March 23, 2007 - Issue #6
Local News | Opinion/Editorials | Letters to the Editor
Local News
Are Alaskans paying attention?
April 3 vote reflects national debates across the country
The largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization in the nation has a vested interest in how Alaskans respond to a statewide advisory vote on April 3.
The Washington, D.C. based Human Rights Campaign with its 600,000-strong membership has funneled more than $30,000 worth of campaign contributions to a local gay rights group seeking to defeat the upcoming vote.
The advisory vote asks Alaskans whether they want to create a constitutional amendment to prohibit the state from providing publicly-funded employment benefits to same-sex partners of public employees.
The proposed amendment is a direct attempt to rebuff the Alaska Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling, which mandated employment benefits for same-sex partners of public employees. In issuing their ruling, the court declared that same-sex partners and married men and women are "similarly situated" in life.
Critics say the court’s decision blatantly defies the 1998 statewide constitutional marriage amendment, in which 68 percent of Alaska voters agreed to define marriage as a legal relationship between one man and one woman. Due to the court’s ruling, supporters of traditional marriage now say there needs to be a second amendment to ensure that the state does not begin viewing same-sex partnerships as similarly situated to marriage.
But such an amendment would directly contradict the national mission of the Human Rights Campaign and many of the groups they support, which are trying to ensure broader federal and state rights for the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community.
According to the Alaska Public Offices Commission Web site, HRC has contributed nearly half of the total income for a political group called Alaskans Together. The Anchorage-based group has the sole mission to defeat the April 3 vote and send a message to state legislators that Alaskans don’t care to amend the constitution.
In providing funding for Alaskans Together, HRC is keeping with a much larger national strategy to support an expanding network of grassroots organizations that work to obtain expanded legal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
Many of these grassroots organizations, such as Alaskans Together, have very narrow goals. The larger picture for HRC, however, is to secure all the rights, privileges, benefits and protections of traditional marriage for same-sex couples across the country. Alaska’s same-sex benefits case comprises only a small piece of that national puzzle.
Groups hope to redefine marriage
An article appearing in The American Prospect last March reported that a national strategy, called the 20/20 Vision, was developed and agreed to by people involved in every major lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group.
Developed during the 2005 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force annual meeting, 20/20 Vision aims to sharpen the focus of the gay rights movement.
"By the year 2020 (give or take five years), the goal is for 10 states to have full-marriage equality; 10 states to have civil unions or the equivalent; 10 states to have nondiscrimination laws and be repealing (or peeling back the effects of) their anti-gay marriage amendments; and the final 20 states to show progress," Prospect reported.
Such a radical recasting of the basic family structure doesn’t undergo transformation all at once.
After a series of recent political setbacks, many LGBT rights groups realized that change must be incremental.
Alaska represents a prime example of this new strategy.
More than 10 years ago, two Alaska men tried to alter state law in one fell swoop by applying for a state marriage license. When the state refused to let the men marry, they sued. This set off a chain of events that captured national attention.
In 1998 an Alaska superior court judge ruled that the state could not withhold a marriage license from the two men unless there was a compelling state interest.
That same year, Alaskans responded to the court ruling by passing the nation’s first-ever state constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
Since then, 27 states have followed suit.
Due to well-funded and organized efforts on behalf of gay rights activists, however, the tide may be changing.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. They remain the only state of their kind but several others have since liberalized their marriage laws.
To date, six other states (plus the District of Columbia) recognize some form of same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships.
In other states, such as Alaska, California and elsewhere, marriage laws are being peeled back through a series of equity lawsuits and gay rights legislation.
"These folks are very organized and very tenacious and they are not interested in giving up," Debbie Joslin told the Anchor earlier this month. As chair of Vote Yes For Marriage Alaska, Joslin is organizing support for the April 3 advisory vote.
"I don’t see this as the end of the culture wars but it is an essential battle to win," she said. "If we lose the April 3 advisory vote then the conversation will be over with in Alaska."
And that’s exactly what Jesse Cross-Call, campaign manager for Alaskans Together, wants to see.
In a Feb. 9 phone interview, Cross-Call cast the issue narrowly, sticking to the claim that the April vote is essentially all about providing equal health benefits for all Alaska workers.
"What this is about is extending health benefits to people who deserve it," he said.
But framing the issue in terms of health benefits distorts the real issue, Joslin said, especially since all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation, already receive employment benefits for themselves and their children.
"One of the problems we have now is that they are trying to frame this in terms of health insurance and people wanting to care for each other," she said. "They are trying to frame it as though they only want health insurance but they really want to be recognized as married. As soon as we begin treating people who are not married as married, then they are. Next they will go for the official title."
While Cross-Call’s group is officially sticking to the more limited goal of advocating for same-sex benefits, he said attitudes toward homosexual relationships are changing in Alaska.
"It’s not only in Alaska where things are changing," he said. "When Alaska (passed the 1998 constitutional marriage amendment) they were the first state to do this." Since then, attitudes toward homosexuality have changed, he said.
Does that mean there could be future efforts to secure additional rights for homosexuals in Alaska down the road?
"I don’t know," Cross-Call responded, before observing that he thought the homosexual rights community has definitely been energized by the April vote.
"We have a lot of people involved," he said. "We have a lot of energy on our side and it’s palpable."
Supporters of traditional marriage aren’t throwing in the towel but they do admit to a difficult struggle.
For starters, they cite the fact that the April advisory vote won’t actually change state law. It is more of an opinion poll to gauge whether Alaskans want state legislators to propose a constitutional amendment for 2008. Some fear an advisory vote doesn’t pack the same drawing power as a constitutional amendment vote.
The other issue is timing.
"Special elections are usually not participated in as much as other elections," said Rep. John Coghill, R-Fairbanks.
Coghill supports a constitutional marriage amendment but said there must be strong public support in order to win legislative approval.
"I’d say a constitutional amendment has a fairly good shot (in the legislature) but if the people say we don’t care then I think it may cause the vote to go down," he said. "What the public says will have an impact."
In order to bring a constitutional amendment to the voters the proposed amendment must first pass with a two-thirds majority in both the house and senate. It then needs 51 percent of the popular vote to become part of the constitution.
Few Alaskans have as much first-hand experience in the legal landscape of Alaska marriage law than former Lt. Gov. Loren Lehman.
As a state senator in the 1990’s, Lehman first introduced legislation that led to the original marriage amendment in 1998. He told the Anchor that several state legislators need a strong message from voters before they agree to bring a second constitutional amendment before the people.
"There are some weak brethren and sisters in the legislator who won’t vote for this unless they receive the cover and direction from the people of Alaska," Lehman said, before adding that he and others worry that many people are not paying close enough attention to the importance of the advisory vote.
"I’m not sure enough people are taking this seriously," he said.
Alaskans travel Way of the Cross
Modern churches on road to Calvary
Parishioners at the Catholic church in Bethel begin their weekly journeys in the parish social hall, a windswept building just off the Kuskokwim River.
Here the faithful pray half the Stations of the Cross, one adult carries a cross, a child carries a smaller one and two other parishioners hold candles. Someone then leads the group of Alaska villagers through the ancient prayer walk that traces Christ’s epic journey to Calvary.
"Then every third station or so, we change so someone else gets to carry the cross, the candles or lead the prayer," said Father Chuck Peterson.
The stations continue after a chilly trek across windswept boardwalks to the new church building, Bethel’s Immaculate Conception.
In an age when fewer church goers practice the ancient traditions, Peterson said he finds the once-a-week service well attended. The hands-on experience makes the services more relevant to people wanting to understand their faith, he said.
"We’re actually reviving it. We have a highly interactive service. Everyone gets a chance to be a part of it," he said, speaking of his mostly Yupik parish.
Homer’s St. John the Baptist Catholic Church also adds its own flavor to the ancient devotion. Offering soup and bread to the pilgrims at each Friday service helps when high winds whip through Kachemak Bay.
"One leads and we all do it together," said Sister Carol Ann Aldrich. "We get quite a few."
Thanks to a generous donation from a local family, the church received a new set of stations made in Belgium. These were put up just in time for the Lenten season.
Further north in Chevak, out on the Bering Sea coast, Father Gregg Wood oversees a flock that observes the stations in its own unique way.
They built a 12-foot cross from a two-by-four. Villagers bear the cross as they walk the stations along Chevak’s dirt or boardwalk roads.
"We begin at the church and end back at the church. A youngster made up the route," Father Wood said.
They started this new tradition this year during Lent and quickly found that a small group grew as it processed through the village, Wood said.
Opinions may vary as to whether such an ancient devotion can capture the imagination of modern, tech-savvy parishioners.
But braving the sub-zero cold and howling wind is not the only way to pray the stations.
Some parishioners opt for a glowing computer screen where they can pray the stations on the Internet if they choose.
It’s interesting, Wood said, how new media add to modern people’s understanding or help make faith relevant. Some of his own Yupik youngsters like to use the computer version of the stations.
While things have certainly changed in some respects, Homer’s Sister Aldrich said she doesn’t feel today’s services are so essentially different from what she experienced in the past.
"Not anything today is exactly like it was long ago," she points out. In the convent, the Stations of the Cross were part of daily devotions."The devotions will wax and wane," said Chevak’s Father Wood. "I remember as a child - the benedictions, the rosary — and seasonal devotions like Stations of the Cross — were well attended. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, it wasn’t so well but now I think they are coming back."
In nearly 2,000 years the Stations of the Cross have certainly evolved over time but Wood said he believes current practice may be a more meditative observance.
Despite its different expressions, down through the years, the images and prayers have always been about tracing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
The route traditionally believed to have been taken by Jesus to his death at Calvary (Golgotha) in Jerusalem is called the Via Dolorosa or the Sorrowful Way. This is taken from an early tradition developed in the Holy Land to follow the Via Dolorosa, stopping and contemplating the events of Christ’s Passion at sites or Stations where tradition held that they took place.
European Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Lands brought back the custom of remembering the Passion through various devotions as early as the 4th century.By 1505, Peter Sterchx of Flanders published a guidebook to the Stations that served to develop the devotions as we know them today.
Archbishop: Benefits ruling flawed
Although the advisory vote is framed as a benefits question, "the real issue centers on the (Alaska Supreme) Court’s reasoning, which is wrong," said Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz.
The archbishop issued his statement in response to a 2005 Alaska Supreme Court ruling in which the court claimed that same-sex partners of public employees had a constitutional right, under the state’s equal protection clause, to receive the same spousal benefits as married heterosexual couples.
Archbishop Schwietz, along with Alaska’s other Catholic Bishops publicly stated that they "respectfully disagree" with the court’s claim that same-sex partners of public employees should be treated the same as legally married heterosexual partners.
The bishop’s joint statement allows for the possibility of health coverage for people with homosexual inclinations but not because they are engaged in a homosexual relationship with another person, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches is "inherently disordered."
In a separate interview, Archbishop Schwietz said that Catholic teaching has long held that all persons should have health coverage, including individuals who might have homosexual inclinations.He reiterated, however, that the church could only support the extension of state health coverage to people based on their inherent dignity as an individual person – not, as the court ruled, on the basis of their entering a homosexual relationship with another person.
—Anchor staff
Lumen Christi teens defend truth, win medals one oration at a time
The only Catholic debate drama and forensics team in the state left its mark this month at the state championships.
In only their second year, the DDF team from Lumen Christi School in Anchorage brought home three medals from the state championship tournament earlier this month.
The Lumen team has two features that other Alaska squads simply don’t have: The first is the team’s belief in prayer and the practice of praying before every tournament.
This is important because prayer shifts students focus from themselves to God and it reminds them that at the end of the day, that competition is merely competition and the ultimate work in life is to glorify God through their words and treatment of fellow competitors.
The second critical aspect of the Lumen team is their Catholic belief in objective truth and a moral order. This feature became prominent this year when Lumen debaters were the only ones to argue against moral relativism that is so prevalent in the public school system.
At the heart of Catholic moral teaching is the belief that humans are created in God’s image and Lumen students bring this belief into every competition.
Lumen’s Katy Portell took first place in the original oratory category, which means she earned a spot in Wichita, Kansas for the national showdown in June.
Portell also took fourth in extemporaneous commentary, while her teammate Andrew Stallman placed fourth in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Lumen is the only private school in Southcentral Alaska to field a DDF team. It is also the only Catholic school in state with such a program.
Unlike other teams at Lumen, the DDF squad has to compete against both large and small schools with all tournaments sponsored by local Anchorage high schools.
Last year Portell and Stallman were the founding team members. This year their squad grew to five members, adding freshman Timothy Sankey, junior Hector Isaza and senior William Growden.
Competing on the DDF team forces students to approach topics and issues with a critical mind and engage intellectual discussion.
Lumen’s rigorous academic curriculum disciplines students and prepares them for the level of practice and hard work necessary in order to field a competitive team.
Students quickly learn that it is not enough to have a good argument or to have a wonderful dramatic piece to perform. Learning to present a piece before diverse audiences is key — but not easy.
Yet this year, despite having three rookie members, the entire team broke into the state finals.
The DDF team is part of Lumen Christi’s overall aim to equip students with the necessary tools to think critically and to speak intelligently about matters they care deeply about. In a time when moral relativism is increasingly popular, the Lumen Christi DDF program teaches students how to combat relativism and make a positive change within the culture.
Editor’s note: The writer coaches Lumen Christi’s DDF team.
News & Notes
Safe haven for Alaska infants
The Alaska Legislature is considering a bill that would allow parents to surrender an infant shortly after birth without fear of being criminally prosecuted. House Bill 29 would allow a parent to leave an infant in the custody of a person who the parent reasonably believes is a peace officer, physician, hospital employee, volunteer at a fire station or other emergency medical service.
The Alaska Conference of Catholic Bishops supports the bill and assisted in reviewing the language of the bill before it was introduced.
"We support this bill," said Chip Wagoner, executive director for the bishops’ conference. "It was one of our priorities."
In many cases this law helps women who feel alone and afraid after having giving birth to a child, Wagoner explained.
"In some cases they might dump the baby in a dumpster," he said. "This bill provides them an opportunity to leave the child with someone."There are similar laws in 47 other states.
Assistant Editor Wanted
The Catholic Anchor is seeking an assistant editor to work with the editor and other newspaper staff on the editorial work of the newspaper as well as with office administration.
Responsibilities include reporting and writing news (four to six articles per month), news photography, editing press releases, draft editing news stories and opinion columns, proofreading and scanning art. Administrative duties include archiving, preparing material for the Web site and distributing the newspaper to a few select locations.
The assistant editor works closely with editor, page designer, and advertising manager and frequently interacts with parish representatives and other news sources to report news.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English or a related field. They must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church. They must also be familiar with Macintosh operating systems and have a background in journalistic principals, technical journalism skills and familiarity with AP style.
The position is 35 to 40 hours per week depending on qualification. The hours are flexible; some work can be done from home but physical presence is required on deadline days (every other Friday, Monday and Tuesday). Occasional weekend work is also required
The position includes full health and dental benefits. Wage is $17.25 per hour.Those interested can send a resume, cover letter and three references to: Catholic Anchor 225 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 or e-mail to catholicanchor@gci.net.
Consecration to Virgin Mary
The Legion of Mary will celebrate its annual consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday, March 25, at Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla at 2 p.m. The program includes the rosary, hymns, and consecration. The public is invited to attend and pray for peace in the world. Refreshments follow. For more information, call Phyllis Wilson at 344-8947.
Singers needed for Chrism Mass
Music ministers (singers) are needed for the Anchorage Archdiocese Chrism Mass, Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Cathedral. Rehearsal for singers begins at 6 p.m. at the cathedral. For more information, call Maureen Haines at 297-7748.
Drummers needed for Good Friday
Drums of various kinds lead the Good Friday procession of the cross from inside the Performing Arts Center through the Town Square to the concluding prayer service with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz. The walk takes place Friday, April 6. All size drums are welcome. For more information, contact Maureen Haines at 297-7748.
Church to defend tax-exempt status
In a decision that could affect religious schools throughout Alaska, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled March 1 that Anchorage Baptist Temple is allowed to defend a lawsuit brought by the ACLU challenging certain tax exemptions.
The Baptist church sought to intervene in two lawsuits challenging a statewide tax exemption on property owned by a religious organization when the property serves as a residence of an educator in a private religious or parochial school.
According to an ACLU press release, they and other plaintiffs allege that the exemptions violate equal protection and establishment clauses of the state and federal constitutions.
Anchorage Baptist Temple operates Anchorage Christian School, a K-12 school serving approximately 700 students. The church also owns six residences that house teachers at Anchorage Christian School.According to a recent press release, ATB said the residences are vital to their educational mission, in that they enable their school to recruit and retain a well qualified teaching staff, despite being unable to offer the wage and benefit programs offered by public schools.
Bill allows workplace baby-feeding
JUNEAU—Rep. Sharon Cissna, D-Anchorage and Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage introduced companion measures this month to require employers to offer adequate break time and a clean private place for women to breast-feed their children at while at work.
The Alaska Democrats press release stated that House Bill 190 and Senate Bill 113 will next be heard in their respective House and Senate HESS and Labor and Commerce committees.
The release stated that, despite the proven health benefits of breastfeeding to both the health of mothers and babies, fewer Alaskan women who work continue to breastfeed than women who stay at home with their infant.
In particular, breastfeeding has been found to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes in both mother and infant.
Bishops' Column
Alaska bishops ‘disagree’ with court’s same-sex benefits ruling
Editor’s note: The following is a joint statement by the Alaska Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Alaska State Legislature has placed a measure before the Alaska voters seeking advice on whether the marriage provision of the Alaska State Constitution should be amended. The amendment would make clear that same-sex couples are not similarly situated to married couples and, therefore, would prohibit the state, municipality or other subdivision of the state from providing employment benefits to same-sex couples on that basis.
We, the Catholic Bishops of Alaska, urge Catholic voters and other persons of goodwill to respond to the Legislature’s request for guidance by carefully considering the issue and voting on April 3rd.
At the time of the Constitutional vote on marriage in 1998, we publicly spoke on our view of marriage as "a relationship that identifies a man and a woman as husband and wife, makes them two in one flesh, brings children into the world, [and] transforms two individuals into mother and father."
The voters of Alaska, at that time, overwhelmingly voted to amend the Alaska State Constitution to protect this traditional view of marriage by adding the words: "To be valid or recognized in this State, a marriage may exist only between one man and one woman."
The Alaska Supreme Court, however, has since ruled that same-sex couples are "similarly situated" to married couples. Consequently, the Court has ordered that whatever benefits of marriage the state, or subdivisions of the state, provide to married couples must also be provided to same-sex couples.
We respectfully disagree with the Court’s opinion, which has the effect of undermining both the institution of marriage and the marriage provision of the State Constitution itself.
Same-sex relationships are not the same as marriage. Recognizing the social and legal status of marriage as a relationship different from other forms of cohabitation is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires it. Differentiating marriage from same-sex relationships is exactly what the marriage amendment passed in 1998 was about, which the Court’s opinion effectively negates.
The Legislature, in response, has asked each of us, as voters, for our input through the ballot box on April 3rd. In this Lenten season where we are asked not only to deny ourselves but also to do things for the good of society, we ask you to carefully consider the importance of the institution of marriage to the common good and to vote in the statewide advisory election on April 3rd.
Paid for by Alaska Conference of Catholic Bishops, 415 Sixth St., Suite 300, Juneau, AK 99801
Local Columns
Hockey shouldn’t crowd out the Lord’s Day
I am a hockey Dad, but I’m seeking help.
We love hockey, it’s our favorite exercise in the winter. I can’t think of an exercise that cleans your carburetor like hockey. With four boys, it’s hard to keep them all engaged in vigorous activity during the long winter and I am grateful for the infrastructure in our town to accommodate this sport. However, I became somewhat alarmed recently when I returned from work to find that my son had attended a game scheduled during the school day.
I believe hockey has overshot its purpose. It’s taking over. Our family has long battled the practice of scheduling games or practices on Sunday mornings by simply not attending. Even so, I remember a year when the state tournament was scheduled during Holy Week with the championship game on Easter. My sons were unable to attend the final games. They were disappointed but understood that I was more interested in their souls than the fleeting glories of sports. That’s what I tell myself. Perhaps they will later convert to Scientology to punish me. Either way, against the raging torrent of the sports machine, my efforts seem trivial, but I don’t expect to make a difference to the machine, only to four boys.
This encroachment on the Sabbath has occurred very simply because not enough people feel that the day is worth honoring. Like the Hebrews in Egypt I find myself wondering how we came to be in this unsavory situation.
History indicates that the slide probably began with small unnoticeable nudges. Only the smallest of changes can be accepted so easily by the populace. I’ll bet that’s how sports took over the Sabbath. Tiny advancements over many years that have now led us to a situation where our children are being asked, in many situations, to ignore a Commandment of the Lord. This is one of the Big Ten. It isn’t the kind of limelight we want our children to be in.
Honestly, I don’t really have a clear idea of what the ultimate goal the youth hockey league has become. I hope everyone understands that only by enrolling your child in a competitive hockey league at conception will you ever enable their passage into the NHL. As if we could in good conscience desire that insanity for our children.
I’ll bet the truth is that when we enrolled our progeny into hockey, we thought it was for exercise and friendships. We just got carried away. We didn’t notice the change of focus because it happened so gradually.I propose exactly the same tactic to take Sunday back. Let’s just take a piece of Sunday back, say the hours before your normal Mass time. Who knows, in a few decades, maybe we will have gained a few hours of the Lord’s Day back.
Christ’s public execution still stirs debate and conversation
Two and one half years after it first hit the theaters in the United States, Mel Gibson’s film, "The Passion of the Christ," is still a lively topic of conversation and debate. Despite the fact that it contained some of the most graphic violence ever portrayed on film, entire church congregations flocked to see it... at discount rates, of course. Brutality does not seem to offend the American conscience.
"The Passion of the Christ" essentially describes the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life; it is a biblical story of capital punishment although we do not ordinarily think of the Crucifixion in those terms.
In and of themselves, one would not think of public executions as deeds which would attract the interest of intelligent, sensitive citizens. Yet, throughout history we have examples of such "events" being attended by thousands. Think of the beheadings during the French Revolution, of the public hangings of African Americans attended by white families here in the United States during the late 1800’s. Think, even more recently, of the worldwide interest in the gruesome circumstances of the hanging of Saddam Hussein and others of his administration. I spare you the details.
On a brighter note, however, an article in our newspapers recently indicated that despite the high numbers of deaths by capital punishment in the U.S., support for it here is declining significantly. I trust, therefore, that few Christians would choose to witness an execution or, indeed, any other form of public suffering.
But that leaves us with a question, the answer to which is not always so obvious. Why is it that Christians worldwide choose to listen to the narration of the public execution of Jesus of Nazareth twice each year, once on Palm Sunday and again on Good Friday? Obviously, not for the same reason those same Christians might wish to view "The Passion of the Christ" on DVD again!
Unfortunately, however, many Christians and Catholics may think of the Passion story simply as a part of the liturgical events that we devoutly celebrate each year, but which has little relevance to life in our contemporary society.
Could it not be said, however, that the crucifixion of Jesus as an historical event might serve as a universal metaphor, a reminder to us throughout history that injustice and suffering continue to go on in our world every day in terms of racial discrimination, executions, wars, violence et cetera?
True enough, it was Jesus who once suffered and died for us and for our sins, as we say in the Nicene Creed. Nonetheless, it might also be true to say that we are still in some sense bystanders at Jesus’ crucifixion as we observe the sufferings and deaths of his brothers and sisters in our own day. In other words, the death of Jesus Christ, the Innocent One, is a public lesson to help us understand and see more clearly how humans of all races and religions continue to treat one another with disdain and disgrace.
If the liturgies of Palm Sunday and Good Friday, therefore, have tended to simply become part of our yearly Holy Week services, it might be well for us to place them in the context of places and names which describe our world today: Serbs and Croats, Hutus and Tutsis, Arabs and Israelis, Muslims and Christians. The point of all this is that the events of Palm Sunday and Good Friday are still happening today, indeed, in our very midst. That is why we need to listen to the Passion Story year after year, if for no other reason than to be reminded that we cannot simply stand idly along the street and watch.
Editorials
Pro-life language games
There’s a new trend amongst certain abortion rights advocates and politicians. They’re adapting the "pro-life" label. It’s not that they switched positions and now oppose destruction of unborn human life. It’s more like a linguistic slight of hand, which actually serves to divert attention away from the true meaning of pro-life.
A recent article by Mary Jaminet, the special project coordinator at the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, highlighted this crafty use of the pro-life label.
Jaminet cited a Jan. 25 article from the Iowa City Press-Citizen, in which Karen Kubby, the executive director of an Iowa City abortion clinic said, "I recognize the lives gained through abortion. I see the lives of women and their children who are stronger and more stable because of a decision toward abortion."
What Ms. Kubby actually sees is how aborting unborn children can rid would-be parents from the profound duty of raising and protecting their children. Confusing the terms does not mean the practice of systematically killing millions of unborn humans is suddenly pro-life.
Spanking ban misses the mark
California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber delivered on her promise to ban parents from using physical force in disciplining their children.
Media outlets widely reported that the so-called "spanking ban" had been dropped. Assembly Bill 755 is still a ban on spanking, however, despite the fact that specific references to spanking have been toned down.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has expressed support for the bill but it has not yet passed the legislature. The bill still bans the use of a stick, a rod, a switch or a belt in disciplining a child and parents who employ any of these objects to spank their child could be charged criminally.
In case Alaskans think this proposed law would have no affect on them, consider how many of us visit California each year – children in tow. This legislation would prohibit parents from physically disciplining their children while visiting the Golden State.
More importantly, California law often ripples – for better or worse – throughout the country. If this anti-parenting bill actually makes it off the Schwarenegger’s desk, don’t be surprised if local governments start debating this issue closer to home.
At its core, the bill equates responsible corporal discipline with the heinous act of beating children. Child abuse is already illegal in California. Responsible spanking, however, is not abuse but a time-tested form of discipline, which many loving parents employ to teach their children obedience and respect.
The Catholic Church has consistently maintained that parental authority is key to the health of the family. By stripping parents of the ability to discipline, governments rob them of the basic right to raise children according to their deepest beliefs.
Anchorage Archdiocese cracks the top 10
A recent study by Crisis magazine of 176 Latin rite dioceses in the United States ranked the Anchorage Archdiocese number 8 in terms of overall performance in three categories: Increase in active priests, number of priests ordained, and the number of adults received by the church into full communion.
The study compares data from 1995 and 2005. Between those two years, Anchorage climbed 139 spots from number 147 in the country to number 8.
Admittedly, Anchorage is the fourth smallest diocese in the country. Only Juneau (the smallest) Fairbanks and Rapid City, SD are smaller. This means even a slight improvement in any of the three categories creates dramatic jump in the overall ranking for Anchorage.
For example, Anchorage ordained one priest in 2005, which accounted for 9 percent of the total priests in the archdiocese. That was a high enough percentage to place Anchorage third in the entire country.
Anchorage also ranked 30th in the total increase of priests and 75th in the percentage increase of adults who were received into full communion with the church.
Despite Anchorage’s small size, it should be noted that the one priest ordained in 2005 was still more than many larger dioceses.
The purpose of the study was to determine how influential a bishop is on the growth and life of their diocese. While the study acknowledged many external influences on the health of a diocese, it concluded that the bishop makes a big impact.
Qualities of a successful bishop
In seeking to understand why certain dioceses succeed, the Crisis study spoke with officials from top-rated dioceses to help create the profile of a successful bishop.
Interviews revealed that top-notch dioceses are led by joyful bishops who are enthusiastic about the Catholic faith and unabashedly confident in what the Catholic Church teaches.
Successful bishops also assume personal responsibility for the outcomes of their priorities and are personally involved in leading men to discern a vocation. These bishops actively promote the morale of their priests and personally invest in evangelization programs.
Notably, successful bishops are also open to assessing the success or failure of their pastoral initiatives. They are also unwilling to accept decline but intent on doing their part to help the Catholic Church flourish.
The study was careful to point out that in some dioceses a bishop may have exhibited all the above traits while the diocese continued to struggle due to external problems.
Anchorage Archbishop is onto something
The work of Archbishop Roger Schwietz should be mentioned in light of the recent Crisis study. Since coming to Anchorage in 2001, the archbishop has initiated a number of programs, which often fly below the radar of most parishioners. In the long run, however, these programs could dramatically improve the archdiocese.
Last year, the archbishop began hosting regular vocation dinners, in which he and several Alaska priests take an evening to share their journey into the priesthood with young men who want to explore a possible call to religious life.
Last year, Archbishop Schwietz also recruited Sister Ann Fallon to help bolster Catholic education throughout the archdiocese. Thanks to this work, a new Catholic school is preparing to open in the Mat-Su this fall.
Three years ago, the archbishop embraced an annual homeschool mass, in which he reaches out to a community that he believes could hold great potential for providing vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Young adults are another priority for this archbishop. Each year he speaks to large and growing crowds at the archdiocese’s Theology on Tap ministry, which began in his third year as archbishop. He is also the spiritual advisor for a group of young adults who are eager to explore the meat of their faith and last month he celebrated the inaugural Mass for a new campus ministry at UAA.
These efforts are likely aimed at building a strong foundation for the coming generation of Catholic leaders in Alaska. Regardless of the current Crisis rankings, the archbishop is onto something. By brushing shoulders with youth, opening his home to youth group dinners and investing in Catholic study sessions he is sowing the seeds of what may be a very great harvest.
Letters to the Editor
Confirmation needs to change
I’m concerned about the attitude of our youth when preparation for the sacrament of confirmation was changed to ninth and tenth grades. In my day, confirmation was received in the eight grade. Receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit is intended to help kids make better choices as they approach adolescence before they’re introduced to stronger negative influences in high school. It seems like kids have a more positive attitude in seventh and eighth grade in general. Getting my own children to attend Mass and religious education after eighth grade has been a struggle and I’ve had to force them at times.
It seems that having two years of preparation and stipulations for confirmation might turn youth away from their faith. At my parish, community service hours are required, so why not have youth directors arrange mandatory events for the kids to get their hours done? Due to conflicting schedules, some kids and parents have a difficult time meeting sponsors to get homework assignments and community service hours completed.
I heard kids from my parish were either not going to get confirmed or going to other churches where they didn’t have to do all this to receive the sacrament. If adults in a family don’t socialize or volunteer in their parish, it’s hard to expect their kids to.
I believe praying rosaries for anyone in your parish or community should be acceptable as service hours. Teaching children to pray and taking them to Mass should be something you’re obligated to do as a parent, but praying rosaries for those who are sick, homeless, or facing challenges due to substance abuse or any other problems, is going above and beyond.
In high school, more kids are likely to seek employment on evenings and weekends. If it causes them to temporarily miss Mass, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll turn away from their faith or that they’ll never be welcomed back by God. God always leaves the door open to the confessional room. It would be nice to address letters from other Catholics on this topic.
Anchorage, AK
The views expressed on this page are the authors’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Anchorage Archdiocese or the Catholic Church. The Anchor welcomes readers’ letters, which are published at the editor’s discretion. They must contain the writer’s name, address and telephone number. They should not exceed 250 words. Longer letters are published at our option, condensed, or returned to the writer to be condensed. Letters may need to be edited for grammar and consistency of style. Letters should be sent to: Catholic Anchor, 225 Cordova St., Anchorage, AK 99501 or catholicanchor@gci.net.