1 O B S E R V E R Friday, April 19, 1996 • Vol. XXVII No. 127 I I IE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME AND SAINT MARY'S McBrien answers critics of Catholic text ‘Intercourse ’ By GW ENDOLYN NORGLE could have sinned, indicates that the virgin with Dr. Ruth... Associate News Editor birth of Jesus probably never happened and holds that homosexuality, con­ Contending that his book, traception and women’s ordi­ SUB brings “Catholicism,” was misunder­ nation are open questions, stood due to criticism meant with the official church teach­ also as an attack on himself, ing merely being one option. renowned Father Richard McBrien, Notre The Committee on Doctrine, Dame professor of Theology which makes statements on and prominent moral theolo­ theological issues and is sex doctor gian, responded yesterday to a chaired by Archbishop Daniel By KELLY BROOKS National Conference of Pilarczyk of Cinncinnati, News Writer Catholic Bishops committee’s claimed that while McBrien’s review of it. book demonstrates the diversi­ “Sex kills, so go to Notre Last Tuesday, the Secretariat ty of viewpoints within the Dame and live forever.” If for Doctrine and Pastoral Prac­ Church, it de-emphasizes that bootleg shirt slogan is any tices, led by executive director established Church teachings indication, then Dr. Ruth Father Augustine DiNoia, and stresses modern thinking. Westheimer will have her claimed that the latest edition This complicates the read­ The Observer/David Murphy work cut out for her as she of McBrien’s book is “inaccu­ McBrien (left) has faced er’s ability to distinguish between “mainstream Catholic tries to avoid controversial rate or at least misleading” in strongly negative reactions issues while still having a describing some church posi­ to his book “Catholicism.” conversation” and opinions which are “closer to the mar­ frank and engaging lecture on tions. According to the five- relationships. member committee, the book contains criti­ gins,” according to the review. “For some readers it will give encouragement to dis­ “I spoke with Dr. Ruth and cisms of Pope John Paul IPs conservatism explained that it is a con­ and of the Church’s demand of celibacy sent,” the secretariat said. However, in stating his disagreement, servative campus, asking her among priests. It also maintains the possi­ to be respectful of the Catholic bility for Catholics to believe Jesus Christ see M CBRIEN/ page 4 character of the University," said Rob Laux, Student Union Board advisor. “She said she’d try but couldn’t promise that she’d refrain from speak­ ing on uncomfortable topics." The University can do little to censor the lectures that come to campus. “We have an open speakers policy at Notre Dame,” explained Julie Wall- man, outgoing Ideas and Issues commissioner at SUB. “The administration will not On the Rise stand in the way of intellectual pursuit.” Wallman brought Billy Joel Stadium construction m s and Greg Louganis and con­ tracted to bring Gerry Adams continues to progress to Notre Dame. “There are no limits placed on what she [Dr. Ruth] could without delay, mishap say but we asked her to be re­ By DEREK BETCHER spectful of the University,” News Writer Laux commented. The questions submitted by No news is good news, at least as far as students will be screened. the stadium renovation is concerned. Six This is actually Dr. Ruth’s pol­ months into the $50 million plan to add icy. “The questions are 21,000 seats to Notre Dame Stadium, the screened at all of her speaking project is on schedule and on budget. engagements per her re­ “The contractors are doing real well. The Observer/David Murphy quest,” Laux continued. “She We’re real pleased there haven’t been any Hesburgh Library still peeks over the extensions built around the stadium's north end doesn’t want vulgar questions. accidents either... The new stadium is zone (above). Concrete foundations in the interior concourse (above left) are almost “She wants to make sure the going to be a great addition to our cam­ halfway finished, proceeding according to schedule. questions are legitimate and pus,” said Michael Smith, Notre Dame’s not someone rambling. From April. “When they’re done, the superstruc­ existing interior seating area to replace director of facilities engineering. her experiences students may ture will be up. They'll close the gap some­ rotten and weakened sections of concrete. He highlighted three aspects of the stadi­ be embarrassed to ask them time this summer,” Smith said. This project is also well underway. um’s construction on which the contrac­ publicly and find it easier to Onlookers may also have noticed very Finally, contractors are also focusing on tors are currently, focusing. Their most vis­ write them down.” large holes gaping in places in the existing forming the structure and shell of the new ible endeavor, exterior erection of pre-cast Bringing someone like Dr. stadium. “No, that’s not hail damage,” press box. This expanded press box, like concrete, is nearly half done—just as plan­ Ruth, who speaks about sex Smith joked. ners had anticipated it would be by mid- Actually, it is selective demolition of the see STA D IUM / page 4 see DR. RUTH/ page 10 ResNet stays ‘online’ amid cuts Race to the finish By HEATHER COCKS The Office of Information network upon commencement Assistant News Editor Technology was granted a of the Fall 1996 semester. “We mere 10 percent of the funds didn’t get everything we asked The plans have been scaled they projected as necessary to for initially, but we made down, but the goal remains the complete the ResNet plan in its modifications, putting together same: to somehow network entirety. a strong project that isn’t just approximately 50 percent of “We put together a budget a skeleton,” he said. dorm s proposal that we believed was ResNet users will have easy August. just enough to support the access to a web browser, news Dubbed halls and their wiring, ” said reader, e-mail program, and ResNet, the Scott Siler, manager of Student other Internet services cur­ network will Computer Support and coordi­ rently available in campus ultimately be nator support for ResNet. “The computer clusters. Siler stated available to central administration has sev­ that experts will be in the resi­ all rooms in eral plans they must review to dence halls with the offer of every resi­ decide which they will fund. free installation of the dence hall on It’s a tough decision." required applications. “This Siler remains optimistic that will be as painless as possible,” campus. Through ResNet, stu­ The Observer/Rachael Sederberg dents will be able to access the the lack of expected funds will he promises. Saint Mary's students joined in the festivities of SMCTostal yester­ Internet as rapidly as if they not adversely affect the dorms day, including a canoe race on Lake Marion. were in a computer cluster. scheduled to gain access to the see RESNET/ page 10 page 2 T he Observer • INSIDE Friday, April 19,1996 INSIDE COLUMN I W ORLD AT A GLANCE Benatar Cholera attacks war-ravaged Liberia MONROVIA, Liberia diplomats and supporters of rebel leader International mediators urged Liberia’s Cholera outbreak Roosevelt Johnson were planning to dis­ warring factions to accept a truce Adding to Liberia's misery, cholera has cuss the plan at a meeting later at the broken out in a U.S. compound in the philosophy Thursday during a lull in 12 days of fac­ U.S. Embassy. capital city, Monrovia. The compound tional fighting that have cleared the capi­ houses 20,000 refugees. No results were announced, but List tal’s streets of all but swaggering combat­ said the presence in the meeting of U.N. Let’s face it: at times, ants and people scavenging for food. 1/2 mile Special Representative Anthony Nyakyi we all think that we are and Gen. John Inienger, head of the West Meanwhile, a silent killer was on the 1/2 km the busiest person on rise: cholera. The disease, caused by a African peacekeeping force in Liberia, campus. My roommate Atlantic lack of clean drinking water, spread to a Ocean Liberia “are pretty good signs” some progress and 1 spend twenty min­ U.S. compound holding 20,000 refugees would be made. utes each night, duking and killed five people, an American diplo­ Fighting began when the government out just who is busier mat said Thursday. Monrovia ' % tried to arrest Johnson, a former govern­ than the other. This Cholera was also killing refugees ment minister, on murder charges. semester, having had to f f f ii Mamba Brian Tierney jammed into a besieged, rebel-held mili­ Point Charles Taylor, a rival faction leader who adjust from the Club tary camp. Officials were hoping for a dominates Liberia’s ruling council, is D a y C h ie f Med atmosphere of t h e __________ \V truce that would allow relief efforts to S tadium demanding Johnson’s surrender. A newly Lon don Program to the fully resume. appointed U.N. special envoy, James rigors of ROTC immersion and a challenging The new flare-up in Liberia’s 6-year-old u.sx ^ Jonah of Sierra Leone, arrived Thursday schedule, I have reflected on just why we civil war has pushed 60,000 people out of Embassy aboard a U.S. military helicopter. stress our bodies and minds. As we enter the their homes and triggered widespread compound “I believe the people of Liberia have crunch time before finals, and prepare to looting since it began April 6.