It’s All Good Big hearts have room for many friends, writes columnist Patti Lamb, page 12. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com February 3, 2017 Vol. LVII, No. 16 75¢ President’s action banning refugees brings outcry from Church leaders WASHINGTON (CNS)—President Donald J. Trump’s executive memorandum intended to restrict the entry of terrorists coming to the United States brought an outcry from Catholic leaders across the U.S. Church leaders used phrases such as “devastating,” “chaotic” and “cruel” to describe the Jan. 27 action that left already-approved David Bethuram refugees and immigrants stranded at U.S. airports and led the Department of Homeland Security to rule that green card holders—lawful permanent U.S. residents—be allowed into the country. “The executive order to turn away refugees and to close our nation to those, particularly Muslims, fleeing violence, oppression and persecution is contrary to both Catholic and American values,” said Pro-life advocates with the Indiana State Knights of Columbus carry a banner past the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 27 during the annual March for Life Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich in a in Washington. (CNS photo/Leslie E. Kossoff) Jan. 29 statement. “The Protection of the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United Archdiocesan youths show their courage by States,” which suspends the entire U.S. refugee resettlement program for marching, standing up for life in America 120 days, bans entry from all citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries—Syria, By John Shaughnessy on Twitter about the impact the march has Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and had in their lives. Somalia—for 90 days. The joy flows from Scotty Biggs as he “It shows to me and to others that the The executive action also establishes a mentions the best sign he saw from the Holy Spirit is at work here, because one of religious criteria for refugees, proposing 44th annual March for Life in Washington the gifts of the Holy Spirit is courage. And to give priority to religious minorities over on Jan. 27. I certainly see that coming through in their others who may have equally compelling The “sign” involved the transformation lives.” refugee claims. in the 32 youths who attended the Biggs credits that transformation to “We are told this is not the ‘Muslim march from St. Bartholomew Parish the youths’ experience during the march, ban’ that had been proposed during the in Columbus, where Biggs serves as where they “witnessed hundreds of presidential campaign, but these actions coordinator of youth ministry. thousands of youths from all across the focus on Muslim-majority countries,” said Before the march, Biggs noticed that nation who stood up for life.” Cardinal Cupich. many of the youths from St. Bartholomew Hundreds of young people from The cardinal quoted Pope Francis’ often struggled to publicly proclaim their across the Archdiocese of Indianapolis remarks to Congress in 2015: “If we want pro-life beliefs—because too few of their contributed to that witness. Buses filled security, let us give security; if we want life, fellow students in the public high schools with youths from the New Albany, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let they attend share those beliefs. Indianapolis North and Indianapolis West us provide opportunities.” “Since coming back from the march, deaneries made the journey to Washington. Grace Oberhausen, left, and Molly Cowgill In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the they’re changing their Facebook profiles Other groups from the archdiocese were among the 49 students from Marian executive director of archdiocesan Catholic to photos of the march,” Biggs says, the included youths from All Saints Parish in University in Indianapolis who made the Charities said he was “deeply saddened” by enthusiasm filling his voice. “They’re Dearborn County, St. Charles Borromeo journey to Washington for the March for Life See BAN, page 2 posting on Instagram, and they’re posting See MARCH, page 8 on Jan. 27. (Submitted photo) Surrounded by ‘new family,’ Cardinal Tobin takes possession of titular church in Rome ROME (CNS)—Flanked by the parishioners and well-wishers he called his “new family,” Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., celebrated Mass at his titular church in Rome. The cardinal formally took possession of the Church of St. Mary of the Graces on Jan. 29. The church is located just a short distance from St. Peter’s Basilica. Arriving dressed in his cardinal-red cassock, Cardinal Tobin was greeted by Father Antonio Raimondo Fois, pastor of St. Mary of the Graces Parish, and presented with a cross which he solemnly kissed before he entered and blessed the people in the packed church. Each cardinal is considered an honorary member of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, and is also named an honorary pastor of a parish church there. That church is known as their “titular church.” In his homily, Cardinal Tobin, previously the Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., blesses the faithful with holy water as he arrives archbishop of Indianapolis from 2012-16, reflected to take possession of his titular church of St. Mary of the Graces in Rome on Jan. 29. See TOBIN, page 2 (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Page 2 The Criterion Friday, February 3, 2017 missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, TOBIN the Most Holy Redeemer,” said the continued from page 1 cardinal, a former superior general of the on the Sunday’s reading from St. Paul’s Redemptorist order. First Letter to the Corinthians, in which At the end of Mass, Father Fois the Apostle said that God “chose the thanked Cardinal Tobin for his closeness foolish of the world to shame the wise” to the parish and its namesake, telling (1 Cor 1:27). parishioners that he was surprised by Telling parishioners that he may be the cardinal’s gesture of wearing a ring a “foolish missionary cardinal” in the bearing the image of Our Lady of Grace, world’s eye, Cardinal Tobin said that which he had given the cardinal as a gift. such a distinction unites Christians since “I never would have expected that he throughout history God “has chosen would remove the ring given to him by those who are shameful and despised by Pope Francis, and place instead the ring of the world.” Our Lady on his finger,” Father Fois said. “In a world that prides itself in having, in Raising his hand high, Cardinal Tobin dominating others, in being fearful of others showed the ring to the parishioners, who and in making selfish choices,” Cardinal responded with thunderous applause. Tobin said Christians should instead heed Likening it to a wedding ring, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., accepts offertory gifts from children during a Mass to take St. Paul’s call to “boast in the Lord.” Father Fois said his gesture “means that he possession of his titular church of St. Mary of the Graces in Rome on Jan. 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Recalling the parish’s namesake, the wishes us well, and that he is married to us.” cardinal said the first grace Mary gave to The pastor also asked parishioners to that Bishop Cruz received 20 stitches and, Saying he was happy to call the parish all Christians is the grace of knowing and pray for Newark Auxiliary Bishop Manuel although unable to celebrate Mass, he went of St. Mary of the Graces “my new following Jesus, embarking on a path that A. Cruz, who was assaulted while out to greet parishioners and well-wishers family,” Cardinal Tobin said, “It gives me made her “the first disciple of Christ.” celebrating Mass on Jan. 28 in the after Sunday Mass at the cathedral. joy to share our faith, the word of God and “Today we implore Mary’s help and Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Father Fois said parishioners would join the sacraments with you. Pray for your graces, and we beseech her to accompany Jim Goodness, archdiocesan spokesman, the cardinal in praying for Bishop Cruz’s brother ‘Giuseppe,’ and I will never forget us in the great adventure of becoming told Catholic News Service on Jan. 29 “healing and quick recovery.” to pray for you.” † Services in how to best serve those who “We will work vigorously to ensure groups whom we have welcomed and BAN are presently here, and those who will that refugees are humanely welcomed helped to find a better, safer life for continued from page 1 be resettling here in the future. We are in collaboration with Catholic Charities themselves and their children in America. President Trump’s executive action. always grateful for the support of so many without sacrificing our security or our “Even when such groups were “The Catholic Church has welcomed in our community who stand with us.” core values as Americans, and to ensure met by irrational fear, prejudice and immigrants and refugees to the United Bethuram said the archdiocese respects that families may be reunified with their persecution, the signature benevolence of States throughout its history,” David “that safety needs to be addressed, but loved ones,” he said. the United States of America eventually Bethuram said. “We stand united with not through an order like this that will do Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of triumphed. That confident kindness is the other Catholic Charities in the United more harm than good. Washington called attention to the USCCB what has made, and will continue to States in embracing Pope Francis’ urging “Welcoming migrants, immigrants and statement and the executive action, and make, America great.” of not closing the door on migrants and refugees reflects not only our Catholic noted that “the legal situation is still Around the country, people gathered refugees.