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The Denver Catholic Register MARCH 7,1990 VOL LXVI NO. 10 Colorado's Largest Weekly 40 PAGES 25 C E N TS Episcopal leader leaves BISHOP FREY a legacy of ecumenism By Colleen Smith Mason beyond de facto disunity and demonstrate our un­ unity.” derstanding that we are bound together by our Bap­ Bishop Frey’s relationships with former bishops of When Episcopal Bishop William C. Frey ordained tism in Jesus Christ. I think the fact that The Denver Denver also were marked by camaraderie. The late a woman to the priesthood March 1 at the Air Force Catholic Register is interested in doing this inter­ Archbishop James V. Casey was quoted as saying, “ I Academy in Colorado Springs, he performed his last view is evidence of the progress we’ve made.” have a lot of respect and affection for Bishop Frey official act as head of the Episcopal Diocese of Bishop Frey added, “ It has been a blessing to both as a friend and as a leader. He’s highly gifted by Colorado. enjoy the companionship of the Catholic church for God.” For Colorado Christians, Bishop Frey’s departure the common task. You know, different parts of the Bishop Frey, whose early ministry was spent in a marks the end of the beginning of an era of ec­ country react differently; not everyone gets the priv­ circuit of Colorado mountain missions, will leave the umenism. ilege of the type of fellowship here in Colorado.” state the middle of March to assume the role of dean Bishop Frey, 60, said that the most satisfying as­ and president of Trinity Episcopal School for Minis­ pect of his 18 years as Episcopal bishop of Colorado Desire for Christian unity try in Ambridge, Pa. His new assignment will allow was acting as an architect of ecumenism. “Building Of his Episcopalian counterpart. Archbishop J. him to influence the Episcopal church on a national bridges between the different church communitites Francis Stafford said, “ I have come to know Bishop level. was such a rich experience,” he said. Frey as a warm and personal friend, and esteem him “ I’ve seen the products of seminaries for years He said his hope is that the legacy of ecumenism as one of the most effective bishops in the Episco­ now, and I’m anxious to get my hands on the assem­ will continue. “The church has to act so that there is palian church in the United States. He has demon­ bly line,” he said. unity that can be seen,” he said. “ We have to get strated an openness and a desire for Christian Continued on page 3 The children of the poor have taken a beating By Charlene Scott poverty level is $10,560 for that size family,” re­ Register Staff ported Dixie Anderson, Colorado director of AFDC. It is “ disgraceful” that 70,000 Colorado children suffer because the state has allowed its Aid to Recommended increase Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) bene­ The state Department of Social Services has fits to drop since the 1970’s from is percent of recommended that a five percent increase in the poverty level to 40 percent, a Denver nun AFDC payments be included in the appropria­ claims. tions bill that includes the total amount of ap­ “ It is a disgrace that we are so low in our propriations spent for all state agencies. assistance,” said Sister Loretto Anne Madden, The state’s Joint budget committee has a March executive director of the Colorado Catholic Con­ 26 deadline to decide whether it will include the ference. increase in the bill as part of the department’s Colorado ranks 29th in the nation in the budget. amount of aid given to families of poverty- “ This has not been a high enough priority in stricken youngsters, although the state ranks 13th the state legislature,” said Bill Hanna, legislative in per capita income. liaison for the Department of Social Services. Sister Loretto Anne is not the only one who is “ There is a growing awareness that the grant alarmed. standard has not been changed for three years “ We are paying only $4,272 per year to a family of three, one adult and two children, but the Continued on page 5 A global look at Catholic education By Harv Bishop maintenance and teacher salaries, according to Register Staff Brother Johnston. The financial plight of Catholic schools is of con­ C A T H O L 1C “ Even the 15 percent gap isn’t easy to make up, cern not only in the United States, but also around accoi'ding to the schools there,” said Brother Johns­ world, according to the superior o f a teaching order ton, “but we are given the freedom to operate the with schools in 82 countries. schools as we would here.” “ We don’t want to see Catholic education become The Brother said that most European countries, available only to those who can afford to pay,” said except for Italy, provide some aid to Catholic Brother John Johnston, superior of the Brothers of schools. In other parts of the world, where Christians the Christian Schools. are in the minority, government funding may carry Brother Johnston recently visited Mullen High strings, including approval of teachers and students School, a southwest Denver school operated by the and a required academic load that forces religion order. He is in the midst of a two-month visit from classes outside normal school hours. Rome touring Christian Brothers schools in the EDUCATION United States. Church-state separation Counselors Christian Brothers’ schools have just under a mil­ Brother Johnston was joined on his U.S. tour by Brother Johnston, a native of the United States, lion students in 82 countries, taught by 8,400 Broth­ Brother Joseph Hendron, a native of Ireland who has noted that many other countries do not have consti­ ers and more than 40,000 lay teachers. served in England. Brother Hendron is one of six tutional restrictions regarding separation between counselors who assist the superior in governing the “ Everyone profits from the benefits of Catholic church and state that restrict federal aid to U.S. Religious community. Other representatives are from education,” said Brother Johnston, “ so the financial parochial schools. concerns are of great frustation to us in the United Argentina, Australia, France, Spain and Madagascar. .States and in many parts of the world.” England pays 85 percent of the cost of building Continued on page 3 St. Patrick*s Day special Pages 13-28 Early Christian Women of the province. A vast crowd had gathered to T^e approach of the new millennium can bring witness the examination. The other four impris­ many graces to our Church. I am convinced that ARCHBISHOP’S * oned Christians, “who were questioned before E the last years of the 20th century can be a me confessed their faith. When it came to my decade-long Advent calling us to reflect upon the ------------- C O L U M N turn, my father appeared with my baby, and mighty acts of God since the Incarnation of the drawing me down from the step besought me Son of God in Nazareth of Galilee. ‘Have pity on your child.’ The President Hilarian One particular avenue joined with my father and said, ‘Spare your fa­ The content of Perpetua’s diary is of consider­ worth exploring is to ther’s white hairs: spare the tender years of your I able importance for the history of Christian piety identify the outstanding child. Offer a sacrifice for the prosperity of the I women and men of each and theology. It reminds me of some 20th century emperors.’ I replied, ‘No.’ - ‘Are you a Chris­ diaries written by men and women persecuted for century who “ like the tian?’ Hilarian asked, and I answered, ‘Yes, l ‘B their faith. At first Perpetua and her companions sound of a great multi- am.’ As my father attempted to draw me from my I tude or the sound of were under house-arrest. Perpetua’s account of resolution, Hilarian commanded that he should y c [ rushing water or mighty their sufferings speaks for itself: “When I was be beaten off and he was struck with a rod. This 1 still with my companions, and my father, in his peals of thunder now sing felt as much as if I myself had been struck, so affection for me, was trying to turn me from my alleluia” before the greatly did I grieve to see my father thus treated purpose by arguments and thus weaken my faith, yc throne o f God (Apoc. in his old age. Then the judge passed sentence on ‘Father,’ said I, ‘do you see this vessel — water- 19:6). You may wish to us all and condemned us to the wild beasts; and Conti pot or whatever it may be?...Can it be called by send mev the names of joyfully we returned to our prison. Then, as my those saints whom you any other name than what it is?’ ‘No,’ he replied. baby was accustomed to the breast, I sent Pomp­ Bis venerate from each cen­ ‘So also I cannot call myself by any other name with than what I am — a Christian...’” The five cate­ onius the deacon to ask hini of my father, who, tury. Because their feast day is on March 7, I will however, refused to send him. And God so or­ He h begin with my own favorites, two outstanding chumens were baptized and later were lodged in and prison. Perpetua continues in her dairy: “ I was dered it that the child no longer required to women of the third century, Sts.

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