THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 9, 1995 TAG: 9501090079
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ESTHER DISKIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 146 lines
The priest for the parish serving the Hillcrest Clinic called upon Catholics in Hampton Roads on Sunday to stop demonstrating at the clinic.
``Radical elements in the pro-life movement have so polluted its claim of moral integrity that it now stands as a sign of scandal and contradiction to the body of Christ, the Church,'' said the Rev. William J. Dale, of St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Anti-abortion activists must take care that their rhetoric does not motivate people to violence, he said. Little more than a week ago, the building housing Norfolk's only abortion clinic was sprayed with semiautomatic rifle fire.
John C. Salvi III, who was raised by devoutly Catholic parents, was arrested moments after the attack. He is to answer charges in Massachusetts today that he killed two receptionists during Dec. 30 attacks on women's clinics in Brookline.
``Public espousal of violence and the veiled and not-so-veiled statements of support by so-called ministers of the Gospel now force us to state once again what it means to be a follower of Jesus,'' Dale said.
Dale asked Catholics to avoid gatherings which might be perceived as supporting violent elements in the pro-life movement, and he invited all Christians and ``people of good will'' to join in a public repudiation of terror tactics.
Dale's brief remarks, delivered during several Masses this weekend, struck a chord with some in the pews. Afterward, despite the cold weather, several people stopped to thank him before hurrying to the parking lot.
``With the violence going on, Father Dale is justified in asking people not to demonstrate,'' said Judy Gray, a mother of three who moved to Norfolk two years ago. ``Hopefully, this will calm the situation. Violence is not the way.''
But the Rev. Michael D. McCarron, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News, said that peaceful vigils at clinics where abortions are done is ``an effective way'' to change women's minds. Anti-abortion protesters should not be deterred by the extremism of a few, he said.
``Protest by its nature involves risk,'' McCarron said, in an interview. ``When we protested the Vietnam War, you had to deal with people who tried to create disturbances. Should we have stayed away? I don't think so.''
Dale's request mirrors the actions of several national leaders in the Catholic community. In Boston earlier this week, Cardinal Bernard F. Law asked anti-abortion activists to attend prayer vigils at five designated churches instead of demonstrating outside clinics.
Cardinal John O'Connor of New York, answering questions Tuesday from a nationwide audience via an on-line computer information service, said: ``When this happened last year, I stated that if anyone has an urge to kill someone at an abortion clinic, they should shoot me. I still mean it.''
Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond, is on vacation. But Stephen Colecchi, his special assistant, said Sullivan strongly condemns Salvi's actions. ``What Salvi did was inconsistent with Catholic teaching,'' said Colecchi.
Salvi has not linked his Catholic beliefs to his decision to fire on the clinics.
But the troubled 22-year-old appears to have a zealous interest in matters of faith. His friends remember him frequently quoting the Scriptures, and parishioners at a Christmas Eve Mass in New Hampshire watched in amazement as Salvi stepped up to the altar and began a confused sermon about the failures of the Catholic Church.
A rambling, six-page statement Salvi issued before he was taken from Norfolk included his desire to become a priest if he is acquitted.
That Salvi could have had so much exposure to Catholic teaching - yet miss its message of peace - is deeply troubling to Dale. ``What have we done wrong in the church to lead someone to take this position?'' he said in an interview. ``We have been woefully deficient if someone in our community can pick up a gun and do something like this.''
Dale and Colecchi said Catholic leaders must speak out with renewed vigor about the sanctity of human life. ``We will redouble our efforts,'' Colecchi said.
He suggested that Catholics who oppose abortion make their voices heard through methods beyond protest at clinics. The Richmond Diocese puts a strong emphasis on legislative advocacy, urging the General Assembly to pass laws to fight abortion. Catholics can call and write to their legislators about these laws, he said.
And they can put their money toward programs that help poor, pregnant women, Colecchi said.
Two decades ago, Sullivan established the ``Respect Life'' fund, which collects money for programs dedicated to the idea of protecting life, including programs to provide counseling and financial assistance for pregnant women. The fund takes in about $50,000 a year, Colecchi said.
Dale said that he likes Cardinal Law's approach of designating certain churches for prayer vigils, but that churches should also serve as forums for more honest dialogue about the abortion issue.
``Throughout history, that has been the role of the church,'' he said. ``It was put in the center of town so people could go there and talk peacefully. You can't change people's hearts and minds with a gun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color Photos by Lawrence Jackson
Rev. William J. Dale
Sunday, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Fr. William J. Dale asked his
parishioners to stay away from the Hillcrest Clinic and from those
who say force is a means of promoting
pro-life.
Graphic
[This is the text of a statement made at Mass on Sunday by the Rev.
William J. Daler, pastor at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Norfolk.]
A REPUDIATION OF VIOLENCE
The recent occurrences of murder in Boston and violence here in
Norfolk at the Hillcrest Clinic have been the cause for much
discussion and introspection during the past week. For the church
this has been a most troubling event, for while we stand in
opposition to abortion and its legitimacy in our country we are also
strongly opposed to those who would employ violent means for the
sake of the Gospel.
Radical elements in the pro-life movement have so polluted its
claim of moral integrity that it now stands as a sign of scandal and
contradiction to the body of Christ, the Church. Indeed, the public
espousal of violence and the veiled and not-so-veiled statements of
support by so-called ministers of the Gospel now force us to state
once again what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
The Gospel we preach is premised upon the fact that the Lord God
alone is the Lord of Life and his Son is celebrated this season as
the Prince of Peace. We believe in the power of prayer and while we
strive to give good example, we know that only God can transform our
hearts. To employ force and violence on behalf of the Gospel or to
support the same is to deny the lordship of Jesus and bring scandal
upon the Church.
As a Catholic community we have been, from the beginning, clear
and consistent in our opposition to abortion. For the sake of this
consistency I now call upon all in this parish and other Catholics
in this community to cease their participation in any public
demonstrations at the Hillcrest Clinic and to refrain from
participating in any demonstrations which might be perceived as
supportive of the violent elements in the pro-life movement.
I likewise invite other Christians and people of good will to
join us in this public repudiation of violence and public commitment
to separate ourselves from those who would employ violence and
terror to bring about their personal goals.
Our churches will remain open as places of prayer and as forums
for open and honest dialogue. We ask forgiveness for any bad example
we might have given and we pray that our God will guide us in his
ways and through his son Jesus, show us how to live faithful lives.
KEYWORDS: ABORTION PROTEST by CNB