World news Pittsburgh Catholic. Friday. February 14. 1986 — Page 9 Survey» find: Many women frustrated with Church but still loyal

Bjr NC News Service or discrim inated against in the church? In society?" The m ajority of About 25 people mentioned , moat of them affirm ing the Many women surveyed by two U .S. expressed frustration the women said they experienced some degree of oppression or church's teaching against It. Five respondents urged that the arlth some church practices but added that they were still loyal, ac­ discrim ination. church's teaching should be changed, saying tt Is unacceptable for cording to diocesan conducting surveys on the role of “I don't feel the church knows who 1 am. or much cares." one men to set rules which affect women's bodies. One person said It women in the church. woman wrote should be allowed In case of rape. Surveys In the dtoceaea of W orcester. M aas., and Rockville Centre. Fifty-three of the 175 m arried women who responded and eight of Being allowed to serve aa lectors and m inisters of the N .Y., were part of the U .S. bishops' consultation for thetr proposed the 17 widows tn the survey said they did not experience oppression was mentioned as a positive factor by at least 30 women Five pastoral tetter on the concerns of women tn church and society or discrim ination In the church. Seven of 34 single women said they women were against women in thoae roles. Hearings have been held in dioceses around the country. did not experience oppression, while only one out of 12 nuns said About 850 women attended four meetings In the of The committee preparing the pastoral is headed by Bishop Joaeph she did not experience oppression Albany. N .Y.. according to Kathleen McCloskey. a member of the lmesch of Jo liet. Ql. Although none of the questions dealt specifically with the ordina­ lO-peraon committee that planned the hearings. St. Joseph Stater Anna Marie Kane, director of the Worcester tion of women, that topic waa the moat frequently raised in the According to Ms. McCloskey. the committee received written diocesan Office for Women, said women respondents expressed feel­ Rockville Centre survey. testimony from “each extrem e," that Is. from one group calling for ings of "second-class citizenship" in the church, but she added that About a quarter of a ll the responses mentioned the all-m ale clergy the ordination of women and another expressing complete satisfac­ while many said they felt frustrated they also said "we're still here." In a negative way. Many cited women's ineligibility for ordination aa tion with the current status of women In the church The survey drew a response from 115 women and 20 men. evidence of discrim ination and urged that women be allowed to be Moot of the women attending the meeting did advocate some The six-part questionnaire found that "there were both women o rd a in e d . change, stye added. and men who were totally satisfied with the present reality of Seventy of the respondents wrote that they favored ordination of She estimated that 10 percent at the participants at the meetings church and the present rede of women in that church and there were women to the priesthood or dlaconate or both were men. To Fred Kowal. another member of the committee, that both women and men who were totally diaaatlfled with the present A smaller group of 22 women said women should never be reflects a society-wide problem. reality," said Slater Kane. o rd a in e d . "When a group gathers to discuss an issue that concerns them, Some said they saw women to be the "drones" of the church, Another Issue that came up frequently waa that of servers. everybody else considers themselves to be part of that. heroic in their patience, constituting the majority of "volunteer Nearly 40 women wrote of being hurt by this exclusion from the "That'a a problem tn society, not only the church. 1 would like m inistry." and performing the beat tn family roles and with time they were young girls None of the respondents specifically have aeen more men there just so they could learn about women's children, according to Sister Kane. defended the practice of having only male acolytes. concerns," he said. In the Rockville Centre Diocese more than 275 people. Including a The church's teaching on birth control was another major Attendance of people under 30 alao waa disappointing. Kowal dozen men. responded to the survey. alienating Issue, according to the survey. At least 30 women «aid. suggesting that young people may have felt cut off from the One of the questions asked. "In what ways do you feel oppressed specifically mentioned it as a problem area c h u rc h . Theologians disagree on woman’s

By JOB MICHAEL FEIST man of the theology department In a law or in a precept incur an McBrien is "m issing an important "She obviously didn’t know," side red to Incur excommuntca NC News Service at the University of Notre Dame, automatic penalty attached to an p o in t." he added. tlon; the person who performs la.“ Two prominent theologians said his position on the case “is offense If It would not have been "If you have someone taking a Father McBrien emphasized have expressed contrasting views committed without their efforts.” very public stance, advocating The lawyer. Father that she Is not excom m unicated.” that the church has a right to ex­ regarding the church's excom- and encouraging the accom plish­ James Provoat. executive coor­ He added that "the whole thing Father McBrien said that "a communicate members, but It Is muntcaton of Mary Ann Sorren­ Is unfortunate" and said Pro­ dinator of the Society doubt exists (whether Canon ment of abortion on a rather wide not clear In this caae that the ex­ tino. head of Planned Parenthood vidence diocesan officials "didn't of America, said he has "never 1329) would extend to her posi­ scale. It would aeem Incredible to communication la automatic. of Rhode Island. handle It w ell.” tion" as adm inistrator of Planned suppose that there was no effec­ heard of this kind of thing" being done before. And a leading canon lawyer has The action, communicated to Parenthood. tiveness in her work, that she Ms. Sorrentlno told The New termed the action highly unusual. Ms. Sorrentlno by Father “The farther away you get from didn't really manage to encourage He said he did not know the ex­ York Times Jan. 24 that she Salvatore Matano. vicar for ad­ actually participating tn the ac­ and support that actual­ act procedures followed by Plann­ could appeal the church's ruling, ~ Ms. Sorrentino waa notified last m inistration for the diocese, was tual (abortion procedure), the ly took place," said Father ed Parenthood In Rhode Island, so but "In the current clim ate It Isn't ■June by an of the Diocese based on Canons 1398 and 1329 more doubt there is that the L a w le r. he could not comment directly on worth the postage to request a •of Providence, that, as a conse­ of the church's Code of Canon canon applies." Father McBrien According to Father McBrien. Ms. Sorrentlno's Involvement h e a rin g ." quence of her position with Plann­ L a w . sa id another factor is that to incur an with abortion or whether the ed Parenthood, an organization Canon 1398 states, "A person But Capuchin Father Ronald automatic excommunication it canon was correctly applied. Father McBrien Indicated that, that performs abortions at some who procures a successful abor­ Lawler, director of the Institute muat be clear beforehand to the He said, however, that "If a per­ should Ms. Sorrentlno appeal the .of its clinics, she had Incurred an tion Incurs an automatic excom­ for Advanced Studies In Catholic person that the penalty Involved son Is a director of a hospital In decision, the Provtdence Diocese automatic excommunication. m unication." Canon 1329 states. Doctrine at St. John's University for his or her activity is which abortions are performed, would be obliged to review the - Father Richard McBrien. chair - "Accom plices who are not named In Jamaica. N.Y.. said Father excommunication. the person who directs la not con case under canon law.

News in brief Archbishop Foley on Catholic Press At the Vatican VATICAN CITY (NC) - The Catholic press The Catholic press can "challenge our faith should challenge people's faith by accurately through accurate reports of the situation of our reporting world problems and the moral Issues brothers and sisters In Christ in our cities and Involved, said the head of the Pontifical Commis­ farm s, tn our schools and hospitals — and Indeed sion for Social Communications. in every land,” he added. Faith "m ust be strengthened by reflection on Catholics need "a deepened understanding not and assim ilation of God's answers to our per­ only of sacred Scripture and the truths of faith sonal crises and to the moral dilemmas that face but also of their relationship to modern life and says speed up marriage cases the world," Archbishop John Foley said in a contemporary events." said Archbishop Foley. VATICAN CITY (NC) - The Vatican appeals time for concluding a case suggested tn the statement Issued Feb. 7 for Catholic Press "By faithful and timely reports of church court responsible for Judging marriage annul­ previous 1917 code. M onth. teachings on contemporary moral problems, the ment matters should speed up Its handling of At the same time, the pope told the officials "A s long as there are children dying of hunger, Catholic press can strengthen our faith." he said. cases. Pope John Paul II said Jan. 30. that their main Job is to promote Justice by defen­ as long as there are men and women deprived of ding the permanent unity of sacramental Long delays can cause people to choose solu­ their human rights as children of God. as long as Archbishop Foley, a priest of the Philadelphia m a rria g e . tions "In clear contrast to Catholic doctrine." he there is the violence of war. the violence of abor­ Archdiocese, was named to head the pontifical "Undoubtedly, the application of the new code tion or the violence of oppression, faith must be commission In 1984. Prior to that he was editor ad d ed . can run the risk of Innovative. Imprecise or In­ But the pope also warned the court's officials challenged to show a Christ-like response," he of the Catholic Standard and Times, weekly coherent Interpretations, particularly in the case against granting based on "In­ s a id . newspaper of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. of Invalidating psychic problems, or tn thoae of novative. imprecise or incoherent Interpreta­ impediment through fraud and of error which tions” of psychological reasons wnlch might pre­ conditions the w ill." the pope said. Diocese establishes affirmative action policy vent a valid Catholic marriage from taking place. Exam ine each caae on Its own m erits "without Such interpretations are the result of a "super­ giving In to a superficial permissive mentality CHARLOTTE. N.C. (NC) — The Diocese of diocese he has met few blacks or members of ficial permissive m entality." he said. which does not take adequate account of the un­ Charlotte w ill follow an affirm ative action policy other m inorites working for the church. The pope spoke at a meeting with officials of breakable demands of sacramental m atrim ony." in hiring, according to new guidelines mandated "I would hope a year from now we would see a the , the church's appeals court. he added. by Bishop John F. Donoghue of Charlotte. big difference," said Bishop Donoghue. who Most of Its work Is reviewing marriage cases from The pope did not give any examples of er­ The policy was signed Jan. 25 by Bishop became head of the Charlotte Diocese In 1984. diocesan tribunals. roneous Interpretations of psychological o r Donoghue during a Charlotte diocesan celebra­ The affirmative action program w ill cover The pope quoted canon law which says that fraudulent causes for Invalidating a m arriage. tion In honor of slain civil rights leader the Rev. diocesan offices, parishes. Catholic elementary the rota should strive to conclude each case The new Code of Canon Law gives those as Martin Luther King Jr. and high schools, day-care centers, social service within stx months. reasons which can invalidate a marriage but The policy calls for the diocese "to seek m inori­ organizations and voluntary boards. He told the officials to commit themselves "to does not cite specific examples, le a v in g ty and female representation in governing and Organizations and Institutions not under the the maximum so that the case Is concluded with Judgments to be made on a caae-by-case basis advisory bodies equal to m inority and female jurisdiction of the diocese, such as Catholic the solicitude that the good of souls requires and T h is h a s led some church officials and can o n population of the diocese and to provide equal hospitals, are not included in the plan. which the new Code of Canon Law prescribes." lawyers to complain that some church courts are employment opportunity and affirm ative action The policy also forbids discrim ination based on "May no member of the faithful be able to use Interpreting these canons too broadly In granting tn all personnel policies, practices and race, sex. age or religion In diocesan construction the excesalve length of the ecclesiastical process annulments. procedures.” activities, purchases, contracts, banking, use of as a reason for refusing to propose a cause or for Canon 1095 says that people cannot contract a At a news conference Bishop Donoghue said he lending Institutions and other economic giving up on it. choosing solutions In clear con­ sacram ental marriage if they "are not capable of issued the policy as a way to address the problem activities. trast to Catholic doctrine." the pope said. assuming the essential obligations of matrimony of discrim ination in the diocese. Bishop Donoghue appointed an affirm ative ac­ The new Code of Canon Law cuts In half the due to causes of a psychic nature." He said it Is "part of our plan as church, our tion advisory council which w ill monitor the Im­ obligation" to elim inate racism or discrim ination plementation of the policy and handle any against m inorities. com plaints. Catholic communicators told to fill ‘ video void’ Bishop Donoghue said he was not aware of The policy Is to be posted around the diocese. VATICAN CITY (NC) — Catholic co m ­ "For the church, such Initiatives are not a specific cases of discrim ination in the diocese, Included In diocesan contracts, and read annual­ m unicators should fill a current "video void" by public relations luxury but a duty imposed by "but I want to make sure It's not a problem.” ly at all Masses In the diocese, preferably around developing quality programs that better explain Christ,” he said. He said that In his visits throughout the the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. the faith. U .S. Archbishop John Foley, head of The church should also educate its m em b ers the Vatican Commission for Social Communica­ to be both contributors and "discrim inating con­ tions. said Jan. 27. sum ers" of the media, the archblahop said. Cincinnati attendance down again "The possibility of direct broadcasts into "Committed Christians should also work not homes by satellite already exists; the reality of only to counteract pornography, violence and m anipulation In the media, but also to encourage CINCINNATI (NC) — Average weekly Mass at­ home video and audiotape systems is already decades are sim ilar to trends among Catholics what la wholesome, sensitive and accurate." he tendance In the Cincinnati Archdiocese declined nationwide. Yearly Gallup polls indicate that widespread." Archbishop Foley said. for the 19th year in a row last year, according to s a id . U .S. Catholic Mass attendance dropped sharply "There Is a video void — and we must fill It Archbishop Foley, a Philadelphia native who figures released in January. in the late 1960s and early '70s. The decline con­ with spiritual nourishment. Catholic television has headed the communications commission From a 1966 peak of more than 366.000. in tinued from the mid-'70s Into the '80s. but at a programs of professional quality are greatly since m id-1984, repeated a theme he stressed in 1985 the archdiocese's annual "October count" slower rate. needed," he said. Archbishop Foley spoke to a a talk to the 1985 synod of bishops; that recogni­ of Sunday Mass attendance In all parishes drop­ meeting of the bishops of the Philippines in the tion of the m edia's importance by the Second ped to just over 244.000, or two-thirds of its In 1984 Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincin­ country's capital. M anila. The text of his rem arks Vatican Council has not had sufficient practical former level. nati asked the U.S. bishops to study the was made available by the Vatican com m ission. Estim ates of the archdiocese's total Catholic phenomenon of declining Mass attendance na­ r e s u lt s . population during that period fluctuated year-to- tionally and see what could be done about It. The Archbishop Foley said the c h u rc h m u s t b e He criticized Catholic publications that em­ ready to meet journalists' professional needs of p h a siz e dissent over church teaching, as well as year but remained tn the general range of about bishops referred the question to their Committee 425.000 to 460.000. on Pastoral Research and Practices, which has Inform ation and cooperation. “some spokespersons for the church" who give The loss In Mass attendance between 1984 and asked the National Pastoral Planning Con­ That involves preparing press releases on the Impression of unnecessary secrecy, defen­ 1985 was about 3.400. The previous year the ference. a national organization of diocesan church news, furnishing background m aterials siveness and a fear of the truth. drop had been almost 7,500. pastoral planners, to pull together available In­ on church doctrine and developing personal con­ "It would be tragic,” Archbishop Foley said, "if The Cincinnati figures over the past two formation on the Issue. tacts with news media in order to “explain to the the message of Christ which we proclaim Is not world its faith," he said. believed because we lack credibility."