NorthBringing the Good News to the Diocese Texas of Fort Worth Catholic Vol. 22 No. 13 August 25, 2006 As displaced Lebanese return home, CRS coordinates assistance By Cindy Wooden clothing, and medicine in the ROME (CNS) — As those dis- shelters, CRS and the other aid placed by the fi ghting in Lebanon agencies are shifting their focus returned to their hometowns, to meeting the needs of those Catholic Relief Services (CRS) returning, many of whom are and other international aid agen- going back to houses destroyed cies were sending assessment or damaged, without electricity teams throughout southern and clean water. Lebanon and were meeting to “Everyone is trying to fi gure coordinate their efforts. out what to do next,” Snyder said. David Snyder, spokesman “Close coordination is essential” for CRS in Beirut, said in a tele- so that efforts are not duplicated phone interview Aug. 17 that “90 and “no one is left out in the percent of the people” housed in shuffl e.” shelters during the monthlong While CRS is working in part- fi ghting “left within the fi rst 48 nership with Caritas Lebanon, hours of the cease-fi re,” which the largest local humanitarian MASS AT MOUNTAIN PASS — Father Patrick Hungerbuehler celebrates Mass during the annual shepherd festival on the began Aug. 14. organization in Lebanon is not Gemmi Pass between the Bernese Oberland and the Valais in Switzerland July 30. The annual festival is an opportunity for shepherds and farmers from both sides of the pass to meet and socialize. (CNS photo/Pascal Lauener, Reuters) “Many shelters are down to a participating in the coordination handful of people,” said Snyder. efforts. CRS is the U.S. bishops’ interna- The Shiite Muslim movement tional relief and development Hezbollah, in addition to having A year after hurricanes, Southern agency. a militia and a political wing, for dioceses still trying to recover After providing shelter, food, SEE CRS HAS ASSISTED…, P. 22 By Carol Zimmermann The coastal area of the Arch- but in a storm-devastated area WASHINGTON (CNS) — diocese of Mobile, Alabama, is of the Diocese of Lake Charles, Pope prays that Mideast Southern dioceses from Texas to also in the midst of recovery. Louisiana, repairs are only just Alabama are still reeling from Church structures have been re- beginning. cease-fi re will hold the swath of destruction left by paired, but residents of the small “The needs are still as great last year’s hurricanes Katrina fi shing village of Bayou La Batre, as ever,” said Margaret Dubuis- CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy hope that the clashes will cease and Rita. Alabama, are still living in trailers son, communication director (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI and that humanitarian assistance The Archdiocese of New Or- and trying to salvage what they for Catholic Charities in New prayed that the U.N.-brokered for the populations will be as- leans and the Diocese of Biloxi, can from destroyed homes and Orleans. “If anything, the needs cease-fi re agreement approved sured quickly and effectively,” Mississippi, both hit hard by fi shing livelihoods. are greater as people come home by Israel and Lebanon would the pope said Aug. 13, about 17 Hurricane Katrina Aug. 29, have Farther west at the Texas- or attempt to come home.” hold and that humanitarian aid hours before the cease-fi re went taken steps toward recovery, Louisiana border, the impact of The agency continues to pro- quickly would reach those in into effect. but full-scale restoration is still Hurricane Rita, which slammed vide immediate relief with food, need. The U.N. Security Council a long way off as thousands of the area Sept. 24, is evident in medical care, and shelter, but it “Recent developments let us SEE POPE PRAYS…, P. 22 residents no longer have a place ongoing repair work. In the is also inundated with long-term to live, churches and schools re- dioceses of Houma-Thibodaux, recovery needs from counseling main damaged, and community Louisiana, and Beaumont, there to housing. The agency has been service programs are no longer has been a fl urry of repairs of involved in gutting destroyed operational. homes, schools, and churches, SEE ONE YEAR…, P. 18 FDA’s move toward approving over-the- counter sales of Plan B criticized By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Pharmaceuticals that manufac- conception up to 72 hours after WASHINGTON (CNS) — A tures the drug marketed as Plan unprotected sex. “But even its move by the Food and Drug B, to develop a “framework for proponents admit that it works Administration toward making moving emergency contracep- both before and after concep- the morning-after pill available tion medication to over-the- tion,” McQuade said, adding that over the counter could damage counter status” for women 18 many women are “unaware of women’s health and put more and older. [the pills’] abortifacient action.” LABOR DAY — Eduardo Alvarez sorts jalapeno peppers as they are harvested pressure on pharmacists consci- Deirdre McQuade, director of “Making this powerful, abor- from a fi eld in Gilroy, California, Aug. 11. George Chiala Farms of Morgan Hill, California, which owns the fi eld, lost much of its spring strawberry crop because entiously opposed to dispensing planning and information for the tifacient drug available without of a shortage of workers. Some California farmers were pointing to tighter border the drug, according to the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life a doctor’s oversight could place security and competition for workers from other business sectors for the shortage bishops’ pro-life spokeswoman. Activities, criticized the FDA’s women and their newly con- of farm laborers, according to a recent report in Ag Alert, a weekly publication The FDA announced July decision in a July 31 statement. ceived children at risk,” she said. of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Labor Day, a day on which to refl ect 31 that it would work with Plan B uses large doses of “Women for whom the drug is upon the dignity of all who labor, will be celebrated Sept. 4 this year. (CNS photo/ Duramed, a subsidiary of Barr birth-control pills to prevent SEE OVER-THE-COUNTER…, P. 29 John Stubler) Page 2 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, August 25, 2006 Diocesan Bishop Vann announces the diocese will not appeal court decision to release portions of seven priests’ fi les He characterized the decision as ‘a turning point in the journey toward healing and reconciliation’ The following article is the As some matters are still printed version of Bishop Kevin pending in the courts, I am Vann’s opening statement to a prevented from commenting press conference at The Catholic specifically on any of these Center, Aug. 11. Bishop Vann cases or on the specific details was announcing his decision not inside these seven priests’ per- to appeal a July 25 court decision sonnel files. However, it is my allowing the release of portions of fervent hope that my decision the personnel files of seven priests not to appeal the Court’s ruling accused of sexual misconduct. will mark a turning point for the For more information, please go Diocese of Fort Worth and for to the diocesan Web site: www. our community at large. fwdioc.org Now, I want to say a few words to our priests here in this diocese. You have been When I arrived here in the truly faithful to your vows and Diocese of Fort Worth a year extraordinarily dedicated in ago, I inherited a vibrant and your devotion to your mission. dynamic local Church, a dedi- Cases such as these seven do cated group of priests, deacons, not reflect in any way on your and religious, as well as faithful strength of character or your parishioners. I have also en- faithful exercise of priestly countered other people’s pain ministry. and suffering from sexual abuse Also, to Catholics through- that has yet to heal. That pain out the diocese, I wish to express was endured by young Catho- my appreciation for your faith- lics years ago and exacerbated fulness and loyalty throughout through past decisions within these years. I share with you the our Church. Bishop Kevin W. Vann at the podium in the conference room of The Catholic Center, Aug. 11. Bishop Vann desire for justice for those who I wish to begin by offering made his statement to the press, then entertained questions from radio, television, and newspaper reporters have suffered and the desire my personal and heartfelt apol- present for the news conference. (Photo by Chris Kastner) for healing and reconciliation ogy to those who have suffered for us all. abuse by members of the clergy. Finally, I again ask that any- It is a sin — and a crime. In fact, one who has either witnessed such abuse is doubly painful for has been established; viewing the personnel records cases, that of Philip Magaldi, I or has suffered sexual abuse by those of you who have suffered • Stringent reporting proce- of the seven priests accused of am further announcing today anyone who serves the Church it. For it not only took your in- dures to church and civil au- sexual abuse of minors, ordered that I have revoked all of his to come forward so that we can nocence and your childhood, thorities following allegations that portions of those personnel priestly faculties. continue the healing process. in some cases it destroyed your of abuse; records be released to the pub- Faith. Thus our entire Church • Openness and transparency lic. Intervenors in the case — the has lived with this sadness in the Church’s response; Dallas Morning News and the North — the victim-survivors, our • A strong sexual abuse Fort Worth Star-Telegram — had Texas faithful priests, and our loyal prevention program to reduce requested those records be re- Catholic parishioners alike — who de- the likelihood of such abuses leased.