09.29.89

eanco VOL. 33, NO. 38

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Friday, September 29, 1989

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Pope plans to visit Korea, Indonesia

BISHOP DANIEL A CRONIN of Fall River confers with President Bush during the Catholic Lawyers Guild luncheon. (Photo by Pat Garrity, Boston Pilot)

Bush' advocates right to life in address With eNS news ~eports President Bush challenged a group 1,200 members of the Catholic' Lawyers Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston to "even greater efforts, toward the protection of human life" in a Sept. 23 luncheon at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel.

Invited by Cardinal Bernard F.

1989 Beginning on Page 5 a special section in observance of Respect Life Month

Law to address the group on the occasion of the guild's annual Red Mass, the president reaffirmed his opposition to abortion and called on his audience to work for "equal and exact justice for all...a justice that knows no boundaries of race or sex, income or age."

Except for the abortion issue, Bush avoided controversial tOpiCS to make an appeal for public service and volunteer efforts on behalf of the needy.

"From now on in America," he said; "any definition of a successful life must include service to others."

He encouraged the Catholic lawyers to be advocates for "those unable to speak for themselves" and to "remember the unremembered, protect the unprotected."

"We must," the president continued, "devote special attention to those on the margins, those lacking adequate food or shelter, those addicted or mentally iII, those whose neighborhoods have been decimated by crime."

He commended "Operation Uplift," which originated with lawyers in Minneapolis.

When an attorney represents a client without charge, he said, "the client is asked to do volunteer worK in the nei'ghborhood or community, pledging one hour of service for every hour the attorney spends working on their case.

"It costs nothing and doubles the good done by pro bono efforts" of lawyers, the president said.

But it is not enough to give justice to "those who live in a world of pain, the hungry and the homeless, the haunted and the hurting," Bush

said. "We must also give them hope."

Finally, he urged his audience to "use your talents, your energy and your ,professional resources to affirm the right to life as the, most fundamental freedom."

Even as the president was encouraging efforts to end abortion, some 500 demonstrators, mostly abortion advocates, lined police barricades across from the hotel. The Turn to Page Two

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II is preparing for a return trip to a mission land where lay people were primarily responsible for establishing the Catholic Church; often by spilling their blood for the faith.

Themission land is Asia's Korean peninsula, and the pope plans to visit Seoul, the capital of South Korea, Oct. 6-9 to close the 44th international Eucharistic Congress with a morning Mass and a special peace message.

The pope is also scheduled to meet national delegates to the euch,aristic congress after the Mass.

The theme of the Oct. 5-8 congress is "Christ Our Peace."

Participants from more than 65 countries are scheduled to attend to discuss the relationship of the Eucharist, peace, non-violence and reconciliation.

It will be the pope's second visit to South Korea.

The first was in May 1984 when he highlighted the regi.on's history of lay evangelization 'and martydom by canonizing 103 people kiIIed in 19th-century persecutions.

More than 10,000 Catholics died during the century.

Persecution did not officially stop until 1883 when religious freedom was granted and Korea opened its doors to foreigners.

Today, there are more than 2 million Catholics in South Korea in a total population of41.6 million.

When the pope visits South Korea, he will find "a missioner's paradise," say,two Maryknoll priests with years of service there.

The pope, they said, will find a

church winning large numbers of converts and attracting enough vocations to develop and sustain an indigenous clergy.

Father Michael A. Duggan, who is concluding a term as Maryknoll regional superior iII Korea, and Father Gerard E. Hammond, who succeeds him Oct. I, were interviewed at Maryknoll headquarters last week.

The missioners told CNS that the Korean church has an unusually dedicated and active laity, and has in Cardinal Stephen Sou Hwan Kim of Seoul one of the most admired citizens of the nation.

Pope John Paul will also find a country deeply marked by the "yearning" of every Korean for reunion of South and North, the priests sail They said the social teaching of the church and its role serving as "the voice of the voiceless" were principal factors in drawing new members. Many young people are impressed by the church's message and its contribution to Korean society, they said.

Parish preparations for the eucharistic congress include emphasis on the social dimension of the faith, the priests said, with efforts such as collecting rice for the poor and encouraging blood donations and donations of eyes to an eye bank, actions that many Koreans find difficult.

Father Hammond said the church in Korea does not have an extensive parochial school system, but the laity assume a major share' Turn to Page Two

Life begins 'at conception, judge, rules MARYVILLE, Tenn.(CNS)- Davis, and frozen in liquid nitroSaying that human life begins at gen - to try to become pregnant.

The embryos have been stored in conception, a judge ruled Sept. 21 that seven yozen embryos are child- Knoxville, Tenn., laboratory since ren, not property, and should be last December.

Davis filed for divorce in Febgiven to their mother, Mary Sue Davis, who hopes to carry them to ruary and got a court order barring his wife of nine; years from term.

Blount County Circuit Court using any of the embryos.

In vitro fertilization, which is Judge W. Dale Young, sitting in Maryville, said in a summary of opposed by the Catholic Church, his 50-page ruling that "human is a laboratory procedurejn which the father's sperm fertilizes the embryos are not pt;operty."

"From fertilization the cells of a mother's egg outside her body.

At the Davis' divorce trial in human embryo are differentiated, August, Mrs. Davis and her'lawunique and specialized to the highest degree of distinction," There- yers said the embryos were "pre,fore, he said, "human life begins at . born children" with rights of their own. conception."

Her husband, who was expected Mrs. Davis had sought implan-' to appeal Young's decision, has tation of the embryos - fertilized through the "in vitro" process. by argued that he does not want to be her estranged husband, Junior a father and lias a right to control

his own reproduction. He sued for power over the embryos' use and said he wanted to keep them frozen.

Young had to decide whether the embryos deserved consideration as potential children and who better served the interests of the children, or whether they should be regarded as property and settle the matter as a property dispute.

In his ruling thejudge said, "It is the manifest best interest of the child or children, in vitro, that they be available for implantation." . He awarded Mrs. Davis temporary custody of the embryos "for the purpose of implantation" in her uterus. Young said he reserved the right to make a final deci~ sion on custody, child support and VI~tO

Turn to Page Two

2

.... , The AncRor Friday, Sept. 29, 1989

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Pope , Continued from Page One of the responsibility for religious education of children.

Father Hammond, who has been serving as vicar general of the· Cheong Ju Diocese, said that it now has about 75,000 Catholics, 45 Korean diocesan priests and a major seminarian for every 1,000 members.

Father Hammond and Father Duggan said Korea might soon have enough clergy to supply most of its needs if the situation in the South alone is considered. But if reunion comes and the North is again open to church life, they said, many more clergy will be needed.

The priests said they did not foresee reunification occurring through one single action in the near future, but through a series of small steps extending over a number of years.

They said North Korea had recently come to realize because of its foreign debt and other realities that it could not remain isolated, and had become somewhat more open.

They noted that it has built one Catholic church and one Protest~ ant church in the capital, Pyongyang, although no priest is stationed there.

Father Hammond and Father Duggan said the success of the Korean c.hurch in gaining new members and vocations also brought it serious problems in giving the needed guidance and formation.

Many of the young lay converts are being lost when they find that some traditional parishes fai.! to give vital expression to the social teaching that initially aroused their interest in the church. .

The pope's visit to South Korea is part of an Oct. 7-16 trip that also includes five days of island-hopping in Indonesia aJid politically troubled East Timor, scene of guerrilla fighting and much local opposition to Indonesian rule.

The stop also will give the pope a chance to discuss Catholic-Moslem relations in a country where they are generally good.

Pope John Paul II will get not only an enthusiastic welcome from Catholics in Indonesia, but also openness and respect from the predominantly. Moslem popula-

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Continued from Page One visitation rights when and if child.ren are born as a result of the procedure. .

The judge told reporters his decision, was "very difficult.... On a . scale of r to 10, it was a 10. I have agonized over it."

Richard'Doerflinger, associate director for policy development of the National Conference of Catholi~ Bishops' Office for p'ro-Life Activities, called the ruling "a vic·tory of biological common sense over attempted legaJ obfuscation," . adding that "It is also a victory for both the embryonic .children and the mother· who wli'nts "to carry them to term: .

"Classifying embryonic human life as 'property' would have demeaned the dignity of unborn life as well as the dignity ofthe woman who was convinced she already had the right and responsibilities of parenthood. In this case as in so many others, the pro-life- stance and the pro-woman stance is the same."

. tion,' sai~ .~arykno!l_ missi0'lary Father Wilham P.. Heffernan, who just completed 12 years in the island nation.

"The government is treating this like an official state visit because of the real respect of Indonesians for any international religious leader, whatever his faith," said Father Heffernan. ~e was at Maryknoll headquarters last week preparing f~r a new assignment in the Philippmes. '~This reflects a basic spiritual component in the culture," he said.

Father Heffernan said the Indonesian government also wanted to exhibit a' spirit of religious harmony and welcome the pope as an internationally recognized voice for peace.

Father Heffernan described the predominant Indonesian faith as an Islam poles apart from the fundamentalism of that espoused by the late Ayatollah Khomeini.

Consequently, he said, Catholics and Moslems live in harmony, and practices such as intermarriage and conversion, forbidden in some Islamic societies, are accepted in Indonesia.

Several high government officials, including Defense Minister Benny Murdani, 'are Catholic, Father Heffernan noted.

Indonesia is the world's largest Moslem country in population, with almost 90 percent of the 187.7 million population' professing Islam. However, it is not the state religion and has no special privileges in relation to the other recognized religions. Catholics form about 3 percent of the population.

The final stop on the papal trip is the Indian Ocean country of Mauritius.

Bush

Anti - discrimination bill for disabled gets USC~ support WASHINGTON (CNS) - The now from the natural process of U.S. Catholic Conference has sup- aging," Harkin said. ported a broad anti-discrimination . The bill covers persons with physbill that would affect an estimated Ical or mental disabilities.

43 million disabled Americans.

Harkin cited a Louis Harris poll Known as the Americans with which found that about two-thirds Disabilities Act, the bill has been of disabled American ages 16-64, assigned to four U.S. House com- ,or 8.2 million people, want to m~ttees for review after being passed work but cannot find a job. The by the U.S. Senate Sept. 7 in a poll also reported that 82 percent 73-16 vote. of disabled persons receiving .The bill "will result in fuller par- government benefits would volunticipation of handicapped persons tarily give them up if they could in our society," wrote Father get a full-time job.

Robert N. Lynch, USCC general The bill would prohibitjobdissecretary, in a letter to U.S. Sen. crimination solely on the basis ofa Tom Harkin, R-Iowa, the bill's' disability, and would allow the sponsor. disabled greater access to stores, Father Lynch invoked the U.S. public buildings and transporta. bishops' 1978 pastoral statement tion.

Recalling the civil rights strugon handicapped persons, which said, "It is not enough merely to gle of a past generation, Sen. Howaffirm the rights of handicapped ard M. Metzenbaum, D-Ohio, said, people. We must actively work to "Many decades ago Rosa Parks realize these rights in the fabric of said no to the idea that blacks must sit in the back of the bus. modern society." .

"Right now, many disabled The USCC, Jesuit Social Minispeople cannot even get on the tries and Jesuit Father Joseph R. Hacala, Jesuit Social Ministries' bus."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Dnational director, joined a broad coalition of religious and disabil- . Mass., called discrimination against ity advocacy organizations in sup- the disabled" American apartheid" and said the bill "has the potential port of the bill. to become one of the great civil "Who are these 43 million Amerrights laws of our generation." icans with disabilities?", Harkin Kennedy added, "For too long, asked during Senate floor debate the American way of life has been on the bill. unavailable to the tens of millions "They are our brothers and sis- of Americans who have disabters, our parents and grandpar- ilities." ents, our friends and neighbors, 'Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, our proud veterans, our older citi- noting the bill's support by Presizens who carry themselves with dent Bush, said, "When George dignity, our youth who look to the Bush said he wanted a kinder and future with hope. gentler nation, I think if there is "Those who are non-disabled by ever a bill ... that meets those the conventional definition today needs, that will help to accomplish could be disabled tomorrow by' what the president indicated in his fate of accident - or years frord campaign, it has to be this bill."

Continued from Page One activists marched to the hotel after staging a demonstration at a clinic a few blocks away and arrived' denouncing Bush and Cardinal Law for their opposition to abortion. .

Meanwhile,47 members ofOperation Rescue were arrested for blocking the entrance to the clinic.

ST. LOUIS (CNS) - Catholic poor, an average of 2.9 per hospital. This year, the hospitals listed They faced charges of unlawful hospitals nationwide have increased 1,780 programs for the poor, or both the number of programs for assembly and possible fines.

Protesters supporting self-determ- the poor and number of poor peo- 3.6 per hospital.

On average, the hospitals served ination for the Lebanese and the pie they serve, according to a sur~ rights of the disabled also gathered vey by the Catholic Hospital Asso- . 6,282 poor people. through the outside the hotel. ciation of the United States. programs, compared to 4,518 in The luncheon followed the celeCare of the poor was also tied 1988.

More hospitals reported having bration at the Holy Cross Cathe- forthe top ethical concern of Cathdral ofthe Red Mass, which opens olic hospitals responding to the a marketing program in 1989, from the judicial year. Attendance was CHA survey.

76 percent in 1988 to 86 percent. near .2,000.

Allocation of resources tied with The average budget for marketing programs also rose.

The Mass gets its name from the care to the poor as the most imporThe suryey reported an increase red vestments traditionally· worn tant ethics issue to survey respondby the celebrants. The custom be- ents, with each named by 53 per- . in the percentage of hospitals havgan in 13th-century Europe. cent of the 489 surveys returned . ing an ethicist on staff, from 41 In, his homily, Cardinal Law The next four most important percent in 1988 to 45 percent in 1989. In addition, 82 percent ofthe . encouraged lawyers "to be enlight- issu~s, decreasing order of imporened by your innermost vision. It tance, were termination of treat- reporting hospitals said they had is only with that inner vision with ment, '43 percent; competition, 15 an institutional ethics committee, an inner sense of justice bas~d on percent; patient autonomy and in- compared to 80 percent a year ago. the truth of our lives as human formed consent, 14 percent; and According to the survey, 70 perbeiitgs... that one can...judge rather' treatment of AIDS patients, 1·2 cent of hospital chief executive . the. p'o<;>r with -justic:e to decide . percent. . .. officers were laity, with 30 percent aright for the land's afflicted." . The urgency which surve'y respon- from religious groups. The figures President Bush, who came· to .. dents attached to care of patients last ye.ar were 67 percent laity, 33 .

Boston with his wife Barbara from with AIDS, acquired immune defi- .percent rdigiuus. a weekena in Kennebunkport,.' .cic;n,cysyndrpme,. was a "signifiOf 599 surveys distributed, 489. . Maine, did not attend the Mass, .. cant drop" from 22 percent in last or 82 percent responded . but it was attended by chiefof staff year's survey, the report said, while John Sununu and his wife Nancy,' allocation of resources jumped 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 who are Catholic. from 43 percent in 1988.

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545~20). Second The Sununus attended the lunIn the 1988 survey, hospitals Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass.

Published weekly except the week of July 4 cheon as well. Also present were· reported 1,497 programs for the and the week· after Christmas at 887 HighMassachusetts Governor Michael~ Dukakis, former Governor Edward 1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiJlIIIIIIIIIIJlIllIlIlIIlf; land Avenue. Fall River. Mass. 02720 by King, and Chief Justice Paul Liawith a volume of the New'Catholic the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail postpaid cos ofth~ Supreme Judicial Court.

Encyclopedia, and they then joined $11.00 per year. Postmasters send· address Following the president's adthe assembly in singing "God Bless changes to The Anchor. P.O. Box 7. Fall dress, Cardinal Law presented him America."

River. M A 02722.

Catholic hospitals doing ~ore for nation's poor

Leona O'Corinell

ROSEMARY DUSSAULT, Anchor general manager, stands with Bishop Daniel A. Cronin at a recent reception in her honor held at 81. Mary's parish, New Bedford, where Anchor editor Father John F. Moore is pastor. (McGowan photo)

Mental illness awareness week to be observed Mental Illness Awareness Week will be observed throughout the Fall River area during the first week in October. This year's special emphasis will be on the role of the church in the lives of persons with mental illnesses. Bulletins distributed in over forty area churches this week will bring parishioners a message of hope about people afflicted with these devastating con-

Boston chancellor Boston Cardinal Bernard Law has appointed Gerald T. Reilly as archdiocesan chancellor succeeding Paul Devlin, who in 1986 was the first layman to' be appointed chancellor in a U.S. diocese.

Reilly, 65; is the founder and former president ofthe accounting firm of Gerald T. Reilly & Co., one of the largest independent firms in the Northeast United States, with subsidiary companies in the areas of computer installations and consulting. He retired from the firm in 1987.

The new chancellor has been active in church and comm!1nity affairs, serving as a director of Family Counseling and Guidance Centers and St. Patrick's Manor, Framingham. He is married to the former Joan McSweeney of Roslindale, and is the father of 10 children.

Falmouth Birthright to open Oct. l' A Falmouth office of Birthright, a nonprofit organization offering love, help and understanding to women with problem pregnancies, will hold its grand openingat 161 Spring Qars Road (above the Fashion Barn) from I to 4 p.m.

Sunday. All are welcome.

Further information is available at 457-0680.

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~~'MOSt .'C)f features do not app . week. due to our.sp, Respect Life section~

"m return ne~t w~ek..·

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Tuesday at St. Joseph's Church, North Dighton, for Leona G. (Sherry) O'Connell, who died on Saturday. The Mass was celebrated by her son, Rev. William F. O'Connell, pastor of Holy Name Church, New Bedford and former pastor of St. Joseph, North Dighton, and many concelebrants.

Born in Taunton, Mrs. O'Connell was the wife of the late William H. O'Connell and the daughter of the late John Sherry and the late Mary Jane (Hinkley) Sherry.

Shewasa member ofSt. Joseph's parish, North Dighton and a founding member of the parish Women's Guild. She was also a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Raposa-Knott VFW, Dighton, and the Dighton Senior Citizens.

In addition to Father O'Connell, her survivors are four daughters, Mrs. George (Leona) Scott of Maryland; Rosemary Constantine of Maine; Mrs. Nelson (Shirley) Meunier of North Dighton and Mrs. William (Thelma) Wentworth of Middleboro; two sisters,Priscilia Rooney of Florida and Thelma Sherry of Taunton; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

ditions. The Fall River Area Office of the Department of Mental Health (Corrigan Center) is working with the Alliance For the Mentally III of Greater Fall River to help bring special attention to these The diocesan Office of Family illnesses that touch one of every Ministry, directed by Father four families in the area.

Horace J. Travassos, has sent "There are so many myths and copies of its 1990 marriage prepamisconceptions; we want everyone ration booklet to all parishes and to know the facts about mental diocesan offices. / illness," said Anita B. Pyatt, RN, The booklet contains a letter to President of the local Alliance engaged couples from Bishop chapter. "It is important for peoDaniel A. Cronin, diocesan marple to understand that major menriage guidelines and information tal illnesses, like major physical . on marriage preparation programs. illnesses, have underlying biologiParishes and offices needing cal causes. While few conditions additional copies may contact the can be cured, most respond well to ministry office at 999-6420. treatment with medication." The special place that religious belief Flight . often plays in the healing process is being emphasized by this year's "Sometimes what a man escapes project. to is worse than what he escapes "Despite everything that mod- from." - Lynde ern medicine can do, research shows .

-that faith still plays an important role," said psychologist David S. Weed, Psy. D., director of the Corrigan Center's community education office. "The caring and acceptance that people in religious organSept. 30 izations can provide people exper1963, Rev. John J. Griffin, Pasiencing mental illnesses can make tor, St. Paul, Taunton all the difference in their recovOct. 2 ery." Information about the pro1961, Rev. Joseph E. Sutula, ject is available from the Corrigan Center, 678-2901, or the Alliance, Pastor, St. Casimir, New Bedford 678-9664.

Oct. 6 1916, Rev. Stephen B. Magill, Reversal Assistant, Immaculate Conception, "The life of every man is a diary North Easton 1987, Rev. Roland Brodeur, in which he intends to write one story and writes another." - Barrie Uniondale, New York

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Fri., Sept. 29, 19893

Di'ocese of Fall River -

Mental Health video available Noting that the first week of October is Mental Health Awareness Week, Dr. David Weed at the Corrigan Center, Fall River, has

announced availability of a video and/ or speakers available for parish or other groups. Information is available from him at 678-2901.

SAINT ANNE'S 4th ANNUAL HARVEST FAMILY FESTIVAL Friday, Sept. 29 • 6 - 10 P.M. Saturday, Sept. 30 • 11 A.M. - 10 P.M. Sunday, Oct. 1 • 12 - 9 P.M.

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themoorin~ Operation Rescue One might disagree with its methodology but not its effectiveness in hammering home in the market place its very posit;\ve pro:-life position. Operation Rescue has indeed been a strong catalyst in the present escalation of attention paid to the abortion issue. .

Those who have participated in its actions are committed to public witness to their very strong conviction that abortion is murder.

They have also occasioned a stinging response on the part of the anti-life coalitions that have also taken to the streets in what might be called a death march. .

There can be little doubt that abortion is a political issue and it is likewise obvious that the public will see many more demonstrations before the last fetus is murdered under the false banner of freedom of choice.

Many who share pro-life convictions will never support them in the streets. , Indeed, many wilI not get involved in any fashion, even in the all-important political process that is at the heart of our democracy. In many local elections, less than 50 percent of registered voters go to the polls and even on national issues to have a turnout of more than 70 percent is a rarity.

Many who run for elective office depend on this situatio,n as their assurance of election. As a result, many elected officials are really representatives of a committed minority.

The refusal, usualIy for selfish reasons, of a large segment of eligible voters to get involved in concerns affecting their very survival is no less than appalling.

Such torpor amounts to a millstone around the necks of those working for repeal of anti-life legislation. Somehow, realization of our greatest national disgrace has not yet hit home for far too many.

CNS/UPI-Reuters photo For example, many question involvement of senior citizens TINA AND THERESA ARE EAST GERMAN REFUGEES in the pro-life struggle, contending that it is a problem affecting only those of childbearing age. Few seem to realize that "Whoever welcomes' a child such as this for my sake pro-life means respect for all life, and that if abortion on welcomes me." Mark 9:36 demand remains a national policy that euthanasia is sure to follow, also sanctioned by law.

Pro-life and "respect life" activities are for everyone, regardless of age or circumstances, who believes that God is the giver of life and that every human being is made in his image and

By Father Kevin J. Harrington , justice during his term of office. washbasins in state legislatures likeness from the moment of conception. This belief is really The people voted for him with full throughout the United States have The latitude to regulate abornot a matter of choice; try, for instance, to convince a.terminknowledge that he would be more a line of Pontius Pilates waiting to tions recently granted states by the alIy ill cancer patient .that he or she is master of the disease. likely to appoint justices sympa- wash the blood from their hands!

Supreme COl,!rt ushered in a cruThe pro-life movement is hampered by the apathy of the' cial period in American politics. thetic to the pro-life movement A pluralistic society encourages than would have Governor Michael openness to a seemingly endless millions who believe that life is a sacred gift and must be Public opinion is still very dividvariety of moral viewpoints and protected from destroyers, but who do nothing about their ed whether or not women should Dukakis.

However, the Congress will see tends to produce morally uninhave access to abortion. Not sur.' belief. prisingly, politicians have been to it that any Bush appointee with volved citizens.

From concentration camps to abortion clinics, we have pro-life leanings will be given a diftimid in declaring their convictions Throughout the 1988 presidenwitnessed legalized death. The Holocaust was horrendous ficult time during confirmation tial campaign, Dukakis asserted on the matter. beyond words, but it continues today on clinic tables in every We are all too familiar with the hearings. What many Americans that a vote for Bush was a vote politicians who aver their personal seem to have forgotten is that an against a woman's right of concity and town. We must open our eyes and condemn the taking opposition to abortion but aTe overwhelming majority of citizens science on the abortion issue. of innocent life. equally reticent to impose their have supported pro-life candidates It is a sign of our times that the To this end, Operation Rescue is to be congratulated in values upon their constituents. during the last three presidential word "conscience" can be so readhelping to thrust the abortion issue into the headlines. It has Ironicaly, these same politicians elections. ily perverted. The Second Vatican Clearly, the days of hiding behind Council warned in its decree on been a most effective tool in focusing on the integrity and seldom hesitate to boast that they will adhere to their convictions the robes of the Supreme Court religious liberty of a false freedom honesty of those who profit from the abor:tion trade. Its whether or not they alienate their Justices are over. Politicians must which was an excuse for license methodology may be open to question; never its moral declare their stand on abortion. and of the 'necessity of having a constituents. constancy.

I Pro-lifers are fighting a losing Too many politicians have attemp- properly formed conscience.

The- time for mere words is long gone. One of Operation , battle until they can convince the ted to avoid the issue. Indeed. .Classically, conscience has referrRescue's achievements has been to prove that actions speak electorate that defense of the uned to uncomfortable moral demands made on the individual. St. born is not solely a religious issue louder than words and are indeed more effective.

Life: a mere consumer

The Editor

the

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but equally one of civil rights.

Former president Jimmy Carter, hardly a pro-life ally, outraged pro:choice advocates when he refused to support legislation to lise federal funds to pay for abortions. He reasoned that there should be as much efCort to make lifesaving means available to the.poor as there was to provide abortions. . Carter was not imposing his religiolis beliefs on the nation but was making a decision about how best to use available resources to 'meet the needs of the poor.

President George Bush has made it clear that he is a convert to the pro-life movement. He is likely to appoint at least one Supreme Court

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Mother ofCompassio.n

o Holy Virgin, in the midst ofyour.glory, we as" you not to forget the sorrows a/this world; Show'a mother's compassion toward the sorrowful and those who tremble under life's afflictions. Give us hope and peace. A men.

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Thomas More and the Nazi resisters come readily to mind. Today conscience seems all too often confused with that internal faculty which assures people that they are right in doing what they wish to do! , Abortions have surpassed tonsillectomies as the most common operation in America because the false freedom of convenience has replaced the true freedom of responsibility. When our sexuality is'noionger an expression of love but of lust, then its product is all too apt to be judged upon its convenience or inconvenience. Soon, one fears, life will be evaluated like any other consumer good.

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Abortion: A Crisis

By Very Rev. Pierre E. Lachance, OP Abortion is almost as old as man. A historical perspective on abortion and the laws men have made. to regulate it can help us assess the significance of today's crisis in America. In fact, the attitude people have taken in the course of history with respect to abortion is intimately related to the degree of civilization in a given society.

What indeed is civilization if not the ascent of man from barbarism to "humanity," from the domination of instincts to that of reason, from the philosophy of"might is right" to that of freedom and equality for all and respect for the dignity of every person.

The history of abortion in custom and law forces us to reflect not only on the past but also on the course we seem to have adopted for the future of man and civilization.

Abortion history begins,

generally speaking, with a total absence of legal and moral restraints. Then for 2000 years we saw Western society, under the predominant influence of Christianity, recognizing basic human rights for all, including the unborn, and repudiating abortion.

Finally, in our sophisticated 20th century, we witness an ominous return to the primitive practice of total domination of the powerful over the weak, of the mother over her unborn child; in other words, a barbaric rejection of the fruit of man's evolving conscience.

Abortion in Ancient Days In the Middle East, laws protecting the unborn were found long before the Christian era.

Ancient codes, from the Sumerian (2000 B.C.) to the Persian (600 B.C.), prohibit the striking of a woman so as to cause the death of her unborn child, sometimes under the penalty of death.

of, Civilization

Traditional Jewish law, until recent centuries, has consistently

VERY REV. Pierre E. Lachance, OP, is prior and .archivist of the Dominican community at St. Anne's parish, Fall River. repudiated abortion, although making allowance for situations

where the life or health of the mother were in seriolis danger.

The Talmud mentions abortion only once, to declare that the life of the mother, if in danger, comes before that of the child in the womb, but ifthe head of the child is delivered, one may not touch it: "One may not set aside one person's life for the sake of another."

Both Greek and Roman societies seemed hostile to laws restricting abortion. The Greek philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, advocated rather than prohibited abortion, mostly for eugenic reasons.

-On the other hand, Greek medical circles affirmed a high . respect for life. The famous' Oath of Hippocrates (460-357 B.C.) has exerted a profound influence throughout the ages with its pledge: "I will not give a woman an abortifacient pessary."

In general, the Romans were callous about human life. Peo-

pie who enjoyed gladiatorial combats and other forms of violent entertainment were not likely to be offended by the destruction of a baby in the womb.

Moreover, the father, as head of the family, the "paterfamilias," had practically all rights over the members of his family, including the power of life and death. Nevertheless, during the reign of Augustus Caesar (27-9 B. C.) and afterwards, laws were passed prohibiting abortion, not out of concern for the child, but out of consideration for the mother's health, the father's right to have children, and the rights of the. state to have citizens.

Christianity and Abortion Whatever laws existed in the Greco-Roman world restricting abortion were quite ineffective but what they were unable to accomplish, religion achieved.

With the passage of time, attitudes changed and the conSC7 Turn to Page Six

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Abortion: A Crisis of Ci"ilization Continued from Page Five ience of the community developed concern for the life of the unborn.

Laws reflecting this concern eventu~lly followed. Indeed, an unprecedented reverence for human life from womb··to tomb is one of·the most outstanding contributions of Christianity to Western civilization.

No more than the Old Testament does the New Testament explicitly oppose abortion. The impact of Christianity on abortion derives rather from the new sense of human dignity and reverence for life it generated. For one thing, Christians believe that the Son of God became man in the womb of the Virgin Mary and that human life has an eternal destiny, hence its transcendent value.

Also, the supreme commandment of charity, as proclaimed in

the Gospel, extends to all men, that every human being, including young and old, friend 'and foe. the child in the womb, receives its This commandment gains another right to life directly from Gad. dimension in the unborn Christ, No reason whatever can justify whom Elizabeth, "under the inspi- the deliberate and direct destrucration of the Holy Spirit," pro- tion of an innocent human life. claimed blessed. (Luke 1:42) The same pontiff, seeking to Christian writers, from the first century on, explicitly condemned dispel a common error, declared abortion. The author of the "Did- emphatically that the Church had acher," writing around 80-100 never taught that the life of the A. D., states: "You shall not slay child must be preferred to the life the -child by abortion." Consist- of the mother; that neither life can ently, down through the centuries, be subjected to an act of direct the Father of the Church and the suppression. Vatican Council II Church councils speak of abortion reiterated in 1965 the Church's as a grievous sin against God, the absolute prohibition of abortion, establishing as a fundamental prin~ author of life.

The teaching of the Catholic ciple the reverence for all human Church has been unswerving to life.

The Catholic Church's positio'n this day. Pope F'ius XII told a group of Italian midwives in 1951 that the fetus is to be protected that the unborn child is a human . from the moment of conception being in the same degree and by has been given powerful support the same title as its' mother; and in recent times by the remarkable

"We do not see why the state's interest in protecting human life should come into existence only at the point of viability... " Chief Justice William Rehnquist July 3, 1989

findings of the sciences of genetics, tect the health of the mother. One biology and fetology. state had a rape.provision.

It is no longer a matter of opinIn 1967, largely as a result of a ion or theory, but a scientific fact powerful pro-abortion movement, that human life begins at concep- one state after another liberalized tion. The primitive cell formed by its abortion laws, until finally all the union of the mother's ovum legal restraints broke down when and the father's sperm has its own the Supreme Court handed down inner principles of life and growth, its fateful Roe V. Wade ruling on and its own "genetic code," differ- January 22, 1973. ent from that of either parents.

A crisis of conscience broke out This code is like a programmed across the land that stunned the computer in that it contains all the Supreme Court Justices themselves. instructions that will direct the Among the high points of this hisgrowth and development of that toric ruling: (I) the unborn is not a initial cell before and after birth, legal person, therefore it has no and until that ind'ividual dies. constitutional right, not even to All the fetus requires of its life; (2) the mother is given the somother is food and shelter. It is called "right to privacy," meaning otherwise fully autonomous and that she can dispose of the fetus as in no sense a part of its mother. It if it were a piece of poverty. Like is a distinct human being. the Roman "paterfamilias" she Abortion in American Law has the power of life and death American law originally followed over the child she carries; (3) the the British common law,and Eng- . ruling ·of the Supreme Court hind, for centuries a Catholic coun- amounted to legalizing abortion try, had laws in general harmony on demand. with the rest of the Christian world.

In the light ofthe progress ofthe The destruction of a fetus was pun- human conscience over the past ished as homicide. two millennia, as evidenced by a In 1929, however, Infant Life growing reverence for human life (Preservation) Act introduced for and the dignity of all men, the the first time in English statutory sudden collapse of these cherished law ajustification for abortion "to values appears to us as a major' preserve the life of the mother," catastrophe in the history of something the common law did civilization. allow in earlier times if a mother's It also strikes us that the posilife were seriously endangered. tions on abortion, sanctioned by From 1938 on, more exceptions the highest court of our land, are were made to the abortion ban in fact reactionary and regressive. until finally the Abortion Act of They represent a return to a primi1968 ushered in radicalliberaliza- tive stage of civilization, under the tion. The net effect: a skyrocketing guise of liberalism and liberation. of legalized abortion.

When for the first time in hisIn the United States, until the tory we know as a scientific fact first abortion statute was enacted that human life exists from the . by the Connecticut legislature in moment of conception and is com1821, abortion was a punishable pletely autonomous and distinct crime. In the 1960s, a heated con- from its parents, how incredible troversy developed over legalized becomes the demand for the right abortion. Before 1967, the grounds of the mother to "do what I want justifying it were very restricted. with my' own body"!

The life of the mother was the only Is this not the same despetic one accepted in all 5Q states. Two power the Roman "paterfamilies" states permitted abortion to pre- wielded over his children, born or vent serious and permanent bodily unborn? Alas, history has come injury to the mother; three, to pro- full circle.

Life begins at fertilization.

And, on July 3, the Supreme Court returned to individual states a limited right to protect preborn human life.

You can help stop the slaughter in your state by telling your governor and state legislators how you feel about abortion.

Answer the Census in the next issue of this publication.

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The debate over-life vs. death

By Helen

Alv.r~

Since the 1970s when termination of treatment controversies began to figure prominently in the public forum, there has been considerable movement in American courts in the direction of absoluiizing individuals"'right"to decide the time and manner oftheir deaths.

Movement is occurring in every direction. No longer does the debate primarily concern traditionally extraordinary medical treatment; it now focuses on the daily stuff of life: food and water. The affected patients arc no longerjust terminally ill individuals, but persons diagnosed as persistently vegetative. or eveD permanently but not terminaUy ill or disabled. ___OpiOLQOU!Q !Qo1!er e11!PM_"_"'1y the buzzwords "right to death with dignity" but speak more militantly of a "right to die."

Finally, the inherent difficulties and ambig\lities of termination of treatment situations are compounded by courts' decisions to permit representatives acting for patients to render critical decisions when the patients are unable to do so.

One of the most significant aspects of this legal trend is the widespread reliance on Roe v. Wade for precedent on the federal constitutional "right of privacy. " N 01 only. does this usage affect future lawsuits and limit efforts to legislate on termination of treatment, but it also contributes to shaping the values associated with its practice.

Although a right of privacy is nowhere explicitly mentioned in the United States Constitution, recognition of a right of privacy was developed by the United States Supreme Court in a long line of cases beginning in 1886 with Boyd v. United States. which dealt with protecting a person's ""home and the privacies o~)ife." Later Su-

preme Court decisions recognized that persons enjoy privacy rights in connection with decisions. such as where to educate theit children, whom to marry and religious preferences.

Finally, in Griswold v. Connec·ticu!. which involved the right of married couples to obtain birth control chemicals and devices. the Court explicitly located a federal constitutional right of privacy in something called the "penumbras" of the Bill of Rights, "formed by emanations from those guarantees that help give them life and substance. "In 1972, the Court recognized the same right for unmarried individuals.

In Roe v. Wade. the Court held that the ""federal constitutional righrofprivacy is1>road enouglrnrencompass a woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy."

Dozens of state court decisions and at least one federal court decision have upheld petitioners' requests to withdraw or withhold food and water from seriously ill patients. Many of these decisions have relied on a constitutional right of privacy, holding that this right includes an individual's right to be allowed to die under the particular circumstances before the co-urt; . Reliance on the privacy right has grown up right alongside courts' collateral reliance on other decisional grounds such as the common law or state constitutions.

In fact, in the very first termination of treatment case of note. In re Quinlan the New Jersey Supreme Court relied on Roe in the worst possible way. by citing it and concluding summarily that: "Presumably this [privacy] right is broad enough to encompass a person's decision to decline medical treatment under certain circumstances, in much the same way as it is broad enough to encompass a woman'5

decision to terminate pregnancy under certain conditions." One might well ask "why" as to both these conclusions but the court did not bother.

The case of Brophyv. New England Sinai Hospital. Inc. illustrates the manner in which courts identify and employ the right of privacy in termination of treatment cases. First. stated the Massachusetts Supreme Court, both the common law and the "unwritten and penumbral constitutional right to privacy"protecta person's right to make his or her "decision to accept or reject treatment. whether that decision is wise or unwise."

Then the court noted this principle's broad acceptance by "the courts of this nation." The court supporttd this rationale with the utilitarian philosophy of John Stuart Mill, quoting: [nhe only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised (sic) community. against his will, is to prevent harm to others.... He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him hap. pier. [or] because in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right.

(At the end of the paragraph from which this court quoted, Mill opines: "Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign:' Finally. in applying the privacy doctrine, the court announced that it would shift from a ""paternalistic"attempt to determine what was "best" for Mr. Brophy. and act in accordance with his will. whether he was at the time competent or incompetent.

Unlike Brophy. many cases do not even enter into a full discussion of the privacy rationale but

THE ANCHOR ~ Diocese of Fall River merely rely on Quinlan, Roe v.

Wade, or the sheer number of prior consistent decisions. One ex· ception to this trend is the recent Missouri Supreme Court decision in Cruzan v. Harmon where the court recognized the cursory attention often afforded the privacy

Fri., Sept. 29, 19897

Question in court decisions and concluded: Unfortunately, the bare statement [made in termination cases] that the right of privacy extends to treatment decisions Tum to Page 10

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The debate over/life vs.death are problematic primarily because iably folio" tbis buildup with the death is that it shields the right they incorporate into law some - conclusion :hat when the patient is from a wide variety of -legislative practices that derogate the value no longer Cilpable of autonomous attempts to tamper with it. Thus, of human life, particularly with life, he or slle would obviously no after enough judges have reached regard to human life in commUD- longer desire to live. consistent results about persons' Tbe Problem ity. While praising the value of This is l subtle and perhaps "right" to terminate medical treatCases locating an affirmative human life, particularly insofar as unconsciolB way of labeling life as ment or sustenance. the practiCe of "right to die" within the federal it grounds the living human's free worthless because it is unproduc- termination will be carried on from [W]e carry grave doubts as to . constitutional Ueight of privacy?l will to decide, judges almost invar- tive, costly. and unattractive. The day to day without further guidcases often proceed by claiming to ance or restraint from the judi. divine a person's desires but not ciary or the legislature. his or her test interests. But what is often being subjectively adjudiOne Respo.... cated is the value of an impaired Christians ground the inherent life to family and/or society. This dignity of human beings in the fact -is evident, too, from a comparison that God created them in his image with cases in which unimpaired and Hkeness and sustains them persons have attempted to starve throughout their lives. themseJvesto death, for the courts Human life is the basis of all have almost always refused to pergoods. a:nd is the necessary mit this. source and condition of every 1ft the oases·eJ'1n ",.caulk and activity amd oI'aII society,~Most Von Holden v. Chapman, courts people regard life as somehave refused to allow otherwise thing sacred and hold that no healthy prisoners to starve themone may dispose of it at will, selves on the grounds ofthe states' but believers see in life someinterest in preserving life. thing greater, namely, a gift of The prectSe ways in which courts' God's love, which they are discovery (If a "right to die" within called upon to preserve and tbe "right of privacy" effectively make fruitful. devalues life can be examined with The duty to care for life, to act respect to social and moral values. as its steward, refers to all life, our as well as legal values. With respect own as well as others. Thus. we are to social and moral values: Label- not at liberty to dispose of our ing the right to decide the time lives or the lives of others but are andj or manner ofone's own death_ called to aeet as stewards of God's as a right of "privacy" effectively· creation. As the Second Vatican declares that the death and dying Council, in Gaudium et spes. of any individual is a purely pri- explained: vate occurence. It fails to acknowl[E]veryo>ne should look upon edge the relationship that each his neighbor (without any experson's death and dying bears to ception) as another self, bearGod, to his or her family, orto the ing in mind above all his life community. and the means necessary for Since it is impossible to reflect Hving it lin a dignified way lest upon the meaning of death and he follow the example of the dying without at the same time rich mam who ignored Lazamaking some statement about the rus the poor man. meaning of life. use of the privacy This does not mean there are no rationale also has the effect of situations in which. because of the characterizing each person merely proportioru of benefits and burdens, as a bundle of righls, a subject of it is appro,priate to cease medical personal autonomy without any treatment for a terminally ill interest in or responsibility to ath· patient. BUlt the civil law has moved ers. It ignores each person's re- very far a way from even a basic sponsibility to act as a steward of affirmation of the stewardship the life God has bestowed. principle.

From a legal perspective, when Cpurts' regular application of a the right to do or not to do some- personal autonomy rationale igthing is grounded in the federal nores stewardship and assures constitution, it is considered .a society that only personal benefit ufundamental" right and may not is the nece~ssary and proper end of be limited or abrogated save by any aCliom. The logical effects of interests which courts recognize as ignoring stewardship responsibili"compelling." Only a limited num- ties are becoming apparent: by ber of interests caD meet this elevating personal autonomy over standard. almost all other values and inter· In this context, "non-persona)" ests, court~s have devalued the lives rights are either considered irrele- of those who cannot exercise plevant or accorded little weight. This nary autolnomy due to some imhas been borne out in termination pairment, and have placed disproof treatment cases where the rec- portionate value upon the "auognized interests are the state's -tonomous," decision to end one's (and therefore the community's) life. interests in preserving life. protect· As Chri:stians called to steward· ing the lives of third parties (usu- ship, we ,affirm Iwih individuar ally children), preventing suicide, freedom and the common good, and protecting the integrity of the fully aware that these principles medical profession. In actual prac- necessarily exist in tension. In aptice, rarel)!: is anyone of these four propriate ~situations, we must fur"oompelling" interests (save third ther point to more fitting ways to party interests) deenled suffioiently care for t\nose who are dying. compelling to overcome a person's In a particular case, for examdesire to terminate treatment or ple, we Dllight point out that the feeding. The value of personal patient is really seeking an outautonomy is rated higher than the pouring otfh,uman care and consocommunity's interest in preserving lation. The ....solution~ is not to life, the patient's desire to end his hasten the person's death but to or her undesirable life is not deemed help alleviiate his or her pain,and suicide, and medical organizations' provide tlhe person with all the favorable opinion of the practice human warmth and care we possieofterminating burdensome or non- bly can.

500 SLOCUM ROAD, NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02747 cognitive lives silences the state's Related to the principle of stewconcerns for the integrity of their ardship is the communitarian char~ profession. acter of human life. The Church The most important policy con- ·has givem unique expression and sequence of according constitu· T1\lm to Page II tional status to a right to choose Continued from Page Seven is seldom accompanied by any reasoned analysis as to the scope of that right or its application to the refusal of Hfesustaining treatment.

the applicability of privacy rights to decisions to termi~ nate the provision of food and water to incompetent patients.

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The debate over life vS'. death Continued from Page 10 content to this by recognizing that God has called us to salvation as a "people," as the new People of God. The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (citing Lumen Gentium. 9) reminds us: Just as God did not create men to live as individuals but to come together in the formation of social unity , so he' willed to make men holy and save them, not as individuals without any bond or link between them, but rather to make them into a people who might acknowledge him and serve him in holiness.

This echoes St. Paul's famous image of the Chri'stian community as "one body. •..·For as in one body we have many parts ... so we .. _ are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another" (Romans 12:4-5). Jesus represents the perfection of this "communitarian character" in his meal fellowship, and in his daily ministry wherein he "sanctified those human ties. above all family ties, which are the basis of social structures" (Gaudium et Spes. 32). . In contemporary society. however - from which courts draw and which they form at the same time - the prevailing ethic leans precipitously toward utilitarianism as expressed in the slogan: "In the [conduct] which merely concerns himself, [man's] independence is, of right. absolute."

The emphasis here is on the individual as a locus of all rights.

One can legitimately inquire.about a person's actions only insofar as they are perceived to affect others.

In fact, one person's decision to terminate treatment does affect others, but so long as the courts do not perceive this. their application of utilitarianism prevents communitarian values from competing with the value of personal autonomy.

As Christians. we believe that there is a better model for conceptualizing relationships between persons. It is based on the principle of stewardship and considers individuals as they relate to God and other persons. Mark's gospel tells us that Jesus commanded us to "love our neighbors even as we love ourselves."

Is this just a utopian teaching with no potential for effecting good in our world or might it make a real difference? It is a challenge for Catholics to articulate the possibilities. On the one hand. the gospel will always be a "stumbling

block" (I Cor. I:23). appearing to . pursue his or her goals while still many as naive and impossible to working towards the good of the effect. whole family.

This could be a valuable model On the other hand, people of all faiths as well as those who profess to guide our efforts to promote no religious beliefs, have observed stewardship and life in community even from a purely rational point in the debate over termination of of view that mutual charity tends treatment. It illuminates how peoto foster a better society and a bet- ple can view one another not as ter life for each member. threatening limits of freedom but In 1948, for example. almost all as the very sources of freedom. It the countries of the world sup- reflects the gospel. values of stewported the United Nations' Uni- ardship and communitarian life, versal Declaration of Human but uses secular examples that Rights which begins with the state- judges and lawmakers might unment: All human beings are born derstand and accept. It shows that free and equal in dignity and rights. persons can act for their own and They are endowed with reason and for one another's benefit. conscience and should act towards The sick and dying need not one another in a spirit of brother- jealously guard and militantly prohood. mote their "right to die," nor do patients' families and communiIn the face of the threats to human life and dignity posed by ties need to rail against patients' current termination of treatment legitimate personal autonomy cases - particularly their privatiz- rights to refuse extraordinary means of preserving life. None act ing of life and death decisionto deprive persons of freedom; making - Christians should build upon the existing consensus for each acts for the common good. solidarity with their own unique contribution.

Prophetic speech about the inherent value of human life and its relation to community is much needed. But how is this possible in Sales and Se~vice _ ___A ~ a country where the majority of for Domestic ~J:f state courts are so willing to absoand Industrial -= lutize individual rights even when 995-1631 their 'object is the death of a per2283 ACUSHNET AVENUE son? How can Christians promote NEW BEDFORD gospel values in a secular society? . Theologian Walter Kasper sug-' gests a model whereby one might demonstrate the value of both autonomy and community to persons wh,o do not accept or understand· the Christian tradition as such. His "representative" model proposes that individuals view one GENERAL CONTRACTORS another not as limitations to per55 Highland Avenue sonal freedom but as the ground Fall River, MA 02720 and goal offreedom. He uses as an example social contracts, such as 678·5201 the United States Constitution.

Persons formulating any social contract realize that for any individual to exercise a right in society. the actions of all must be limited in some way. If there existed no agreed-upon limits and all were free to act as they wished, there would be no true freedom, only chaos.

Individuals remedy this by drafting 'social contracts that contain limits, But within this context, those limits actually secure freedom, thus maintaining the rightful balance between autonomy and the common good. This dynamic applies also to less formal social groups such as the family, where. by mutual agreement even if only implicit, each person is enabled to

LEMIEUX

Together we can work for solutrons that maximize the patient's dignity (including eliminating or minimizing pain) with full recognition that the way we treat the patient - humanly or inhumanly - both reflects and constitutes society.

Helen Alvan! is an attorney with

+++++++++++++++++++++.+

T

The work of His hands

the United States Catholic Conference, Washington, D.C. She holds a masters' degree in theology from The Catholic University of America.

Reprinted from Respect Life1989, © 1989 by the United States Catholic Conference, Washington, D.C. AU rights reserved.

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HCaring With Christ"

Elizabeth J. Novacek L.P.N. President eNS photo

Who is to say who shall live and who shall die?

Rev. Edmund J. Fitzgerald Moderator

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RESPECT

What Can I Do? Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the issue and feel helpless to do .anything about it. Or perhaps we are just reluctant to get involved. "After all," we think, "what can I do?" And so often we do nothing.

But the Gospel message challenges us. Not only must we take actiori when faced with human need, but as the parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us, there are helpful things each of us can do.

What we do does not have to be dramatic. There are many opportunities to express personal concern in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. Here are some ways:

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• Become informed. Follow the public debate. Request information from local and national pro-life organizations..

• Communicate your information and concern to others. Discuss the issue with family, friends, and neighbors. Talk with your children and other young people who are victimized by pro-abortion propaganda in the media.

• Become involved in community programs that foster respect for human life. Volunteer your time and money to worthy efforts.

• Write your representatives to ask their support for pro-life legislation or to thank them for such support. .

• Join or f~rm a Respect Life Committee in your parish or school. .• Pray that all human life will be respected and protected. Be mindful of the words ofSt. Paul: "In him who is the source of my strength, I have strength for everything" (Phil. 4: 13).

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Responsibility is more than just duty. It's the ability to respond to need.

To know that every person has a right to life t4at precedes and surpasses all other rights, a right upon which all other rights rest. To be willing to protect that right at the risk of inconvenience or loss. Responsibility challenges each of us. It preserves our past and guarantees our future. It is the essence of life.

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PRO-LIFE APOSTOLATE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

Rev. Thomas L. Rita Diocesan Director 385 Central Avenue Seekonk, MA 02771

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Bishop thankful for lives spared in hurricane COLUMBIA, S.c. (CNS) knee-deep water on its first floor.

Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler of But patients had been moved higher Charleston, thankful that more before the hurricane hit. lives were not lost as Hurricane A baby was born at the hospital Hugo flailed South Carolina, said during the storm. he "never dreamed we would have The hospital's emergency electhis much damage to churches, trical generator was working, but schools and convents." there was no water. Patients began The bishop, who made a prelim- arriving in the emergency room inary survey of areas damaged by after sustaining injuries from using the hurricane, moved to the Co- gas-powered tools in clean-up eflumbia area from diocesan offices forts and after drinking unsafe in Charleston so that he could water. coordinate activities within the Disaster planning "was followed Charleston Diocese, which covers toa T,"said hospital spokeswoman the entire state.

Shirley D. Trainor. "We couldn't,' Bishop Unterkoefler went to Co- have done better if we had relumbia, about 120 miles north- hearsed it each day, to days in west, because communications advance." were nearly cut off in Charleston.

The Cathedral of St. John the Electrical service was not expected Baptist had some roof damage and to be restored for weeks. there was some water damage in "I'm getting more information the upper church. The lower church "in the last 24 hours than in two had been sandbagged to limit flood days in Charleston," the bishop damage, which seemed to work. told The Catholic Banner, the The chancery building sustained diocesan newspaper, which is pub- some damage to its facade and the lished in Columbia. door to the bishop's office was Coastal South Carolina was smashed. ' hardest hit by Hugo after the hurWind brought down the two ricane ravaged Caribbean islands, chimneys at the bishop's residence. including the U.S. territories of One room was covered with glass, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. and a tree crashed through a back Over the six days of its rampage, window, landing on the staircase.

Hugo killed 27 persons in the Bishop Unterkoefler, who was Caribbean and another 24 in South home during the hurricane, said and North Carolina, Virginia and that because of the broken winNew York. dows, wind "was whistling through , Only two of South Carolina's there like an alley. The big statue deaths were in Charleston; offi- , of the Blessed Mother was split to cials credited evacuation there with smithereens. " the low number of deaths.

It was "God and me" for six "I'm tremendously impressed hours, the bishop said. "Everyand grateful for the community thing was .movingand rocking." spirit between Catholics and nonOther church-owned facilities in Catholics helping one another," Charleston that sus.tained damage Bi!!hop Unterkoefler said. Some included a Catholic Charities-run 77,000 Catholics make up but 2 shelter in the inner city, a home for percent of the state's population. w9men, and a convent whose roof "The Charleston Catholic comwas stripped off. munity is grateful to the Columbia The twin steeples of Blessed Catholic community for bringing Sacrament, church were found in plywood and all kinds of supplies the highway in front ofthe building. necessary for working on (damStella Maris Church, only yards aged) buildings," he said. from the Atlantic Ocean on SulliUntil insurance investigators van Island, was cut off from the make their assessment he would mainland when a bridge was damnot know the extent of the dam- aged. But the church may have age, but the bishop said "the dam- withstood the hurricane. _ age is going to be in the millions. " "The lady still stands," said Bishop Unterkoefler celebrated Father Lawrence McInery, after Mass at St. Joseph Church in viewing the statue of the Blessed Columbia, and in his homily spoke Virgin atop the church's gold'en of prayer and compared sin to dome, which is used as a landmark hurricane. by ship navigators.

"Prayer is like a communication Hugo did not follow the coastal system," he said. "This shows what path as predicted so that many happens when the prayer-line goes evacuees who fled inland found down." themselves in its midst.

He reported that Msgr. Charles 'Such was the case for the Sisters H. Rowland, vicar general and of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy rector of the cathedral parish, had at their motherhouse on James Island visited 17 shelters in Charleston in Charleston. They evacuated as after the hurricane passed through. advised by governmental officials The hurricane hit Charleston to Sumter, about 45'miles east and with winds at 135 miles per hour. south of Columbia, where Hugo Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., a arrived unexpectedly. member ofSt. Mary Parish, said Reports from th~ Charlotte, his city had sustained "the greatest destruction in living memory."

St. Francis Xavier Hospital had

N.C., area were sketchy, although damage was estimated at more than $300 million.

Hardesthit.in Charlotte was St. Patrick' Cathedral. A tree feU through the roof of the sanctuary, smashing a stained-glass window of the Annunciation that measured 8 feet by 20 feet.

Hugo, downgraded-to a tropical storm by the time it moved into North Carolina, also did damage to at least seven churches or church buildings in Charlotte.

In Atlanta, Archbishop Eugene A. Marino appealed for assistance for victims of the hurricane.

"Funds raised from this appeal will be used primarily to assist those victims in the Atlanta (church) province, specifically in the dioceses of Charleston and Charlotte," he said.

Coordinaiing will be the disaster relief services in those dioceses, said Archbishop Marino, who also calle'd for prayer by clergy and the faithful.

Contributions can be sent to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Charleston, P.O. Box 818, Charleston, S.c. 2940 I.

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Sometimes it's hard to make things clear Or know when to face the truth And I know that the moment is here 111 open my heart and show you inside My love has no pride I feel with you and I've got nothing to hide So open your eyes and see who I am And not who you want for me to be I am only myself, myself I don't wanna lose you now We're gonna get through somehow I don't wanna lose you now or ever 'Cause baby I've finally found The courage to stand my ground But if you want me 111 be around, forever We all make mistakes, We all lose our way But we stood the test of time and I hope That's the way it will stay It's all up to you, To tell me to go 'Cause 'it won't be 'me to walk away When you're all that I know And I know that

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Q. When should parents start letting go oftheir children? (Colorado) A. Parents should start letting go of their children at a very early age, like when the child is ready to take his first step alone. , Yes, the child may fall down and cry at what seems to him or her an indignity. Some feelings may be hurt. But, unless the parents let go, the child will never learn to walk.

As the years go by, the lettinggo process must continue. There is

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tinues to create great musical success. .

The individual in the song knows that "the moment is here" to "face the truth. "She asks her love to ,"open your eyes and see who 1 am, hot just who you want for me to be.~' Apparently she is ready to

By

TOM LENNON

the-first day of school, the first ride on a two-wheel bicycle and on and on.

Many parents experience a certain amount of apprehension as their child ventures out into a world that is often perilous. They wonder, for example, what will happen if their girl or boy rides a bicycle in traffic.

Later on, even' more serious questions can plague them as they try to go to sleep at night.

How will my child react to the first offer of marijuana or crack?

What will happen if he or she mixes drinking with driving?

What will happen the first time my child falls in love?

Now the letting-go process is much more complicated, the stakes much higher, the problems more serious.

Sad to say, there are no neat and tidy solutions to the tug-of-war that seems, inevitably, to go on

put the relationship on the line, for she feels "the courage to stand my ground" even though she hopes for a way to keep their love alive.

The song doesn't describe the current difficulty, bU,t it involves her decision to be more honest.

Several aspects of a relationship could be involved.

For example, her actions in the relationship may have violated her values. The resulting guilt tells'her that she must confront her behavior and make cha!1ges, beginning with an honest dialogue with her part, ner. Remember, love that is real never asks us to compromise our inner standards.

Another possibility concerns the other person's behavior.

Perhaps he has been emotionally abusive. She may not have expressed her feelings about being put down or ridiculed, choosing to hide what she is afraid to tell.

Such a situation also violates one's well-being, for any type of fear is the opposite of love. If we have to hide something in a relationship such as feelings or needs, then the trust that always resides in genuine love is missing. Relationships that hold fears eventually lead to the construction of emotional walls.

Then the bond of closeness is lost.

Relationships in which something is hidden are like a tire with a slow leak. They eventually go flat, leaving us unable to go where our dreams of love initially pointed. As the song suggests, we need courage to face what is hidden, stand our ground and seek a deeper level of honesty. Taking this step can be scary, but without it we cannot find the enduring love that we long for and deserve. ' Your comments are welcome

by Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, Ind. 47635. between parents and child during the long, long letting-go process.

The arguments instead should involve giving reasons why a certain course of action should be followed or not followed. Simply saying "I want to" or "I don't want to" is not enough. The why i's all important.

And so too, in the end, is the parents' decision. Submission can be terribly difficult, but it is smart, as a number of young people now in their late 20s have testified to me.

Rescuers acquitted LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Five members ofOperation Rescue, including three of its national leaders, were acquitted this month on misdemeanor charges stemming from a Holy Saturday blockade of Los Angeles abortion clinics. A mistrial was declared on one conspiracy count each against Randall Terry, Operation Rescue founder; Michael McMonag!e, its deputy director; and Jeff White, western regional coordinator, after the jury deadlocked. Jurors "bought" the defendants' argument that their purpose "was to save lives, not to break the law," McMonagle, 36, told Catholic News Service.

Friendship "Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together."

- Wilson

.'Bishop'Connolly The Bishop Connolly Alumni Association will meet at 7 p,m,' Wednesday in the Wolf Conference Room at the Fall River high schooL The principal agenda for the meeting will be the election of officers, All Connolly alumni are urged to attend this meeting,

THE ANCHOR-DioceSe of Fall River-Fri.,Sept. 29; 1989"15

tv, movie news

Symbols following film reviews indir.ate both general and Catholic Films Office ratings. which do not always coincide.

• • General ratings: G-suitable for Connolly senior Jennifer O'Alio . general viewing; PG-13.-parental of Fall River is this year's recipient guidance strongly suggested for chilof the Harvard Book Award, The dren under 13; PG-parental guidPrize Book is awarded to an out- ance suggested; R-restricted, unstanding student at the end of his suitable for children or young teens. or her junior year who demonCatholic ratings: AI-approved for strates excellence in scholarship children and adults; A2-approved and character combined with for adults and adolescents; A3achievement in other fields. approved for adults only; A4~sepa­ rate classification (given films not Six members of the. Class of morally offensive which. however.

1990 have been designated as Com- require some analysis and explanamended Students by the National tion): O-morally offensive.

Catholic ratings for television Merit Scholarship Program. Commended students at Connolly are movies are those of the movie house Laurence Bell, Jeff Conroy, Jen- versions of the films. nifer Hornsby, Maria Mutty, Kristen Perry, and Candace Rice.

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rough language, sexual innuendoes, brief battlefield violence. A3, R "The Little. Thief" (Miramax): .A curious bittersweet French film about a 16-year-old (Charlotte Gainsbourg) with sticky fingers.

Opening in 1950 in a rural French village, this film tracks the life of lies and petty theft embarked upon by a girl abandoned by her parents to the care of grim relatives. A sensitive character study of a postwar survivor, who is a believable product of her time and circumstances and adrift without love or guidance, but her miraculous "cure" at the end is fairy-tale .thinking. In French, with English subtitles.

Teen-age promiscuity, adultery, brief nudity, violence and rough language. A4. R "Night Game" (Trans World): A tedious serial killer thriller involving a burned-out cop (Roy Scheider), his ill-suited young fiancee (Karen Young), police force friction and an implausible scenario about a maniac who kills young blondes whenever a Houston Astros' pitcher wins a game. Some profanity, menace, grisly shots of mutilated corpses. A3, R

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• • •• • Connolly seniors have begun making initial visits to their Community Service Projects. Each year a large number of seniors enroll in this optional program which arranges placement in an area school, hospital, or social service agency.

• • • • The annual visit of college adm'issions officers has begun. During the week of Sept. 25 representatives from Georgetown University and Fairfield University will be visiting Connolly.

"Hugo" relief sent BALTIMORE (CNS) - Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops' Baltimore-based overseas relief . and development agency, has provided a $ 10,000 emergency grant to two Caribbean Islands hit by Hurricane Hugo. The CRS grant will be used for Dominica and Antigua, two islands that were hard hit Sept. 17 by the hurricane, according to Melody Schram, a CRS spokeswoman. The funds will be sent to Archbishop Kelvin E. Felix of Castries, St. Lucia and will be used to buy emergency supplies such as food and cooking utensils for island residents.

Puerto Rico aIfd the U.S. Virgin Islands also were damaged by Hurricane Hugo Sept. 18. Mario Paredes ofthe Northeast Hispanic Catholic Center in New York is coordinating assistance efforts for the U.S,territories. CRS only provides assistance to forei~n projects, Those interested in sending assistance for Puerto Ri90.~ay~ontact the Northeast Hispanic Catholic Center, 1011 First Avenue,. New York. N.Y. 10022.

NOTE

Please check dates and times of television and radio programs against local listings, which may differ from the New York network schedules supplied to The Anchor.

New Films "Heart of Dixie" (Orion Pictures): A 1957 Deep South saga about a college coed (Ally Sheedy) who blossoms from shallow sorority sister into vocal integrationist under the tutelage of a worldly photojournalist (Treat Williams) who's returned home to document civil rights activity. The characters are so thin and stereotyped and the pivotal issues of sexism and racism so poorly developed that this tale is best forgotten. Much sexual innueildo, some vulgar references, brief violence. A3, PG. "In Country" (Warner Bros.): The Vietnam War's continuing toll on veterans, their families and survivors is the subject ofthis contemporary drama about one rural Kentucky family still dealing with personal tragedy resulting from the conflict. When a high school grad (Emily Lloyd) begins to question her family about her father who died in the war before her birth, old wounds are opened. Miss Lloyd, Bruce Willis as her wardamaged uncle and Peggy Rea as her' grandmother are outstanding as they dramatize the crucial elements ofcoping and healing that must occur within all individuals touched by war. Sexual involvement' by the young protagonist,

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All three work in the Mystic Pizza parlor, known for its secret pizza sauce and its warmhearted owner (Conchata Ferrell). Love, romance and sex are a key focus. The most enterprising ofthe trio (Miss Gish) works four jobs, is headed for Yale but falls for the charms of a married Yale graduate to whom she loses her virginity. Although frowned"upon by their parents and church, ill-advised sexual liaisons continue to be a part of the girls' lives. Much explicit sex banter and off-camera sex. 0, R

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16 THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Sept. 29, 1989 '.

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Iteering pOint, ST. PATRI~K, SOMERSET ST. STANISLAUS, FR Installation ofCCD teachers, 10:30 Holy Rosary Sodality annual Mass, 9 a.m. Sunday, followed by a.m. Mass Sunday. Meeting for brunch at the school. Meeting for freshmen Confirmation candidates parents of St. Stanislaus school stu- and parents, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday; dents, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, school sophomore candidates and parents, . 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday. auditorium.

S,T. LOUIS, FR ST. THOMAS MORE, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi celeSOMERSET bration, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the 'All are invited to join the "31 Club" to pray for vocations during church. Father Mario Julian, OFM, the month of October; sign up at the will be the guest celebrant and church. Youth Group open house homilist. for all high school students, 7 p.m. SACRED HEART, FR Wednesday, parish center.

Rosary and benediction, 7-7:30. p.m. Tuesdays in October. Sacred Heart Women's Guild meeting, following rosary and benediction serv~ 234 Second Street ice Tuesday. ~ Fall River. MA 02721 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, .~ Web Offset HYANNIS - . . . . Newspapers Spirit of Jesus Prayer Group "Life . . . . . . . , . Printing & Mailing of the Spirit" seminar, beginning 7 IMIIIIiiIIIiI (50S) 679-5262 p. m. Tuesday, church hall. Information: 775-8808. . ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON M~mthl~ Guild meeting, Tuesday First Class Second Class even 109, With presentation on menFirst Class Presort Carrie'- Route Coding tal health. .

Third Class Bulk Rate Zip Code Sorting SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT Third Class Non Profit List Maintenance DE PAUL,FR Meeting for Fall i.iver district, ALL TO USPS SPECIFICATIONS Wednesday, Our Lady of Fatima Church, 530 Gardener's Neck Rd., Cheshire labeling on. Kirk-Rudy 4·up Swansea. 7 p.m. Mass celebrated by labeler. And Pressure Sensitive Labeling . Rev. John P. Cronin, pasto~.

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ST. VINCENT DE pAUL SOCIETY Taunton district council meeting, following 7 p.m. Mass Monday, ·Immaculate Conception Church, North Easton.

ST. JAMES, NB Meeting for parents of children receiving First Communion in May, 7-8 p.m. Thursday, parish. hall.

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REV, JOHN HAMPSCH, CMF, of Los Angeles, will present "Healing the Family Tree," 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro.

Father Hampsch, a Claretian missionary, travels throughout the world as a lecturer and retreat master. His workshop discussion will involve the "spiritual heredity factor" that links people to their ancestors and descendants. The day will close with a healing service. Participants are asked to bring a Bible. Information: (508) 2225410.

CORPUS CHRISTI, SANDWICH Commissioning service for all Confirmation candidates and their 'parents, 6:45 p.m. Monday, Father Clinton Hall.

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HOLY GHOsr:ATTLEBORO' RCIA team meeting, I p.m. Sunday. Our Lady of Fatima celebration,4 p.m. Sunday.

ST.ANNE,FR Meeting for Confirmation II students and parents, 7:15 p.m. Monday, school cafeteria.

ST~ ELIZABETH SETON, N.FALMOUTH Respite Care training program, 10 a;m.-I p.m. Tuesday, church hall.

Information: Betty Mazzucchelli 540-7232. ' ST. PATRICK, WAREHAM Installation of CYO officers and committee chairpersons, 10 a.m.

Mass Sunday.

ST. ANTHONY, MATTAPOISETT Presentation of Golden Books to children in First Eucharist program, 9:30 a.m. Mass, Sunday. Confirmation class, 7-8:30 Monday, church hall.

Cardinal says 'no earthly value' more fundamental than human life

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ST. MARV,'N.·ATTLEBORO Healing service and Sunday Mass with Father William T. Babbitt, 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

ST. JOHN EVANGELIST, POCASSET Scripture study ofSt. Mark's Gospel, 7 p.m. Wednesday, conducted

by Deacon Marzelli. Information: 759-7446.

ST. PATRICK, FALMOUTH' Beginning tomorrow, Saturday Vigil Masses will be at 4 and 5: 15 p.m. No 7 p·.m. Mass. Confessions, 3-3:45 p.m. Saturdays.

SS. PETER AND PAUL, FR Women's Club meeting, 7 p.m.

Monday; parish community is welcome to attend presentation by sp.eakers from the Mental Health Dept., 7:30 p.m., Father Coady Center. St: Vincent de Paul Society meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, rectory.

Fall River District Council meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday; Our Lady of Fatima Church, Swansea.

SYSTEMS~ INC.

BOILERS

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Car- precedence it should take in dedinalJoseph L. Bernardin of Chi- cision-making," the cardinal said.

"Not all values, however, are of cago said this week that "no earthly value is more fundamental than equal weight. Some are more funhuman life itself' and urged that damental than others," he said.

"Human life is the condition for that theme be the emphasis of enjoying freedom and all other Respect Life Sunday Oct. I. In a statement issued for the valu'es," the cardinal said. "Con18th. annual observance, he sug- sequently, human life must take gested priests throughout the Uni- precedl(,nce. " ted States devote their homilies at Masses Oct. I to the fundamental nature of human life.

The cardinaJ, who is chairman ofthe bishops' Committee for ProLife Activities, asked his fellow STORM LAKE, Iowa (CNS) bishops to encourage priests to - U.S. Supreme Court Justice focus their homilies on respect for Harry Blackmun, who wrote the human life, especially that of the court's Roe vs. Wade decision, unborn, to schedule a holy hour or says the court has the votes to "whatever else might be appro- overturn the 1973 abortion ruling. priate."

"The votes are there to overturn This will be the first Respect it," Blackmun told students at Life Sunday to be held since the Buena Vista College in Storm Lake Supreme Court's July 3 decision in earlier this month. "What will the Webster case that gave states happen, I don't know. It may be more power in deciding abortion overruled." Blackmun said he was practices.. "surprised" the court did not over- .

That ruling, the cardinal said, turn Rose vs. Wade in its July 3 has intensified the debate over ruling in a Missouri case which .abortion "and the consistent ethic gave states more authority to enact has much to contribute." laws restricting abortions.

"The primary i.ntention of the consistent ethic of life, as I have . articulated it over the past six years," Cardinal Bernardin said, "is to raise consciousness about WASHINGTON (CNS) - The the sanctity and reverence of all United States has "a grave human, human life from conception to moral and political responsibility" natural death. ". to move Europe beyond a Cold For that reason Respect Life War posture, said Archbishop John Sunday this year, he said, also L. May, president of the National includes the topics of euthanasia, Conference of Catholic Bishopsthe church and technology, vio- U.S. Catholic Conference, in a lence in the U.S. culture, the chang- recent letter to President Bush. ing U.S. family, and the church's . Needed to reach that goal, Archbiconcern for the elderly. shop May said, is a combination -"There are those who support of economic aid, political influabortion on demand who do not ence and reductions in "the milgrasp or will not discuss the intrin- itary dimension of East-West relasic values of human life and the tions."

Blackmun optimistic

U.8. responsibility

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