Month: January 2010

On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Health care reform

There is no question that our country is in need of health care reform. The bishops of the United States stand together and for years have been clear in encouraging the passage of a truly universal health policy — one which maintains a respect for human life and dignity, which provides access for all with a special concern for the poor and inclusion of immigrants, and one which pursues the common good and preserves pluralism, including freedom of conscience and variety of options.

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On
Sr. Rosalia Bauer, Beloit

What are you doing to help ‘high risk’ babies killed by abortion?

To the editor:

Did you know that in this 21st century, with the latest modern medical technology, the majority of pre-born human babies are at “high risk?” At “high risk?” Yes, at “high risk.” It’s not from heart disease, diabetes, or any other treatable medical condition.

Many babies are at the “high risk” of never being born. I know this is hard to believe. Especially to each person who has held a newborn baby. Or who has seen the light in the eyes of the mother and father looking at their child/children.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, editor

From baptism to vocations

Several years ago, the  United States Catholic Bishops changed the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week from October to the week beginning with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This usually occurs during the second week in January.

I remember wondering why the bishops made this change. Having this week soon after Christmas and close to Catholic Schools Week didn’t seem to make sense to me. (It is also a challenge to prepare special articles and coverage of vocations for the Catholic Herald right after the holidays, but we’ve learned to adjust!)

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On
Brent King, Communications Director

Diocese of Madison coordinating aid to Haiti

MADISON — Echoing the call made by Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has encouraged parishes and people in the 11 counties of the Madison Diocese to do all they could for the people currently suffering in Haiti. Regardless of the funds collected, the bishop has approved a disbursement of $25,000 to be sent immediately to Catholic Relief Services in advance of fundraising efforts.

The devastating earthquake, centered in Port-au-Prince, has left hundreds of thousands dead and has affected nearly everyone in the small island nation. In a letter to priests and faithful, Diocesan Vicar General, Msgr. James Bartylla, echoed Pope Benedict XVI’s assurance that “The Catholic Church will not fail to move immediately, through her charitable institutions, to meet the most immediate needs of the population.”

The Madison Diocese, which had already scheduled a special collection on January 16 and 17 to benefit the Church in Latin America and the Church’s evangelization and service efforts among Native American and African American communities in the United States, has encouraged all parishes to take up a special collection for the sole benefit of the people of Haiti, in the next two weeks.

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On
Maryangela Layman Román, Milwaukee Catholic Herald Staff

‘The dance’ begins: Milwaukee archbishop installed

MILWAUKEE — Frigid Wisconsin temperatures hovering near single digits were a sharp contrast to the warm, festive mood inside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on January 4, as the Milwaukee Archdiocese welcomed its 11th shepherd, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki.

Nearly 1,000 were on hand at the cathedral for the installation of the 60-year-old Chicago native, most recently bishop of La Crosse.

Pope Benedict XVI announced his appointment of Archbishop Listecki to lead the 10-county archdiocese and its 643,000 Catholics on November 14, 2009.

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