NATION - news items

National Catholic Reporter, July 16, 1999 by Matt Kantz

When Lysz failed to show up for the 7:30 a.m. Mass, parishioners began the service and didn't pay any attention to a heap of vestments near the altar until they noticed blood spatters on the floor.

Michael Ouellete, 32, was arrested on murder charges after he was found in the church rectory with Lysz's credit cards, said police chief John DiVenere.

"The death of a brother priest always touches the lives of all priests;" said Archbishop Daniel Cronin of the Hartford diocese. "But the circumstances surrounding Fr. Lysz's death will profoundly impact all who knew him, and who served with him in his priestly ministry."

SOA protester celebrates 40 years of priesthood

As over 250 people celebrated his 40 years as a Jesuit priest June 29, Fr. Bill Bichsel continued serving his 18-month sentence in a federal prison camp.

Bichsel, 71, is serving 18 months in a federal prison in Sheridan, Ore., for his part in protests at the School of Americas in November 1997. Friends and family celebrated his 40 years of service at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Wash., June 29.

The Tacoma priest is scheduled to be released from prison Jan. 21, 2000. Tacoma Mayor Brian Ebersole was among the Washington state leaders, clergy, union members and friends who attended the celebration.

More than 14,000 people have signed petitions and postcards asking authorities to release Bichsel and other activists serving time for the protest.

Hormel sworn in amid cheers, demonstrations

James Hormel, a gay businessman, was sworn in as ambassador to Luxembourg June 29, with family and supporters cheering inside the State Department and opponents protesting outside.

The usually routine oath-taking ceremony featured loud cheering from hundreds of friends of Hormel, whose nomination sometimes appeared in doubt during a 20month period. He is the first openly homosexual U.S. ambassador.

"What an incredible privilege it is to be standing before you today," Hormel said.

President Clinton broke the impasse over the nomination by making Hormel a "recess appointment" using a method that circumvents the regular Senate confirmation process.

Conservative groups, including Concerned Women for America and the Traditional Values Coalition, demonstrated against Hormel's appointment outside the State Department building.

"James Hormel's appointment will be the grave marker of an administration which sold out every core American value within its grasp even as it waved a Bible and spoke about the sacredness of families," said Andrea Sheldon, executive director of the coalition. "It is hypocrisy conducted on the grandest scale in our history, and its days are numbered."

Florida bishops decry scheduled executions

In an open letter to Gov. Jeb Bush, the Florida Catholic bishops tried to head off the executions of two condemned prisoners. It is the first time the bishops have addressed a Florida governor in an open letter about the death penalty.

In the letter, the bishops praised Bush, a Catholic convert, for his "great courage" since entering public life. While not mentioning directly his Catholic faith, they wrote, "With fortitude and resolve, you lead as a defender of life."