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PAGE 4—The Southern Cross, April 26,1973
The Southern Cross
Business Office 225 Abercorn St. Savannah, Ga. 31401
Most Rev. Gerard L. Frey, D.D. President
Rev. Francis J. Donohue, Editor John E . Mirkwalter, Managing Editor
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‘Sick of Bloodletting’
“I for one, am sick of blood and
bloodletting -- in the streets, on the
battlefields and in the safe asceptic
privacy of a doctor’s office. In our
continuing retreat from responsibility,
we are too ready to wipe out the
consequences of our private and public
acts with a shrug and a resort to blood.”
A statement by a priest? A leader in
the right to life movement? Not at all. It
is the sound of a Protestant theologian
who has had serious second thoughts
about what he termed his formerly held
“laissez-faire approach to the issue.”
In an article in the ecumenical weekly
Christian Century, Dr. C. Eric Lincoln,
professor of sociology and religion at
Union Theological Seminary, New York,
declared that he had not been prepared
for the “bloodletting” of widespread
abortion when he took the position, in
1967, “that in America, at least, the
notion of a woman’s complete personal
autonomy over her body is, or should
be, so elementary as to preclude
debate.”
He said at that time he felt that “to
require a woman to be an incubator for a
child she does not want is barbaric and
tyrannical and in violation of the most
basic expectations of a civilized society.”
Since then, the theologian said, he has
come to realize that abortion “is but one
more example of the retreat from
responsibility which seems characteristic
of Hie times.”
Dr. Lincoln recalled that his former
vision of abortion was “of an occasional
individual caught up in circumstances so
devastating in potential as to warrant so
drastic a procedure as the interruption of
life.”
He said he had considered abortion as
a measure of last resort for a limited
class of people who would seek
abortions only after “having considered
the vast implications of what they were
about to do.”
“I was not prepared for the
bloodletting which has, in fact, ensued,”
he said.
The bloodletting is not confined to
New York. Georgia appears to be ready
to join in it.
Already, in Savannah, at a State and
Federally financed health center,
abortions are being recommended to
troubled pregnant women ~ not as a last
resort - but as the first and immediate
resort. The telephone number of this
abortion counselling service is
prominently displayed on at least one
billboard, across the street from the
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which
invites inquiries from problemed
pregnant women.
Not only is abortion the first
recommendation of the “counselor,” an
offer is also made to finance the
operation.
One wonders at the peculiar sense of
the mission of medicine on the part of
publicly financed health institutions
which so easily and quickly resort to the
inflicting of death on unborn babies.
One also wonders why, since they are
so willing, almost eager to perform
abortions free of charge, they do not
also offer free cancer operations or free
bridgework for the poor, or free
medicine for the poor with real illnesses.
Maybe one of these days they can get
around to putting up billboards setting
forth their philosophy of “healing” and
their strange interpretation of the
Hippocratic Oath.
Death Can Be Beautiful
Mary Carson
Death.
The word itself seems so forbidding. Nobody
wants to talk about it.
Yet, we all have to die and we must set aside
time to reflect on death, and to prepare for it.
* * *
One story about preparing for death involves
a little lady from Vermont who kept her house
immaculately clean and tidy. Asked why she
did it, she said, “Every night before I go to bed,
I put my house in dyin’ order.”
That may be a bit impractical for most of us,
but it wouldn’t hurt to keep our “spiritual
houses” in dyin’ order.
I don’t know if the story about the lady
from Vermont is true, but another story
involved a friend of mine . . .and it is true!
He was a newspaper photographer. One
afternoon he was talking to a co-worker who
admitted he was a fallen-away Catholic.
My friend mentioned that he was going to
stop on the way home and go to Confession. He
invited his co-worker to come along.
The man hesitated, “No . . .1 have a long trip
home.”
My friend said, “One of these days you’re
going on the longest trip of your life. You
should be ready!”
They both went to Confession.
Later that same evening, my friend was
called to photograph a disastrous fire. As he ran
to the scene, he collapsed and died. His
co-worker told me how well my friend was
prepared for death.
* * *
If we stop to think about it, dying may be
easier than being a survivor.
A neighbor of mine had been virorously
healthy. Without warning, he dropped dead of a
heart attack.
At the wake, his son commented, “There’s
no easy way for the family. If he had been sick
and we were expecting it, our loss would be just
as great . . .and he would have had to suffer.
I’m grateful that it was easy for him.”
It is possible for death to be “easy” for the
person who is ill. When my 37 year old
sister-in-law knew she was dying of cancer, she
said simply, “I’m not frightened for myself. I
only feel bad that I’m leaving so much work for
Joe. The children are so young.”
* * *
In spite of the loss, the heartache, and
suffering of the survivors, it’s possible for death
to have a special beauty.
My father-in-law enjoyed playing the piano.
On his days off from work, he practiced his
favorite classics by the hour.
One of his favorites was “The Lost Chord.”
It is a song about an organist who
accidentally played a most beautiful chord. For
all his attempts, he couldn’t find it again. He
became convinced* he’d not hear it until he
reached Heaven and heard the angels singing.
One afternoon Dad went to visit a life-long
friend who had just bought a fine electronic
organ. His friend invited him to play it and Dad
was delighted.
The room filled with the music of “The Lost
Chord” . . .the song of a musician who longed
to hear the angels sing.
“That sounded wonderful,” his friend said.
“Would you like to play it again?”
Dad smiled and said, “No, I’m a little tired. I
think I will go home.” . . . and slipped to the
floor, dead.
* * *
Death is not always beautiful. Death is not
always easy. But every one of us must die. It is
good- to think about it occasionally . . .to
prepare for it.
OUR
PARISH
Before discussing the coming destruction of our planet
have we decided on a date for our bazaar?”
Teamsters Versus
Farm Workers
By Monsignor George C. Higgins
April 15, 1973 will be recorded as one of the
darkest and most shameful days in American
labor history. A major battle in California’s
vineyards was triggered that day when the
Teamsters Union announced it had signed
contracts with some 30 grape growers in the
Coachella Valley who had been under contract
for three years with Cesar Chavez’ United Farm
Workers Union, AFL-CIO.
What’s wrong with that, the reader may ask.
The answer is that everything - everything
conceivable - is wrong with it. It means that
the Teamsters - in a moment of sheer madness
which they will most certainly live to regret -
have decided, in flagrant violation of trade
union ethics, to destroy the United Farm
Workers which alone can legitimately claim to
.represent the workers in the field.
The Farm Workers have known for a long
time that they were headed for serious trouble
with the Teamsters. The die was finally cast
several months ago when the Teamsters secretly
negotiated contracts with 175 lettuce growers
in California without even claiming to represent
the workers involved. AFL-CIO President
Meany bluntly stated at a press conference that
that was tantamount to strike breaking - the
ugliest charge that one labor leader can make
against another. Later on in the same press
conference, to make sure that his point was
clearly understood, Meany said that “the
Teamsters’ action in signing those back-door
contracts with the growers in California in
order to destory the Farm Workers Union . . .
was, from a trade union point of view,
absolutely disgraceful.”
George Meany enjoys the reputation of
being a very outspoken curmudgeon, but I have
seldom if ever, heard him castigate another
union quite that bluntly. As a man of
conscience, however, he had no choice in the
matter. With brazen contempt for trade union
principles and for public opinion, the Teamsters
had asked for it - and, to his credit, Meany gave
it to them straight from the shoulder.
By this tirhe this appears in print, Meany
probably will have made another statement
criticizing the Teamsters even more severely for
invading the hard-won jurisdiction of the Farm
Workers Union in the table
grape industry. I feel certain that he will also
couple his indictment of the Teamsters with a
firm commitment on the part of the AFL-CIO
and its affiliates to support the Farm Workers
Union -- and to support it all the way - with
personnel and with adequate financial
assistance.
Make no mistake about it - the Farm
Workers Union is engaged in a desperate
struggle for its very existence. The Federation
owes it to this fledgeling union - and owes it to
itself -- to take the Teamsters on, come what
may, and force them at any cost to respect the
right of farm workers to be represented by a
union of their own choice.
The farm workers have already made their
choice in this regard. Over the past eight years,
through thick and thin, they have demonstrated
beyond the shadow of doubt that they want to
be represented by the United Farm Workers
Union.
The Teamsters deny this, of course. They
claim that they represent the majority of the
workers, not only in lettuce, but also in grapes.
That’s sheer propaganda on their part, and I
suspect they know it is. If not, they have
completely lost touch with reality and are living
in a dream world.
On April 10 J went to the Coachella Valley
with a group of 25 religious and civic leaders to
determine which union the field workers
wanted to represent them. We found that, by a
majority of almost ten to one, they wanted to
be represented by the United Farm Workers
Union. A few days later, on less than two hours
notice, approximately 1,500 members of the
Farm Workers Union (well over half of the
current labor force in the Coachella Valley)
attended a mammoth UFWU rally in the
Coachella public high school auditorium and
unanimously voted to go on strike if the
growers signed with the Teamsters.
The Coachella strike is now in full force and
effect, and the overwhelming majority of the
workers have rallied to the cause. At great
personal sacrifice thev are demonstrating once
again that their loyalty is to the United Farm
Workers Union and not to the Teamsters.
The fact that the Teamsters are unable or
unwilling to admit this and have recklessly
decided to destroy the Farm Workers Union is,
to me, further proof of the old adage that
power corrupts and absolute power corrupts
absolutely. Fortunately, however, the
Teamsters’ power, great as it is, is far from
being absolute. In the long run, unless 1 am
badly mistaken, they will learn to their sorrow
that, for all of their money and so-called
muscle, they are no match for the
poverty-stricken but highly motivated and
completely selfless officers and members of the
Farm Workers Union. In this connection, I
assume that the Teamsters also know - if not,
they will have to learn by bitter experience -
that the Farm Workers Union has public
opinion solidly on its side (remember the grape
boycott) and can count on the enthusiastic
support of church groups of all denominations
and other civic minded organizations
throughout the United States.
I am realistic and pessimistic enough to
entertain the possibility that, in the short run,
the Teamsters may prevail in their unscrupulous
campaign to put the Farm Workers Union out
of business. At the same time, however, I am
enough of an optimist to believe that they will
eventually be brought to their knees -- the
sooner, the better - and will be taught a
salutary lesson in humility. Much as it pains me
to say so, this is a lesson they badly need to
learn.
A Joy That Transcends
Marie Mulvenna
The most glorious and joyous celebration of
the liturgical year, the beautiful feast of Christ’s
Resurrection, is merely a few days past. We still
share the boundless sense of fruition in the
rising of our Crucified Lord. And, since this
Paschal joy is repeated in every liturgy,
underlying our entire lives as Christians, I
would like to share with you an Easter homily
that was never delivered.
The young priest who prepared it, Father Ed
Kearns of the Paterson (N.J.) dioc-se, rather
unexpectedly spent his Holy Week in the
hospital, in traction and pain. But his brief
sermon, which I found most meaningful,
transcends his and our everyday sufferings,
bringing a message of deep hope that lasts
throughout the year, as the Paschal mystery
should for all who are true followers of Christ.
Here is Father’s touching message:
“Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead! And it is difficult
for me to describe - a personal experience may
help. Early during this season of Lent, I
happened to be watching the 11 o’clock
evening news. And, I saw something which was
one of the most touching true life experiences I
have ever witnessed.
“A POW was returning from a long
incarceration in a North Vietnam prison. He
had only very recently learned that his wife had
committed suicide-he had just heard that one of
his parents had died during the time he was in
jail.
“He had suffered his long Good
Friday . . .he had experienced loneliness . . .he
had, no doubt, known despair . . .he had tasted
death.
“But, his story does not end there.
“While he was in prison, his wife had given
birth to their first born son, a child who was
now five years old . . .his son, whom he had
never seen.
“The now free prisoner got off the plane,
saluted the officers and spoke softly and briefly
to the waiting crowd. And
then . . .Resurrection.
“A small five year old boy, clutching a single
living red rose, running across the open landing
field, swept up into the arms of his loving
Father.
“Death - Life. Despair - Hope. Sadness - Joy.
Happy Easter.”
Why
I Oppose
ERA
Joseph A. Breig
For two chief reasons, I have not, until now,
taken a position on the so-called Equal Rights
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
For one thing, I have found the legal
complexities bewildering. For another, I have
recognized that although the amendment would
do away with some serious discriminations
against women in some states, it would also
eliminate special protections in law for women.
Now, however, I am opposed to the
amendment for one overriding reason. There is
no longer any real doubt that its adoption
would mean that in case of future wars (from
which God deliver us) women not only would
be drafted into the armed forces, but would be
assigned to combat duty.
That would be a wicked, and socially and
psychologically disastrous, reversal of the
progress made through many centuries in
establishing, in laws and institutions,
recognition of the special role of women in the
affairs of humanity.
The process goes back to our Father
Abraham and perhaps beyond. It is an
important factor in Jewish history. And it
became one of Christianity’s brightest insights
because God chose the Virgin Mary to be his
mother in his incarnation in Jesus.
I do not mean that a woman cannot ever
morally kill if necessary for justice and defense
of innocent human life. I do mean that only in
the most extraordinary circumstances is this her
proper role.
It is foolish to allege, as some do today, that
just war is impossible. Much of human history,
indeed, is the account of military action to
repel unjust attacks on the rights of human
beings. Had good men supinely surrendered, the
world long since would have been turned over
to brutes, to moral monsters.
But woman is the bearer and cherisher of
life; the healer of wounds, the conciliator of
conflicts. Even in embattled and surrounded
Israel today, where because of the small
population women serve in the armed forces,
they are assigned noncombatant roles.
Killing is almost never the woman’s role, any
more than it is the role of the priest, the rabbi
or the minister - or the physician.
But if the Equal Rights Amendment were to
be ratified by the states, men could legally
refuse induction into the military unless
women also were inducted; and could decline
combat duty unless that duty were equally
borne by women. For the amendment says
flatly that all and every discrimination with
reference to sex would be unconstitutional; and
it cuts both ways - no discrimination toward
women OR men.
That fact is admitted in an exhaustive article
in the Yale Law Journal about the effects of
ERA. The authors were a man and three
women, the latter active in the women’s rights
movement.
In the light of this information, I strongly
oppose ratification of ERA.
Who?
Me?
Rev. James Wilmes
Louis IX of France back in the 1200s had a
brother who was known as Henry the Large.
The Prince’s delightful title sprang not from the
fact that he was fat but rather inordinately
generous. He was so good to a servant, for
instance, that the man was now rich in his own
right.
One Palm Sunday, Henry was entering the
Cathedral when he found kneeling before Him a
poor knight, asking a favor. The man needed
two dowries for his daughters to marry
suitably. While the knight was pleading, the rich
servant slipped beside him and whispered
menacingly that he should not bother Henry
with such a request because he had been so
generous that he had nothing more to give.
Now Henry heard this word and was
provoked. He said, “You do wrong to tell this
Knight that I have nothing more to give. I have
YOU! And I here give you to him! Upon these
words, the knight grabbed the servant and
literally shook him down for the 500 crowns he
had asked.
Whose are you? Your parents gave you life.
Your household gave you your character and
gifts. Your teachers enriched you with
knowledge. Your pastors and your friends
shared with you their faith. And others rich in
skill and wisdom were “large” and generous
with you.
None of us is self-made! For each of us is
enriched by the many who have been
open-handed, even to a fault with us. Withold
not from the world, then, the favors that you -
and perhaps only you - have it in your power
to bestow, the favor that is you, yourself.
RESOLUTION: Examine your favorite
talents and those around you who might profit
from them. We can all listen, smile, and pray
with many, for example, in nursing homes so
lonely and forgotten.