions, I hesitated to follow

The Human Side FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK cns columnist

to scrutinize the lives of others. This “dissecting” of others will continue to intensify because we are curious and inquisitive by nature, and because we now have greater means of doing this.

But we need to guard against losing sight of the sacredness of judgment. Our salvation is contingent on the good or bad judgments we make.

A nation’s security and well-being depend upon good judgments, and our daily lives are guided by them.

Perhaps this business of making judgments, especially about others, won’t cease. But judgments that are hurried, biased, based on insufficient evidence and that border on disrespect aren’t the Christian way.

We should regard the power contained in our judgments with awe.

them because they were given in German, which I didn’t understand well.

The college student, who was in a hurry, urged me to go in the direction pointed out to us.

In our haste, we ended up on the autobahn and were stopped by the German police. Without any discussion we were given tickets and then accompanied to the road to Freiburg we’d been looking for.

Christ’s admonition on not judging others reminds us to be patient in reading the character of another lest we go down the path of misunderstanding and end up slandering the person. Most honest people try to gather as much information as possible before judging another.

But no matter how much information is gathered, there are always gaps in it.

To know all sides of another person demands a very close relationship.

So being Christian means not rushing to conclusions about others and what they are like — not rushing to conclusions that lead in the wrong direction, that is. It implies being well disposed toward another, which comes down to practicing kindness and love.

Our postmodern age conditions us

Did Jesus shed his blood for “many” or for “all”? ever, that Hebrew and Aramaic have no equivalent word for “all.” Hebrew “rabbim” means “many,” but also has the meaning of “all” — “the many who form the whole.”

Numerous examples appear elsewhere in both the Old and New Testaments. Matthew 20:28 says Jesus gave his life for the ransom “of many.” The meaning is clear: He gave it for all humanity, not just some.

The Catholic New American Bible explains this verse in these words. “Many does not mean some are excluded, but is a Semitism designating the collectivity who benefit from the service of the one, and is equivalent to all.”

This inclusive meaning of “many” was well understood by early Christians.

John’s Gospel, for example, while it devotes five chapters to events at the Last Supper, makes no reference to the institution of the Eucharist. John’s main eucharistic texts are in Chapter 6, where Jesus “foretells” that he will give his disciples his flesh to eat and his blood to drink.

In the climactic phrase, Jesus declares that the bread he will give is his flesh “for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51).

That same universal meaning of the eucharistic words is preserved, by the way, in the Mass texts of Spanish (“por

Q. According to all the Gospel stories of the Last Supper, Jesus says his blood will be shed for “many” for the forgiveness of sins. Why then does the priest at Mass say for “all”? This seems to be misquoting the Gospel.

Why the change? (Wisconsin) A. Only two Gospels, in fact, use the word you quote. Luke does not, nor does Paul in his reference to the Last Supper (1 Cor 11:23-25). John, of course, does not include the institution of the Eucharist in his account of that night before the crucifixion.

Yo u a r e c o r r e c t a b o u t t h e seeming change in translation. The present Latin text of the Mass says “pro multis,” which means literally for many, but is translated in English as “for all.” That this translation is correct, however, is clear from the original languages involved.

In the Bible we find many so-called “Semitisms,” written perhaps in Greek, but based on previous texts handed down in a Semitic language, in this case Aramaic or Hebrew.

Thus, the Greek text of Mark and Matthew, in these verses from the Last Supper, do use the word “pollon,” “many.” The significant point is, how-

Question Corner FATHER JOHN DIETZEN cns columnist

todos”), French (“pour le multitude”), Italian (“per tutti”) and other languages.

Our English words at Mass are, therefore, the most accurate translation of this important passage that biblical scholarship can give us.

A free brochure describing basic Catholic prayers, beliefs and moral precepts is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 3315, Peoria IL 61612.

Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or e-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com.

Drawn to water, drawn to For the Journey EFFIE CALDAROLA cns columnist

“As a deer longs for running streams, so I yearn for you, my God” (Ps. 42).

On a lazy summer morning, I woke to the sound of my dog bolting down the deck stairs. Sunny is a golden retriever, and when she rouses from her catatonic, dead-dog-on-the-deck state to one of high alert, she’s noisy.

I peered out the window. Sunny was staring at something back by the wood pile. Sunny remained very still, with the same look of concentration she has when she discovers a spider making its slow way across the carpet weave.

After I persuaded Sunny to come back to the deck, something scurried into the bushes. When I went to inspect, I found nothing.

Later, I glanced out and saw a whole family of whatevers — goslings? ducklings? chicks? — rooting around in the middle of my yard. They were fluffy little fellows, and I watched with fascination as they searched the grass for an insect snack. Soon the five of them scurried off into the tall raspberry patch.

Before long the little whatevers reappeared in the lawn. Another bird, apparently their mother, stood on the other side of the chain-link fence.

Soon Momma issued a command, and each little whatever climbed through the links and marched in single file behind her.

I was charmed by this new family in the neighborhood. I called my friend Mary Bethe to find out what they were.

A volunteer at a bird treatment facility and a knowledgeable ornithologist, she guessed they were one of the numerous kinds of duck that frequent our region.

Mary Bethe said waterfowl, even shorebirds, often nest on dry land and then make their way to deeper water.

But they were heading the wrong way when they visited my neighbor’s yard.

Yes, Mary Bethe said, but eventually something leads them to the water.

So my visitors weren’t new neighbors after all, but pilgrims on a journey.

“Deep is calling to deep by the roar of your cataracts,” says the psalmist.

Salmon return to their streams to die, geese arrive and depart on cue, a momma duckling heads to the waters beyond a distant bluff.

Our psalmist understood that as the deer yearns for water, something in us yearns for the God who draws all things to himself.

July 22, 2005

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