Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 15, 1993 TAG: 9308150100
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
"Why do the consciences of young people not rebel against this situation, especially against the moral evil which flows from personal choices?" the pope asked in a Saturday night prayer vigil at a state park outside Denver.
Laying down the law in back-to-back speeches at World Youth Day ceremonies here, the pope praised the "vast majority" of American Catholics who are "dedicated followers of Christ."
"Nevertheless, at a time when all institutions are suspect, the church herself has not escaped reproach," John Paul scolded, referring to accusations of sexual misconduct among U.S. priests. According to published reports, about 400 priests have been accused of sexual molestation, with the American church paying about $400 million to settle about half the cases.
In his first public mention of the problem, John Paul noted that he had written to American bishops in June "about the pain of the suffering and scandal caused by the sins of some ministers of the altar. Sad situations such as these invite us anew to look at the mystery of the church with the eyes of faith.
"While every human means for responding to this evil must be implemented, we cannot forget that the first and more important means is prayer," he said.
The pope also denounced abortion and euthanasia as "the slaughter of the innocents," lamenting that "false prophets and false teachers have been very successful" in a 20th century that has lurched from wars to ecological mayhem.
John Paul decried the underlying causes of urban violence in America and won strong applause when he pointed to the media as one of the elements that must bear responsibility for it.
The pope's words were remarkable for their directness in asserting well-known Vatican positions in a ringing papal appeal for moral rearmament.
"America needs much prayer, lest it lose its soul," John Paul said.
The speeches represented a wake-up call for the world's 950 million Roman Catholics, but they were particularly directed at the 58 million-strong American church, whose members often challenge or ignore papal teaching, particularly on bedroom issues.
"Polarization and destructive criticism have no place" among Catholics, John Paul cautioned at a prayer service at McNichols Sports Arena.
John Paul strongly reiterated his church's ban against artificial birth control. Noting that natural family planning has advanced since the prohibition was announced a quarter-century ago, John Paul called for great effort "to educate the consciences of married couples in this form of conjugal chastity."
Later he seemed a bit contrite, saying: "The pope has not spoken against human freedom, especially American liberty. He has spoken for the good use of our freedom. . . . He has not spoken against American civilization, American television. He has spoken for an authentic promotion of what is civilization, of what is culture, human dignity."
by CNB