Inside Archbishop Buechlein . 4, 5 Editorial. 4 Family Finance . 9 From the Archives. 19 TheCriterion Question Corner . 17 Criterion Sunday & Daily Readings. 17 Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 www.archindy.org October 13, 2000 Vol. XXXX, No. 2 50¢ What’s next on RU-486 pill? Pro-lifers tackle abortion battle WASHINGTON (CNS)—Although they lost the battle with the Food and Drug Administration over the French abortion pill RU-486, pro-lifers still hope to win the war with a combination of tactics ranging from federal remedies to enforcement of existing state laws to playing the China card. “Congress has a duty to ensure that RU- 486 kills only one person instead of two,” said Rep. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., as he introduced the RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Act on Oct. 4. “Sadly, the politicized Clinton-Gore FDA has caved in to political pressure from pro-abortion activists who would sacrifice the health and safety of women to advance their crusade for easy access to abortion,” added Coburn, who describes himself as a practicing physician who has delivered 3,500 babies and has performed abortions to save the lives of mothers. Submitted photos “Congress now has the unenviable task of correcting the FDA’s mistake,” he said. Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., intro- duced a companion bill in the Senate, say- Celebrating ing that “all Americans should be con- cerned if politics are entering into the FDA’s drug approval process.” With Congress scheduled to adjourn in autumn early October, neither man expects the leg- islation to win approval this year. “I don’t know anybody who seriously believes there is an option during this term,” hildren from The Woods Day Care/Pre- C Hutchinson said. “That’s why I’m pushing School recently visited with Sisters of for hearings, and I think we have to build Providence in Karcher Hall, a health-care the fact base and look at legislation after the facility at the Congregation’s motherhouse elections, and hope for a different [presi- at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, where they dent].” celebrated the arrival of autumn by making The proposal also serves to remind the colorful hats filled with seasonal items and public that just four months ago, the FDA ribbons. Providence Sister Rose Angele was quietly suggesting a series of safe- Spalding (above) and Anthony Ornduff try guards for the use of RU-486 that were on their stylish creations, while Providence nowhere to be found when the FDA’s final Sister Catherine Sienna Wire (right) and approval came through on Sept. 28. The RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Loyal Gifford work together on their art Act would reinstate some of those safe- projects. The Church’s Jubilee Day for guards, requiring that the physician who the Elderly was Sept. 24. prescribes it be trained in performing surgi- cal abortions, qualified to read a sonogram and identify an ectopic pregnancy, and have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, in case a surgical abortion needs to be per- formed when RU-486 fails, as it is expected Cathedral welcomes Olympic medallist See RU-486, page 3 By Jennifer Del Vechio student. As he entered the gym, more than 1,000 students were chanting To the world, Chris Huffins is “USA! USA! USA!” in his honor. A grin known for running his fastest race to spread wide across his face. win the decathlon bronze in the 2000 “I never thought I’d be listening to Olympics at Sydney, Australia, last this,” he said. month. The Olympic bronze medal he had But at Cathedral High School in worked so hard for on Sept. 28—run- Indianapolis, Huffins is remembered ning 13 seconds faster than he ever had as the student who quit the basketball in his life—was nowhere to be seen. team and began running track, had a Finally, Huffins took it out of his reputation as a “phenomenal athlete” jeans pocket and put it around his neck and let everyone know he didn’t want for the students to see. to be there after his mother moved the Earlier he’d stated that it was “just a family from New York to Indiana. medal,” and that in 20 years he might On Oct. 6, Huffins, a 1988 open up its case like the “Holy Grail,” Cathedral graduate, walked through but for now the win was too fresh for the doors of his past to find the one him to “look at [the medal] with any man he wanted to thank: his high ridiculous reverence yet.” Photo by Jennifer Del Vechio Del Jennifer Photo by school track coach, Mark Worrell. Instead, it was about what it repre- Chris Huffins (right) greets Mark Worrell, his former First, Huffins had to pass through sented, he said. Cathedral High School track coach, and thanks Worrell his old hallways, hugging teachers and “It’s what I dreamed for,” he said. for helping him succeed as an Olympic decathlete. staff members that he’d known as a See OLYMPICS, page 2 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, October 13, 2000 As the students quieted down after see- OLYMPICS ing the medal, Huffins called Worrell out continued from page 1 of the crowd. “When I was in high school, I thought “It’s about having the courage to go it was me against the world,” Huffins through the journey I was called upon, said. “When I was in high school, I had and when I came upon the moment of the biggest chip on my shoulder and greatness I wanted to be able to do that. thought no one liked me.” “This is one of the hardest things to Then he met Worrell, who told him he do on the planet,” he continued. “I can’t “wasn’t a bad guy,” but urged him to think of five things that are harder to do change his attitude. than win an Olympic medal of any “He said, ‘You need to calm down and color.” let people show you that they like you,’ ” Huffins said. “I never got a chance to say ‘thank you.’ ” About Chris Huffins Last Friday, Huffins finally thanked his high school track coach. • 2000 Olympic bronze medallist Coaching a former student who won an decathlete Olympic bronze medal and came back to • 1988 Cathedral High School graduate the school to say “thank you” is hard to • Attended Purdue University and describe, Worrell said. graduated from the University of “I can say what the kids say—‘Awe- California with a degree in political some!’ ” he said. economies of industrial societies Looking back, Worrell said he learned • Age 30 a lesson from Huffins. • Married, with one son “You do not under any circumstances Vechio Del Jennifer Photo by Olympic bronze medallist Chris Huffins checks out a display case with his winning memorabilia in • Career highlights: 1998 and 1999 deflate a kid’s dream,” he said. “Don’t Cathedral High School’s trophy room during an Oct. 6 visit to his alma mater. U.S. champion; 1999 World pigeonhole kids.” Championships bronze medallist; It’s those philosophies that Huffins 1999 Pan Am Games gold medallist; remembers the most about Cathedral how important Cathedral is to graduates. a senior from St. Matthew Parish in holds decathlon world record in High School. Huffins agreed, stating that the path to Indianapolis. 100-meter (10.22) He spoke about “a family atmosphere,” the Olympic bronze medal started with Huffins said he wants to impart the • Decathletes compete in track and and how “this place feels like home.” lessons at Cathedral about perseverance. lessons he’s learned to the track athletes field events that include the 100- When Father Patrick Kelly, Cathedral’s “I learned how to believe in myself and he coaches at the Georgia Institute of meter, 400-meter and 1,500-meter principal, greeted him, Huffins began how to overcome obstacles,” Huffins said. Technology in Atlanta. runs, the 110-meter high hurdle, the telling him the story about how someone Current students said having Huffins And Cathedral High School will discus, javelin throws, the shot put, stole his Cathedral class ring. speak showed them how lucky they are. always be special to him, he said. the pole vault, the high jump and the “Of all things,” Huffins said. “That shows a lot about Cathedral that “I’ll always come back here,” he said. long jump. † Father Kelly said that story showed he came back here,” said Claire Kubacki, “It will always be a part of what I do.” † Archdiocese is selling Jubilee polo Jennifer Del Vechio shirts and commemorative pins Two Jubilee keepsakes are available, by volunteers at the celebration. The joins Criterion staff and the price is right. shirts have the Jubilee logo and come in The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is extra large and extra-extra large sizes. Jennifer Del Vechio, a senior beat. She also covered police, courts, selling its overstock of shirts and pins They are a polyester and cotton blend. reporter with the Franklin, Ind., Daily government and features. purchased for Celebration in the Spirit of Also available are Jubilee 2000 logo Journal and a She will be filling the vacancy cre- Hope: The Great Jubilee at 60 percent off pins. They are $2. correspondent ated by Margaret Nelson’s retirement the original price. To purchase shirts or pins, contact with the National in August. The eucharistic liturgy, held in the RCA Steve James, director of purchasing for Catholic Reg- Del Vechio holds a Bachelor of Dome in Indianapolis on Sept. 16, drew the archdiocese, at 317-236-1451 or 800- ister, has joined Arts degree in journalism from more than 30,000 Catholics from around 382-9836, ext.