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V go £| S2 oS Cog gQ§ t-NQ. ro ☆ The ☆ Sou Diocese of Savannah mm ☆ hern Ooss Vol. 81, No. 13 Thursday, March 29, 2001 $.50 PER ISSUE Pope urges greater recognition of women in society, church By John Thavis Vatican City (CNS) ope John Paul II said that despite decades of progress in women’s rights, women are still awaiting full recognition of their dignity in society and in the church. Women’s dignity is especially harmed by prac tices like sex tourism, mass sterilization and various forms of violence, the pope said. He termed abor tion an “aberration” that distorts the idea of wo men’s rights and weakens those of unborn children. The pope’s comments came in a message to some 600 delegates of the World Union of Catholic Wo men’s Organizations, which held a general assembly in Rome March 17-21. Since 1910, the movement has brought together women from church activist groups all over the world. The pope told the delegates that, when it comes to appreciation of women and their role, “the journey traveled in the course of the past century has been remarkable.” “In many countries women today enjoy freedom of movement, of decision and of self-expression, a freedom which they have achieved with clear-mind- edness and courage,” he said. But he said the delegates were rightly praying for an end to “the many obstacles which still hinder full recognition of the dignity and mission of women in society and within the ecclesial community.” Among the impediments to women’s genuine ful fillment, he said, were those created by the prevail ing culture across the globe, including models of life that are “contrary to women’s deeper nature.” “There have been serious aberrations, some aris ing from individual selfishness and a refusal to love, others from a mentality that stresses each individ ual’s rights to such an extent that respect for the rights of others is weakened, and particularly those of defenseless unborn children who in many cases are deprived of all legal protection,” he said. The pope said part of the role of the Catholic women’s organizations was to be a voice in interna tional forums and “insist that every life is a gift of God and deserves to be respected.” He also encouraged the organizations to help pro vide more material and moral support to women in difficulty, including victims of poverty and violence. This is especially important today “in a world fasci nated by success and efficiency, but in which many people have no share in the benefits of global progress and are becoming poorer and more neg lected than ever,” he said. Within the church, he said, “feminine holiness” is indispensable and is rooted in the role of Mary in the early days of the Christian community. “The world and the church need your specific witness,” he said. The pope said women were uniquely gifted to transmit the faith and apply it to all of life’s circum stances, in the family and in the worlds of work, study and leisure. “Today, at a time of a deep spiri tual and cultural crisis, this task has assumed an urgency that cannot be overstated,” he said. Deacon candidates installed as acolytes Left: Bishop J. Kevin Boland presents a paten with hosts for the celebration of the Eucharist to Larry Guyer, a candidate for the permanent diaconate for Saint William Parish, Saint Simons Island, during the current diocesan formation class’ installation as acolytes on March 24 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah. Right: The sixteen candidates for the permanent diaconate await their installation as acolytes, assistants to priests and deacons in the celebration of the Eucharist. They will be ordained permanent deacons on June 2 in the Cathedral. Photos by Deacon Dennis Arcand. The “other Sherman’* Oscars go to heroes—this year Spotlight on Valdosta-Brunswick —see page 3 —see page 4 —see page 7