A Capital vacation See stories about Washington, D.C., in our annual Vacation/Travel Supplement, pages 9-24. Serving the ChurchCriterion in Central and Souther n Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com May 26, 2006 Vol. XLVI, No. 32 75¢ Legislating Building on faith conversions: Southwestern Indiana’s German-Catholic heritage lives on Weighing the By Sean Gallagher message versus ST. MEINRAD—When the Servant of God Simon Bruté, the first bishop of Vincennes, went to Jasper, Ind., to min- Sean Gallagher Photos by the person ister to the Catholics there, he struggled to communicate with the people and VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope departed in tears. Benedict XVI and a senior Vatican official The faithful there were primarily voiced their concern over the lack of reli- German immigrants. They did not gious freedom in some countries, includ- understand French and the French- ing unjust restrictions on a person’s right speaking bishop did not understand to convert from one religious faith to German. another. Shortly before Bishop Bruté died in While the pope and the Vatican’s for- 1839, Father Joseph Kundek, a native eign minister, Archbishop Giovanni German speaker born in present-day Lajolo, were making separate appeals for Croatia, came to minister to the German greater reciprocity in respecting the free- immigrants in the diocese. dom of worship in mid-May, the Vatican Visitors to southwestern Indiana can was also co-sponsoring a meeting about still experience the rich German- how some religious groups abuse liberties Catholic heritage that Father Kundek by proselytizing, or by evangelizing in nurtured during the two decades that he aggressive or deceptive ways. ministered there before his death in Iraq, for example, has become an 1857. open field for foreigners looking for That heritage is a living tradition fresh converts. today at Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Some Catholic Church leaders and aid School of Theology in St. Meinrad, and organizations have expressed concern in the Evansville Diocese at Monastery about new Christian groups coming in Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, and luring Iraqis to their Churches with Ind., and St. Joseph Parish in Jasper, Above, St. Joseph Church in Jasper, Ind., in the offers of cash, clothing, food or jobs. Ind. Evansville Diocese, is the spiritual home for The blatant proselytism in a predomi- When St. Joseph Parish was founded nearly 2,000 families in the area. The largest nantly Muslim country has made all in 1837, it was comprised of 26 house- church building in Indiana when it was com- Christians seem suspect or looked upon holds. But in the years to come, Father pleted in 1880, it stands as a testament to the with hostility, some Catholic leaders and Kundek helped bring many more fami- German-Catholic heritage of the region. aid workers said. lies of German immigrants to the area. Meanwhile, reports of aggressive pros- Today, the parish counts nearly At right, a statue of Father Joseph Kundek elytism and reportedly forced conversions 2,000 families on its rolls. They worship stands beside St. Joseph Church in Jasper, Ind., in mostly Hindu India have fueled reli- in a massive church built from 1867 to in the Evansville Diocese. The founder of gious tensions and violence there, and 1880. Its nave is 195 feet long and the St. Joseph Parish and several other parishes in have prompted some regional govern- pillars dotting the interior stand 67 feet the region, Father Kundek, who died in 1857, did ments to pass laws banning proselytism or high. The church’s bell tower is an much to lay the foundation of the German- religious conversion. impressive 235 feet tall. Catholic heritage of southwestern Indiana. On the one hand, the Catholic Church At the time of its completion, would like governments to guarantee full St. Joseph Church was the largest floor was laid in 1953. That same year, religious freedom, including the freedom church building in Indiana. sandstone was used to line the interior to convert. But the walls—a complement to the In his May 18 address to Amitava generations of church’s sandstone exterior. Tripathi, India’s new ambassador to the Catholics in ‘They’re strong about Finally, a new organ was Vatican, the pope said, “the reprehensible Jasper who built in 1995. attempt to legislate clearly discriminatory succeeded passing on their faith and St. Joseph Parish’s cur- restrictions” on religious freedom “must those who making sure that it’s here for rent pastor, Father Jasper’s German heritage also lives be firmly rejected.” built the the next generation.’ Raymond Brenner, said that on in its annual Strassenfest, which is On the other hand, some of these coun- church did not this ongoing concern for scheduled on Aug. 3-6 this year. tries endorsing religious restrictions might rest on their —Father Raymond Brenner the state of the parish’s German and American cuisine can be ancestors’ lau- church is a sign of the deep tasted at Jasper’s Schnitzelbank See CONVERSION, page 26 rels. faith of its members. Restaurant year-round. Stained-glass windows were installed “They’re strong about passing on their In 1854, Father Kundek convinced in 1898. Mosaics crafted in Innsbruck, faith,” he said, “and making sure that it’s the abbot of Einseideln Abbey, a Austria, were added in 1911. A terrazzo here for the next generation.” See HERITAGE, page 32 Nurturing faith is key element of The Criterion’s mission This week’s issue of The Criterion, evangelizing. Simply put, it can help each of everywhere in between, parishes invite which features our annual Vacation/Travel us live our lives more fully as Catholics. everyone to come share in their her- Supplement, is being mailed to all house- Our regular features, which include itage. Of course, you can rest assured holds in the archdiocese, including those Archbishop Buechlein’s “Seeking the Face of that the festivals include good food, fun that don’t normally receive the newspaper. the Lord” column, also educate people as they and fellowship. Why read The Criterion? face the challenges to live their faith each day. No matter how diverse your house- There are several benefits to subscrib- This week’s issue also presents a wonderful hold—whether it includes young chil- ing to the archdiocese’s weekly newspa- opportunity to build community. Summer is dren, teenagers or senior citizens—or per, which serves as Archbishop Daniel right around the corner, and if you’re looking your vocation in life—religious, clergy, M. Buechlein’s primary evangelization for things to do, look no further than our arch- single or married life—our goal is to nur- tool. The archbishop and his staff under- diocesan parishes. ture your faith each week. stand that our Catholic weekly plays an The Vacation/Travel Supplement includes To all of you who already subscribe to important role in carrying on the mission a list of parish festivals being hosted The Criterion, we thank you, and to of the Church in central and southern throughout the summer. From Indianapolis to those of you who don’t regularly receive Indiana by informing, educating and Troy, from Terre Haute to Lawrenceberg and See MISSION, page 26 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, May 26, 2006 Archbishop announces clergy, parish assignments Effective Immediately in Indianapolis and continuing as pastor of St. Barnabas to the spiritual and temporal needs of students and staff at Parish in Indianapolis. Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. Rev. Dennis Duvelius, associate pastor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis, incardinated Effective July 5, 2006 Rev. Steven C. Schwab, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish into the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from the Priestly in Indianapolis and chaplain of the Marion County Fraternity of St. Peter (F.S.S.P.). Rev. Stephen W. Giannini, pastor of St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis, to episcopal vicar for Clergy and Parish Life Sheriff’s Department, to pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Coordinators: Formation and Personnel, and continuing as Parish in Indianapolis and continuing as chaplain of the Rev. Robert J. Robeson, director of the Bishop Bruté Marion County Sheriff’s Department. House of Formation in Indianapolis, to rector of the pastor of St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis. Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis. Rev. Guy Roberts, associate pastor of St. Joan of Arc Rev. Gerald J. Kirkhoff, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Parish in Indianapolis, to administrator of St. Joan of Arc Rev. Rock Travniker, O.F.M., campus minister for Indianapolis, priest moderator and sacramental minister Parish. St. Francis University in Joliet, Ill., to pastor of Holy of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, and Family Parish in Oldenburg. dean of the Indianapolis North Deanery, to episcopal Rev. James R. Wilmoth, pastor of St. Roch Parish in vicar for Advocacy for Priests and continuing as pastor Indianapolis, to chaplain of Roncalli High School in of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis, priest moderator Effective June 1, 2006 Indianapolis and continuing as pastor of St. Roch Parish, and sacramental minister of St. Andrew the Apostle Rev. Joseph B. Moriarty, associate director of spiritual Parish in Indianapolis and dean of the Indianapolis chaplain of the Indianapolis Fire Department and dean of formation at Saint Meinrad School of Theology in North Deanery. the Indianapolis South Deanery. St. Meinrad and administrator of Our Lady of the Springs Parish in French Lick and Our Lord Jesus Christ the King Rev. Bede Cisco, O.S.B., director of Indianapolis pro- Rev. Varghese Maliakkal, sacramental ministry at Parish in Paoli, to sacramental minister of those parishes grams for Saint Meinrad School of Theology and director St.