.
riT'TnT"irii""iTir"Ti"iTiTr"iiT
i
)LIC
iNEWS
& Herald
Volume 7 Number 35
Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
15,
1998
Synod
Indian Bishops At 'Pleased'
May
»
By Nuclear Tests,
Cause Worldwide Alarm By
LYNNE WEIL
VATICAN CITY
(CNS)
— Indian
church leaders attending the Synod of Bishops for Asia were "pleased" at their country's nuclear tests, which caused
worldwide alarm. Archbishop Alan de Lastic of Delhi, chosen to speak on behalf of the group, told Catholic
News
Service
May
12 that
the underground detonation of three
been belligerent about nuclear capability."
"Personally," he added, "I would
everyone to throw away their weapI do have some concerns about spending money on nuclear tests when it could go to support the poor. We are a nation of contrasts we have high technology, and yet at the same time, so many people are poor." like
ons.
—
nuclear devices the previous day was "a
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
The archbishop noted that the Indian bishops had "not formally dis-
Treaty, a document banning nuclear
cussed the matter. But are pleased about it." In a brief
it is
clear that
announcement
we
just after
the explosions in a desert near India's
border with Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee congratulated "the scientists and engineers who have carried out these successful tests."
In April, Pakistan, India's rival since the
two
states
tic
missile capable of striking India's
major
A
testing. The document was approved by the U.N. General Assembly and has been ratified by 13 countries. The document is under congressional consideration in the United States.
Citing India's refusal, Pakistan also rejected the treaty. Archbishop de Lastic said the test in the interest
ban document was "only of the big, powerful coun-
tries."
Reminded that
were established 50
years ago, successfully tested a ballis-
the Vatican gave the
its full approval by signing i. 'n September 1996. the archbishop saiu.
treaty
cities.
"Yes, the Vatican has a strong nwra)
Vajpayee aide, Brajesh Mishra,
authority."
told journalists that the tests "estab-
Msgr. Diarmuid Martin, secretary
lished that India has a proven capabil-
of the Pontifical Council for Justice and
weaponized nuclear program." The governments of Pakistan and the United States immediately condemned the Indian nuclear tests, and
Peace, lold
ity for a
other countries followed
The Ascension of the Lord is depicted in this painting by 15th-century German artist Johann Koerbecl<e. The feast of the Ascension is celebrated May 21
In 1996, India refused to sign the
sign that India has progressed."
suit.
Archbishop de Lastic said that his country intended to use nuclear power "only for peaceful purposes, and there is no way one can say that we have ever
CNS May
12 that in signing
the treaty, the Vatican "stressed that the banning of tests was clearly linked to the broader question of further devel-
opment of nuclear weapons in today's world. The hope was that the banning of tests would be implemented as soon
See Nuclear, page 2
1998 Diocesan Support Appeal Tops $3 Million, Exceeds Goal By
MIKE KROKOS Editor
CHARLOTTE
— Pa-
rishioners continue to
demonstrate their generosity to the ministries that serve the
46-county
area of western North Carolina.
As
a result, the
1998 Diocesan Support Appeal has topped $3 million, making it the most successful campaign in history. "When I met with the Holy Father in March, I praised the extraordinary generosity of my brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Charlotte," said Bishop William G. Curlin. "The announcement that the DSA has surpassed its goal is proof of parishioners' commitment to diocesan ministries. I
offer
my
who make
rector of development. "This indicates
dividuals sent in prayer cards to Bishop
parishioners are embracing stewardship as a way of life," she said. "People
Curlin.
8,
body of Christ and feel a need to reach beyond individual and parish needs, and share what they have with those less fortu-
heartfelt gratitude to all
have made sacrifices
to
this possible."
As
of
$3,190,000
May had
been
pledged, putting the appeal at 16 percent of 1
$2,760,000 goal. To date, 60 parishes and missions have exceeded their goal; another five are at 90 perits
cent of their targeted goals. All told, more than 1 8,000 households have do-
nated to the campaign, making that the largest number to ever participate in the annual appeal. The goal was also reached and sur-
passed in a record amount of time, added Barbara Rohrman, associate di-
nate."
"Part of the purpose of the appeal is
to spread the
message about the
availability of ministries in the dioRohrman added. "This unprecedented response is further evidence that people are being educated as to the vast extent of our diocesan ministries and what they do to change people's
cese,"
lives."
Prayer is a focus of the DSA campaign as well. Prayer requests were at an all-time high as more than 6,000 in-
He remembers
in daily
those petitions
Mass. funding allows 35 diocesan
DSA
see themselves as part of the
ministries to offer services in parishes
and missions throughout the western Each parish and mis-
part of the state.
sion was assigned a specific goal for DSA. Once achieved, 100 percent of funds over and above the goal are returned to the parish. Missions and parishes that fall short will be assessed the difference from the weekly offerthe
tory.
Operational costs for the
DSA
are
approximately 3 percent of the campaign goal. This amount ranks low when compared to other dioceses.
See Support Appeal, page 3