The Denver Catholic Register WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27,1976 VOL. Ill ___________ Colorado’s Largest Weekly NO. 12 25 CENTS PER COPY 64 PAGES ‘Call to Action' Sees New Face For Church m By James Fiedler Register Staff The Call to Action Conference sponsored by the U.S. bishops approved recommendations that if achieved would noticeably change the face of the Catholic Church. A large majority of the 1,340 delegates from dioceses and Catholic organizations in the United States recom­ mended : • Married men be allowed to be ordained to the priesthood; • Women be permitted to be ordained to the diaconateand priesthood; • Priests be allowed to marry and remain in or resume the priesthood; • Girls be allowed to act as altar servers; • The Church “ extend pastoral care to divorced and divorced/remarried Catholics’’ and the bishops take the necessary action “ to repeal the penalty of automatic ex- communication decreed by the Third Council of Baltimore for Catholics who ‘dare to remarry after divorce;’ ’’ • The “ cessation of capital punishment;’’ • Support for the Equal Rights Amendment and com­ mitment by the Church of “ significant economic resources and personnel ... to achieve speedy ratification” • Catholics “ endorse and work to implement the 1975 Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities,’’ which calls for a constitutional amendment to “ affirm and protect life from conception to natural death.” The Call to Action delegates, meeting in Detroit’s huge Cobo Hall Oct. 231-23, discussed, debated and revised eight working papers containing numerous recommenda­ tions — the input of hundreds of regional and diocesan hearings and discussions held as part of the bishops’ Liberty and Justice for All Bicentennial program. Denver delegates Esther Sehaefer, Bishop Evans, and Ivan Vasquez listen to conference debate. (Continued on Page 12) m Reflections on an Election Year— 1976 In the election year which is also the 200th anniver­ duty to take part in the organization and life of religious voting bloc; nor do we wish to instruct sary of the founding of our nation, all citizens are political society. persons on how they should vote by endorsing can­ urged to take time and reflect on the importance of an The Bishops of the U.S. urge all to vote freely “ ac­ didates. We urge citizens to avoid choosing candidates election in a free country, to examine the position of cording to their conscience, in a word, to participate simply on the personal basis of self interest. the candidates and to study the issues that face the fully in this critical area of politics where national “ We hope that voters will examine the positions of United States—and the world—in a critical period of decisions are made.” candidates on the full range of issues as well as the history. VATICAN II ON THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH person’s integrity, philosophy and performance... Never before in the history of the nation has the The Church recognizes the legitimate autonomy of government and the right of all, including the Church Church taken such an active part in seeking to en­ THE CHURCH’S ROLE courage the citizens to take the responsibility of itself, to be heard in the formulation of public policy. Vatican II declared; “ By preaching the truth of the The Church’s role in the political order includes the voting. The Church has stressed the Christian values following; that face the U.S. electorate. It has made every effort Gospel and shedding light on all areas of human ac­ not to speak with a partisan voice but with a concern tivity through her teaching and examples of the 1. Education regarding the teachings of the Church for moral values. faithful, she (the Church) shows respect for the and the responsibilities of the faithful; The following are some points that the Bishops of the political freedom and responsibility of citizens and 2. Analysis of issues for their social and moral U.S. have asked the people to reflect on as they fosters these values. She also has the right to pass dimensions; prepare the cast their votes on November 2. moral judgments, even on matters touching the 3. Measuring public policy against Gospel values; PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY political order, whenever basic personal rights or the 4. Participating with other concerned parties in The alienation, disenchantment and indifference of salvation of souls make such judgments necessary.” debate over public policy; the general public must be reversed if our government SELECTING ISSUES AND CANDIDATES 5. Speaking out with courage, skill and concern on is to truly reflect the “ consent of the governed.” The Bishops said; public issues involving human rights, social justice Pope Paul VI has declared, “ The Christian has the “ We specifically do not seek the formation of a and the life of the Church in society. — The Editor. President Ford Stresses Sensitivity to Human Needs By Jim Castelli developing nations was larger under his administration ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (NC) — Church leaders than under any administration in history. who urge him to be “ more sensitive to human needs” Ford made his comments in response to a question have not “ analyzed my total record,” President Gerald about a comment made by Archbishop Joseph Bernardin, Ford said in an exclusive interview with NC News Ser­ president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, following a Sept. 10 White House meeting with the Presi­ vice. ^ The President made his comments during a 20-minute dent. Archbishop Bernardin said the bishops had urged nterview aboard Air Force One (also known as the Spirit Ford to be “ more sensitive to human needs.” of ’76) as he flew from Washington to New York for the At that meeting. Archbishop Bernardin also said he annual A1 Smith dinner. was “ encouraged that Ford supported a constitutional “ Just because I don’t approve of every bill that amendment to restrict abortion, but that there were bet­ Congress passes,” he said, “ I don’t think it’s accurate or ter formulations than the states’ rights approach Ford fair to say that I ’m insensitive or lacking in compassion, backed. because if I approved every bill that Congress enacted, In the interview. Ford defended the states’ rights ap- we would impose the cruelest tax of all on all people, proaA, saying he “ strongly” believed that it was more which is inflation, and that would be very insensitive and important to allow each state to decide its own abortion very lacking in compassion,” Ford said. laws than to have a single national standard. “ From a very intimate knowledge of my ovvn record, I “ I don’t see how anybody could object to that right think I am compassionate and I do have sensitivity,” he being turned back to the people,” he saM. “ If some states want it (tighter abortion laws) and some don’t, that, of ^^‘*^Now I ’m not going to say that they’re (church course, is their prerogative.” leaders)’ wrong, I’m simply saying that my judgment is Ford was asked how he viewed criticism that the that in my case, that’s how I feel.” states’ rights approach is a “ cop-out” because it would In defending his record, Ford said spending for welfare and for unemployment aid and shipment of food to (Continued on Page A 19) Pa«« 2 — THE DENVER CATHOLIC REQ ISTER. Wad., Octobar 27, ItTE ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE PASTORAL 200 Josephine Street BULLETIN Denver, CO 80206 RING OUT THE VOTE Official The Colorado Council of Churches is sponsoring a program that requests all the churches in Colorado to ring the church bells on Election Day, Nov. 2, 1976, as a OFFICIAL SCHEDULE reminder for people to exercise their franchise. Bishop ARCHBISHOP JAMES V. CASEY Evans seeks your cooperation and asks that the bells be rung at 7;00 a m., 12:00 noon, and 5:00 p.m. as a reminder to vote. Sincerely yours in Christ, Friday, Oct. 29, 2:00 p.m. — Denver, Catholic Edward M. Hoffmann Pastoral Center, Priests’ Council Executive Board Vice Chancellor Meeting. Sunday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. — Denver, A ll Saints Church, 25th Anniversary of the Parish, Con- celebrated Mass, Open House following. Thursday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. — Denver, St. Thomas The Denver Catholic Register Seminary, Concelebrated Mass and Reception for Seminarians. The Most Reverend James V. Casey. D.D................................... Publisher Rev. C. B. Woodrich ............................................................................ Editor Linus Riordan ..................................................................... Associate Editor Jim Pierson ....................................................................Business Manager BISHOP GEORGE R. EVANS Frank Vecchiarelli ...................................................... Advertising Director Friday, Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m. — Denver, St. Thomas Cathieen Qrupp. Al Pocius. and James F ied le r............. Editorial Staff Wandering Refugee Seminary, Peace and Justice Seminar. Please direct all inquiries regarding changes of address, subscriptions, A boy carrying all his possessions wanders through Saturday, Oct. 30, 1:00 p.m. — Denver, All Saints etc., to the Editorial Office. Denver Catholic Register. 938 Bannock. Southern Sudan in search of a new home. Since 1972 Parish, Mass, 25th Anniversary Celebration. Denver. Colorado 80204. Phono 573-6569. severe droughts have displaced hundreds of thousands of Thursday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. — Denver, Cure d’ Ars Editorial offices located at 938 Bannock. Denver. Colo. 60204 Sudan people from their homes. (NC Photo) Parish, Confirmation, Concelebrated Mass. Subscriptions $3.50 per year Foreign countries Including Philippines. $7.00 per year Rt. Rev. Matthew J. Smith. Ph.D., Founding Editor In Two Cemeteries BISHOP RICHARD C. HANIFEN Register System of Catholic Newspapers 1913-1960 Edited in Denver, Colorado: Printed weekly by Community Publica­ Friday, Oct. 29-31— Bailey, Colorado, Week-end tions, 3501 East 46th Avenue. Denver. Colorado 60216, second class All Souls’ Day Workshop of the Colorado Springs Metropolitan postage paid at Denver.