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Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
Vol. 28 No. 35
Thursday, October 11, 1990
$15.00 Per Year
FRANCISCAN CLEAN-UP - A third-grade
girl from Our Lady of Lourdes School takes part
in a neighborhood clean-up effort on the feast of
St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 4. The project was
environmental and neighborhood action. Story,
photos on page 7.
Franciscan Spirit, Pro-Life Task Linked
BY GRETCHEN REISER
Preaching on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi,
Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, drew a parallel between the
popular saint’s fidelity to Christ and the pro-life challenge
today.
As the saint bore the stigmata, or wounds of the
crucified Christ, as he faithfully lived out the demands of
the Gospel, so “the word of God crucifies us to the same
mission,’ ’ Bishop Lyke said.
“The truth about love, the truth about life, the truth
about the pre-bom and infants and children - these
convictions nail us to the cross before the world’s deri
sion. But no fear, let no one trouble us, the pain and
rejection we experience for the truth, we bear in honor of
the wounds that Christ bore for us.”
The popularity of St. Francis, the bishop said at an
evening Mass Oct. 4 in Respect Life observance, some
times overlooks his “selfless dedication to the helpless,
and his fidelity to the person of Jesus,” to the crucified
Christ
Like SL Paul, St. Francis, “through his acceptance of
Christ crucified ... was bound to the Word of God, and to
Announcement
Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, apostolic administrator of
the archdiocese of Atlanta, announces that Father Michael
W. Panter, parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Christ the
King, has requested and been granted a leave of absence
effective October 1,1990.
the mission of bringing that Word to life in the world.”
The people who now strive to bring a pro-life message
to others can imitate the fearlessness of Francis, and his
trust in God, the bishop said. “St. Francis never feared
anyone, dear friends, for he knew that the message he
carried was Christ’s message of peace and love ... He
trusted and we must trust as well.”
“Though Christ sends us as lambs among the wolves,
we will have courage, and bid peace to whomever we will
encounter, alerting them that the reign of God is at hand.”
The Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King drew
about 200 people at 5:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening.
Many were also attending a Georgia Right to Life ‘Family
Fest’ that evening, at which pro-life speakers were
scheduled and booths sharing information from all denom
inations and organizations in the pro-life movement in
Georgia were set up.
The Mass time was set to permit people to attend both
if they desired.
Also on Oct. 4, Bishop Lyke issued a pastoral letter on
the pro-life topic, “Precious Lord, Precious Life.” The
text, distributed in The Georgia Bulletin, was also made
available following the Mass. The Knights of Columbus
Councils of Georgia provided funding for the printing of
the letter and its distribution to Catholic parishes, mis
sions, campus ministries and schools.
Bishop Lyke thanked those who work in the movement,
encouraging them to continue their witness and “to
remember that this violence against life manifests itself in
many, many ways.”
The term “consistent ethic of life” that is used to
(Continued on page 11)
Priestly Celibacy
Key Synod Topic
BY AGOSTINO BONO
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - As the 1990 world Synod of
Bishops on priestly formation moved toward its midpoint,
a pivotal issue in the debates was the need to enhance and
strengthen priestly commitment to celibacy.
Most of the more than 220 delegates who discussed the
topic during the initial sessions supported celibacy as an
indispensable part of a priest’s identity, although several
delegates questioned obligatory celibacy for Latin-rite
priests.
Other issues that quickly emerged at the monthlong
synod which began Sept. 30 were:
-- The need for more women in significant roles in
seminaries.
- The need for spiritual formation in years prior to
entering a major seminary.
- The need for ongoing formation programs to keep
priests spiritually and intellectually renewed.
Synod delegates also expressed differing views over
seminary education.
Some supported the traditional seminary model by which
(Continued on page 11)
Mission-Sunday
October 21 is Mission Sunday for Catholics
worldwide. The efforts of missionaries in diverse
places around the world is supported by this appeal.
In this issue of The Georgia Bulletin a four-page
insert explains the goals and past accomplishments
of this appeal. It is provided to readers to back up
the request for support that will be-made in parishes
October 21.
Search Underway
For St. Pius Head
BY PAULA DAY
A special committee has begun the process to find a
future principal for St. Pius X High School, the archdioce
san Catholic high school.
St. Pius’ current top administrator, Father Terry Young,
announced in a letter to parents of students in June that he
will be leaving the school at the end of the 1990-91
academic year. He has been principal since 1976.
“It’s time to move on,” the priest of the archdiocese
said, adding that he has applied for a sabbatical year of
prayer and study.
The position is open to any person, lay, Religious or
cleric, who meets qualifications devised by the search
committee, according to its chairman, Whitney Robichaux.
In addition to scholastic and experiential qualifications, the
committee is emphasizing requirements that meet the
needs of St. Pius in the last decade of the 20th century.
These include a strong background in and commitment to
(Continued on page 11)