NATION - Catholic news briefs

National Catholic Reporter, Nov 19, 1999

Five activists arrested during Albright speech in Chicago

In their continued effort to end economic sanctions in Iraq, five protesters were arrested Nov. 10 at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago for trespassing after interrupting U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's speech to the Chicago Council of Foreign Relations.

Kathy Kelly, Karl Meyer, Danny Muller, Brad Simpson and Kristin Sundell were arrested. The five were released the next day.

According to an account by Voices in the Wilderness, three minutes into Albright's speech, Fr. Bob Bossie of the 8th Day Center for justice rose from the crowd of 2,500 and asked, "Ms. Albright, 500,000 Iraqi children have died because of the sanctions. is the price worth it?"

After repeating the line several times, Bossie was removed from the ballroom. Fifteen more activists followed with similar statements, but only five were arrested outside.

According to the account, Albright asserted her support of economic sanctions in Iraq and blamed Saddam Hussein for the the suffering of Iraqi people.

Fire ravages provincial house in Massachusetts, kills priest

A three-alarm fire ripped through the provincial headquarters of the La Salette religious community Nov. 5 in Attleboro, Mass., killing a visiting priest and destroying the nearly 100-year-old building known to some as "The Castle."

The fire was reported at 4:22 a.m. and began on the third floor that was occupied by nuns and priests in the La Salette Shrine's sabbatical program.

The priests, whose name was not released by fire officials, was described as in his 40s and was a member of Formation Consultation Services of Whitinsville, Mass. The company provides spiritual renewal programs for clergy and laity all over the world.

Rick Eyman, business manager at the shrine, said he was told by Attleboro Fire Chief Ronald Churchill that the priest was dead by the time firefighters reached the third floor. Because of the heat and flames, his body could not be immediately recovered.

Untouched by the fire were steel and concrete walls newly set for a $4.2 million, 800-seat church currently under construction downhill and east of the five-ravaged former seminary and provincial headquarters for the La Salette Community. The cornerstone for the new church was laid Oct. 24.

Sexual abuse lawsuit follows resignation

A little more than a week after Bishop Daniel Ryan resigned as head of the Springfield, III., diocese, he was named a defendant in a sexual abuse lawsuit.

According to news reports, the suit, filed Oct. 28, alleges that Ryan covered up abuse by a local priest and created on "atmosphere of tolerance" for a sexual misconduct by himself engaging in homosexual relationships.

Ryan has denied all sexual misconduct accusations. In addition, a spokesperson for the Chicago archdiocese said that an inquiry into similar allegations against Ryan earlier this year found on credible evidence of misconduct, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The suit was filed by Matthew McCormick, 30, who says that Fr. Alvin Campbell at St. Maurice Parish abused him from 1982 to 1985. McCormick, who now lives in Texas, said that he only recently realized his depression and suicidal tendencies were caused by the abuse. The suit names as defendants Campbell, Ryan and the Springfield diocese.

Ryan, who became bishop of Springfield in 1984, removed Campbell from St. Maurice in 1985. Campbell later served seven years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual abuse charges and left the priesthood.

When Ryan, 69, resigned as bishop Oct. 19, he told reporters that his departure was unrelated to sexual misconduct charges. He announced his successor would be Msgr. George Lucas, current rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

Religious leaders oppose proposed Erie abortion clinic

The Erie, Pa., diocese announced its opposition to a proposed abortion clinic in Erie, which currently has none.

"The Catholic diocese of Erie will actively and vigorously oppose any abortion clinic," said Bishop Donald W. Trautman at a news conference. He invited area religious leaders, antiabortion activists and others to stand united on the issue.

In late October, it was learned that Dr. Steven Chase Brigham had purchased four suites in an Erie office building that could be used for an abortion clinic. According to published news reports, Brigham already owns or operates at least seven abortion clinics in Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

Trautman offered to help any young woman with an unwanted pregnancy through the diocese's Catholic Charities agencies. "We will care for the mother and the child through our counseling and adoption agencies," he said. "If there is financial need, the diocese and St. Vincent Health Center will assist with the medical cost of the delivery of the baby."

Court allows voucher program to add new students

The U.S. Supreme Court is allowing Cleveland's school voucher program to continue and to include new students while a lower federal court hears a lawsuit aimed at stopping the program.