NEWS

ARTICLES

LETTERS

FOLLOW ME

ROAMIN' CATHOLIC






Contents © 1999
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

NEWS
OCTOBER 1999

---

AT THIS WRITING, the first half of the 1998-99 state legislative session is ending with the passage, or near passage, of bills that will have a historic impact on practicing Catholics in California. Still at question is whether or not Governor Grey Davis will manifest his moderate image by exercise of the veto. The more likely scenario will be that the Governor signs a bill which creates a statewide registry for "domestic partners" that does not include non-homosexual partners under the age of 62, and possibly three other bills that will provide homosexuals with a legal definition and new prescriptions that raise the idea that such relationships are on a level with traditional unions.


A CONTROVERSIAL BILL that did pass the state legislature on the closing days of session provides comprehensive health care services to school children while leaving parental consent policy to be determined by the schools and local providers, not parents themselves. This bill would allow, without parental consent, school health centers to provide the "assessment of high-risk behavior of adolescents," prescriptions, "mental health assessments, including individual, group and family counseling," and reproductive services including "prescribing, dispensing, or referring for birth control, including the distribution of condoms." Parents would be prevented from finding out what health care services are received by their children because of the requirement that the "school center shall ensure the confidentiality of specified student information and records are protected." This bill would allow school health centers to make referrals for any services not provided by the center. For instance, if abortions are not performed by the school center, the center can make a referral to the local Planned Parenthood clinic. This bill passed the Senate on September 7 and was brought down to the 'horseshoe' on the capitol's first floor for California's 'moderate' governor to grant his final consideration to the bill.


ANOTHER BILL OPPOSED BY THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE and other religious groups, passed by the legislature on September 9th and headed for the governor's desk, will force insured that do not want or need contraceptive drugs to subsidize other insured that want these drugs. If signed into law, this bill would force Catholic entities into a position of dropping all prescription coverage for their employees. In an intense debate on the Assembly floor, members rose in opposition and support for the bill, but their common reference was the Catholic Church. Pro-choice Assemblyman Lou Papan (D-San Mateo) stunned politicos by rising in opposition to the bill, objecting that he couldn't support legislation that adversely "affects the services that Catholics provide the indigent." Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced), part of the moderate block in the Democrat caucus, rose in support of the bill and drew a distinction between abortion referrals and contraception coverage at Catholic hospitals. Assemblyman Cardoza added, "I think we need to support a woman's fundamental right to determination." Assemblyman George House (R-Mariposa) rose to support freedom of the exercise of religion, which he argued, the bill would violate. He quoted, from memory, the relevant section of the Constitution. Assemblyman House read from the writings of an unnamed signer of the Constitution and co-author of the Declaration of Independence. "To compel one to furnish funds," House quoted, "for the propagation of ideas he abhors is both sinful and abhorrent. Yes it is," finished House. Soon after, Santa Barbara super liberal Hannah-Beth Jackson rose to scold all the male lawmakers present for having the temerity to object to the bill for any reason. "I am deeply offended by the notion that my employer should have the power to exercise my reproductive freedom of choice. I thought this battle was over with," she said. The measure passed by a vote of 45 'ayes' to 30 'nos'. Governor Gray Davis will veto or sign the measure next month.


CATHOLIC COUPLE FINDS/OFFERS ANSWERS to family planning questions. When Tony and Suzanne François of Navato became engaged, they faced the issues of family life from the standpoint of their Catholic faith. Before getting married, Tony and Suzanne François took a course in natural family planning taught by Suzanne's aunt and uncle. Six years and three children later, the Françoises started teaching the natural family planning course themselves last spring. The Françoises are graduates of the Ignatius Institute at the University of San Francisco and teach the course under the guidance of the Couple to Couple League. They use the sympto-thermal method of fertility awareness, which cross-checks two or three of a woman's signs of fertility and infertility.

"A great many of our couples seek instruction because they have marginal fertility. Many have been helped after years of trying," Tony François said. The Françoises note that Pope John Paul II has promoted the method throughout his pontificate. "If more people would follow the teachings of the Church faithfully, there would be less divorce, break-ups, and abortion," Suzanne François added.

The Francoises will be teaching classes on natural family planning starting October 3, 1999 at St. Sebastian's Parish Hall in Greenbrae. Classes begin at 4 p.m. For more information, call (415) 892-7704.


THE JULY 1999 HUMAN LIFE INTERNATIONAL newsletter had some encouraging news for pro-lifers: only 16 percent of all U.S. counties now have an abortion facility. North Dakota and South Dakota have only one each. Abortions were at a high of 1.61 million in 1990 but fell to 1.37 million by 1998, a 15 percent drop and are at their lowest level since 1976. According to Human Life International, the teen pregnancy rate has dropped almost 10 percent since 1993. From 1988 to 1996, the number of abortion providers dropped by 21 percent. In 1987, 56 percent of medical schools trained students to perform abortions, but this figure dropped to 12 percent by 1997. Also of note is that abortionists are aging (average age is 58), and young doctors are not attracted to the abortion industry. In 1990, 65 percent of registered nurses said they were willing to assist with abortions, but by 1998, only 35 percent said they were. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America's 928 nationwide affiliates in 1995 had shrunk to 900 by 1998; its 21,000 employees and volunteers in 1995 had shrunk to 17,000 by 1998. In 1995 these providers performed 231,000 abortions and abortion referrals but the figure dropped to 192,000 by 1998.


IGNATIUS PRESS RADIO HOUR on Catholic Family Radio. San Francisco's Ignatius Press has launched a radio program on the new Catholic KDIA AM 1640. The show airs Sunday mornings, 6:00-7:00 AM. The magazine style program features Ignatius Press authors, as well as helpful movie and video reviews, interviews with and presentations by Catholic leaders, top apologists, evangelists and teachers such as Scott Hahn, Tim Staples, Father Benedict Groeschel, and more. What a great way to prepare for Sunday Mass! Those interested in more information about the program can contact Mark Brumley via e-mail at Mark@Ignatius.com.


JESUIT LITIGATION CONTINUES. One of its former seminarians continues his suit against the California Province of the Jesuit Order for alleged sexual harassment. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco recently heard arguments by attorneys for John Bollard after the U.S. District Court last year ruled that the suit would result in an unconstitutional interference between the Jesuits and its clergy. Bollard contends that at least three high-ranking Jesuit priests allegedly made repeated sexual advances toward him during the years l989 through l995 while he was teaching at St. Ignatius Prep in San Francisco and at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. He further claims that two priests for years sent him sexually explicit cards and letters. Bollard left the order and is currently teaching in Southern California. The Jesuits contend that a religious organization should be exempt from sex harassment laws governing the workplace and schools. Rev. John Privett, head of the California Province, declined to comment on the case. "Our prayers are with John," he said in a statement, "as well as our community members in hopes that a just resolution may be swiftly reached and peace may be restored."


HE GIVES SOME OF THE BEST SERMONS heard anywhere, seven days a week. He's a linguist, musician, teacher, and a much beloved Dominican priest. And at age 92, Father Salvatore DiNardo may be, for his age, one of the most active priests in California. Except for a balky knee and a slight hearing problem, this native of Naples, Italy is not about to slow down. For the past thirty years, he has been the chaplain at Villa Siena Nursing Home and the city jail in Mountain View. He makes sick calls at nearby El Camino Hospital and stands ready to counsel anyone in need of spiritual guidance and advice. In early July, his fellow Dominicans at St. Albert's Priory in Oakland feted Fr. DiNardo with a special Mass and dinner on the occasion of his switching provinces from Naples to Oakland. His father, a musician, came to the States before World War II and was a naturalized U.S. citizen. Fr. DiNardo holds dual citizenship -- U.S. and Italian. While visiting his family in the States after the war he was asked by the superior general of the Dominicans, an old friend, if he would consider staying in America and serving in California. His initial assignment was an Italian parish in Pittsburg, east of Oakland. He taught for three years at Loyola Marymount in Palos Verdes. Later, he was invited to serve at Villa Siena after giving a retreat in Mountain View. No small number of churchgoers has drifted to the handsome Villa Siena chapel from their regular parishes to attend a simple, old-fashioned Mass.


THE MISSIONARIES OF FAITH bring new weekly Internet Bible study conducted by Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins, called @Home with the Word. Each week, Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins present a passage from the Bible, along with its historical background on the site. They provide tips for understanding the meaning of the passage and make connections to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, papal writings, Church Fathers, and saints. A section called Truth Tracts gives answers to questions about the Catholic faith. This section allows the user to submit questions to be answered by apologists including Mark Shea, Patrick Madrid, Mike Aquilina, Matthew Pinto, Brian Paul, and other Missionaries of Faith members. The monthly cost of this service is $7. They offer group discounts and priests have free access. You can join this service at www.moff.org.


PRO-LIFE WORKERS reap results with Bay Area apostolate. Somewhere in Idaho there is a six-year-old girl who completed first grade in June, rode a two-wheel bicycle for the first time, learned to swim recently, loves to draw, and has a better than average singing voice. Hardly a day goes by that her parents say a prayer for two ladies who were praying outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Silicon Valley and persuaded them to not to go through with an abortion for which they had made a down payment. They only know the womens' first names -- Ginny and Rita.

Ginny and Rita are Mrs. Virginia Hitchcock of San Lorenzo and Mrs. Rita Donnelly of Los Altos, two Catholics who have said rosaries for the unborn and their mothers at abortion mills and have counseled whenever the opportunity arose.

Ginny and Rita were praying alone near a Sunnyvale clinic when they saw a pick-up truck arrive and a young couple get out and walk towards the building. Ginny beckoned them over. The man and woman stayed on the sidewalk to see what the ladies wanted. The women spelled out the beauty of a child and how its fate was in their parents' hands. How that child was part of God's plan and how it could be an important part of their marriage, making it stronger and more loving. They invited the couple to come to a nearby crisis help center, the Fremont Society, where they could talk to an experienced counselor, receive some literature, and view a video tape about the beginning of life. The man turned away, got in his truck, and drove off. He returned ten minutes later, said he cried at the possibility of saving their baby, and urged his wife to go the counseling center with him and the ladies. There they spent less than an hour but went away choosing life. Ginny and Rita waved them off and heard later that they had moved to Idaho with little Mary. Ginny Hitchcock heard a talk by Father Paul Marx of Human Life International in the early eighties and knew that there is no higher calling than saving lives, especially the lives of the unprotected in the womb. She took part in Msgr. Phillip Reilly's Helpers of God's Precious Infants prayer vigil in San Francisco a few years later and has organized a similar demonstration at another South Bay abortion mill. Fifty to seventy people show up on the last Saturday of each month for a three decade rosary and hymns led by Father John Sweeny, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church in Santa Clara.

"One Saturday, a day after Christmas, more than one hundred persons came out", she recalled. "It is legal, peaceful, and a powerful public witness to the sanctity of life. A Saturday doesn't go by that passersby don't stop, ask what is taking place, and occasionally some join us."

The turnout keeps growing and it is currently the largest pro-life activity held in Northern California on a regular basis. One of the regular attendees is Rita Donnelly who has been a stalwart in the movement. Mrs. Hitchcock was jailed for a week at the Elmwood facility in Milpitas following a rescue. A native of San Francisco, she has been active in the work of Human Life International, life chains, and prayer walks. She and her husband, Bob, a high school teacher, live in San Lorenzo. They are the parents of four sons, and two grandsons.


1999 LIFE CHAIN GEARING UP for big turn-out. The annual international Life Chain, a peaceful demonstration of support for the unborn and their mothers, has been held on the first Sunday in October since 1987. The Life Chain organizers welcome anyone who wants to participate, and they encourage people to come as part of a church group. The event is held on Sunday afternoons so that a church can make it an extension of their morning service. Last year's event drew the participation of over 600 communities nation-wide. This year's Life Chain will be on Sunday, October 3rd. A local life chain will be held in San Jose from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Stevens Creek Boulevard between the Valley Fair and Vallco Shopping Centers.

Begun in 1987 by Royce Dunn of Yuba City, California, the Life Chain has spread from the United States to Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Dunn is asking that at least half of the signs be of the 'Abortion Kills Children' variety, which has proven most effective in the past. This is based on testimony from mothers who changed their minds about aborting their children.

"No other word troubles the abortion industry as deeply as does the 'kill' word," Dunn said recently. "This is confirmed by the fact that few pro-abortionists are willing themselves to say they support the killing of unborn children. Herein lies a key to ending legalized abortion." Precision Printing of San Diego produces the signs for about 18 cents each. Their telephone number is (619) 569-6644; Fax (619) 569-6645.

"I again urge that we refrain from all political statements or heavy fund raising on October 3rd and that we focus entirely on prayer," Dunn said. "Anyone who expects government to end abortion on demand will live in frustration, as our politicians continue to toss pro-lifers a bone here and there, but nothing more. Abortion is a spiritual problem, chiefly a grave evil that exceeds government's ability to understand, much less conquer."

TOP