May 15, 1998

Page 1

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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


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May 15, 1998 by Catholic News Herald - Issuu