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Issue of June 6, 2004
UPDATE: IRS asked to probe diocese A group that advocates for church-state separation has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether a Colorado bishop endangered his diocese’s tax status with a pastoral letter that tied political actions, including voters casting a ballot, to whether Catholics may receive the Eucharist. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State formally asked the IRS May 27 to investigate whether the tax code was violated by a May 1 pastoral letter by Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs. A diocesan statement said Americans United “has distorted both the teaching and the (bishop’s) role.” It “does not seem to understand that a ... bishop is called upon to preach the Gospel and instruct the faithful regarding moral issues.” Sanctions ‘not part of tradition’ While one has a “clear and grave obligation” to vote against legislation that bolsters abortion, the view of refusing Communion to politicians who support keeping abortion legal is not part of the pastoral tradition of the church, Pittsburgh Bishop Donald W. Wuerl said May 25. “Given the long-standing practice of not making a public judgment about the state of the soul of those who present themselves for holy Communion, it does not seem that it is sufficiently clear that in the matter of voting for legislation that supports abortion such a judgment necessarily follows,” he said. “The pastoral tradition of the church places the responsibility of such a judgment first on those presenting themselves for holy Communion,” he added.
NEWS: Annulment won’t hinder new priest’s ministry Thomas J. Mescall had a very special guest at his May 22 ordination: one of his two grown children, both lawyers in Albuquerque, N.M. Mescall, 56, was the oldest among those ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the only one to have been married. He was divorced in 1981 after 11 years in a marriage which was declared null four years later.
Pope’s comments to Cardinal, Midwest bishops Here is the Vatican text of Pope John Paul II’s May 28 remarks to the bishops of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin during their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican.
Cardinal’s ‘ad limina’ message: Words of hope and challenge Here is the Vatican text of Chicago Cardinal. George’s May 28 remarks to Pope John Paul II during the “ad limina” visits of bishops from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Vatican changes consecration norms for wine The Vatican has required a change in U.S. liturgical norms, ordering that wine to be used for distributing Communion under both kinds be poured into individual chalices during the preparation of the gifts, before it is consecrated. It reversed a widespread custom, codified in U.S. norms approved in 2002, that called for distribution of the consecrated wine into the chalices, just before Communion.
Catholic issues tangled up in Springfield budget fight As Illinois lawmakers continued to feud over the state budget in early June, pushing the legislative session into overtime, several issues of interest to the Catholic Church remained in limbo. Top Democrats, including Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Senate Majority Leader Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan, all of Chicago, could not agree on a roughly $53 billion spending plan, pushing the session past its May 31 deadline. That means that any legislation—including the budget—will now have to be passed with a three-fifths majority, a change that means Democrats will not be able to pass any measures without Republican support. The Catholic New World went to press after the lawmakers went into the extended session. But the change will not unbottle a law that would exempt religious organizations from a requirement that employer-provided health care plans include coverage of contraceptives, said Bob Gilligan, executive director for the Catholic Conference of Illinois.
Singles learn about love and family A diverse group of 150 singles from their 30s through their 60s celebrated the lifestyle that binds them during “Singles Day: for Catholics and Beyond” at Holy Family Parish in Inverness. The May 15 event included workshops on a variety of topics, as well as a keynote talk by Father John Cusick, the singles ministry liaison for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and a closing Eucharistic celebration. Welcoming the group Saturday morning, Father Patrick Brennan, pastor of Holy Family Parish, reminded the singles that in the Gospel, “Jesus introduced a new type of family to us—one not bound by blood ties but by association of believers.” Singles, he said, have a family in the church. “Many singles ask the question, ‘Will I be a married person?’ That’s not the right question,” said Cusick. “The key question is, ‘Will I be loved?’”
They’re called, gifted and now ready to serve When Georgina Roy gathered for the last formation day with her fellow 2004 graduates of the Called & Gifted archdiocesan lay ministry formation program, she had to do one of the hardest things she’d ever done. The participants were called to bless one another and send one another forth to serve their faith communities—an exercise that included looking each one in the eyes, placing her hands on their shoulders and giving them a gentle push to send them off. “My language doesn’t have a word for goodbye,” said Roy, a member of the Native American Ojibwa nation. “Native people don’t say goodbye, and that was a very difficult thing for me. It should be hello every day.” Especially for the people with whom Roy had traveled the last two years, getting an academic education in the Catholic faith and ministry and participating in intense formation activities, with the commitment to remain in lay ministry for two years after graduation. “Called & Gifted” offers study courses alongside men preparing for the diaconate and their wives at four sites around the archdiocese, along with monthly days of formation. They cover topics from the catechism and Scripture to peace and justice issues and communication skills. Front Page | Digest | Cardinal | Observations |
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making of “Therese,” a movie on the life of the Little Flower. In 1980, Leonardo Defilippis (not DiCaprio) was a Shakespearean actor touring the country with a live, one-man drama on the Gospel of Luke. You may have seen some of his other performances of saints from Francis to Maximilian Kolbe in parishes. His subsequent videos have won film festival awards. Leonardo and wife Patti (who have seven children) dreamed of producing the first full-length English language film on the life of St. Therese. They have drawn this story “of an ordinary girl with an extraordinary soul,” critics say, like a cinematic Impressionist painting. Much of the script is taken from Therese’s own words and her sister’s writings. By special invitation, Luke Films screened the work at the Vatican for the pope, cardinals and a diverse international audience, getting an emotional standing ovation. They now need promotion and $2 million to launch “Therese” for a major market release Oct. 1. They ask each person to tell 10 friends to visit their Web site at www.theresemovie.com and register an interest in the film to insure a wide theater distribution. You can call (800) 683-2998 to schedule a screening of the movie trailer in your parish or to send a donation. (The trailer can be seen currently on EWTN.)
mainly lay Christian movements, while Jews, Muslims and members of other religions were present as observers. The event’s aim was to “give a soul” to Europe’s recent process of unification—the prayer of Pope John Paul II—who sent his encouragement to the global audience. Satellite and other electronic connections to 151 cities of 30 European nations as well as 45 other cities of 33 nations in the Americas, Asia and Africa, televised the colorful program of personal witness, prayer and entertainment to several hundred thousand more. They gathered in apartments and rotundas. In Rome, crowds filled the historic Campidoglio, and in the capitol of Lithuania, the program was viewed in the city hall. Main organizers of the event, which focused on promoting peace and unity in Europe and the world, were the Focolare Movement and the Sant’Egidio Community. . . . The Focolare’s international musical ensemble, Gen Rosso, also entertained at the Holy Father’s 84th birthday party at the Vatican May 18.