Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

File photo by Barbara D. King Southern Cross Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah http://www.diosav.org Vol. 81, No. 34 Thursday, October 4, 2001 $.75 per issue Bishop’s Message for Respect Life Month “Cherish and defend the sanctity of life” By Bishop J. Kevin Boland T he Diocese of Savannah invites all Catholics to recommit themselves to affirming God’s greatest gift—the gift of human life on Respect Life Sunday, October 7. Traditionally the first Sunday in October marks the beginning of our year-long communal focus on building a culture where the dignity of human life is valued. The tragic events of September 11 have made it abundantly clear that violence and disregard for human life cause anguish, fear and sadness on an enormous scale. The years of legalized abortion in our country, the increase of domestic violence and the large numbers of persons incar cerated in our country may have desensitized us to the true meaning of life. While science makes it possible for us to live much longer and for tiny premature infants to survive beyond expec tation, we also have seen that same scientific knowledge advanced for so-called assisted sui cides, cleaner executions by injections and research leading to cloning of persons. The recent debates on embryonic stem cell research have pitted the protection of human life itself against the noble goal of curing disease. At the same time, we are witnesses to heroic efforts to save others in the face of the terror of the burning World Trade Center Towers, and of compassionate friendship and courage in addres sing the injustices of racism and vengeance. This is the Christian message about the value of hu man life in action. The Respect Life Program aims to awaken all of us to the challenge of cherishing and defending the sanctity of life, at every stage and in every circumstance. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Office has prepared very help ful materials for transforming our culture into one of respect for life. These materials address spiritual care for the dying, the death penalty, the movement toward a culture of life, raising chil dren with Catholic values, embryonic stem cell research, and emergency contraception. In our diocese, Catholic Social Services coor dinates programs that address racism and other forms of injustice. At the same time, through deanery outreach programs and many volunteers it provides direct services to the needy, prison visitation and referral to counseling for post abortion women. The office of Family Life offers resources for reducing domestic violence and strengthening families at all levels. Teaching our children to become peacemakers at home, school and in their neighborhoods is an impor tant component of Catholic schools and religious education classes. I encourage each Catholic in the diocese of Savannah to make a personal commitment to affirming and respecting life at all levels. As Cathleen Cleaver of the USCCB says: “The goal is to transform our society into one where peo ple are radically, even heroically, generous to every human life, no matter the personal cost. It’s about creating a nation where there is no pro-life ‘movement’,” because there would be no need for one. Our task is to create such a nation and to pray for the day when all human life at every stage will be respected in our land. U Pray rosary to protect world from terrorism” By John Thavis Vatican City (CNS) P ope John Paul II asked people around the world to pray the rosary daily to help protect humanity from the “evil scourge” of terrorism. In the wake of deadly attacks in the United States, the pope said the church wants to make a prophetic call for world peace—a peace that involves justice but that is motivated by moderation and love. The pope made the remarks at a noon blessing at the Vatican September 30 after celebrating Mass with more than 240 bishops at the start of a month-long Synod of Bishops. “I ask everyone—individuals, families, communi ties—to recite the rosary, if possible every day, for the cause of peace, so that the world will be preserved from the evil scourge of terrorism,” he said. Repeating a phrase he has used in recent weeks, the pope said the suicide hijackings September 11 marked a “dark day in the history of humanity.” “In response, the church intends to be faithful to its prophetic charism and remind everyone of their duty to build a future of peace for the human family. Certainly peace is not unconnected to justice, but it must always be nourished by mercy and love,” he said. The pope emphasized that Jews, Christians and Muslims all worship the same God and thus have a common vocation of peace and unity. (Continued on page 11) Pope John Paul II walks down the steps from the plane as he returns to Rome September 27. The pope arrived from Kazakstan and Armenia. Catholic patriotism in early years -page 3 Southern Cross subscription drive —pages 4,7 Catholic schools respond to tragedy —page 6 CNS photo from Reuters