Feb. 7, 2021, ET Catholic, A section

February 7

| 2021

VOL 30 NO 3

IN THIS ISSUE COUNTING REPORT IT OFFICIAL B1 25Fr.AND A18 FINANCE A5 MAKING Michael Cummins Diocese of Knoxville Fr. Dustin Collins is installed as pastor of St. Mary-Johnson City

audited financial statement

marks anniversary in a wild way

He dwells among us ......................... A3 Columns ..........................................B2-3 Parish news .................................B4,8-9 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Catholic schools .......................... B7,10 La Cosecha ............................Section C

East Tennesseans’ faith comes to life

Diocese Rosaries for Life to segue into Lenten 40 Days for Life

People throughout Diocese of Knoxville demonstrate their support for the sanctity of life

From staff reports

BILL BREWER (2)

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Supporting life at all ages and stages Although the 2021 National March for Life in Washington, D.C., was canceled, pro-life supporters of all ages took to the streets of the Fort Sanders community near downtown Knoxville on Jan. 24 to participate in Tennessee Right to Life’s annual March for Life. Some 500 marchers walked through Fort Sanders, past an abortion clinic serving the University of Tennessee community, in memory of those lost to abortion.

By Bill Brewer

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he 2021 National March for Life in Washington, D.C., may have been canceled, but that didn’t stop East Tennessee pro-life supporters from marking the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision with their own march.

Tennessee Right to Life’s Knox County chapter again organized the Knoxville March for Life, deciding to move ahead with it despite the national march being scratched, coronavirus concerns, and tensions spilling over from the presidential election and government transition.

Stacy Dunn, executive director of TRL’s Knox County chapter, said that after much consideration, not marching was not an option. She believes it was necessary to make a statement as pro-life initiatives and inroads continue to be challenged.

Offering a prayerful witness Father John Orr, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Athens, leads parishioners in a rosary for life across from Planned Parenthood in East Knoxville on Jan. 22.

“The march absolutely made a statement. It said that the work we do to build a culture of life is essential and must continue even

during these uncertain times, especially during these uncertain times. The abortion facilities

he Diocese of Knoxville organized a day of rosaries for the sanctity of life on Jan. 22 as priests and parishioners from a number of churches stood — and knelt — in vigil in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in East Knoxville.

The diocesan Office of Justice and Peace organized the rosaries, which were supported by the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Christ the King Church in Tazewell, Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, Immaculate Conception in Knoxville, Holy Trinity in Jefferson City, St. John Neumann in Farragut, St. Mary in Athens, All Saints in Knoxville, St. Mary in Oak Ridge, and Holy Ghost in Knoxville.

Priests who led the rosaries and participated in prayers included Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, of Immaculate Conception; Father Marcin Gladysz of Sacred Heart Cathedral; Father Alex Hernandez of All Saints; Father Bill McNeeley and Father Michael Hendershott of Holy Ghost; Father John Orr of St. Mary in Athens; and Father Patrick Resen of Holy Trinity.

“In offering our prayers and witness to the Gospel of Life, we are so grateful when our priests lead us in this witness. This past Jan 22, on the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we were blessed to have the Catholic faithful representing 10 of our parishes and Rosaries on page A12

March continued on page A13

Bishop Stika’s decision on Communion upheld by Pope Francis Holy See supports restriction, now lifted, for receiving Eucharist on the tongue due to COVID-19

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he Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has supported Bishop Richard F. Stika’s decision last year, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, to suspend the distribution of holy Communion on the tongue at public Masses in the Diocese of Knoxville.

In a letter dated Nov. 13, the Vatican dicastery said it has “received and attentively studied” a petition making recourse against Bishop Stika’s decision to suspend Communion on the

tongue.

The letter states that the Vatican has acted “to confirm the decision of Bishop Stika and thereby rejects (the) petition seeking its modification” A separate letter was sent to Bishop Stika informing him of the decision.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, a forceful advocate for the defense of traditional Catholic teaching, is the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

“The decision to suspend the distribution of holy Communion on the tongue was difficult for me, and I understand the concern some of our clergy and laity had regarding my actions,” Bishop Stika said.

“However, we were in the early stages of this pandemic and dealing with much uncertainty.

I felt I had the authority to make a conscientious decision for the safety of everyone—the laity and our clergy.“ “I am grateful to Cardinal Sarah and the Congregation

By Jim Wogan

for offering support and clarity of my actions,” Bishop Stika added.

The decision to suspend distribution on the tongue was part of a detailed plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when public Masses in the diocese resumed on Pentecost weekend, May 30-31.

In late November, the restriction of holy Communion on the tongue was lifted as part of an updated decree on safety protocols for churches, schools, and offices in the diocese. ■

Bishop Stika celebrates 35th anniversary of priestly ordination ‘The priesthood of Jesus Christ: it’s not only carrying the cross, it’s carrying the Eucharist. And that is a beautiful thing’

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“T one moment ingrained in “The my mind, and I can see it today, is when I lifted the chalice, which I will lift today, and I said the Words of Consecration.

I lifted that chalice up, and I looked in the first pew, my mom and dad were sitting there. My dad, who did not have any emotion for the most part, was very stoic. As I looked up, a waterfall of tears came out of his eyes.” .”

— Bishop Richard F. Stika

DAN MCWILLIAMS

ishop Richard F. Stika marked the 35th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Dec. 14, a date that is forever ingrained in his memory, just as it is with all priests.

And during noon Mass on Dec. 15 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop Stika flashed back to the 1980s as he recounted in his homily some of the images etched in his memory.

Bishop Stika was ordained a priest on Dec. 14, 1985, by Archbishop John L. May in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He concelebrated his ordination Mass that day, and then on Dec. 15, 1985, he celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving.

Dec. 15 is a memorable date for Bishop Stika for another reason.

“Even though today (Dec. 15) is not the actual ordination date, it was yesterday, today is the anniversary of the Mass I celebrated for the second time. We often say it’s the first Mass. Actually the first Mass of a priest is when he concelebrates his ordination Mass. Today is the anniversary of my Mass of

By Bill Brewer

Marking a milestone Bishop Richard F. Stika delivers the homily during a Mass he celebrated at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Dec. 15. The Mass recognized the 35th anniversary of his ordination.

Thanksgiving. It’s also the day 12 years ago that Pope Benedict XVI apparently chose me to become bishop of Knoxville. A couple of days later I was informed of this, so it’s a special day,” Bishop Stika said in his homily.

“But the one moment ingrained

in my mind, and I can see it today, is when I lifted the chalice, which I will lift today, and I said the Words of Consecration. I lifted that chalice up, and I looked in the first pew, my mom and dad were sitting there. My dad, who did not have any emotion for the most

part, was very stoic. As I looked up, a waterfall of tears came out of his eyes. I don’t know if he was happy because he finally got rid of me, but I know it was the joy of seeing his youngest son, a priest.

Ten months later he died from lung cancer. That image of my father, tears in his eyes, will forever be ingrained. Tears of joy,” he added.

Bishop Stika said just before his 35th anniversary he had dinner with some of his seminary class-

Bishop continued on page A3

How to sign up and qualify for Diocese of Knoxville’s safe-environment program

T Did you know you can receive weekly cartoons and short reflections and news from the Handmaids of the Precious Blood? Visit their website, nuns for priests.org, and sign up for the FIAT newsletter. You also can learn about praying for priests and adopting them.

February Prayer Intentions “We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.”

–– Pope Francis

”Dear Lord, please lead us in our Lenten preparation and journey, so that we may empty our lives of the sins that fill our hearts with anxiety and separate us from Your immeasurable love. We pray for peace, healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness for us and for others. We also pray for those who have suffered due to COVID, whether it’s to their health, the health of a loved one, or the consequences of a job or career lost. We especially pray for their healing as well, dear Lord. Amen.”

–– Bishop Stika

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he Diocese of Knoxville has implemented the CMG Connect platform to administer the Safe Environment Program, which replaces the former Safe Environment Program (VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children”).

CMG Connect is a web-based platform that will assist in ensuring that all employees and volunteers who are in a position of trust with children and vulnerable adults within Diocese of Knoxville schools and parishes are trained to recognize behavior patterns of potential abusers and provide pro-active measures for preventing abuse in any context.

“Safe Haven-It’s Up to You” is a three-part video that provides vignettes of real-life situations to educate the viewer about methods of grooming, desensitization, bullying, and neglect, all of which can lead to abuse.

Each part of the video is immediately followed by a brief questionnaire to further develop understanding.

Education is a key

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element of the Safe Environment Program.

All clergy, employees, contracted school personnel, volunteers, members of groups and organizations over the age of 18 who work, volunteer, or participate in any capacity are required to complete the diocesan Safe Environment training and a criminal-background check before they can begin employment, volunteer, or participate with ministries, groups, and organizations affiliated with the Diocese of Knoxville.

In addition, the mandatory renewal training must be completed every five years and a new background check submitted before the five-year expiration of prior training.

The Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment compliance training and renewal training is a condition of employment and for volunteer ministry in the Diocese of Knoxville.

The CMG Connect

platform contains all three elements of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program: n Annual review of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Policy and Procedures Relating to Sexual Misconduct; n CMG Connect Safe Haven training program to be completed every five years; n Criminal background check to be completed every five years.

In compliance with the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program, all affiliates require that volunteers and employees complete the requirements prior to working and/or volunteering in a parish, school, The Paraclete, or through Catholic Charities and/or St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.

Go to https:// dioknox.org/safeenvironment on the Diocese of Knoxville website for more information. ■

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

God’s special carpenter St. Joseph assists us in building our heart into a beautiful cathedral dwelling of God account of the finding of Jesus in the Temple after having been missing for three days (Luke 2:41-51).

The icon before us captures in “line and color” what St. Luke tells us of this event and helps us to better understand the unique role St. Joseph plays in God’s work of salvation in us.

As I contemplate this icon, what stands out to me is the priestly image of St. Joseph, wearing what appears to be a vestment and a stole of the Byzantine tradition of the Church. In the stole, we see a semblance of a carpenter’s “square” and hand plane—the basic but necessary tools of carpentry.

The long stole additionally offers an image of a straight path, one that leads to the Father’s house of which Jesus is “the way” (John 14:6). In the vestment, with its latticed-like pattern, we see something of the appearance of large multilevel windowed dwellings. The above mentioned images serve to highlight the words of Jesus, “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” and further direct us to the Last Supper, when Jesus will again speak of the “Father’s house”: Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be….

(John 14: 1-3, 6).

But if Jesus is to prepare a dwelling for us in the Father’s house, it must begin first within our heart, as He tells His disciples in the Upper Room: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (John 14:23). And St. Joseph stands ready to assist us in this lifelong endeavor of making our heart a beautiful cathedral dwelling of God. Attired in black, Mary has the appearance of mourning and the red

“If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.”

— Psalm 127:1

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f the many magnificent feats of construction in the history of human endeavors, none compare with that which St. Joseph, a humble carpenter, labored to build.

It was not the simple home of timber and stone that he built for God’s two most precious treasures—Jesus and Mary—but that which was built within his heart. With the help of St. Joseph the Worker, our heart, too, can be built up into a most beautiful cathedral home for Jesus and Mary.

In this “Year of St. Joseph” that Pope Francis proclaimed, which ends on Dec. 8, we are encouraged to reflect upon this holy servant of God and seek his help and intercession. But with so little said of St. Joseph in the Gospels and with no recorded words of his, I thought it helpful to include an icon of the Holy Family as part of our reflection to help us better understand the beautiful part he can play in our spiritual growth and journey to the “Father’s house.”

As the frequent reading and contemplation of sacred Scripture is indispensable in helping to make the mysteries of God present and grow within our heart, the use of icons are highly recommended.

For icons help to expand and deepen the written word we read in Scripture and bring additional light to bear upon the mysteries we contemplate.

Scripture and icons, in the eyes of the Church, have a complementary dignity for “image and word illuminate each other” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1160).

Since my youth, I have had a strong devotion to St. Joseph. So it is a special blessing to have been ordained and installed as bishop of this wonderful diocese 12 years ago on March 19, the day when the Church traditionally celebrates the solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the Mass readings for that day, the Church offers a choice of two Gospel readings, one of which is the

trim of her garment reminds us of the blood Christ will shed for us and her place beneath the cross. She is “Our Lady of Sorrows,” whose pierced heart (cf. Luke 2:35) helps to open our hearts so that what she kept and pondered in hers God might find treasured within ours.

We also see the hand of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother extended in what appears to be a priestly gesture of sacrificial offering, giving image to the words of St. Peter encouraging us to not only “be built into a spiritual house,” but to exercise our baptismal share in Christ’s priesthood (1 Peter 2:5).

And where do we best exercise our baptismal priesthood but in the Mass—in the total offering we make of ourselves that Christ joins to His sacrifice to the Father, giving our offering infinite value in His. And in the Mass we are called to live, we exercise this priesthood in the sacrifices we make of ourselves, in dying to our selfishness so as to be an extension of Christ’s love and mercy to our neighbor.

As “God’s co-workers,” and “God’s building,” St. Paul cautions us, “Each one must be careful how he builds upon it” (1 Corinthians 3:9-10). And like every Catholic church, this dwelling must have an altar of sacrifice. Servant of God Monsignor Romano Guardini (1885-1968) reminds us that the altar of the church and the altar of

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and Facebook for news and events from the diocese.

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Bishop continued from page A2

mates, and they reminisced, with one of his friends remarking that in 15 years they’ll be celebrating their 50th anniversary as priests.

“God willing, I will live for that. I think of the life of every priest, and you cannot deny the fact that the unique and special connection that constitutes the priesthood of Jesus Christ is what we celebrate here and now. All the sacraments are integral parts of the priesthood. You can’t pull them apart. The one we celebrate today is why we are instituted as priests, why our hands are consecrated. We take the bread and we take the wine in a cup, and we say the Words of Institution: ‘Take this, all of you, and eat of it. Take this, all of you, and drink from it. For this is my body, given for you.’ To act in the person of Christ, as another Christ in this person,” he said.

In his homily, Bishop Stika remembered Cardinal John Joseph Carberry, who ordained him as a deacon; Archbishop John Lawrence May, who ordained him as a priest; and Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, who consecrated Bishop Stika to the episcopacy on March 19 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Bishop Stika also remembered Bishop Robert Joseph Shaheen, who Bishop Stika credited with being most responsible for showing him the joy of priesthood.

Bishop Stika asked for prayers for priests, especially for seminarians, that after 35 years in the priesthood they may be as fulfilled and happy

Hands of God Bishop Richard F. Stika concelebrates Mass on Dec. 15 with Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Father Marcin Gladysz, associate pastor of Sacred Heart. Assisting is seminarian Wojciech Sobczuk. as he has been. “The priesthood of Jesus Christ: it’s not only carrying the cross, it’s carrying the Eucharist.

And that is a beautiful thing,” the bishop said.

“If the Eucharist does not bring us joy as priests or deacons, or brothers and sisters in our Lord, Jesus Christ, then something is missing in the depths of who we are. With all that we are dealing with now, COVID, uncertainty, and all the political discourse, the one thing we have to turn to, and, God forbid, we never limit it again in a public way, is the sacrifice of the Mass, the Eucharist, the liturgy, this is My body, this is My blood, that which is so intimately connected to priesthood and to

faith. That precious gift, the sacrifice of Jesus given for us,” the bishop said. “I’m grateful to almighty God along with my four classmates from St. Louis. The five of us have been together for all these years. At one time or another, all of us have been connected to the seminary. Some still are. I guess that shows the priesthood is something we’ve been able to live with and witness to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.”

Bishop Stika recalled how entering the seminary was a process of elimination that didn’t go the way he expected.

“As I was praying over the Gospel we have for today (Dec. 15), I could really identify with it because when

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our heart “belong inseparably together” and are “mysteriously the same altar.” He goes on to say that, “the authentic and perfect altar in which Christ’s sacrifice is offered is the union of them both” (Sacred Signs).

Christ says to each of us as He did to Zacchaeus, “Today I must stay in your house” (Luke 19:5). But He also reminds us that our dwelling must be an “upper room,” a sanctuary, for “In your house,” He says, “I shall celebrate the Passover.” The Mass must always be celebrated upon the altar of our heart. And to the degree we open our heart to Him, He promises, “I will fill this house with glory… and in this place I will give you peace” (Matthew 26:18; Haggai 2:7, 9).

As a cathedral can be built in a relatively short number of years, historically it requires another 70-80 years to interiorly complete—a person’s average lifespan. So, too, we must labor a lifetime to make the interior of our dwelling a beautiful cathedral of our communion with God. Should the coarse exterior of a cathedral be more beautiful than its interior?

When it comes to home renovations, who wouldn’t want a master craftsman overseeing them? That’s why I daily seek the help and intercession of St. Joseph—God’s special carpenter. For what the psalmist says of Jerusalem’s temple should be even more truly said of our heart—“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord God of Hosts!”

(Psalm 84:1).

May the counsel given to Solomon encourage you each day to labor together with St. Joseph as God’s co-workers: “The Lord has chosen you to build a house as His sanctuary. Take courage and set to work” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

I leave you with this prayer of mine that I hope will help you to become, more and more each day, a beautiful cathedral of God: Good and Holy St. Joseph, you built a humble home of wood and stone for Jesus and Mary in Nazareth. But the first home for God’s two most precious gifts to us was your heart. As God’s special carpenter, help us to be built up into a beautiful cathedral home for Jesus and Mary. Amen. ■ I entered the seminary in August of 1979, my whole idea was to stay in seminary for a year to prove to myself that I should not be a priest.

Like that man in the Gospel today, his father wanted him to do something and he said no, but he did it anyway. I was like ‘Lord, I don’t want to be a priest. I want to get married and have 12 children. But I couldn’t find a wife who wanted to have 12 children. Here I am more than 35 years later,” he said, drawing laughs.

He told the noon Mass congregation that together they rejoice in the Lord, Jesus Christ, for once again they are nourished, they are fed by God’s Son, given for them.

At the end of Mass, Bishop Stika complimented the selection of hymns sung during the Mass, singling out one for special attention.

“I had to smile during the one song, ‘Jesus, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom.’ It’s one of my favorites. I often chant it at the end of a holy hour or at the end of night prayer for myself. It’s also one of the three songs that I specified to be played as the deacons carry my body from the cathedral to the crypt next door. One is the St. Louis Cardinals theme song, the other is the Litany of the Saints, and finally ‘Jesus Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom,’” he said.

“So it’s kind of nice to hear it before I’m dead. It sounds pretty good in a cathedral. I’m grateful for that.” ■ FEBRUARY 7, 2021 n A3

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TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Fr. Dustin Collins installed as pastor of St. Mary-Johnson City Bishop Stika presides as diocesan priest becomes 24th pastor to lead Tri-Cities parish and school

BILL BREWER (2)

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t. Mary Parish in Johnson City has a new pastor. And it’s the same priest who has been leading the parish since July 1, 2019.

Bishop Richard F. Stika installed Father Dustin Collins as St. Mary’s newest pastor on Jan. 17 during a Sunday Mass. Father Collins becomes the 24th pastor of St. Mary since the parish’s founding in 1906.

Father Collins was the 40th priest ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville in June 2012, and since then he has served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa and St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge.

In 2019, Bishop Stika named him parochial administrator for St. Mary-Johnson City for an introductory period.

“Today is very historic as I formally install Father Dustin Collins as pastor. Even though he has been here for a while, it is my custom for a brand new pastor to appoint him as administrator for the first year to see how he does. Then, if it’s all good and he hasn’t been kidnapped or tomatoes have not been thrown, we install him formally as pastor,” Bishop Stika said during the Mass.

Bishop Stika delivered his homily prior to installing Father Collins, who was asked a series of questions by the bishop, who then asked the congregation several questions. The Nicene Creed was then said by all just before Father Collins recited the Oath of Fidelity as pastor.

Bishop Stika and Father Collins signed the installation documents, with St. Mary deacons Mike Jacobs and Don Griffith also being signatories as witnesses.

“It’s a very humbling thing to be named the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City. I just like to go where the Lord calls me to go, through the bishop. He sent me here, so I’m very happy and very humbled to be named the pastor,” Father Collins said.

Father Collins’ parents, Danny and Susan Collins of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville, and his young niece, Sasha, were in attendance for the installation.

In his homily, Bishop Stika cited communications as a key theme as far back in Scripture as Samuel, who was highlighted in the first reading of Jan. 17, to the present.

“When I was in seminary, one of

By Bill Brewer

Making it official Bishop Richard F. Stika installs Father Dustin Collins as pastor of St. Mary Parish during a Mass on Jan. 17. Father Collins has served as parochial administrator of the Johnson City parish since 2019.

Taking an oath Father Dustin Collins, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City, recites the Oath of Fidelity to Bishop Richard F. Stika during his installation as pastor on Jan. 17. the things we looked forward to every day was to get mail, which was like contact with the outside world.

You didn’t really care where the mail came from. Occupant. Credit card applications. Even if you got somebody else’s mail, you treasured it as long as it wasn’t from the government. Sometimes you even opened it,” he said.

“Nowadays I get a lot of mail.

Stacks, plus e-mails and texts. It just

piles up every day. I always enjoy getting mail that says Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, to the wife of the bishop, or even homeowner. I get mail from people who have no idea what I do.

And then there are other kinds of mail that try to figure out who I am.

Did you ever get one of these on your phone? ‘Citizen, your Social Security has been compromised.

Please call us immediately.’ Did you ever get one of those? They’re

phishing. They’re trying to put your phone number together with your name. I’m still waiting for that Nigerian prince to send me $10 million. Remember that guy? You see, they really don’t know who we are,” he added.

Bishop Stika pointed to Samuel, who wanted to recognize God in something powerful (1 Samuel 3:3-19). But while he slept, Samuel would instead hear a soft whisper.

“He didn’t recognize God because there wasn’t thunder and lightning. Sometimes when I’m channel-hopping I see these evangelical preachers and they’re telling us, ‘Yes, I was sitting in my dining room and all of a sudden I was talking to the Lord. And He was talking to me. I was glad to see Him.’ I’ve been waiting for that moment for a long time,” Bishop Stika said.

“A few years ago when I had one of my health situations I was at home for a couple of days. And after I woke up, my brother said, ‘Did you see the light?’ I said, ‘No.’ And he said, ‘Maybe you were going the wrong way.’”

At a time when the United States, and much of the world, is consumed with the coronavirus,

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Diocesan parishes prepare for Lenten celebrations as Easter approaches

By The East Tennessee Catholic

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC FILE PHOTO

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ishop Richard F. Stika is looking forward to a more normal Lenten season and Easter celebration in 2021, unlike last year when a mysterious coronavirus shut down the world.

With the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, Catholics across the Diocese of Knoxville will begin their private and public preparations for Easter.

Bishop Stika expects, for the most part, a return to tradition meshed with “new normal” practices that have been in place since last March.

“It’s my hope that after a year of this, with the proper protocols and protections, we will resume all of the traditional Lenten practices. Some might be more limited because of space in our churches. The components, such as almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, are important. Fasting is not contingent on a lot of people. It’s a personal thing. The same with prayer.

But we’re still going to have the traditional practices like Stations of the Cross and hopefully fish fries.

We’ll have to see. Mass has resumed, and we’ll continue on,” the bishop said.

Churches and parish priests around the diocese have spent nearly a year adjusting to federal, state, local, and Church protocols to protect members from COVID-19 outbreaks.

Bishop Stika expects many of those to remain in place, but Lent will be observed and Easter will be celebrated in churches, unlike last year, when public Masses, including, the public celebration of Easter, were suspended.

The bishop calls that decision to suspend Masses among the hardest of his episcopacy, and one that still weighs on his mind.

But he was determined to reopen Masses to the public, which he did on Pentecost weekend by incorporating social distancing guidelines, sanitizing practices, and specific safety precautions on the distribution of Communion.

Bishop Stika is encouraging parishioners to take part in Lenten observances, with personal devotions like prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, as well as public participation.

Remember that you are dust... Bishop Richard F. Stika marks the forehead of a Catholic woman with ashes on a past Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As Lent begins on Feb. 17, the Holy See has asked all priests to instead sprinkle ashes on top of the head due to COVID concerns.

“But we have something greater to bring with us in prayer. It’s a conversion of heart, especially after a difficult political season, and just a difficult environment to live in with COVID and all the uncertainty.

Maybe in a very special way for Lent we can pray for those who have died from it and all the health-care workers as well as for the success of all the vaccinations and those who choose to be vaccinated,” he said.

Bishop Stika noted one break with tradition that will impact all parishioners as Lent begins.

The diocese will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines for the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday, as will all dioceses.

Bishop Stika explained that the diocese is followw ww.di o k no x .o rg

ing the policy instituted by the Holy See, which calls for one general prayer for everyone and the sprinkling of ashes on the crown of the head instead of rubbing the ashes on the forehead in the form of a cross as is traditionally done (see story on page A10).

However, the bishop pointed out that sprinkling ashes on top of the head is the traditional way for clerics, including popes, to receive them.

The special dispensation from attending Mass because of COVID concerns that Bishop Stika granted last spring will remain in place until further notice from the bishop.

But as Mass attendance has risen toward normal numbers in recent months, Bishop Stika is looking

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TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

U.S. bishops offer reactions to new Biden administration

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ishops throughout the country welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden as the nation’s 46th president, saying it was a celebration of democracy and liberty, while praying for unity and reconciliation in the face of deep political divides.

They also called for civil dialogue on issues on which there is disagreement between Church doctrine and public policy in statements released Jan. 20.

In addition, several bishops voiced optimism that the new administration will work to achieve the common good and overcome the long-standing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the many threats to human dignity.

“An inauguration is a beginning. That means that the work of all of us has just begun as together we build our nation,” said Bishop Robert P. Deeley of Portland, Maine, congratulating the incoming president.

He reminded Catholic Americans of their call to share the love and mercy “as people of kindness and virtue, treating each other with the respect and dignity promised to us all.”

The bishop also urged people to “seek ways to appreciate those around us, particularly people in our lives who hold different views than our own.”

“Listen to their voices,” Bishop Deeley said, “and try to understand what unique experiences in their own lives brought them to the place in life they are today. It is our only way forward. We are one nation under God, where we love our brothers and sisters, defend the sanctity of human life, and celebrate the freedom of religion.”

Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington, Ky., bishop-president of Pax Christi USA, said he was offering a prayer of thanksgiving and breathing “a deep sigh of relief” that the transition from one administration to another was occurring peacefully despite the threat posed by the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In a reflection released by the Catholic peace group, Bishop Stowe said his reaction is rooted in knowing that President Biden is a man of faith, “knows something of the content of that written portion of God’s Word, and he has chosen to live his life as a follower of the Word made

By Catholic News Service and Catholic News Agency

A Jumping right in President Joe Biden signs three documents — including an inauguration declaration, Cabinet nominations, and sub-Cabinet nominations, as Vice President Kamala Harris watches in the President’s Room at the Capitol after his inauguration in Washington Jan. 20.

flesh.”

As President Biden takes office, Bishop Stowe said he will focus not on the new president’s shortcomings “because I know there will be plenty to disagree about and work to change” during his term. “Today I give thanks that a person of decency, morals, and character will inhabit the White House again, and I am proud that he is a Catholic and has been formed by the values of our faith,” he added.

Several statements echoed the themes expressed by Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in an Inauguration Day statement.

The archbishop expressed hope the incoming administration “will work with the Church and others of goodwill” to address threats to human dignity, especially abortion, religious conscience, and family structure. He also called for prayers for President Biden and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris as they work to address the intense divisions across society.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y., offered a prayer that President Biden and Vice President Harris “will guide our nation with justice, integrity, and courage as we face unprecedented challenges.”

The bishop acknowledged that Americans have disagreements on important non-negotiable issues, “the most critical being respect for and protection of all human life from conception to natural death,” but he hoped President Biden’s Catholic faith will influence policies that address “the care and dignity of the human person.”

“Our country is only as strong

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE/TOM BRENNER. REUTERS

By Catholic News Service

USCCB president prays God grants Biden ‘wisdom, courage’ to lead

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE/JIM LO SCALZO, POOL VIA REUTERS

President, vice president welcomed as inauguration brings leadership changes

A view from the top President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch fireworks from the balcony of the White House in Washington on Jan. 20 after his inauguration as the 46th president of the United States. as the weakest among us,” Bishop Scharfenberger added. “Our hope and prayer is that President Biden and his administration will keep that truth at the heart of their policies and programs.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Michael W. Fisher of Buffalo, N.Y., called on the country to “come together under the new administration to celebrate what unites us as Americans.”

He, too, called for prayers that President Biden and Vice President Harris lead the country forward “while confronting the deep divisions that persist, and a still threatening pandemic that has taken so many lives and upended the security and prospects of even more.”

The recently installed Bishop Fisher also urged Americans to

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s Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th U.S. president, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed hope the incoming administration “will work with the Church and others of goodwill” to “address the complicated cultural and economic factors that are driving abortion and discouraging families.”

“If the president, with full respect for the Church’s religious freedom, were to engage in this conversation, it would go a long way toward restoring the civil balance and healing our country’s needs,” Archbishop Gomez said.

For the U.S. bishops, the “continued injustice of abortion” remains the “preeminent priority,” he said, but “’preeminent’ does not mean ‘only.’ We have deep concerns about many threats to human life and dignity in our society.”

Archbishop Gomez also said in a Jan. 20 statement that he was praying for President Biden, the country’s second Catholic president, as he enters office so that God grants “him wisdom and courage to lead this great nation and ... to meet the tests of these times.”

In particular, the archbishop said he was praying God will help President Biden “heal the wounds caused by the pandemic, to ease our intense political and culture divisions, and to bring people together with renewed dedication to America’s founding purposes, to be one nation under God committed to liberty and equality for all.”

The USCCB leader’s comments came in a statement released as the inaugural ceremonies began on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

“I look forward to working with President Biden and his administration, and the new Congress,” Archbishop Gomez said.

“As with every administration, there will be areas where we agree and work closely together and areas where we will have principled disagreement and strong opposition,” he said.

While the bishops work with “every president and every Congress,” they can find themselves on some issues “more on the side of Democrats, while on others we find ourselves standing with Republicans,” he said.

“Our priorities are never partisan,” he explained. “We are Catholics first, seeking only to follow Jesus Christ faithfully and to advance his vision for human fraternity and community.”

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President gets down to business in signing new executive orders Bishops respond to reversing of Trump-era policies on immigration, environment, abortion

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CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE/ERIN SCOTT, REUTERS

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oe Biden became the second Catholic to be inaugurated as president of the United States Jan. 20, giving some U.S. Catholics and their religious leaders a reason to rejoice and others to fear more access to abortion under his leadership.

As President Biden placed his hand on the Bible and was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States., Marie Yanulus Calderoni, a Catholic from Spring Township, Pa., said a prayer for the 78-year-old Delaware resident as he assumed the responsibility of the nation’s highest office.

He becomes president at a time when the country is enduring a deadly pandemic, profound polarization, racial divisions, and financial uncertainty.

For as pleased as Ms. Calderoni — a 60-year-old parishioner of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Reading, Pa., — is to see a fellow Catholic in the White House, she remains troubled by his support of legal abortion.

Many Catholics across the United States share her conflicted enthusiasm. President Biden received barely half the Catholic vote in the 2020 election.

New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, who read a Scripture passage at President Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration, wrote in a recent column for Catholic New York — the archdi-

Faith and politics President Joe Biden and family members enter Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. ocesan newspaper — that President Biden “speaks with admirable sensitivity about protecting the rights of the weakest and most threatened,” but added the new president “ran on a platform avidly supporting this gruesome capital punishment for innocent preborn babies.”

Emphasizing the rights of the unborn are equal to other human rights, he quoted Pope Francis: “We defend and promote all legitimate human rights. But what use are they if the right of the baby to be born is violated?”

Though many Catholics are cel-

ebrating President Biden’s rise to the presidency, many U.S. Catholics are fuming over it, mostly because of his support for legal abortion and samesex marriage, both sins according to Church teaching.

Social media is rife with posts from Catholics offended that President Biden identifies himself as a Catholic, with some American priests telling parishioners during the 2020 presidential campaign that it would be a sin to vote for him.

A denouncement of President Biden’s Catholicism only creates more divisiveness, said Oblate Father

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By Catholic News Service Kevin Nadolski, vice president for mission and a professor of education at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. Catholic scholars argue all humans are flawed, and Vatican leaders frequently confirm that anyone who is baptized Catholic is identified as Catholic, even if they have fallen away from the Church.

“Even people who would be well disposed to the president find it difficult to (understand how) he can conjugate his stance on (the abortion) issue — which is so important to Catholics — and this faith that has been so important to him all of his life,” said Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J. “What I don’t understand are people who use very harsh words and want to cut off all communication with the president because of this.”

The U.S. bishops and popes have been in dialogue with all modern U.S. presidents, but it should be easier for Catholic leaders to convey their concerns to a Catholic president who understands the doctrines of the faith, Father Nadolski said.

“I’m very optimistic that our U.S. Catholic leaders — specifically our bishops — can work with President Biden despite his present position as it relates to abortion,” he said. “Pope Francis has been crystal clear about

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Anchored in Christ

2021 Bishop’s Appeal, which assists vital ministries, begins amid fallout from the pandemic

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ach year, parishioners of the Diocese of Knoxville are asked to contribute to the annual diocesan Bishop’s Appeal. The appeal allows the faithful to offer vital financial support for the many ministries of the Diocese of Knoxville.

In 2021, like everything else, things are different.

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, one of the most visible ministries of the diocese, isn’t immune to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis has taken lives, shuttered businesses, and disrupted good intentions across the globe. But it hasn’t destroyed compassion and mercy.

The clinic, established by Bishop Richard F. Stika in 2014, provides free medical care to people who don’t have the access or financial means to receive it otherwise. The clinic travels to six mostly rural counties each month, and while those visits were temporarily stopped during the early days of the pandemic, the staff continued to provide care in other ways.

“Our staff started driving medications to patients themselves,” said Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, the clinic’s recently appointed medical director. “The clinic couldn’t go out, so the staff delivered all different kinds of medication to patients at their houses.”

The St. Mary’s clinic has resumed community visits, and in response to the pandemic, Sister Mary Lisa said the staff has now developed new ways to connect with patients

through tele-medicine.

“We’re able to do telephone and video visits with a lot of our patients.

It also allows us to do follow-up visits between our clinic stops in these communities, so it has opened up a new door for us,” she said.

While the clinic rolls on, the pandemic has presented some less visible challenges.

“Donations are significantly down during the pandemic, so we have been stretched a little thin with that,” she said.

With outside donations down, the clinic and many other ministries of the Diocese of Knoxville may be more dependent on contributions from the 2021 Bishop’s Appeal, which begins this month.

The theme of the 2021 Bishop’s Appeal is “Anchored in Christ.”

“The Catholic Church in East Tennessee, through our many ministries, is a harbor where people can come and feel His presence,” Bishop Stika said. “As members of this diocese, we anchor ourselves in Christ. The many ministries of the diocese wouldn’t exist without support from our parishioners. I have asked them to remember that we aren’t separate individuals, we are One Body of Christ, and together we serve others through our diocesan ministries.”

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is budgeted to receive $50,000 from the 2021 Bishop’s Appeal, money that will assist its medical mission. Since 2014, the clinic has received $500,000 from the annual appeal.

The generosity of parishioners is evident in past diocesan Bishop’s Appeal efforts, and their support is reflected in the growth of the appeal, which has been dramatic.

In 2010, the appeal raised just over $900,000. In 2011, it surpassed $1 million. The appeal set a record in 2012 when parishioners contributed nearly $1.6 million. A year later, the appeal surpassed $2.1 million. The books for the 2020 Bishop’s Appeal close at the end of February. It is expected to generate more than $2.7 million for diocesan ministries.

“Even in the midst of a pandemic, our parishioners did a tremendous job supporting the appeal in 2020,” Bishop Stika said. “I pray that their generosity can continue in 2021. Not for me, but for the people our ministries serve.”

The appeal has a broad impact on the ministries of the Diocese of Knoxville. It supports Christian formation programs like adult and youth religious education at the diocesan and parish levels. It pays for

By Jim Wogan

education and ongoing formation of seminarians, priests, and deacons.

The diocese currently has 18 seminarians in school and 25 deacon candidates in formation.

The appeal also supports youth, young adult, and college campus ministries — the diocese currently has Catholic ministries on three college campuses.

The Office of Justice and Peace, which supports diocesan and parish pro-life and social justice efforts, also receives support from the annual Bishop’s Appeal.

And the many programs of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee are supported by the annual appeal.

Despite the challenges of the past year, the Diocese of Knoxville’s new director of stewardship is optimistic of the appeal’s potential for success this year.

“As we reflect back, and look forward to 2021, it’s easy to focus on pandemic, hardship, and suffering,” said Deacon Hicks Armor.

“We may need to redirect our focus on how blessed we were during the pandemic, that more did not suffer, and that through the generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure we were able to help many people in need.

“The blessing is that, yes, there were needs, but there were those who stepped up, met the needs, and shared their blessings with others. There are silver linings in many clouds, and we just have to look a little closer to see God’s influence in our lives.” ■

Poet Amanda Gorman is a light to us all, parishioners say

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ong before she burst into the public spotlight delivering her inauguration poem, Amanda Gorman got a standing ovation from fellow parishioners of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Los Angeles for reciting a poem she wrote about the parish.

And on Jan. 20, at the inauguration ceremony of President Joe Biden, parishioners watching this 22-year-old woman on their TV screens — addressing political leaders and the nation at large about courageously rebuilding the country — applauded her all the more.

Floy Hawkins, former director of religious education at the parish for over 20 years, said her phone did not stop ringing after the inauguration, with friends asking if she saw, heard, or knew about Ms. Gorman’s role.

There also were plenty of Facebook and Instagram posts about this, but Ms. Hawkins said her generation doesn’t use social media as much, though they’re fine with texting.

And even though they were thrilled for Ms. Gorman, parishioners of the historically black church didn’t see her performance as a “solo act,” because Ms. Gorman has always been at the parish with her twin sister, Gabrielle, and her mom. Ms. Hawkins felt that sense of family when cameras followed Ms. Gorman joining her mother when she finished her delivery.

St. Brigid’s pastor, Josephite Father Kenneth Keke, also didn’t just see Ms. Gorman in that moment but felt she represented the entire parish in South Central Los Angeles — which is predominantly African American but now also has a growing number of Latinos, Filipinos, and white parishioners, too.

“We are a community; everyone here is important,” he said. “Whatever belongs to the parish belongs to everyone; in our parish, the success of anyone is the success of all.”

It’s also the pride of all.

“Parishioners are very much proud of her,” the priest from Nigeria told Catholic News Service Jan. 22, adding that he personally knew she would go far. “She is a very, very intelligent young lady. The first time I saw her, I knew that one day she was going to be very important.”

This pride is displayed on the parish website with photos of Ms. Gorman and the words: “We celebrate and congratulate Amanda Gorman:

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By Carol Zimmermann/Catholic News Service

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/PATRICK SEMANSKY VIA REUTERS

Young Catholic writer lauded for her inspirational poem delivered on a big stage

Faithful and fearless American poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. She is a parishioner at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Los Angeles.

2021 inauguration poet. Youngest in history.” Similarly, the parish Facebook and Instagram accounts posted a single photo of Ms. Gorman at the inauguration with the words: “Our very own Amanda Gorman.”

Ms. Hawkins recorded that part of the inauguration and plans to watch it again. When she saw Ms. Gorman approach the podium and begin speaking, she said she was “in awe … to see such a young African American female be at such a pinnacle point of the world.”

She also said it humbled her “from a spiritual perspective of God’s graces and mercies,” since she knew the national youth poet laureate from Ms. Gorman’s middle school days.

As adolescents, Ms. Gorman and her sister went through a two-year training program at the parish and then received the sacraments of baptism, first Communion, and confirmation on the same day.

When she graduated from high school to attend Harvard University, Ms. Gorman received a scholarship donation from the parish. The pastor said she always returned to the church when she visited home.

In recent months, he hasn’t seen Ms. Gorman, who graduated last year. But he also hasn’t seen many of his parishioners due to coronavirus Mass restrictions.

Ms. Hawkins was impressed by the Gorman sisters from the start, saying they were brilliant intellectually and socially with quiet but confident personalities.

She also remembered Ms. Gor-

man’s speech impairment that caused difficulty in saying certain letters, which the poet has overcome and spoken about.

Ms. Hawkins once overheard a student asking Ms. Gorman why she talked the way she did, and the young poet replied that it was just her East Coast accent.

“I was so happy when I learned she had acknowledged publicly that she had a speech impediment; what a release for her,” Ms. Hawkins said.

Ms. Gorman, who published the poetry book The One for Whom Food is Not Enough at age 17 and who had been writing and developing her own style since she was a young girl, was named the Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles at 16, and it was around that time she wrote the St. Brigid’s poem that she recited at the end of a Mass commemorating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The parish assistant choir director, knowing of Ms. Gorman’s work, had asked her to consider doing it.

That Ms. Gorman stepped up, then and now, is something Ms. Hawkins admires, especially seeing her on the Capitol stage in her yellow coat and red headband. She knew Ms. Gorman had taken “ownership of the opportunity.”

“Sometimes people ask you to do something and you say: ‘Oh, I don’t know if I could do it,’” she said.

“I don’t get the sense that was her response when the first lady invited her to speak at the inauguration,” Ms. Hawkins added. “I believe she immediately said yes, as we are encour-

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aged to say: ‘Yes Lord.’”

Ms. Hawkins prayed for Ms. Gorman before the poet introduced herself to the country as the “skinny black girl, descended from slaves and raised by a single mother” who can “dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one.”

But as she listened to the young woman’s strong, clear voice, she said to herself: “Glory be to God. … Look what you have done in the world!”

And she felt the strong connection, too — that the poet’s description of finding light in dark times was something the people of St. Brigid’s knew all too well.

What a time for our Catholic faith and our African American culture, she thought.

She also was pleased that Ms. Gorman, named the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, “didn’t minimize or dismiss” the insurrection at the Capitol just two weeks before but spoke of not losing hope when terrible things happen.

Her poem, The Hill We Climb, speaks in part of a country “bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free,” and adds, “We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation.”

It ends with the promise of rebirth and reconciliation, saying: “Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful … For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Father Keke said the poem reflected “what we preach here at St. Brigid’s” about liberation and redemption, which he said also is emphasized in the parish’s music and art. Her words on unity had a strong spiritual connection, the priest added.

The parish planned to celebrate Ms. Gorman’s achievement in some small way and in a bigger way once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

And the country at large is already celebrating her. Just hours after the inauguration, Ms. Gorman’s books jumped to the top of bestseller lists.

“She is definitely a light, an inspiration to us all,” said Ms. Hawkins, noting that the current buzz around Ms. Gorman validates who she is and will take her farther than she ever imagined. She also has no doubt Ms. Gorman will continue to courageously move forward, but not alone.

“She takes God with her,” Ms. Hawkins said. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

and the Godgiven dignity of the human person.”

The Denver prelate said he prays that “when (President Biden’s) party seeks Abp. Aquila to advance ‘moral evils and threaten human life and dignity, most seriously in the areas of abortion, contraception, marriage, and gender,’ he will have the courage to stand up for the truth of God’s love and plan revealed to us by Jesus.”

The Prayer of St. Francis was the preferred prayer of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Va., in his inauguration message in which he called for healing of the “discord and wounds” that exist in the United States.

He sought prayers for President Biden so that he upholds “the truths revealed and proclaimed in the Catholic faith he professes.”

Other elected and public officials of both political parties also deserve prayer, Bishop Burbidge said, so that they “transcend political divides in service to the common good.”

Bishop Stika said his prayers go to the new administration, and he is encouraged by positive action from the new president on immigration.

But he’s concerned with the Biden administration on its stance on moral issues.

“I would follow what Archbishop Gomez said, not what Cardinal Cupich has said. We will pray for the new administration, and we will cooperate in those areas that do not compromise our faith. Also, I have great concern about some of the policies in terms of pro-life issues. I’m also concerned if there are going to be limitations placed on the right of

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“recommit ourselves to the work of healing, to listening to one another, to open and respectful dialogue and to pursuing the high ideals, rights, and privileges bestowed by God, who reigns supreme, and guaranteed by our Constitution to all.”

Cardinals Sean P. O’Malley of Boston and Blase J. Cupich of Chicago added their congratulations for the new Biden administration and their prayers that the country will heal its divisions and urged every life, from the womb to natural death, be protected and nurtured.

Cardinal Cupich and Archbishop Gomez were in disagreement over the U.S. bishops’ official statement on the new Biden administration.

Across the country in San Francisco, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said he supported Archbishop Gomez’s “timely call for healing as a country.” He stressed that even though abortion remains the U.S. bishops’ “pre-eminent priority,” it is not the only social concern the Church holds.

“Catholics must and do speak out on many issues affecting the equal dignity of all, but if life at its most vulnerable beginnings is not protected, then none of us is safe. Affirming this, equal human dignity at every stage and in every condition is the path to healing and unity,” Archbishop Cordileone said.

Likewise supporting Archbishop Gomez’s statement were Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville; Bishop Paul J. Bradley of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill.; and Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, among others.

Archbishop Aquila said he hoped President Biden will accept the invitation “for true dialogue with the Church on all issues, especially those that involve the right to life

conscience, the right to worship. It’s mostly moral issues,” Bishop Stika said.

“But some of the issues that deal with immigration seem favorable to fac- Abp. Cordileone ing the challenge of a whole lot of people who are in this status of being unknown, such as with DACA,” Bishop Stika added.

He said immigration issues must be addressed and not “kicked down the street to another administration.”

“With every administration, there are positives and challenges. We will reinforce the positives that cooperate with who we are as a Church.

But also we will not fail to challenge those policies that endanger life or the concept of the dignity of the human person that St. John Paul II talked about,” Bishop Stika concluded.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, Pa., President Biden’s hometown, invited the faithful of the diocese and all people to pray for the nation and its new leaders.

“At a time when our country is facing not only a global pandemic but also division and hostility, we must all pray for peace and unity,” he said. “No matter our differences, we are one human family, our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.”

In addition to prayer, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort WayneSouth Bend, Ind., urged people to demonstrate the love of their neighbor, “including those with whom we disagree.”

“We reject all violence and hatred. Even when there are profound disagreements in politics, we must

Impromptu march Journalists cover March for Life participants as they make their way toward the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29.

Although the 2021 National March for Life was canceled for safety and security reasons, some prolife supporters took to the streets for an impromptu march.

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Working with President Biden will be “unique,” the archbishop said, because he is the first president in six decades who is Catholic.

“In a time of growing and aggressive secularism in American culture, when religious believers face many challenges, it will be refreshing to engage with a president who clearly understands, in a deep and personal way, the importance of religious faith and institutions,” the prelate said.

However, Archbishop Gomez cautioned that President Biden has “pledged to pursue certain policies that would advance moral evils and threaten human life and dignity, most seriously in the areas of abortion, contraception, marriage, and gender.”

“Of deep concern is the liberty of the Church and the freedom of believers to live according to their consciences,” he added.

The archbishop pointed out the USCCB’s quadrennial election document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” tries to help Catholics and others of good will in their reflections on political issues.

An introductory letter accompanying the document describes abortion as the bishops’ “pre-eminent priority,” he said, but the document addresses much more.

The bishops also hold deep concerns about “many threats to human life and dignity in our society,” Archbishop Gomez said, including euthanasia, the death penalty, immigration, racism, poverty, care for the environment, criminal justice reform, economic development, and international peace.

The Catholic Church’s “commitments on issues of human sexuality and the family, as with our commitments in every other area — such as abolishing the death penalty or seeking a health-care system and economy that truly serve the human person,” he noted, “are guided by Christ’s great commandment to love and to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable.”

“But as Pope Francis teaches, we cannot stay silent when nearly a million unborn lives are being cast aside in our country year after year through

respect one another and engage in discussions with civility, rejecting hateful rhetoric and personal attacks,” Bishop Rhoades said.

Noting that the Catholic vote split evenly between President Biden and President Donald Trump, Bishop Rhoades said political allegiances or ideologies should not divide the faithful. “We must be united in our common faith and in charity, united with the pope and the bishops in fidelity to the Church’s moral and social teaching and to the obligations of justice and charity that we have in society,” he added.

In Detroit, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron invited Catholics to remember that the peaceful transition to a new administration “is an opportunity to recommit the best of ourselves to advance the common good, model civility, protect human dignity, and, most importantly, pray for our leaders and our beloved country.”

Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, congratulated President Biden on becoming president, noting how he was encouraged that the new president began Inauguration Day by attending Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., along with House and Senate Republican and Democratic leaders.

He also remembered that President Biden received the school’s highest honor, the Laetare Medal, in 2016 with former Republican House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. Recalling the ceremony, Father Jenkins said President Biden often reminded his fellow Democrats that Republicans in Congress are “our opponents, not our enemies.”

“May his leadership help quell the venomous enmity so prevalent in our nation today,” Father Jenkins said. ■

abortion,” he said.

“It is also a matter of social justice.

We cannot ignore the reality that abortion rates are much higher among the poor and minorities, and that the procedure is regularly used to eliminate children who would be born with disabilities,” he said.

The prelate also said it was his hope to work with the administration to “finally put in place a coherent family policy in this country, one that acknowledges the crucial importance of strong marriages and parenting to the well-being of children and the stability of communities.”

Archbishop Gomez concluded his statement saying that Biden’s call for national healing and unity is a welcome one, saying it was “urgently needed” as the country continues to confront the pandemic and social isolation “that has only worsened the intense and long-simmering divisions among our fellow citizens.”

He also called for continued prayer that “God will give our new president, and all of us, the grace to seek the common good with all sincerity.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, used Twitter to issue a scathing criticism of the USCCB’s official statement on the inauArchbishop Gomez guration of

President Biden.

In his four-part Twitter thread on Jan. 20, Cardinal Cupich said that “the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued an ill-considered statement on the day of President Biden’s inauguration. Aside from the fact that there is seemingly no precedent for doing so, the statement, critical of President Biden, came as a surprise to many bishops, who received it just hours before it was released.”

“The statement was crafted without the involvement of the Administrative Committee, a collegial consultation that is a normal course for statements that represent and enjoy the considered endorsement of the American bishops,” Cardinal Cupich said.

“The internal institutional failures involved must be addressed, and I look forward to contributing to all efforts to that end, so that, inspired by the Gospel, we can build up the unity of the Church, and together take up the work of healing our nation in this moment of crisis,” the cardinal said.

The overt criticism of the USCCB came after Cardinal Cupich published a separate statement on his website that did not include these critiques. It follows a flurry of public reactions from his fellow U.S. bishCardinal Cupich ops, who

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have supported the USCCB statement.

Three different bishops speaking on background to Catholic News Agency said they were aware that Cardinal Cupich wanted a more supportive, clearly pro-Biden statement, and that he spent most of Jan. 20 trying to get the support of other bishops to come up with an alternative statement.

The USCCB statement to which Cardinal Cupich was responding was originally expected to be released early on the morning of Jan. 20. However, it was delayed and published only after President Biden was sworn in to office and around the time Pope Francis published a message to the new president.

The statement from Archbishop Gomez stressed that the bishops’ job is not to be political, but to preach the truth. He said that while there are numerous issues of concern to the bishops’ conference, abortion is the preeminent issue that cannot be ignored.

Archbishop Gomez said that “abortion is a direct attack on life that also wounds the woman and undermines the family. It is not only a private matter, it raises troubling and fundamental questions of fraternity, solidarity, and inclusion in the human community.”

“Rather than impose further expansions of abortion and contraception, as he has promised, I am hopeful that the new president and his administration will work with the Church and others of good will. My hope is that we can begin a dialogue to address the complicated cultural and economic factors that are driving abortion and discouraging families,” he continued. ■ FEBRUARY 7, 2021 n A9

Knights of Columbus sponsor Men of the Cross online retreat Substitute for mid-year business meeting inspired by call to make Knights councils and members more ‘Christo-centric’

ANDY TELLI/TENNESSEE REGISTER

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n his essence, God is love and relationship, Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville said during the Men of the Cross online retreat sponsored by the Tennessee Council of the Knights of Columbus on Jan. 9.

“If you have the love of Jesus in your heart, you can’t stay by yourself.

You immediately want to get out and make the world a better place,” said Bishop Spalding, who was one of the speakers for the retreat.

Love “must go out in the world and transform it,” Bishop Spalding said.

“Not in some arrogant manner. But in recognition of the potential of the other.”

“The same kind of love Jesus held in his heart, I have to have in mine,” Bishop Spalding said. “One of the most powerful things the love of Jesus does is give you the sight to see people that others don’t see.”

The Men of the Cross retreat replaced the normal mid-year business meeting the Tennessee Knights hold each January.

The retreat was inspired by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson’s “call to all Knights of Columbus to make their councils and the membership in the Knights of Columbus Christo-centric,” said Jimmy Dee, state membership director and a member of Council 16523 at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville.

A call to love Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville speaks at the Men of the Cross retreat held Jan. 9 and livestreamed to parishes across Tennessee.

Mr. Dee worked with State Deputy Michael McCusker, a member of Council 9317 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in the Memphis suburb of Cordova, and others to organize the retreat.

“My predecessor challenged each and every one of us to ask Why? Why are we Knights of Columbus?”

Mr. McCusker said in his opening remarks for the retreat, referencing past State Deputy Tracy Staller of Council 12961 at Holy Family Church in Seymour. “The answer always should be to love and serve Jesus Christ. We’re

going to address how to do that as men of the cross.”

Before the pandemic, it already was a struggle for men to deepen and live the faith, Mr. McCusker said. “Now with the pandemic it is even more challenging.”

The goal of the retreat, he said, was by re-engaging with the faith and reenergizing men’s faith “we can make a difference.”

Originally, the retreat was planned to be an in-person event, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to adopt a virtual format.

A10 n FEBRUARY 7, 2021

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politics, social media, and other divisive concerns, the faithful and others run the risk of not hearing God, according to Bishop Stika, who reminded the congregation where God can be heard.

“How do you recognize God in your life? He’s there, isn’t he? I mean that’s why you’re here because there has been some kind of invitation that was extended to you at a very young age, as a baby or maybe more recently, where God has invited you to be in a relationship with Him. It’s real. Again, that’s why we’re here—responding to God,” the bishop said. “A lot of times it’s easy to respond to God. We go to church on Sunday, which is very important. We’re nourished by the Eucharist, which is very important. But there are a lot of times where I think God wishes to engage us in conversation but we would rather say, ‘sorry buddy, I’m too busy.’ Or maybe God is saying to us, ‘hey, I want you to come and follow me.’ But then you turn around and say, ‘that must be that man or woman behind me.’ We’re either too busy or maybe we’re selling ourselves short. We might say to the Lord or have this thought that maybe we can do something but we’re afraid to take that step because we think it’s not us, it’s not me.”

The Apostles continue to be modern-day examples of listening to what God is saying through His Son, Jesus Christ. Bishop Stika described them as unlikely disciples based on their backgrounds and what other people might have said about them. For example, Matthew was a tax collector, among those least thought of in society, when Jesus was selecting his followers.

Still, God invites people into a deep relationship with Him, which some discover immediately while others take a long time to hear the invitation. Bishop Stika recounted that as a young man he entered the seminary to prove to himself that he wasn’t meant to be a priest.

But in a profound instant, he suddenly came to accept his impending priesthood.

“I’ve had moments when I asked myself, ‘why did I do this? Why did I even say yes?’ But there was a moment when it all made sense,” the bishop shared.

“Right now we’re living in a world that doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, does it? COVID. Look at what it has done to the world, not just to the United States, not just to Johnson City. Every nook and cranny of the world is dealing with something that we can’t even see. It just shows that mankind isn’t always in charge.

Our pastor St. Mary faithful receive Communion and blessings from newly installed pastor Father Dustin Collins during Mass on Jan. 17. The Johnson City parish is Father Collins’ first pastorate.

“How about the politics? That’s been a pleasant experience, hasn’t it? I love this quote from Franklin Roosevelt, ‘The only thing to fear is fear itself.’ And I have my own addition to that: the lack of common sense. It seems like the world has a lack of common sense. That is the world in which we live. If we look at the time when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, it was the same way.

People were angry with the government. People were pro-Roman and against the Romans, pro-high priests and against the high priests, there was poverty, Caesar Augustus ordered everyone to be counted in a census, Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem and there is no place to stay. It was just one thing after another thing after another thing.

It wasn’t a lot different. But the advantage we have here is we know about Jesus. We have 2,000 years of history in a world that has had some really dark moments. And so has the Church. Yet we’re here,” Bishop Stika said.

“The question is are you open to hear God, to hear His message, like we’re given in the first reading?

Are you open, or have you been

tainted by COVID or politics, anger or health concerns? Are you listening, or maybe you just can’t hear it.

Or are you hearing and you want to look the other way? This is true for all of us,” he added. “Then you might think God is not paying attention to me. I think every time I buy a lottery ticket and I tell Him I’m going to do all of these good things, but I never win. C’mon God, why can’t I win the lottery? So he’s not paying attention to me, right?

That’s how we can think sometimes.

Or we can negotiate with God. If you give me this, I’ll give you that.

But I guess it all comes down to this. Trust. Trust in God. For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, Jesus, into our world. Jesus bore the sufferings of the world.

He witnessed all the cruelty and all the joy and everything in between those. He understands. And we can bring things to Him. We might not always get the answer that we want, but we always get an answer.”

Bishop Stika said he is privileged to be serving in the Diocese of Knoxville and to see the growth and vitality of parishes like St. Mary as he begins his 13th year as

A family affair Father Dustin Collins and Bishop Richard F. Stika are shown with Father Collins’ parents, Danny and Susan Collins, and his niece, Sasha, following his installation as pastor of St. Mary in Johnson City on Jan. 17. www.di o k no x .o rg

By Andy Telli

The retreat featured speakers addressing different parts of the Second Letter of Peter, Chapter 1, verses 3-11, in which the evangelist lays out how Christians can become closer to Christ “through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and power.”

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with mutual affection, mutual affection with love,” the letter states.

Besides Bishop Spalding, Mr. Dee, and Mr. McCusker, speakers included: n Jonathan Reyes, Ph.D., senior vice president of evangelization and faith formation for the Knights of Columbus, who spoke on virtue; n Tim Gray, Ph.D., president and founder of the Augustine Institute in Denver, who spoke on knowledge; n Father Sean Kilcawley, director of the Office of Family Life for the Diocese of Lincoln in Nebraska, who spoke on self-control; n Jared Zimmerer, director of the Word on Fire Institute, who spoke on endurance; n Damien O’Connor, senior director of evangelization and faith formation for the Knights of Columbus, who spoke on godliness;

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bishop in March.

“Even in the challenges like COVID, to see the vocations of men and women, growth, capital campaigns, the Bishop’s Appeal, all of these things in which we are making a powerful impact in the world that is mostly not Catholic. Just like Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, which serves 26,000 people, most of them not Catholic. We’re making a difference in our community,” he said.

He ended the Mass by urging the St. Mary congregation to keep the faith amid all the uncertainty in the world. And remember that God has the answer.

“I know there are people who want to wear masks and people who don’t want to wear masks.

I got an awful lot of people mad at me because I restricted Communion just to the hand. Recently, Pope Francis made a decision that I was right. … We’re trying the best we can. There are no easy solutions.

It is much worse than any flu virus. We don’t know how long this will last. It might be this year, next year. We don’t know how long the vaccines will last. Some people are questioning the morality of the first two vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).

The best moral theologians said they’re morally acceptable, and Pope Benedict and Pope Francis received the Pfizer vaccine. If we make it into a political issue, or an issue that separates us, it just further destroys any sense of community,” the bishop warned.

“One of the biggest decisions I’ve made as a bishop, and for bishops throughout the world, was to close our parishes in March because we didn’t know much about what was going on and what we could do. Now we know what we can do: wear the masks, separation, cleanse our hands. That seems to be the most logical thing. Still, some people are taking issue with that, making it about rights. I would challenge anyone who has issues with that to come up with a better solution,” he said.

Bishop Stika told the congregation he will not lift the dispensation for Mass attendance on Sunday until the COVID pandemic eases.

“This will end in some way. We just have to be patient,” Bishop Stika said. “Please continue to pray for each other and work together. You have a beautiful parish, where you care for each other.

Pray for your pastor. He won’t be perfect. Father Collins, pray for your people. They won’t be perfect. If it was perfect, we wouldn’t need a Church. We would be in heaven.” ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Pope Francis amends canon law so women can be lectors, acolytes Holy Father declares change in the Vatican document ‘Spiritus Domini’

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Changing canon law: A Q-and-A approach

By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

ore than 40 years ago, thenArchbishop William Borders of Baltimore issued a pastoral letter signaling his intention to ask that the “official ministries” of lector and acolyte be opened to women.

Of course, in parishes and dioceses around the world, women already were reading the Scriptures at Mass, and some women and girls were altar servers and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.

But when the Code of Canon Law was promulgated in 1983, six years after Archbishop Borders’ request, it still specified that permanent installation in those ministries was restricted to men.

Pope Francis issued a document, Spiritus Domini (The Spirit of the Lord) Jan. 11, changing canon law to allow both women and men to be installed formally or “admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte.”

The pope cited the request made by members of the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, asking that the Church “promote and confer ministries for men and women in an equitable manner. The fabric of the local Church, in the Amazon as elsewhere, is guaranteed by small missionary church communities that cultivate faith, listen to the Word, and celebrate together close to the people’s life. It is the Church of baptized men and women that we must consolidate by promoting ministries and, above all, an awareness of baptismal dignity.”

Over the years, many bishops requested such a change, particularly during meetings of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican.

The requests, like the prayers written for the installation rite for each

By Cindy Wooden/Catholic News Service

On Jan. 11, Pope Francis published an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (which means “on his own impulse” in Latin), modifying canon law regarding women’s access to the ministries of lector and acolyte. He also released a letter to Vatican doctrinal chief Cardinal Luis Ladaria explaining his reasoning for the decision.

What has changed?

In the document, Spiritus Domini, the pope changed Church law so that women can be formally instituted to the lay ministries of lector and acolyte.

The pope modified the wording in Canon 230 §1 of the Code of Canon Law, which previously limited the ministries to lay men.

He changed the phrase “lay men” to “lay persons,” so that the canon now reads: “Lay persons of suitable age and with the gifts determined by decree of the Episcopal Conference may be permanently assigned, by means of the established liturgical rite, to the ministries of lectors and acolytes; however, the conferment of such a role does not entitle them to support or remuneration from the Church.”

But aren’t women already allowed to serve as altar servers Law continued on page A22

New ways to serve A young woman reads during Mass at St. Anne Church in Garden City, N.Y., in this Jan. 28, 2018, file photo. On Jan. 11, 2021, Pope Francis ordered a change to the Code of Canon Law so that women may be formally instituted as lectors and acolytes. ministry, make it clear that reading the Scriptures or serving at Mass is only the most public part of the two ministries.

For example, the Vatican-approved text of the bishop’s instruction to those about to be installed as lectors describes the ministry as a “special office within the Christian community.”

The bishop tells them, “You will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the Word of God. You will proclaim that Word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it.”

When instituting acolytes, the text has the bishop tell them, “As people chosen for the ministry of acolyte, you will have a special role in the

Church’s ministry. The summit and source of the Church’s life is the Eucharist, which builds up the Christian community and makes it grow.”

The instruction notes that they serve priests and deacons at the altar, but also that they are instituted to distribute Communion at Mass and to the sick.

“In performing your ministry bear in mind that, as you share the one bread with your brothers and sisters, so you form one body with them.

Show a sincere love for Christ’s Mystical Body, God’s holy people, and especially for the weak and the sick.

Be obedient to the commandment which the Lord gave to his apostles at the Last Supper: ‘Love one another as I also have loved you.’”

In most dioceses around the world, seminarians are the only men for-

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Vatican asks priests to take special COVID precautions when distributing ashes

By Catholic News Service

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forward to seeing Lenten and Easter Masses well attended.

A new survey reveals a correlation between COVID-19 and faith and family ties.

According to a poll by the Pew Research Center, more Americans say the coronavirus pandemic has strengthened their religious faith.

And according to Pew, 48 percent of Catholics surveyed said the pandemic “strengthened bonds with their immediate family members.”

The survey, released Jan. 27, showed that 28 percent of Americans said the pandemic had strengthened their own religious faith. It was conducted June 10-Aug. 3 last year, as people in the affected countries had been under social distancing rules, national lockdown orders, or both.

Among Americans, 45 percent of those who say their faith is very important to them said the COVID crisis had strengthened their faith, compared with 11 percent who held faith less important or unimportant. Overall, 49 TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

Ashes in a new way Worshipers wearing protective masks receive ashes during Ash Wednesday Mass at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Manila, Philippines, on Feb. 26, 2020, during the COVID-19 pan demic. The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has issued a note on how priests can distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, while taking precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO

he Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments asked priests to take special antiCOVID-19 precautions this year when distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, including sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads rather than using them to make a cross on people’s foreheads.

The congregation’s note on the “distribution of ashes in time of pandemic” was published on the congregation’s website Jan. 12 and directs priests to say “the prayer for blessing the ashes” and then sprinkle “the ashes with holy water, without saying anything.”

“Then he addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general: ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’ or ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’”

“The priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places,” it said. “The priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without

saying anything.”

The usual practice would be to repeat the formula — “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” — to each person as the ashes are sprinkled on the top of their head or rubbed onto their forehead.

Sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads, rather than marking foreheads with ashes, is the customary prac-

The Latin, Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese versions of the note also specify that the mask should cover the priests’ “nose and mouth.” ■

tice at the Vatican and in Italy. Given the spread of the coronavirus, the practice has the advantage of not requiring the priest to touch multiple people.

percent of Americans said religion is very important in their lives.

Bishop Stika hopes the number of people strengthening their faith continues to grow.

“I would urge people to come to Mass if they are healthy because all of the protocols we’ve put into place are working,” the bishop said. “I really missed Easter Mass last year, the public part. I missed all the public interaction with people.”

As diocesan churches continue social distancing protocols like keeping every other pew empty and offering overflow rooms for Massgoers, some may increase Mass times to accommodate larger Easter congregations.

Also, Bishop Stika emphasized that churches, including the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, will continue broadcasting their Masses for those unable to attend.

“We’ll just adapt and go with the flow. A lot of our churches have been doing that already. And we’ll continue to livestream Masses from the cathedral and the churches,” he said. ■ www.di o k no x .o rg

Boy, I wish our Church wasn’t growing so fast...

How will we afford it?

Good thing we have the Catholic Foundation!

The

Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee invests in two essential needs for the Diocese of Knoxville

Seminarian Education and Land for New Churches Helping to provide for a growing Church for 30 years!

Learn more @ GiveCFET.org or call John Deinhart @ (865) 584-3307

FEBRUARY 7, 2021 n A11

BILL BREWER (5)

Praying for an end to abortion Faithful representing 10 Diocese of Knoxville churches turned out on Friday, Jan. 22, to witness in peaceful prayer for the protection of life at all ages and stages during a Rosaries for Life. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., rosaries were prayed across the street from Planned Parenthood’s abortion facility in East Knoxville. In the top left photo, Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, leads the rosary at 10 a.m. In the top right photo, Father Alex Hernandez, associate pastor of All Saints, recites the Divine Mercy Chaplet during the 11 a.m. gathering. In the lower left photo, Father Bill McNeeley, pastor of Holy Ghost, and Father Michael Hendershott, associate pastor of Holy Ghost, lead parishioners in the rosary at the noon gathering. In the middle right photo, Father Marcin Gladysz, associate pastor of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, prays the rosary during the 10 a.m. prayer time. And in the bottom right photo, Father Patrick Resen (multicolor cap), pastor of Holy Trinity in Jefferson City, prays the rosary at the 1 p.m. prayer time. Other parishes represented during the rosaries were Christ the King in Tazewell, Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, St. John Neumann in Farragut, St. Mary in Athens, and St. Mary in Oak Ridge.

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seven of our priests over a four-hour period in a series of rosaries that were prayed across the street from Planned Parenthood in East Knoxville. We are so grateful for the priestly presence and the good people of 10 of our parishes who came together to pray for the protection of the unborn and for women in crisis pregnancies,” said Paul Simoneau, director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace.

Dozens of parishioners said the rosary, recited the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and prayed for an end to abortion, which has killed more than 60 million unborn children in the United States since the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 that legalized abortion in all states.

The Planned Parenthood facility at the corner of Cherry Street and Washington Avenue is one of two abortion providers in Knoxville. The other facility, the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health on Clinch Avenue in the Fort Sanders neighborhood, also serves the inner city as well as the University of Tennessee campus.

The Knoxville Police Department reported that someone fired gunshots into the Planned Parenthood building in the early morning hours prior to the rosaries for life. The gunfire briefly closed the facility.

The shooting occurred on the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling.

The Diocese of Knoxville coordinated the rosaries for life with the Knoxville Police Department days prior to the shooting incident, and an off-duty police officer in a patrol car was retained by the diocese and stationed near where the rosaries were prayed across the street from Planned Parenthood.

“As we always do, we come together to pray and to offer a loving witness to the Gospel of Life. I strive to always coordinate closely with our law enforcement and to assure them that our gathering will always be peaceful, law-abiding, and charitable. I think I have worked directly with at least six or more police district A12 n FEBRUARY 7, 2021

patrol commanders over the many years since Planned Parenthood first opened its doors on Cherry Street.

They know us and know we will always conduct ourselves charitably and prayerfully,” Mr. Simoneau said.

“So I am so very grateful to all our parish pro-life leaders and the faithful who are truly sowers of God’s peace where the culture of death is so prominent.”

The rosaries for life opened an important weekend for pro-life activities in the diocese.

To mark the Roe v. Wade anniversary, Tennessee Right to Life’s Knox County chapter held its annual March for Life on Jan. 24 in the Fort Sanders neighborhood. Some 500 people, young to older and representing all faiths, took part in the march, carrying signs, praying the rosary, and serving in fellowship as they walked from Cumberland Avenue to the Clinch Avenue location of the Center for Reproductive Health.

The march, which was held despite the fact the national March for Life scheduled for Washington, D.C., was canceled at the last minute.

Like the Rosaries for Life, the March for Life was peaceful and prayerful, and no incidents were reported.

Mr. Simoneau announced that prayers and devotionals for an end to abortion will continue in the diocese during Lent with a new 40 Days for Life campaign.

The 40 Days for Life campaign will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and conclude just before Easter.

“The Diocese of Knoxville will be leading it’s 11th 40 Days for Life campaign of prayer, fasting, and public witness beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, through Palm Sunday, March 28. Since the Planned Parenthood clinic located at 710 N. Cherry St. in Knoxville first opened its doors, the diocese has coordinated its 40 Days vigil of peaceful, law-abiding, and prayerful witness across the street from the clinic. We do not gather to protest, but to pray for women in

crisis pregnancies, to give a witness of love that we pray will speak to their heart that there are loving options other than that which abortion offers,” Mr. Simoneau said.

“We pray for the unborn, and we pray for the conversion of hearts of all who legislatively promote and protect abortion as a right, and for the conversion of all the clinic staffs, nurses, and those who perform and profit from it. Particularly in this day, we are aware of the growing tensions in our country, so we try particularly hard not to give any impression of pushing limits, which is why I emphasize that our prayers are just as effective across the street on Washington Avenue as they are on the sidewalk closest to the clinic.

So we keep a certain distance, relatively small as it is, so as to reinforce the peaceful and prayerful image we wish to give,” he added.

The sanctity of life continues to be a point of emphasis for Bishop Richard F. Stika, who delivers his pro-life message across the diocese and even across the country through social media and other media outlets.

“I appreciate the priests and the people coming together to pray the rosary, especially on that day (Jan. 22), which is significant. But it also was significant because that was the day the president and vice president committed to codifying Roe v. Wade, which would be a travesty, I think, for our country,” Bishop Stika said.

“So I think prayer is even more important. I would urge people to pray a daily rosary for the end of abortion, which now seems to be almost unlimited and promoted as women’s health care, which it’s not,” he added. “Symbolically, it’s important to be in front of that clinic, but also I would urge people to pray the rosary every day for a radical change in what seems to be another assault on life. Padre Pio said the rosary is the most powerful tool against evil, so I urge people to follow his suggestion.”

Mr. Simoneau said he has been asked over time what it is that moti-

www.di o k no x .o rg

vates his pro-life work.

“I have two answers, the second of which is very personal for me.

First, and particularly at this time in our country’s history, the stern words of St. John Paul II that he spoke in 1993 during the World Youth Day in Denver echo uncomfortably louder: ‘Woe to you if you do not succeed in defending life,’” Mr. Simoneau said.

“I am also mindful of another prophetic voice—St. Teresa of Kolkata—who, in her address at the 1994 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. (in the presence of President Bill and Hillary Clinton), said that ‘the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.’ So it shocks the conscience to think that, in the 48 years since the Roe v. Wade decision, over 63 million unborn children have been aborted. The second reason is that my own mother had two abortions. That revelation alone has fueled my prayers for all women in crisis pregnancies,” he added.

Mr. Simoneau said the number of U.S. unborn children killed by abortion is staggering, but it’s relatively small next to the number of unborn children killed by abortion annually around the world.

“With the anniversary of Roe v.

Wade, we can only gasp in horror at the toll of this most terrible of genocides — 63 million innocent unborn babies, and this is just in our country alone. It’s an average of 1,312,500 innocent lives brutally slaughtered every year in our country since 1973 — 25,000 a week. And this pales in comparison to the world number of well over 50 million unborn children aborted every year,” he said.

“So we mustn’t fear in these times.

In the words of David Carollo, executive director of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, in his great article ‘The Sacrifice of Those Who Follow Him’: Be strong in these times. Pray always, especially the rosary. It is the weapon to fight the errors of this time.’ And this is what we must do,” Mr. Simoneau concluded. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

BILL BREWER (6)

Marching for life Pro-life supporters from all faiths took part in the annual March for Life organized by the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life. The march, held on Sunday, Jan. 24, stretched from Cumberland Avenue on the University of Tennessee campus into the Fort Sanders neighborhood, where the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health abortion facility is located.

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haven’t closed their doors. They continue with their destructive agenda. Even when Gov. (Bill) Lee tried to close the abortion facilities at the beginning of the pandemic, judges ruled that abortion was an ‘essential’ service and thus they have remained open,” Mrs. Dunn said.

“While many churches have been closed, abortion facilities have been open for business as usual. Also, now that we have a president and vice president who want to expand abortion, our work is more important than ever. Through this march, we said our pro-life work is essential, and we will continue to work together to change hearts and save lives,” she added.

Some 500 people, ranging in age from children to seniors, held signs and walked through the Fort Sanders neighborhood next to the University of Tennessee campus to show support for the sanctity of life.

Those marching strode from Cumberland Avenue to the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, an abortion clinic at the corner of 16th Street and Clinch Avenue that serves the UT community. The facility is one of two abortion providers serving Knoxville.

Those participating in the march remained on sidewalks in front of the clinic and were escorted along the route by law enforcement.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the March for Life had no in-person program or speakers as it usually does. As marchers arrived and parked, they were asked to listen to a local radio station in their vehicles for a premarch message.

“Having a march this year was challenging, but we were determined to find a way to mark the day. In the past, the pioneers of the pro-life movement faced many obstacles, yet they always found a way to move the agenda forward. We knew we could do no less. With the current restrictions on large gatherings, we had to be creative.

Once it became obvious that we would not be able to have our regular pre-march assembly, we started pursuing other options,” Mrs. Dunn said.

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

“We wanted to be prudent but bold, so we found a way to keep people safely distanced and still have the march. We obtained permission to use the 11th Street Garage and asked marchers to park and remain in their cars and tune their radios to Joy 620 WRJZ. Radio host Bob Bell welcomed everyone via his live broadcast, Congressman Tim Burchett addressed the crowd, and pastor Todd Stinnett of Black Oak Heights Baptist Church prayed and directed the marchers to the parade route,” she noted. “TRL www.di o k no x .o rg

could not have put on the march had it not been for Bob Bell and WRJZ, the wonderful volunteers, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, which helped with parking, traffic, and security. With their help, marchers went down Clinch Avenue, past one of Knoxville’s busiest abortion facilities, to Cumberland Avenue, and back to the garage. It wasn’t a very long march but it was powerful.”

Mrs. Dunn said organizers of the National

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BILL BREWER (6)

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March for Life faced a much different situation when they decided to do a “virtual” march this year. She said they not only were confronted with the challenge of trying to distance hundreds of thousands of marchers but also that of keeping marchers safe in a very volatile atmosphere at the nation’s capital, noting that it is sad the national march didn’t happen this year, “but it was the right decision in the current climate.”

All Saints parishioners Duane and Debbie Donahoo agreed that participating in a public pro-life march was important. The Donahoos typically take part in the annual Knoxville March for Life as well as Rosaries for Life that the Diocese of Knoxville organizes. Two days before the TRL March for Life, the Donahoos were praying the rosary in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in East Knoxville to offer a prayerful, peaceful witness to the sanctity of life.

“Knoxville’s Sunday March for Life was a heartening success. Especially in this current government environment, we needed an authentic portrayal of A14 n FEBRUARY 7, 2021

“The youth give so much hope to those of us who have been in the

pro-life movement for a while. Today’s young people are inundated with messages about justice. It is powerful to see these young people bring their energy and passion to the march to say, ‘This injustice must end.’”

Stacy Dunn Tennessee Right to Life

our country’s pro-life zeal,” the Donahoos said. “Not only in Knoxville, but across the country, people braved difficult circumstances to proclaim their dedication to protecting the unborn.

The wide array of generations marching proves the concern for protecting babies in the womb as a God-given right, gift, and responsibility.”

The Donahoos said they were especially motivated to show their support for life this year.

“In view of this new administration’s hostility to and attack on the unborn, it made us even more determined to participate openly in TRL’s Knoxville March for Life,” they said.

Orville Fisher, a member of St. Mary Church in Athens, was heartened by the response of Knoxville marchers as the Washington march was called off.

“I was thrilled to see such a

strong showing by so many prolifers. Teenagers, families, and more than a few of our elderly knew this was the only place to be. We’re all so appreciative of Stacy Dunn and all the folks at Tennessee Right to Life,” Mr. Fisher said.

“It was a shame the Washington, D.C., march got canceled, but that hasn’t stopped our commitment in Knoxville. We know now more than ever the unborn are under attack, and we’ve all got an obligation to stand up and defend life. Roe v. Wade has always been fluid, it’s never been settled, and we’ll keep showing up until our country gets it right,” added Mr. Fisher, who serves as East Tennessee Respect Life chairman for the Knights of Columbus.

Tim Brown, a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa and life director for the state

www.di o k no x .o rg

Knights of Columbus, usually takes part in the National March for Life and was glad to march somewhere this year.

“I was very disappointed that we weren’t allowed to go to Washington and march. I haven’t missed that opportunity in a long time. But it probably was a wise decision,” Mr. Brown said.

He said the Knoxville march shared similarities with the Washington, D.C., event although smaller in size.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout this year, not only by the number of marchers but how it mirrored the march in Washington. There were young families and young mothers pushing strollers,” Mr. Brown said.

Mrs. Dunn was impressed by the number of young people who participated in the march as well as the older pro-life supporters who continue their prayerful demonstration.

“The youth give so much hope to those of us who have been in the pro-life movement for a while. Today’s young people are inundated with messages about justice. It is powerful to see these young people bring their energy

March continued on page A15

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Bishops: Getting COVID-19 vaccine is an ‘act of charity’ tion and ethical issues surrounding the development of some vaccines.

“While having ourselves and our families immunized against COVID-19 with the new vaccines is morally permissible and can be an act of self-love and of charity toward others, we must not allow the gravely immoral nature of abortion to be obscured,” Bishop Rhoades and Archbishop Naumann said.

“It is true that one can receive benefits from an evil action in the past without intending that action or approving of it. The association with the evil action that comes with receiving benefits from that evil action, however, can have a corrupting influence on one’s perception of the evil action, making it more difficult to recognize it as evil,” they explained.

“One might become desensitized to the gravely evil nature of that action. One might become complacent about that action and ignore the obligation to do what one can to oppose the evil action,” they said, adding that others might see “one’s acceptance of benefits from an evil action” and feel the action isn’t really evil, feel less urgency “to oppose that evil” or even miss opportunities to do what they can “to oppose it.”

“We should be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use of fetal cells in research,” Bishop Rhoades and Archbishop Naumann said.

The Vatican health service has begun vaccinating employees and Vatican citizens against COVID-19 using the Pfizer vaccine, the director of the Vatican health service told Vatican News.

“Only through a widespread and capillary immunization of the population will it be possible to obtain real advantages in terms of public health to achieve control of the pandemic,” Dr. Andrea Arcangeli said Dec. 11.

“Therefore, it is our duty to offer all residents, employees, and their families the opportunity to be immunized against this dreaded disease.”

The Vatican News story said the vaccination program began “in the first months” of 2021, but a Vatican official posted on Facebook Dec. 11 that employees were told they would be vaccinated in January.

“It is important to educate everyone that the vaccine is not only to protect one’s own health, but also that of other people,” the Vatican News story said. ■

T

he “gravity” of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and “the lack of availability of alternative vaccines,” are “sufficiently serious” reasons to accept the Pfizer/ BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ doctrine and pro-life committees have said.

“Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community,” they said in a Dec. 14 statement. “In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.”

The bishops addressed the moral concerns raised by the fact the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.

However, this connection to morally compromised cell lines is so remote and the public health situation is too grave to reject the vaccines, said Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave emergency-use approval to the Pfizer vaccine.

UPS and FedEx began shipping the doses across the country Dec. 12, with the first shipments arriving Dec. 14.

Each state has a distribution plan for administering them. National guidelines call for health-care workers and those in nursing homes and long-term care facilities to be first in line to get immunized.

The Lancet medical journal reported that four clinical trials of a third vaccine, being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca “appears to have moderate efficacy in preventing symptomatic illness, and may significantly reduce hospitalization from the disease.” AstraZeneca was expected to apply to the FDA for emergency use of its vaccine.

Bishop Rhoades and Archbishop Naumann said they found the AstraZeneca vaccine to be “more morally compromised” and concluded this vaccine “should be avoided” if there

March continued from page A14

and passion to the march to say, ‘This injustice must end,’” Mrs. Dunn said.

“Just as inspiring are the ones who come year after year who have been in the struggle for life for many years. For example, this year, two wonderful ladies who were unable to actually walk the route, were undeterred.

They parked in the garage and prayed their rosary while others marched. That kind of dedication is an incredible witness for the rest of us,” added Mrs. Dunn, who is in her 14th year leading the Knox County chapter of TRL. She also serves as vice president of the state board of Tennessee Right to Life.

Mrs. Dunn, who with her husband, Bill, and their family are members of Holy Ghost Church,

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/BRYAN WOOLSTON, REUTERS

By Julie Asher Catholic News Service

For the greater good LaShawn Scott, a nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital, is inoculated with the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the Louisville, Ky., health-care facility on Dec. 14. are alternatives available.

“It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others,” the two prelates stated. “In such a case ... it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Shortly after Pfizer and Moderna announced Nov. 11 and Nov. 16, respectively, that their vaccines were 95 percent effective against COVID-19, critics claimed the vaccines have been produced using cells from aborted fetuses, leading to confusion over “the moral permissibility” of using these vaccines.

Bishop Rhoades and Archbishop Naumann addressed this issue in a Nov. 23 memo to their fellow bishops and addressed it again in their 2,400-word statement Dec. 12. In the memo, they noted some were “asserting that if a vaccine is connected in any way with tainted cell lines, then it is immoral to be vaccinated with them. This is an inaccurate portrayal of Catholic moral teaching.”

In their new lengthy statement, the two committee chairmen emphasized that any such cell lines were derived from tissue samples taken from fetuses aborted in the 1960s and 1970s and have been grown in laboratories all over the world since then.

“It is important to note that the making of the rubella vaccine — or that of the new COVID-19 vaccines — does not involve cells taken directly from the body of an aborted child,” Bishop Rhoades and Archbishop Naumann said. “Cells taken

from two abortions in the 1960s were replicated in a laboratory to produce two cell lines that can be reproduced again and again, indefinitely.”

“To make the rubella vaccine, cells from these cell lines are stimulated to produce the chemicals necessary for the vaccine,” they explained. “It is not as if the making of the vaccine required ever more cells from ever more abortions.”

The two committee chairmen said the Vatican, through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Academy for Life, “has offered guidance on the question of whether it is morally acceptable to receive a vaccine that has been created with the use of morally compromised cell lines.”

Both the congregation and the academy “emphasize the positive moral obligation to do good,” they said, “and in so doing to distance oneself as much as possible from the immoral act of another party such as abortion in order to avoid cooperation with someone else’s evil actions and to avoid giving scandal, which could happen if one’s own actions were perceived by other people to ignore or to minimize the evil of the action.”

“Our love of neighbor should lead us to avoid giving scandal, but we cannot omit fulfilling serious obligations such as the prevention of deadly infection and the spread of contagion among those who are vulnerable just to avoid the appearance of scandal,” the two prelates said.

At the same time, the bishops also cautioned Catholics against complacency about the moral issue of abor-

is grateful to the pro-life supporters and volunteers who give their time and effort in various public ways.

“I am inspired by the faithful witness of those who come to the march, those who stand vigil during 40 Days for Life, those who pray at Planned Parenthood on a regular basis, and those who sidewalk counsel at the facility at 16th and Clinch. These are selfless people who take time to pray and speak for those who they will never even meet. They do it for no reward other than to be faithful to God’s calling to be a witness for life. It is a true act of love,” she said.

And Mrs. Dunn continues to be encouraged by the prayerful witness of so many pro-life supporters of all faiths.

“I think pro-life people here

want to continue the work for life even in a time when it may not be easy. We realize that we don’t have a president or a Congress that is going to do the heavy lifting of pro-life work.

However, it is no time to fade

away or cower in the face of adversity. Now more than ever we must rededicate ourselves to prayer and put one foot in front of the other as we do this work that God has called us to. Lives depend on it,” she said. ■

Help Save Lives from Feb 17 – Mar 28, 2021

With God, all things are possible!

With these words as our prayer,

Knoxville will again join hundreds of other cities for our eighth and largest 40 Days for Life campaign ever from Feb 17 to Mar 28, 2021.

Our witness is prayerful, peaceful and law-abiding.

Since 2007… … 1,000,000 volunteers have participated in 40 Days for Life campaigns … 16,000 babies have been saved during 40 Days for Life vigils … 172 abortion workers have quit after experiencing conversions … 100 abortion facilities have closed their doors … 40 Days campaigns in over 1000 cities and 62 countries to date 40 Days for Life features three components:

1. PRAYER AND FASTING JOE HELLER/CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

2. COMMUNITY OUTREACH

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

3. PEACEFUL VIGIL Stand for life in a peaceful public witness outside of

PLANNED PARENTHOOD 710 N. Cherry St. Knoxville, TN Feb 17 to Mar 28

CONTACT Paul Simoneau – Diocese of Knoxville psimoneau@dioknox.org Lisa Morris

lccte@bellsouth.net

Information@40days.com

www.di o k no x .o rg

FEBRUARY 7, 2021 n A15

Orders continued from page A7

the need for dialogue.”

President Biden faces an overwhelming agenda at this period of time, and Catholics from the ranks of Church leadership to those in the pews should offer their prayers to help guide him, Cardinal Tobin told Catholic News Service.

The inauguration should also be a moment of celebration among the faithful to see the second Catholic president take the oath of office, whether they supported his candidacy or didn’t, Father Nadolski told Catholic News Service.

It’s significant that only two of 46 presidents have been Catholic, and some have expressed hope that President Biden’s election means another prejudice has been overcome.

The U.S. electorate had been suspicious of Catholic presidential candidates throughout the 20th century, fearing they would be unduly influenced by the pope, a notion that President John F. Kennedy — the first Catholic to serve as president — rejected by proclaiming he would keep his faith life and role as public servant separate.

Though Cardinal Tobin doesn’t expect President Biden to take orders from Pope Francis, he does anticipate he will employ the guiding principles of Catholic social teaching to usher him through the health and financial crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, healing the wounds following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, trying to unify the country amid political and racial divisions, and working for immigration solutions.

A man who calls on his Catholic faith to guide him through challenges in his life is uniquely suited to lead the United States in this turbulent era, said Father Nadolski, who is pleased President Biden has signaled he will address the festering problem of institutional racism in the United States.

“Pope Francis reminded us this summer that there is no way that anyone of us as Catholics can advance the dignity and sacredness of human life if we are in fact racist,” he said.

President Biden has signed a flurry of executive orders and proclamations aimed at undoing policies set in place by his predecessor, Donald Trump.

Some of President Trump’s executive orders undone by Biden’s actions Jan. 20 were themselves reversals of policies by other past presidents.

U.S. bishops have spoken out in favor of some of President Biden’s decisions and have expressed concern about others.

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee called it “deeply disturbing and tragic” that any U.S. president would mark the Jan. 22 anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion by praising it and committing to codifying it in federal law.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe ruling “denies unborn children their most basic human and civil right, the right to life, under the euphemistic disguise of a health service,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

“I take this opportunity to remind all Catholics that the Catechism states, ‘Since the first century the church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable,’” the archbishop said in a statement released late Jan. 22 in response to a statement on Roe by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

They said their administration “is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe.” They did not use the word “abortion,” but talked about “reproductive health” and protecting women’s access to “health care.”

“In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack,” the president and vice president said Jan. 22. “We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care — including reproductive health care — regardless of income, race, ZIP code, health insurance status, or immigration status.”

A16 n FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Archbishop Naumann said the bishops strongly urged Biden “to reject abortion and promote life-affirming aid to women and communities in need.”

“Public officials are responsible for not only their personal beliefs, but also the effects of their public actions,” the archbishop said. “Roe’s elevation of abortion to the status of a protected right and its elimination of state restrictions paved the way for the violent deaths of more than 62 million innocent unborn children and for countless women who experience the heartache of loss, abandonment, and violence.”

President Biden boosted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program put in place by President Trump’s predecessor, President Barack Obama, and which President Trump sought unsuccessfully to end. Also, the 46th president revoked the Trump administration’s bid to exclude noncitizens from the decennial U.S. census count.

Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, D.C., head of the bishops’ Committee on Migration, likewise praised this move “toward ensuring that immigration enforcement in our country is balanced and humane.”

The Department of Homeland Security said that effective Jan. 21, it was instituting a 100-day pause in deportations and rescinding the “remain in Mexico” policy that required those seeking asylum in the United States to stay in Mexico until their case came up for review.

Another key executive order from President Biden erases a Trumpimposed travel ban, which started out with a half-dozen majority-Muslim countries and later was expanded to include four African nations, plus Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan.

He also directed the State Department to restart visa processing for individuals from the formerly banned nations, and to develop ways to address harm caused by the ban.

“We welcome yesterday’s proclamation, which will help ensure that those fleeing persecution and seeking refuge or seeking to reunify with family in the United States will not be turned away because of what country they are from or what religion they practice,” said a joint statement Jan. 21 from Cardinal Dolan, head of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Dorsonville.

President Biden also halted construction of President Trump’s U.S.Mexico border wall via an “immediate termination” of Trump’s national emergency declaration that allowed billions of dollars allocated to the Defense Department to go to wall construction, as well as a review of the legality of those funding transfers.

“Walls are a failure of public policy and a failure of a compassionate imagination. We encourage our new president to reimagine border management so that it responds to the needs of border communities and migrants,” said a Jan. 20 statement by Scott Wright, director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach.

“This must include ending detention, restoring access to asylum, and removing all military presence from the border,” Mr. Wright said. “Let us instead invest in our communities and support their efforts to welcome our new neighbors.”

The new president signed a letter announcing the United States’ intent to rejoin the Paris climate accord, which will take effect this month.

President Trump formally withdrew the United States from the accord in 2019. He argued the agreement would harm the U.S. economy and hurt U.S. workers.

“On the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, Pope Francis called for ‘a culture of care, which places human dignity and the common good at the center,’” said a joint statement Jan. 21 from Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, head of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, Ill., head of the bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace; and Sean L. Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic

Relief Services.

“The environment and human beings everywhere, especially the poor and vulnerable, stand to benefit from the care of our common home. For this reason, we urge the United States to do more to help poorer nations adapt to the changes in climate that cannot be prevented,” they added.

One climate-related executive order

by President Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Another enforces a temporary moratorium on oil and natural gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A third reversed the rollbacks to vehicle emissions standards. A fourth undid Trump-era decisions to reduce the size of several national monuments, and a fifth re-established a working group on the social costs of greenhouse gases.

President Biden signed an executive order requiring social distancing and the wearing of masks on all federal property for the next 100 days.

He also issued a “100 days masking challenge” to Americans to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The president reinstated ties with the World Health Organization, from which the Trump team chose to withdraw last year. The head of the U.S. delegation will be Dr. Anthony Fauci, a Catholic who is considered the leading U.S. infectious disease expert.

President Biden reversed a Trump administration action that weakened federal civil rights protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and revoked a Trump executive order limiting the ability of federal agencies and contractors to conduct diversity and inclusion training.

President Biden also extended through March a federal moratorium on evictions and has asked three federal agencies to extend a moratorium on foreclosures on federally guaranteed mortgages. He also continued a moratorium on federal student loan interest and principal payments through September.

The new president established ethics rules for all who serve in his administration, and ordered all appointees in the executive branch to sign an ethics pledge.

The leaders of two U.S. bishops’ committees applauded President Biden’s executive order reversing a policy of the previous administration that excluded unauthorized immigrants from the census count.

“We welcome this return to more than a century of American precedent that ensures all residents will be counted and included in the census and apportionment,” said Archbishop Coakley and Bishop Dorsonville.

“This return to our previous policy reflects the inalienable truth that all people matter and are imbued with human dignity,” they said in a joint statement on Jan. 22.

Two days after President Biden’s order was signed, the Census Bureau

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said 2020 census data would not include information on citizenship or immigration status at any level.

The bishops’ statement pointed out that the process of counting people for purposes of apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives “has not always been free of injustice,” but it said President Biden’s executive order “stands as a testament to the indisputable reality that immigration status does not negate the inherent value of a human life, nor should it undermine any person’s ability to contribute to the growth and well-being of our nation.”

There also is opposition among U.S. bishops to other executive orders by the president.

President Biden’s wide-ranging executive order to extend existing federal nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people exceeds the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2020 ruling on the issue in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, said the chairmen of five U.S. bishops’ committees.

In so doing, they said, the Jan. 20 order has implications for religious freedom.

“Every person has a right to gainful employment, education, and basic human services free of unjust discrimination. That right should be protected,” the committee heads said in a joint statement released late Jan. 22 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

However, Biden’s order on “‘sex’ discrimination exceeds the court’s decision,” they said. “It threatens to infringe the rights of people who recognize the truth of sexual difference or who uphold the institution of lifelong marriage between one man and one woman.”

The statement was issued by Cardinal Dolan; Archbishop Coakley; Bishop Michael C. Barber of Oakland, Calif.; Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, La.; and Bishop David A. Konderla of Tulsa, Okla.

President Biden’s order “may manifest in mandates that, for example, erode health-care conscience rights or needed and time-honored sex-specific spaces and activities,” the prelates said, pointing out the high court took care “to note that Bostock did not address its clear implications for religious freedom. (Biden’s) executive order exercises no such caution.”

The USCCB committee chairmen said they were “very grateful for the new administration’s actions on immigration and the climate.”

They also said the president's order "On Advancing Racial Equity" is "nobly aimed at identifying and remedying racism and its impact on society and government." But they raised concerns.

"It is unfortunate that the goal of racial equality is partially conflated with the imposition of new attitudes and false theories on human sexuality, which can produce social harms,” the bishops said. ■

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Diocese of Knoxville staffers retiring from Chancery, Notre Dame HS

B

ishop Richard F. Stika has announced the retirements of two employees who have performed key functions for the Diocese of Knoxville.

Peggy Humphreys, who has served as executive secretary to Bishop Stika since his arrival in the diocese in 2009, announced in early January her retirement, which was effective Jan. 31.

“The retirement of Peggy Humphreys will be a great joy for her as she begins a new moment in her life but a great loss for me and for the diocese. She has been with me for 12-plus years, and I have the utmost respect and affection for her. So often I challenge people to be the face of Jesus to all that we meet, and without a doubt Peggy has lived up to that challenge.

She will still be involved in the diocese. ... She tells me that she would like to be a volunteer with projects that enrich our diocese,” Bishop Stika said.

George Valadie will retire as president of Notre Dame High School at the end of the 2020-21 academic year.

Mr. Valadie

Mrs. Humphreys

Mr. Valadie, a graduate of Notre Dame, has led the Chattanooga school since Bishop Stika appointed him in 2013.

“It is with profound gratitude and appreciation for his service to Notre Dame High School that I have accepted his decision. His leadership, vision, and dedication to the school these past eight years as president have richly blessed the Notre Dame High School community,” Bishop Stika said. “George’s deep faith and his compassion for others have helped to build a cohesive and supportive culture within the school. I pray for his future happiness as he and his wife, Nancy, prepare to embark on this new phase in their life together.” ■

Diocese of Knoxville in compliance with child protection requirements

T

he Diocese of Knoxville is in compliance with data collection requirements for the 2019-20 audit period set forth by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

According to a Dec. 1 letter to Bishop Richard F. Stika from the

USCCB child protection auditors, StoneBridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., the audit has been completed, and a compliance report has been reviewed

by StoneBridge and will be forwarded to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Youth and Child Protection for use in the 2020 Audit Report. ■

Retreat continued from page A10

eotaped the retreat and will produce a version that will posted online, according to Mr. Dee. Mr. Dee expressed gratitude to the Diocese of Nashville and Bishop Spalding for making the event possible “so we can share the Good News with all the world.”

“This is a template for what can be done when you bring incredible Catholic speakers together to show a common vision and a common mission,” Mr. Dee said.

The Knights’ Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation helped recruit speakers for the retreat.

“These guys are doing something extraordinary, taking the call from the Supreme Knight to evangelize and operationalize this in a middle of a pandemic, which is amazing,” Dr. Reyes said of Mr. McCusker, Mr. Dee, and the other retreat organizers.

Dr. Reyes said he is hopeful that leaders in other jurisdictions of the Knights will be inspired to consider something similar. ■

n Patrick Kelly, Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, who spoke on mutual affection.

Bishop Spalding was the final speaker; he spoke on mutual affection strengthened by love.

Several of the speakers made live presentations from the Catholic Pastoral Center in Nashville, while others taped their presentations. The entire retreat was livestreamed over the Internet.

The retreat was open to both Knights of Columbus and nonmembers. More than a dozen councils across Tennessee and other states set up satellite locations to view the retreat online, and others watched the retreat at home, Mr. Dee said.

“We had a tremendous viewership,” Mr. Dee said. He noted there were more than 3,500 visits to the website inviting people to participate in the retreat that included attendees from 43 states and nine countries.

Spirit Juice Studios of Chicago vid-

East Tennessee Catholic Briefs Funeral Mass held for Sr. Mary Thomasetta Mogan, RSM Sister Mary Thomasetta Mogan, RSM, died peacefully on Jan. 21 after a short illness.

Sister Thomasetta, who was a Sister of Mercy for 67 years, died at Mercy Convent in Nashville. She was 90.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helen Mogan; and her siblings, Dr. Edward Mogan, Dr. Joseph Mogan, Catherine Childs, Dr. Thomas Mogan, and John Mogan. She is survived by Sr. Thomasetta her sister, Sister Maris Stella Mogan, RSM; her niece, Cathy Childs Matteson (Michael); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sister Thomasetta held teaching positions in Tennessee and served as a pastoral associate at St. Matthew Church in Franklin. She also ministered to the patients and their families at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville. When she retired, Sister Thomasetta volunteered at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. She also visited the sick and homebound and provided for those in need. She sang in the choir at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. She continued to contribute in a major way to community life at Mercy Convent until two weeks before she died, and she continued to ask about others until she died.

Sister Thomasetta’s commitment to God was reflected by the motto in her ring, “Thy Will Be Done.” Prayer, mercy, and hospitality filled her life, and giving to others describes her life as cheerfulness flowed from her heart.

A private funeral was held at Mercy Convent in Nashville, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Nashville.

St. Cecilia Congregation mourns death of Sr. Mary George Sister Mary George Barrett, O.P., a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville for 71 years, died Jan. 1. She was 91.

Sister Mary George served for more than 40 years as a teacher and principal in Catholic schools in Tennessee, Illinois, Alabama, and Louisiana. She was a teacher at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge from 1989 to 1994. She taught at her alma mater, St. Cecilia Academy, intermittently for 17 years between 1949 and 1989. She also served as local prioress of the Sr. Mary George motherhouse during the years of renovation and expansion.

Sister Mary George was born in Nashville and was the daughter of the late George and Anne Elizabeth Barrett. She graduated from St. Cecilia Academy in 1947 and entered the Dominican Sisters in 1949, making her profession of vows in 1951. She is survived by 11 nieces and nephews and their spouses.

A funeral Mass was offered on Jan. 4 in the chapel of St. Cecilia with many members of the congregation present. Her burial in the convent cemetery immediately followed the funeral Mass.

Funeral Mass held for St. Albert the Great member Ann Schaad A funeral Mass was celebrated for Ann Elizabeth Sudduth Schaad on Dec. 4 at St. Albert the Great Church, with Father Chris Michelson officiating. Mrs. Schaad died peacefully at her home on Nov. 29. She was 90.

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Mrs. Schaad and her husband, John, married in 1950 and spent their married life in Knoxville. They were blessed with eight children, 22 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Schaad was a devoted member and faithfully attended Sacred Heart Cathedral and then St. Albert the Great.

She was an avid tennis player, competing at Knoxville Racquet Club and Cherokee Country Mrs. Schaad Club for more than 40 years. She also was dedicated to and supported local Catholic parishes and schools, Zoo Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee.

Mrs. Schaad is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, John Henry Schaad Jr.; her parents, John Thomas Sudduth and Pauline Bowen Sudduth; and her older brothers, Joseph Sudduth and John T. Sudduth Jr. Mrs. Schaad is survived by her eight beloved children: John H. Schaad III, wife, Barbara, and their children, John IV, Joy Schaad Davis (Mark), and Joy’s children, Kaylee and Adam; Cynthia Schaad Kelley, husband, Matthew, and their children, Matthew (Melissa) and David Kelley (Amy), Matthew’s children, Jackson and Eli, and David’s children, Avery and Caroline; Mary C. “Kitty” Schaad Barber, and her children, Brandon and Ryan Barber; Sharon Schaad Yurkoski and husband, Jeff Yurkoski, of Lexington, Ky., and their children, Sophia, Nicola and Lukas Yurkoski; James S. Schaad, and his daughters, Isabel and Caleigh Schaad; Michael E. Schaad, wife, Lucy, and their sons, McKinley, Harrison, and Lucian Schaad; Patrick J. Schaad, wife, Lisa, and their children, Lindsay, Patrick “PJ,” and Cassidy Schaad; Diane Schaad, and her children, Grant, Lauren, Reece, Alyssa, and Trent Valeriano; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mrs. Schaad was buried at Highland Cemetery. Memorials for her may be made to the St. Albert the Great Building Fund, Zoo Knoxville, or Alzheimer’s Tennessee-East Tennessee Office.

Cathedral funeral Mass celebrated for Dr. John Sullivan Dr. John E. Sullivan Jr., 68, a talented and professionally well-recognized Knoxville endodontist, died unexpectedly on Nov. 24 from severe hypoglycemia.

Dr. Sullivan was born in January 1952 in Memphis and was preceded in death by his parents, John (Jack) and Corinne (Boots) Sullivan, and by his beloved wife for over 38 years, Susie Glenn Sullivan, who died on May 30.

He is survived by his two sons, John (Jack) Sullivan III and Frank Sullivan. He has three grandchildren, Harper, Gaddon, and Weston. Dr. Sullivan is survived by two brothers, Thomas M. Sullivan and David M. Sullivan, Dr. Sullivan and a sister, Mary Daley, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Sullivan graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1978 and began a successful dental practice in Memphis. In 1996, he and his family moved to Chicago, where he enrolled in the Northwestern University dental school’s advanced endodontics program and graduated in 1998. He then practiced in Knoxville for nearly 20 years before retiring in March 2020, when his wife, Susie, became critically ill.

A funeral Mass followed by interment was held at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Dec. 4. Memorials may be made to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Guild at Sacred Heart. ■

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Diocese of Knoxville Annual Financial Report

Years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I would like to begin with words of thanks for all that you have endured during the past year. There’s no question that we’ve all been impacted one way or another by the coronavirus. I pray that you and your loved ones have remained healthy, but unfortunately I also realize that may not be the case.

Whether it’s your health, your employment, or the daily stress you may be experiencing related to civil disorder in the world, please know that I do pray for you—and please remember that we are all living together during these times and united by God’s love. Remember what I say, Jesus, I trust in You! Through all of this, I want you to know that, thanks to your generous and ongoing support, the Diocese of Knoxville remains in good financial shape and remains committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in all that we do.

Like many Catholic dioceses around the country, the coronavirus forced us to adjust quickly and without much experience in matters like this. Fortunately, we were well positioned to meet the challenge. Nearly all of our parishes are now offering Masses via livestreaming and some of our parishes provide catechism online.

Many of our parish websites have been improved to meet your needs and more will follow. These technologies will serve us well into the future when we can once again all gather in worship and fellowship together.

We continue to build the Catholic Church in East Tennessee. In Rutledge, work is underway to build a new church for the St. John Paul II Catholic Mission. A new parish hall is under construction at St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg. These are just two examples of growth during difficult times.

The diocese has a new director of Christian Formation, Sister Maria Juan Anderson, a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Mich. We also have Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, as our new medical director for the St. Mary’s mobile medical clinic, which continues to provide much-needed health care to six underserved and impoverished communities in our diocese.

In 2020 we were blessed that I could ordain two new priests who are now serving in our diocese. We currently have 18 seminarians studying to become future priests and will, God willing, soon provide us with the sacraments. The diocese also has 25 men currently in formation to serve as new deacons beginning in 2022.

Thanks to our administrators and especially to our outstanding teachers, our 10 Catholic schools continue to educate children, both in person and virtually, by providing challenging academic options and rewarding extracurricular outlets.

As you can tell, I am excited by all that we are doing, but I am also excited for the future of our diocese.

Without question, your financial support has been vital to our success and your continued support will be critical in moving ahead.

As your bishop, I remain committed to the good stewardship of all of our resources and I thank you for all that you have done.

Most Reverend Richard F. Stika Bishop of Knoxville

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Use Use of of funds funds$10,184,876 $10,184,876

Sourceof offunds funds$9,675,868 $9,675,868 Source Deposit/loan fund Deposit/loan fund interest income interest$864,708 income 9% $864,708 9%

Promotion of vocations Promotion of vocations $753,457 8% $753,457 8%

Grants $678,731 Grants 7% $678,731 7%

Other income/service fees andincome/service net gain/loss onfees sales Other $854,514 and net gain/loss on sales 9% $854,514

Parish assessments $4,060,187 Parish assessments 42% $4,060,187 42%

9%

Bishop's Appeal $2,871,771 Bishop's 30% Appeal $2,871,771 30%

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Contributions/bequests $345,957 3% Contributions/bequests $345,957 3%

Education $935,353 Education 9% $935,353 9% Cathedral $312,000 Cathedral 3% $312,000

Communications Communications $541,526 $541,526 5% 5% Property Donated to Parish Property Donated to $213,396 Parish 2% $213,396 2%

Diaconate formation $78,770 Diaconate formation 1% $78,770 1%

3%

Catholic Charities grant Catholic Charities $500,000 grant 5% $500,000 5% Religious personnel development/care $1,515,729 Religious personnel 15% development/care $1,515,729 15%

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Diocesan governance/ administration Diocesan governance/ $2,841,775 administration 28% $2,841,775 28%

Pastoral $1,443,324 Pastoral 14% $1,443,324 14% Capital Campaign expense $136,728 Capital Campaign 1% expense $136,728 1%

Deposit/loan fund interest expense $912,818 fund Deposit/loan 9% expense interest $912,818 9%

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Law continued from page A11

the Catholic world, but they were not formally instituted into the ministries.

In 1994, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments confirmed that bishops could permit women to be altar servers.

What is a lector?

A lector is a person who reads Scripture to the congregation at Mass (other than the Gospel, which is only proclaimed by deacons and priests).

Paul VI explained that the lector is “instituted for the office, proper to him, of reading the Word of God in the liturgical assembly.”

“The reader, feeling the responsibility of the office received, should do all he can and make use of the appropriate means to acquire every day more fully the sweet and lively love and the knowledge of Sacred Scripture, in order to become a more perfect disciple of the Lord,” he wrote.

What is an acolyte?

After abolishing the minor orders, Pope Paul VI wrote that an acolyte was a ministry in the Church with the “duty to take care of the service of the altar, to help the deacon and the priest in liturgical actions, especially in the celebration of the Holy Mass.”

Potential responsibilities for an acolyte include distributing holy Communion as an extraordinary minister if such ministers are not present, publicly exposing the Eucharist for adoration in extraordinary circumstances, and “the

instruction of the other faithful, who, on a temporary basis, help the deacon and the priest in liturgical services by carrying the missal, cross, candles, etc.”

Pope Paul VI wrote: “The acolyte, destined in a special way to the service of the altar, learns all those notions concerning divine public worship and strives to understand its intimate and spiritual meaning: in this way he can offer himself, every day, completely to God and be, in the temple, an example to all for his serious and respectful behavior, and also to have a sincere love for the Mystical Body of Christ, or people of God, and especially for the weak and the sick.”

What reasons did Pope Francis give for the changes?

In his apostolic letter, the pope said that a number of Synods of Bishops had “highlighted the need to deepen the subject doctrinally” in light of present-day challenges and the need to support evangelization.

“Accepting these recommendations, a doctrinal development has taken place in recent years which has highlighted how certain ministries instituted by the Church are based on the common condition of being baptized and the regal priesthood received in the sacrament of baptism,” he wrote.

Emphasizing that these ministries were different to ordained ministry, he said: “A consolidated practice in the Latin Church has also confirmed, in

fact, that these lay ministries, since they are based on the sacrament of baptism, may be entrusted to all suitable faithful, whether male or female.”

Does this open the way for women priests?

In his letter to Cardinal Ladaria, Pope Francis reiterated his predecessor St. John Paul II’s statement in the 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women.”

He underlined the distinction between “ordained ministries” and “non-ordained ministries,” explaining that “it is possible, and today it seems appropriate” to open “non-ordained ministries” to both men and women.

He said that the previous reservation of these non-ordained ministries to men had “its own meaning in a certain context but can be rethought in new contexts, always having as their criteria fidelity to the mandate of Christ and the will to live and proclaim the Gospel transmitted by the Apostles and entrusted to the Church.”

Who will oversee the changes?

In Pope Francis’s letter to Cardinal Ladaria, he said that the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments would be responsible for guiding the changes, amending parts of the Roman Missal and the rite of institution of lectors and acolytes where necessary. ■

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nying his change to canon law, highlighted both the symbolic importance of the move — recognizing the equal dignity of baptized men and women — but also how its concrete importance could vary from place to place.

“The choice to confer also to women these offices, which entail stability, public recognition, and a mandate on the part of the bishop, renders more effective in the Church everyone’s participation in the work of evangelization,” the pope said.

Welcoming the pope’s move, the women’s International Union of Superiors General said, “In many places women, and especially consecrated women, fulfill different pastoral min-

istries” in accordance with the guidelines of local bishops. The pope’s document, “with its universal character, is a confirmation of the Church’s path in acknowledging the service ‘of so many women who have cared and continue to care for the service of the Word and the altar,’” the statement said.

Mercy Sister Sharon Euart, who became a canon lawyer with Archbishop Borders’ encouragement, said she thought some people would see the change “as a further recognition of the role of women in the liturgical life of the Church; others may see it as unnecessary or even undesirable.”

However, she said, “I don’t think the change is meant for every girl or

woman who is currently a lector or altar server in her parish. It is likely that there will be some discernment of call, gifts, and suitability for the ministry.”

Phyllis Zagano, an expert on women in the Church, told CNS: “This is the first time the Church has legally affirmed that women can be near the sacred, an important commentary that underscores the Church teaching that all are made in the image and likeness of God. Until now, there has only been a finding in the early 1990s that women were included in ‘all laypersons’ in the canon that allowed a bishop to temporarily allow any layperson to fulfill the ministries of lector and acolyte.” ■

and readers?

Yes, in many parts of the world women serve and read at Mass. But until now they were not officially established in the role with the liturgical rites associated with the ministry of an acolyte or lector. They performed the role “by temporary designation,” under Canon 230 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Why were the roles of lector and acolyte previously reserved to men?

The ministries were traditionally reserved to men because they were associated with what were known as the “minor orders” of priesthood: stages on the way to priestly ordination.

But in 1972, Pope Paul VI intended to abolish the minor orders in the motu proprio Ministeria quaedam. From then on, he said, lector and acolyte should be regarded as ministries, rather than minor orders. When they are conferred, he wrote, it should not be called “ordination,” but rather “institution.”

With the 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law, Church law recognized that “lay persons” — either male or female — could “fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation.” It added that “All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law.”

Women began to take on the functions of lector and acolyte in parts of

mally installed as lectors and acolytes.

When Pope Francis changed canon law to open the ministries to women, he asked the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments to implement the reform by amending the installation rites and connected norms.

Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the congregation, told Catholic News Service Jan. 21 he did not know how long it would take. Once the amendments are completed, it is unclear how many dioceses would move to a widespread, formal installation of lectors and acolytes or how many women would want to be installed.

Pope Francis, in a letter accompa-

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