Press Releases
June, 2003

Search begins for new Principal of Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford
Connecticut Appellate Court upholds law; rules in favor of the Diocese of Bridgeport
State of Connecticut accredits Saint Catherine Academy
Three Seminarians to be ordained deacons
Bishop Announces "Safe Environment" Initiatives
Historic Pro-Life Rally to be led by former "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade

BRIDGEPORT, Monday, June 9, 2003 – Thomas Celestino, Principal of Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford since last year, has announced his resignation, effective immediately.

Armand R. Fabbri, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport, said that Celestino’s resignation was accepted with understanding and support. “As Principal of Trinity Catholic, Tom made inroads into increasing enrollment by promoting a quality education for our students,” Fabbri said. “We wish him every success in his new endeavors.”

A search committee has begun the process of selecting a new Principal for Trinity Catholic, which has 425 students and 35 faculty members. A detailed job description will be provided on request to the Diocesan Office of Education: 203-372-4301, ext. 380.

Trinity Catholic is one of five Catholic high schools in Fairfield County administered by the Diocese of Bridgeport.

-30-

BRIDGEPORT, Thursday, June 26, 2003 – On June 25, the Connecticut State Appellate Court, citing the difference between “rule by law and rule by whim or caprice,” concluded that the secular media has no right to publish documents which have been sealed by a court of law.

Attorneys for The New York Times, The Hartford Courant, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe took legal action against the Diocese of Bridgeport to obtain documents relating to the March 2001 global financial settlement between the diocese and 23 victims of sexual abuse by priests. All of these priests have been removed from ministry.

The case on behalf of the Diocese of Bridgeport was argued by Attorney John Farley, with the assistance of Attorney Ralph Johnson, III, of the Hartford law firm Halloran & Sage, LLP.

No Legal Basis to Overturn Decision

The newspapers filed a request in March 2002, more than one year after the settlement had been reached. Even though all of the documents in question were reviewed by the presiding state judges in these cases over the course of a seven-year legal process, beginning in 1993, the newspapers sought full disclosure.

In issuing their unanimous decision, the three state judges condemned and reversed the decision of a state Superior Court judge last spring to release the documents. That judge, they concluded, had no legal basis to reach this decision. Doing so would “set a dangerous precedent” for overturning other closed cases by law, such as divorces, “and the entire panoply of civil litigation where files remain extant,” they wrote.

The Diocese, believing the 2001 settlement was public, fair, just, reasonable, and served to promote reconciliation and closure, opposed the newspapers’ efforts. “It serves no healing purpose to revisit, more than one year later, these specific cases for the victims and their families,” the Diocese said in a statement last January. “This will only disrupt the vital healing process. As one of the participants in the 2001 settlement told a Connecticut newspaper, ‘It would be like scraping an old scab off a wound.’”

The Appellate Court also rejected the arguments of the newspapers that they were unaware of the settlement and did not have time to challenge the trial court decisions, made in 1993 and 1997, to seal the documents.

“At best, the newspapers divert attention from their own belated actions, despite extensive knowledge of trial court proceedings, by attempting to cast blame on others while portraying themselves as victims who are merely seeking validation of their constitutional rights.”

Protect the Innocent; Console Those Who Have Suffered

On behalf of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Dr. Joseph McAleer, spokeman, reponded to the decision by reiterating the Diocese's strong stand against sexual misconduct.

"The decision by the Connecticut Appellate Court is another step along the difficult path to justice and reconciliation, a path to which we as a Diocese are dedicated," Dr. McAleer said.

"The Diocese of Bridgeport will continue to take decisive measures in response to allegations and to comply with all civil and Church laws. This Diocese will continue to reach out to all who have suffered. Our vigilance in defense of the innocent is setting a new standard of leadership by creating a safe environment.

"The Diocese has pledged that no one associated with the Church – priests, deacons, religious, lay employees or volunteers – will pose a threat to young people. These offenses are sins in the eyes of God and humanity. They will not be tolerated.

"We have sought maximum transparency and will continue to do so. The names of Diocesan priests who have broken their trust as priests and as citizens have been made public. They have been barred from the ministry.

"The Diocese of Bridgeport is dedicated to protecting the innocent and consoling all those who have suffered."

To read the Connecticut Appellate Court’s decision, click here.

-30-

BRIDGEPORT - The State of Connecticut Commissioner on Education has accredited Saint Catherine Academy as a state-approved special education facility. Saint Catherine’s is the only Catholic school in the state for special education students.

CAPTION: TEACHING EACH CHILD according to their individual needs and potential, Saint Catherine Academy has now been accredited as a state-approved special education facility. The only Catholic school in the state for special education students, Saint Catherine’s offers a faith-filled academic and life-skills program. (PHOTO BY JOHN GLOVER)

Saint Catherine’s, which has 12 students this year, is approved for up to 14 students. It is now listed among the state-approved private special education facilities.

“Saint Catherine’s is now eligible to receive students placed by their local public school districts, if the district determines that it can’t provide appropriate education for that student,” explains Sister Eleace King, I.H.M., assistant superintendent for special education for the Diocese of Bridgeport.

“This step puts us on a footing with all public schools and private accredited special education schools,” adds Sister Marilyn Muldoon, O.S.U., Saint Catherine’s chief administrator. “It assures parents that we offer a quality education.”

Quality Education
Opened in 1999, Saint Catherine’s accepts children and adolescents whose cognitive limitations indicate the need for a functional academic and life skills program. The school enrolls students with intellectual deficiency, learning disabilities, language impairment, multiple disabilities, neurological impairment, and developmental delay.

In contrast to the current public school policy of placing children with special needs in the mainstream curriculum, at Saint Catherine’s, each child has their own program based on their own deficiencies and potential.

“I wanted my son to be in a small group rather than a big packed school,” says Marry Barry, whose son, James, has been at Saint Catherine’s since it opened. “He was very, very shy, and he didn’t do well with changes.”

Reaching Goals
With a student-staff ratio of 1:1, Saint Catherine Academy is committed to teaching the whole child. James, now 9, flourished in the school’s family atmosphere. “Each time they set goals for him, he accomplishes it,” says his mother. “He has academics, speech, occupational therapy, art, music, and swimming. We work with the teachers, and they work with us. He’s so proud of everything he’s achieved, and he’s getting so independent. You’d never know that he used to be so shy.”

As part of the accreditation process, state officials assessed the appropriateness of the program for each of Saint Catherine’s students, and compared the individual plans to what the visiting team saw in the classroom. Officials studied the physical plant, and checked that all staff, including the speech pathologist, physical therapist, teachers, and aides, has appropriate certification.

The state agency had high praise for Saint Catherine’s programs. “A child may need reading material geared to a sixth-grade interest level, but have the reading skills of a second grader,” Sister Marilyn explains. “In addition to academics, we teach practical living skills like laundry handling, table setting, and simple cooking – things they’ll need to do as adults. Kids with cognitive learning delays often can’t pick that up at home.”

Varied Curriculum
Every week students receive instruction in art and music. Students who need it receive physical therapy, speech-language services, and occupational therapy from licensed professionals. Twice a week they go to the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport for classes in swimming and physical education. Some of the older students take gym with students at Saint Catherine of Siena Regional School in Trumbull.

This individualized attention is demonstrated again in Saint Catherine’s religious instruction classes. Religion is a daily subject, as it is in all Catholic schools in the diocese. In addition, children who are Catholic receive sacramental preparation. “James made his First Communion last Mother’s Day at Saint Ambrose Parish,” Barry says. “That was really a thrill for us.”

With accreditation achieved, Bishop William E. Lori is working with the special education office to select an appropriate facility to give Saint Catherine’s a new location with room to expand.

“We need a school facility with room to grow, with a media center, library, and playing fields,” says Sister Eleace. “We hope to be in our new home by September of 2004.”

For more information on Saint Catherine Academy, call 372-4301, email srking@diobpt.org, or visit: www.diobptctofe.com.

-30-

 

 

STAMFORD - Bishop William E. Lori will ordain three seminarians to the diaconate during Mass on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Stamford. The transitional diaconate is the final step for seminarians before ordination to the priesthood.

“These four men from varying backgrounds bring a wealth of experience and talents to their ministry,” says Father Chris Walsh, director of vocations for the Diocese of Bridgeport. “We look forward to them serving the diocese as deacons and, soon, please God, as priests.”

	Deacon Peter Cipriani Deacon Peter A. Cipriani, 33, grew up in Suffern, NY. He graduated from Fordham University in 1991, and received his M.A. in English from Clemson University and his C.A.S. in teaching from Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, NY. Deacon Cipriani was a high school teacher, first in New York and then at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, where he taught religion from 1997-99. He entered the Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence in 1999, and is now studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with residence at North American College. Deacon Cipriani has completed summer assignments at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Stamford.
	Deacon Pawel Hrebenko Deacon Pawel M. Hrebenko, 28, was born in Lubin, Poland. He studied at the Salesian Major Seminary in Lodz, Poland, before making the decision to serve the Catholic Church in the U.S. He studied English at Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, MI, before entering the Fisher Residence in 1999. Deacon Hrebenko is studying at Saint Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, NY. Deacon Hrebenko has completed summer assignments at Saint Augustine Cathedral, Saint Mary Parish in Ridgefield, and Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish in Brookfield.
	Deacon Leonel Medeiros Deacon Leonel Medeiros, 26, was born in the city of Caxias, Brazil. He worked for the Encyclopedia Britannica in Brasilia and taught English for beginners, part-time. Deacon Medeiros entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Fatima in Brasilia in 1997. Coming to this country, he joined the Saint John Fisher program in 2002. He is studying at Saint Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, NY. Deacon Medeiros completed a summer parish assignment at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Stamford.

BRIDGEPORT, Saturday, June 7, 2003 – Proclaiming that “together, we move forward,” Bishop William E. Lori has announced that the Diocese of Bridgeport has taken new measures to assume a leadership role in the prevention of sexual misconduct in the Church and be a good example to the rest of the community.

“Everyone who comes under the care and guidance of the Diocese of Bridgeport must feel safe, fulfilled, and enriched,” Bishop Lori writes in a letter distributed at all Masses in Fairfield County this weekend. “Our goal is straightforward: to ensure, to the best of our ability, a safe environment in our parishes, schools, and other ministries.”

Catholics leaving Mass this Saturday and Sunday – more than 375,000 in 87 parishes in Fairfield County – will be given a four-page publication containing Bishop Lori’s letter and a copy of the new Sexual Abuse Policy of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Distributing the news and the Policy to everyone underscores the Diocesan commitment to open communication and declares that each and every Catholic has an important role to play in promoting awareness and encouraging prevention of abuse.

Admitting that the past year has been one of learning, listening, and change, Bishop Lori acknowledges the good work already done of reaching out to victims; receiving and processing all allegations; communicating with the authorities and the general public; and seeking the assistance of the laity through the Sexual Misconduct Review Board and the many resources of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County. He praises the efforts of both clergy and laity to promote healing, reconciliation, and greater awareness.

“We accepted a challenge to change, to be proactive, and to establish a new standard of vigilance in the Diocese and our community as a whole,” Bishop Lori writes. “I believe we have become an even more enlightened Church. Now we are going beyond and leading with a new standard, creating greater assurances for a safe environment through four new initiatives.”

The initiatives are: a newly revised Sexual Abuse Policy which is in full accordance with state and federal laws, as well as the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” and the “Essential Norms,” required background checks for all clergy, employees, and volunteers; comprehensive awareness training in the prevention of misconduct; and a new dedicated Diocesan oversight department, the Office of Safe Environments.

Specific details on the new initiatives will be unveiled over the next few weeks. The new Sexual Abuse Policy is effective now, and a Spanish translation is in the works.

Bishop Lori concludes with a clarion call to all 375,000 Catholics in Fairfield County to join him in this renewed effort to change the culture.

“We should always seek the courage to improve, to enlighten, to challenge, to inspire – and to lead, in our own Church and in our communities,” he says. “This renewed emphasis will help us to focus more intensely on our mission: to grow in holiness and become more like Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Together, We Move Forward
A Letter to the Faithful of the Diocese of Bridgeport

Distributed in all 87 parishes of the Diocese of Bridgeport on the
Solemnity of Pentecost, Saturday-Sunday, June 7-8, 2003

Dear Friends in the Lord:

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Psalm 104:30

We have traveled far together on our journey as “One Family in Faith.” Today, as we anticipate the first anniversary of the historic “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” I wish to share with you several new initiatives that are going forward immediately to further ensure that everyone who comes under the care and guidance of the Diocese of Bridgeport feels safe, fulfilled, and enriched.

Our goal is straightforward: to ensure, to the best of our ability, a safe environment in our parishes, schools, and other ministries.

As you are aware, specific measures have already been taken in the Diocese of Bridgeport and are continuing to work well. For example:

• We have a Sexual Misconduct Review Board, comprised of lay experts in the field of law, child welfare, psychology, and education who assist me in the thorough investigation of any allegation. This is an impressive group which was established early last year. Their biographies are on the Diocesan website, and I urge you to read them.

• We have had a stringent misconduct policy that all clergy, employees, and volunteers were required to read, sign, and follow.

• We have a process in place to receive all allegations, meet all victims, and provide outreach and healing through the excellent resources of Catholic Charities.

Background on all of this is available on our Diocesan website:
www.bridgeportdiocese.com.

Since the adoption of the “Charter” and its accompanying “Essential Norms,” we have listened and learned. We accepted a challenge to change, to be proactive, and to establish a new standard of vigilance in the Diocese and our community as a whole. I believe we have become an even more enlightened Church.

Now we are going beyond and leading with a new standard, creating greater assurances for a safe environment through four new initiatives:

1. Our existing Sexual Misconduct Policy has been replaced with two new policies: a Sexual Abuse Policy and a Sexual Harassment Policy. The new Sexual Abuse Policy is posted on the Diocesan website. The Sexual Harassment Policy will be issued shortly. Our reason for separating and expanding the existing policy is to focus even greater attention on our goal: the prevention of sexual misconduct of any kind. The new Sexual Abuse Policy is thoroughly aligned with State and Federal laws, and the requirements of the “Charter” and “Essential Norms.” The Policy details, in clear and precise language, the procedures which must be followed by all clergy, employees, and volunteers when an allegation regarding sexual abuse of a minor is brought to the attention of anyone who works for the Church. There are sections on mandatory reporting, required investigations, and assistance and outreach to affected persons, parishes, and schools. Since the Policy has been revised, it will be issued to all clergy, employees, and volunteers for their required acknowledgement and signature.

2. Effective immediately, all new employees and volunteers of the Catholic Church in Fairfield County will be required to undergo a background check for any prior criminal record. Background checks, while not new in our Diocese (all Seminarians, Catholic School Teachers, and new Catholic Center employees, among others, have undergone this procedure for many years), will now become the norm. Moreover, all existing employees, volunteers, and clergy will be asked to submit to a background check. I have already done so, along with the senior members of my staff.

3. Starting in September, the Diocese will conduct comprehensive awareness training in the prevention of sexual misconduct. This training will make both clergy and laity, employees and volunteers, more aware of the warning signs of abuse and reinforce the procedures to follow when an allegation is received. We firmly believe that the best prevention of misconduct is the promotion of greater awareness, with the help of an expert training company.

4. We have created a new Diocesan department: the Safe Environments Office. The Director of this office will have two priorities. The first is to coordinate all of our Safe Environment efforts, including the distribution of the new Sexual Abuse Policy; awareness training; background checks; and clear communication of our efforts. The second is to ensure that every single allegation, without exception, is processed according to civil and Church law, and with the utmost compassion and dignity for the alleged victims, their families, impacted communities, and the accused. The new Victims Assistance Coordinator, to whom reports of allegations must be made, will be part of this new office.

Your support is crucial to accomplishing this important task ahead of us. We need each and every Catholic in Fairfield County, clergy and lay, single and married, young and old, to talk about and discuss this matter. We need to encourage the transparency that is required for success, so that we can proclaim, during this Golden Jubilee Year, that we truly are “One Family in Faith.”

In short, we need to work together. Please talk to your Pastor; your Priests, Deacons, and Religious Men and Women; your Catholic School Teachers, Catechists, and Youth Ministers. Talk, too, to your spouses, relatives, children – and your friends, even those of other faiths. Families grow stronger when they work together to accomplish a mission – and ask the Lord’s help.

Two thousand years ago, on the first Pentecost, the Apostles received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and pledged to go forth to proclaim and bear witness to the Good News, undeterred by the many obstacles in their path. Today, we celebrate that hope and renew our mission as a People of God. We are reminded that we share in the same Holy Spirit through Baptism and Confirmation. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength and courage we need to be the Lord’s witnesses and faithful members of His Body, the Church – we are renewed in spite of all the challenges we, too, encounter along the way. The Spirit of the Risen Lord teaches us, again and again, how to turn challenges into opportunities for the sake of the authentic Gospel we have received.

Please join me in complimenting the efforts of our Priests, Deacons, Religious, employees, and volunteers to promote awareness, healing, and reconciliation. But we should always seek the courage to improve, to enlighten, to challenge, to inspire – and to lead, in our own Church and in our communities. This renewed emphasis will help us to focus more intensely on our mission: to grow in holiness and become more like Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Most Reverend William E. Lori, S.T.D.
Bishop of Bridgeport

Read after Communion at all Masses in Fairfield County on June 7 and 8, 2003

Bishop Lori has asked that a special announcement be made at each Mass this weekend in the Diocese of Bridgeport. It concerns an important letter to all Catholics from the Bishop, which is inserted in today's bulletin for you to take home and read today.

Bishop Lori's letter talks about leadership, about moving forward to be a leader in society on an issue of importance to all of us.

We announce today several new initiatives to further ensure that everyone who comes under the care and guidance of the Catholic Church in Fairfield County feels safe, fulfilled, and enriched. In Bishop Lori's letter, you will read about a new Sexual Abuse Policy, background checks, comprehensive awareness training, and a dedicated Diocesan Office of Safe Environments.

We are proud of the efforts of our Diocese to confront this problem. Bishop Lori asks us to join him in complimenting the efforts of our Priests, Deacons, Religious, employees, and volunteers to promote awareness, healing, and reconciliation. But he also reminds us we should always seek the courage to improve, to enlighten, to challenge, to inspire - and to lead, in our own Church and in our communities.

Moving forward together, we need each and every Catholic in Fairfield County, clergy and lay, single and married, young and old, to come together and discuss this initiative. As "One Family in Faith," we will continue to strive for excellence and holiness in everything that we do. Thank you.

-30-

Juntos, Caminamos Hacia Delante
Una Carta a los Fieles de la Diócesis de Bridgeport
Fiesta de Pentecostés, 7-8 de Junio de 2003

Queridos amigos en el Señor:

Señor, envía tu Espíritu, y renueva la faz de la tierra (Salmo 104:30).

Esta carta describe en detalle cuatro específicas e importantes iniciativas que se van a poner en práctica inmediatamente para asegurar, aún más, que cualquier persona que está bajo el cuidado y la guía de la Diócesis de Bridgeport, se sienta segura, protegida y enriquecida.

Nuestra meta es clara y definida: asegurar, con todas nuestras posibilidades, un ambiente sano en nuestras parroquias, escuelas, y otros ministerios.

En la Diócesis de Bridgeport se han tomado ya medidas específicas que están funcionando bien. Por ejemplo:

• Tenemos una Junta activa para los casos de Inmoralidad Sexual, formada por laicos expertos en el campo de la ley, del cuidado de niños, de la psicología, y educación que me asisten en la investigación de cualquier alegación. Es éste un grupo impresionante que se estableció el año pasado. Sus biografías las pueden encontrar en la página web Diocesana, y les animo a que las lean.

• Hemos tenido unas normas rigurosas que todo el clero, empleados y voluntarios tienen la obligación de leer, firmar, y cumplir.

• Tenemos organizado un proceso para recibir todas las acusaciones, reunirnos con las víctimas, y proporcionar curación a través de los recursos excelentes de que dispone Caridades Católicas.

Pueden encontrar más información sobre todo esto en la página web Diocesana: www.bridgeportdiocese.com

Se dio un paso histórico hace ahora un año, cuando los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos adoptaron la “Carta para la Protección de Niños y Jóvenes” (“Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”). Desde entonces hemos escuchado y hemos aprendido. Hemos aceptado un reto de cambiar, de ser activos, de establecer un nuevo estándar de vigilancia en la Diócesis y en nuestra comunidad en su totalidad. Yo creo que somos ahora una Iglesia con más luz.

Ahora debemos a ir más allá y liderar con un estándar nuevo, creando un ambieente más seguro y sano por medio de estas cuatro iniciativas nuevas:

1. Nuestras normas sobre inmoralidad sexual actualmente existentes han sido reemplazadas por dos nuevas normas: una Norma sobre Abuso Sexual, y una Norma sobre Acoso Sexual. La nueva Norma sobre Abuso Sexual está publicada en las páginas siguientes, y puesta en la página web Diocesana. Las Normas sobre Acoso Sexual se publicarán dentro de muy poco. Nuestras razones para separar y extender la Normativa existente es poder prestar aún más atención a nuestra meta: prevenir cualquier tipo de inmoralidad sexual. La nueva Norma de Abuso Sexual está en total consonancia con las leyes Estatales y Federales, y con los requisitos de la “Carta” y de sus “Normas Esenciales”. La Normativa detalla, en un lenguaje claro y preciso, los procedimientos que deben ser seguidos por todo el clero, empleados, y voluntarios (as) cuando una acusación de abuso sexual de un menor sea presentada a alguien que trabaja para la Iglesia. Existen secciones acerca de la obligación de informar sobre abusos, acerca de investigaciones requeridas, y acerca de la ayuda y asistencia para las personas afectadas, parroquias, y escuelas. Como la Normativa ha sido revisada, se le entregará al clero, a los empleados y voluntarios (as) para su conocimiento y para que la firmen.

2. Efectivo inmediatamente, todos los nuevos empleados de la Iglesia Católica en el Condado de Fairfield, tendrán que pasar por un chequeo de antecedentes sobre posible récord criminal. Este chequeo de antecedentes, si bien no es nuevo en nuestra Diócesis (todos los seminaristas, profesores de las Escuelas Católicas, y empleados (as) en el Centro Católico, entre otros, han pasado por este chequeo durante muchos años), desde ahora será la norma. Más aún, a todos los empleados existentes, voluntarios (as), y el clero se les pedirá que se sometan a este chequeo sobre sus antecedentes. Yo ya lo he hecho, así como los miembros más antiguos de mi equipo.

3. Comenzando en Septiembre, la Diócesis conducirá un entrenamiento para tomar conciencia de cómo prevenir inmoralidad sexual. Este entrenamiento ayudará tanto al clero como a los laicos a estar más atentos a los signos que indican posible abuso, y a reforzar el procedimiento a seguir cuando se reciba una acusación. Creemos firmemente que la mejor forma de prevención de mala conducta es promover una mayor conciencia, con la ayuda de una compañía experta en entrenamientos de este tipo.

4. Hemos creado un nuevo Departamento Diocesano: la Oficina de Protección de Ambientes (“Safe Enviroments Office”). El Director de esta oficina tendrá dos prioridades. la primera es coordinar todos nuestros esfuerzos para un Ambiente Seguro, incluyendo la distribución de la nueva Norma sobre Abuso Sexual; entrenamiento sobre toma de conciencia; chequeos de antecedentes; y comunicación clara de nuestros esfuerzos. La segunda es asegurar cada acusación, sin excepción, sea procesada de acuerdo con la ley civil y la ley de la Iglesia, y con la mayor compasión y dignidad para con las supuestas víctimas, sus familias, comunidades impactadas, y para con el acusado. El nuevo Coordinador Asistente de las Víctimas, a quien hay que hacer los reportes de las acusaciones, será parte de esta nueva oficina.

El apoyo de todos ustedes es crucial para hacer realidad esta importante misión que tenemos delante de nosotros. Necesitamos que todos y cada uno de los Católicos del Condado de Fairfield, clero y laicos, solteros y casados, jóvenes y viejos, hablen y discutan sobre esto. Necesitamos fortalecer la transparencia necesaria para el éxito a fin de que podamos proclamar, durante este Año Jubilar, que somos verdaderamente “Una Familia en la Fe”.

En una palabra, necesitamos trabajar juntos. Por favor, hablen con su Párroco, con sus Sacerdotes, Diáconos, Religiosos y Religiosas, profesores de las escuelas Católicas, catequistas, y ministros de la juventud. Hablen también con sus cónyuges, familiares, hijos – y con sus amigos, incluso con los de otras religiones. Las familias crecen más fuertes cuando trabajan unidas para conseguir una misión - y pidan la ayuda del Señor.

Hace dos mil años, en el primer Pentecostés, los Apóstoles recibieron los dones del Espíritu Santo y se comprometieron a ir por el mundo a proclamar y ser testigos del Evangelio, sin importarles los obstáculos que encontraron en el camino. Hoy, el día de Pentecostés, celebramos aquella esperanza y renovamos nuestra misión como Pueblo de Dios. Se nos recuerda que, por el Bautismo y la Confirmación, compartimos el mismo Espíritu Santo. El Espíritu Santo nos da la fuerza y el valor que necesitamos para ser testigos del Señor y miembros fieles de Su Cuerpo, la Iglesia – somos renovados a pesar de todos los desafíos que nosotros, también, encontramos a lo largo del camino. El Espíritu del Señor Resucitado nos enseña, una y otra vez, a transformar los retos en oportunidades por la causa del Evangelio que hemos recibido.

Les ruego que, por favor, se unan a mí para reconocer los esfuerzos de los Sacerdotes, Diáconos, Religiosos y Religiosas, empleados y voluntarios (as) en promover conciencia, sanación, y reconciliación. Deberíamos trabajar siempre para mejorar, iluminar, desafiar, inspirar y ser líderes tanto de nuestra Iglesia como de nuestra comunidad. Este renovado énfasis nos ayudará a centrarnos más intensamente en nuestra misión: crecer en santidad y asemejarnos más a Jesucristo, nuestro Señor y Salvador.

Fielmente en Cristo,

Su Excelencia Reverendisíma Monseñor William E. Lori
Obispo de Bridgeport

Anuncio para el Púlpito: Fin de Semana “Protección de Ambientes”

Para ser leído después de la Comunión en todas las Misas
Los días 7 y 8 de Junio, 2003

El Obispo, Monseñor Lori, ha pedido que se haga un anuncio especial en cada Misa de este fin de semana en la Diócesis de Bridgeport. Se trata de una carta importante del Obispo a todos los Católicos y que se encuentra dentro del boletín para que la lleven y la lean en sus casas.

La carta de nuestro Obispo habla de liderazgo, de dar un paso hacia adelante para ser líder en la sociedad sobre un tema de importancia para todos nosotros.

Anunciamos hoy varias iniciativas nuevas para asegurar aún más que cualquier persona que esté bajo el cuidado y la guía de la Iglesia católica en el Condado de Fairfield se sienta segura, llena y enriquecida. En la carta de Monseñor Lori, ustedes podrán leer acerca de la nueva Norma sobre Abuso Sexual, acerca de los chequeos de antecedentes, entrenamiento de toma de conciencia comprensiva, y la creación de una Oficina Diocesana de Protección de Ambientes.

Estamos orgullosos de los esfuerzos de nuestra Diócesis en confrontar este problema. El Obispo nos pide que nos unamos a él en reconocer los esfuerzos realizados por nuestros Sacerdotes, Diáconos, Religiosos (as), empleados, y voluntarios para concienciar, curar y promover reconciliación. Pero nos recuerda también que deberíamos tener valentía siempre para progresar, iluminar, desafiar, inspirar y liderar dentro de nuestra propia Iglesia y en nuestras comunidades.

Mirando delante, necesitamos que todos y cada uno de los Católicos del Condado de Fairfield, clero y laicos, solteros y casados, jóvenes y mayores, se unan para hablar sobre esta iniciativa. Como “Una Familia en la Fe,” continuaremos luchando por la superación y la santidad en todo lo que hagamos.
Gracias.

BRIDGEPORT – On Tuesday, June 17, 2003, from 12 Noon – 1 p.m. at Bridgeport's U.S. District Courthouse, the Connecticut chapter of "Operation Outcry: Silent No More" will announce the details of a major pro-life event simultaneously occurring in our nation that day at which Norma McCorvey, the former "Jane Roe" of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, will be present. Similar press conferences will be held in every state in the nation.

All women who regret their abortions are invited to attend this gathering, just to stand anonymously in the attending audience and listen. It is a time for healing for post-abortive women, and women who have not had abortions are welcome for support.

The June 17 event takes place at the Lafayette Blvd. entrance of the Federal U.S. District Courthouse, Brien McMahon Federal Building, 915 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport (between State St. and Prospect St.; http://www.ctd.uscourts.gov/Bridgeport.htm ), rain or shine. National leaders of this historic event will be available in the weeks following for radio, television and press interviews.

The national "Operation Outcry: Silent No More" campaign tells the truth about abortion's emotional, spiritual, and physical consequences and reaches out to help women suffering from their abortion experience.

"Current research indicates that more than 17 million American women silently suffer from the grief and pain of their abortions, or are in complete denial about them, as I was for over 22 years," says Annie Banno, Connecticut state leader of "Operation Outcry: Silent No More," who had an abortion at age 20. "The more that women talk openly about their grief, regrets, and hurts surrounding their abortions, the more other women will have the courage to speak up and find the healing they deserve. You are not alone. This is a real problem, and it is safe now to find relief for your pain, as thousands already have done."

For more information, contact Annie Banno: 203-820-9898 or e-mail smok22@earthlink.net, or visit the websites www.SilentNoMoreCampaign.com and www.operationoutcry.org