Cardinal George: ‘At Mass in Lebanon, Maronites, Syrians, Armenians, Chaldeans and Latins all professed the same creed from the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, the creed we recite in every parish of the Archdiocese.’

Vatican leaning toward OK of experimental application of U.S. norms
The Vatican is leaning toward approval of an experimental application of the U.S. bishops’ norms on clerical sex abuse, perhaps after some clarifying language is added, a senior Vatican official said.

“This would not be a rejection by the Vatican, nor would it be a formal ‘recognitio’ of the norms,” the official said Sept. 23. Instead, the Vatican would allow the norms to be applied “ad experimentum”—the Latin phrase signifying temporary or provisional use.

2002 Annual Appeal stays on track
Want to find out how your parish measures up when it comes to participating in the Annual Catholic Appeal?

That’s what the two-page mid-year update in this issue of The Catholic New World is for.

‘More than just a building’
Construction projects also an expression of faith

As more parishes begin building and renovation projects, more designers and contractors are working on church projects every year. For many of them, the projects are more than jobs. They are expressions of faith.

“I believe in the church. I attended Catholic schools and a Catholic college,” said Marty Serena, a partner in Prisco Serena Sturm, a Northbrook architectural firm that has designed about 15 churches and parish offices, including St. Julie Billiart in Tinley Park.

Nurse ‘absolutely’ certain on life’s moral absolutes
Jill Stanek had some stark words of advice for nursing students at the University of Illinois at Chicago:

“Don’t let any pseudo-ethicist tell you there are no moral absolutes. There are. The world of morality is not gray; it is black and white. And you would do well to think about this before being put in a situation you don’t have time to analyze.”

Pro-life license plates sought to aid adoptions
Special “vanity” license plates are being urged for Illinoisans to help mothers in crisis pregnancies choose adoption over abortion.

So far, more than 3,000 Illinois residents are supporting the design of a new “choose life” license plate which would have to be issued through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. The idea for the plate, which originated in Florida, would cost an extra $25 a year, with the extra money raised earmarked for agencies that encourage adoption.

Warning: Read this column at your risk
Why the warning? I have to say that I’m hesitant to reveal the subject of this article. I’m afraid that once you see the words “Respect Life” you’ll stop reading and skip right to “Church Clips.” But now that I’ve caught your attention, please try to stay with me till the end.