orld& nation Retired Bishop Matter of San Diego dies at 75 By Dan E. Pitre that he had conferred the sacrament of the tion had grown more noticeable in the last Maher. Catholic News Service sick Feb. 22 on Bishop Maher and had few days. At age 12 he decided to join his uncle, SAN DIEGO - Retired San Diego offered with his predecessor prayers of "We always knew his condition was Monsignor Edward Maher, in California. Bishop Leo T. Maher, who led the San final commendation. terminal and incurable," she said. He attended California seminaries from Diego diocese from 1969 to 1990, died Bishop Maher underwent two surgeries During his tenure, Bishop Maher pulled high school on, and was ordained Dec. 18, Feb. 23 at age 75 in his home in San Diego for a malignant brain tumor in 1990. die San Diego diocese and die diocesan-run 1943, for die Archdiocese of San Fran­ after fighting brain canes :r. On July 10, 1990, two months after the University of San Diego out of financial cisco. A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 27 second surgery, his resignation as bishop deficits. In 1956, Bishop Maher became ar- with San Diego Bishop Robert H. Brom was accepted by Pope John Paul II, and he He also established 19 new parishes as cHdiocesan chancellor. In 1962, Pope John celebrating and Archbishop John R. Quinn was succeeded by Bishop Brom, who had the population of registered Catholics in Xxm appointed him the founding bishop of San Francisco, a former San Diego aux­ been coadjutor bishop since 1989. die diocese grew by 50 percent in, two of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Calif. iliary bishop, as homilisi. Bishop Maher died quietly with his decades. From 1962 to 1965, Bishop Maher was Bishop Maher gained national attention brother, Father Raymond Maher, a priest Bishop Maher established pastoral pro­ among me young Americans who helped in 1989 when he forbad: California Senate of the Diocese of San Jose, Calif., and his grams for Hispanics, Filipinos, Viet­ mold the philosophy mat emerged from the candidate Lucy Killea, a state nurse, Sally Bowser, at his side. namese and African-Americans, and is Second Vatican Council. assemblywoman, from receiving Commu­ Bowser told the Southern Cross, San credited with the emergence of many He became die third bishop of San Diego nion because of her support of abortion Diego's diocesan newspaper, that Bishop Catholic direct-aid social service programs on Oct. 4, 1969. rights-. Killea won the election. Maher's condition had been deteriorating in the diocese. Bishop Maher is survived by four Bishop Brom said in a Feb. 23 statement every day since Feb. 2, but die deteriora- Born July 1, 1915, in Mount Union, brothers, including Father Maher, and four Iowa, Leo Thomas Maher was me fifth of sisters, including Dominican Sister Mary Albanian priest predicts nine children born to Thomas and Mary Claire Maher of San Anselmo, Calif. religious rights by spring By Cindy Wooden leaders. Catholic News Servicjs When 50,000 people, many of whom VATICAN CITY - A Catholic Mass were not Catholic, gathered in a cemetery last November forced the Albanian last November for a Mass celebrated by government to back away from its hostile Father Jubani, the government realized it treatment of religion, but churches will not could no longer stop cries for freedom, he have legal rights until a fter scheduled elec­ said. tions in March, an Albanian priest said. The government has promised to adopt a Father Simon Jubani, who spent 26 years freedom of conscience law mat would in prison for being a priest under a vigor­ legalize religious practice, but it has yet to ously atheistic communist government, do so, Father Jubani said. Passage is not visited Italy in February to talk with church expected until after the elections. Democratic forces in Albania face an almost impossible task of , bringing religious freedom and human rights to their country, Father Jubani told Vatican Radio Feb. 21. "It is people who change situations," he said. But most of the Albanian opponents to communism with the education and pol­ jSfl a s-> r*--* itical savvy to change the situation have fled'thecouhtry:: - ''• ' si->,y •>,«-.; In an earlier interview with Avvenire, the Milan-based Catholic newspaper. Father Jubani called for the postponement of die Finally, There Is A Hearing elections in order to give the opposition Instrument To Help You Hear parties more time to prepare. One of the parties running against the Well Again AUTOMATICALLY.. communists is die Popular Party, which Father Jubani founded. He did not discuss his party in die Vatican Radio interview. The NU-EAR EverOn The government has made some conces­ sions to those calling for freedom, in­ No •Never again fumble with tiny cluding tolerating religious services and manual volume controls. The EverOn™ allowing opposition parties to propose can­ Adjusts itself automatically, similiar to didates for the March 31 elections, Father the human ear. Jubani said. World Photos But after almost 50 years of repressive YOUTH NO...Never again fape the constant — Family governments, me people do not believe me hassle of buying and replacing members mourn the death of communists are serious about sharing conventional batteries. 14-year-old Salama Muslah power, so they continue to leave. Feb. 20 near the West Bank "The people want to go to the West at all town of Bethlehem. The youth costs." he said. "They don't want to re­ Yes.. •Just put it in your ear and was shot after pelting a Jewish main in Albania because they have no hope hear better immediately. settler's car with stones. Continued on page 18 "If you suspect that you may have Gang violence leads to shooting, a hearing loss. Call Today for a... FREE HEARING TEST robberies at church celebration AND DEMONSTRATION" DENVER (CNS) After living through July 1990. He had his right leg-amputated the horror of the Vietnam War, Denver- after being shot. Nguyen also had lost an area Vietnamese im]migrants are facing eye fighting the North Vietnamese. new horrors in the form of gangs. From his hospital bed at St. Amhony As parishioners of Queen of the Viet­ Hospital Central in Denver, Nguyen said Monday, Wednesday & Friday namese Martyrs Catholic Church in the his strqngest desire was to return and serve March 4, 6 & 8 Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, Colo., the parjsh he loves. marked the Vietnamese lunar new year Parishioners were not the only ones con­ CRANDALL HEARING INSTRUMENTS Feb. 16, a gang of young Vietnamese cerned1 about recent gang activity. Since 1577 Ridge Road West reportedly entered the parish center the incident occurred, many Asian busi­ Call: 865-4311 or 1-800-421-1012 Today! demanding money ani jewelry. nessmen have expressed worry. Appointments Available 9a.m.-5p.m. Before the assailants fled, parishioner According to Thang Ngo, who fled to the Call for test dates at our other locations:: The Nguyen was shit and several others United States in 1975, "In Vietnam, peo­ Newark: (315) 331-6161; 165 E. Union St. were beaten. An estimated 30 people were ple were much closer togetiier, and there Hornell: (607) 324-4171; 40 Federation Bldg. robbed. was less gang activity. Here, gangs can Nguyen, 57, came p the United States in watch over you step by step." 1979 and had worked as a volunteer to help He ' suggested that to prevent gang build the church^ Wl ildr was dedicated in Continued on page 18 Thursday, February 28,1991 .