Posted on 03/30/2002 8:26:37 PM PST by Coleus
Archbishop joins 1,000 Catholics in procession of faith Saturday,
March 30, 2002
By DOUGLASS CROUSE
Staff Writer
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
By half past noon Friday, the faithful streamed along the sidewalks on either side of West Palisade Avenue, a flock of nearly 1,000 Catholics who had come to recommit themselves to a faith and a mission on behalf of the unborn.
Archbishop John J. Myers marched near the head of the Good Friday procession through Englewood's downtown, a five-year tradition of hymns and prayers that links Jesus Christ's crucifixion with the mainline Catholic Church's campaign against abortion. The event typically attracts 150 to 200 people, but Friday marked the first time an archbishop had participated, organizers said.
"You can see the humility of the new archbishop to come out on the streets and meet people. It's very touching," said Linda Rubio of Dumont, who walked alongside two friends. "People need this more than ever since it's the first Easter after 9/11."
Others said conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan and scandal within the Catholic Church spurred them to attend the procession, saying prayer is especially vital this year.
Walking two or three abreast in three large groups, marchers strode past City Hall, then up and down West Palisade Avenue. Along the way, the group paused on street corners to observe 14 stations of the cross, which symbolize Christ's suffering, death, and burial. At each, they sang and recited the Lord's Prayer and the Rosary as shop owners chimed in from nearby doorways.
Otherwise, the crowds walked wordlessly as car stereos pumped and police shepherded traffic around them.
They ended their two-hour walk on the sloping lawn outside the city's public library, which faces Metropolitan Medical Associates, an abortion clinic that performs controversial late-term procedures.
Organizers described the event as a funeral for unborn fetuses and, in a letter to parishes, asked that all march in that solemn spirit. Many wore black suits and overcoats, including Myers, who is celebrating his first Easter season as leader of the Archdiocese of Newark, which includes Bergen County.
Marchers said they endeavored, through their presence and prayer, to "change the hearts and minds" of women considering abortions and medical workers who perform the procedures.
"Today we will pray for ourselves, and we pray for those who have implemented these policies and who have made some terrible choices in regard to life," Myers said.
Cheryl Hall said her mother nearly had an abortion at the Englewood clinic 29 years ago, but a group of Catholics persuaded her to carry her child - Cheryl - to term.
"It's good to see Catholics united, living what they believe," Hall said. "I know that with every prayer, God saves someone."
Several participants reflected on the ongoing attention given to the nation's church leaders, some of whom face criticism for how they have handled charges of pedophilia against priests.
After the procession, Myers said that within his own diocese, "five or six" priests had taken a voluntary leave of absence while authorities investigate charges against them.
"We are dealing with the matter in an orderly way ... Ø and have a profound commitment to the safety of kids," Myers said.
Many marchers said their trust in their own priests had not wavered.
"We know that all these bad things, God will work them for good. That's his promise," said Dick Reeder of Green Village in Morris County. "I think the church will go through a purification. It could be for several years, it could be for a generation. But it's happened before, so we don't need to worry."
"My faith is there even with the news of priests doing those things," Rubio said. "Priests are only mediators. They make mistakes. What matters is your own relationship with God."
Although Catholics in Friday's procession said the church must remain opposed to abortion, a former director of the New Jersey Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice said there is room for debate. within the world's religions. The Religious Coalition includes Christians, Jews, and others.
"There are a number of traditions that believe that abortion can be a moral decision that should be made between a woman and her God," Barbara Kavadias said in a phone interview, adding that "there are many Catholics who have called for reconsideration of the church's [anti-abortion] position."
Staff Writer Douglass Crouse's e-mail address is crouse@northjersey.com
Hopefully, we will be seeing more of this man. Many bisops "state" they are pro life; however, they remain in their ivory towers doing not too much about it.
It's never too late for any Catholic to do something.
Happy Easter, Jesus Christ has risen!
May the joy of the Resurrection inflame your souls with hope and confidence amid today's sufferings and uncertainties.
patent
Correction: The "Religious Coalition" includes a bunch of leftwing anti-life types who masquerade behind the title "Religious Coalition."
"There are a number of traditions that believe that abortion can be a moral decision that should be made between a woman and her God," Barbara Kavadias said in a phone interview, adding that "there are many Catholics who have called for reconsideration of the church's [anti-abortion] position."
Correction: There may be calls for "reconsideration" by some folks who think they're Catholics, but they don't give a rat's patoot about what Catholicism is, only what is convenient for them.
It is very heartening to see him out on the streets praying for the aborted and unborn children. I have remained optimistic since Myers was named Archbishop. He has already approved a request from a parish in Jersey City, Holy Rosary Church, to celebrate a weekly Tridentine Mass. And we are getting closer to when that will begin. We have the vestments (thanks to Una Voce in New York), priests, and I believe the appropriate altar books. We are working on a choir and, I heard through a back channel, the time slot for the Mass.
Romulus, on Palm Sunday, after my regular Tridentine Mass, I went to Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart to attend the Mass that the Archbishop celebrated. If you are unaware, the Cathedral was started in the 1800's and took approximately 100 years to build. After Mass, I walked around to see the artwork. The Stations of the Cross were mosaics; really quite amazing.
And Coleus, I went to the poll and voted NO. It was 50-50 and that is terrible. I hope some other pro-life people will go there and vote.
Wonderful.
I also voted NO on the poll. It is still 50/50. Truly sad.
It's about time. But, that said, I think it's a wonderful statement; and I wish a march like this had been organized in my community (even though I was sick as a dog on Good Friday.) But there is always next year!
AMEN
Thank Heaven for some Good News about things moving in the right direction.
Let it continue.
God Bless!
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