Author Archives: Tereza Ma

Padre Clemente, nuevo director de Oficina Intercultural …

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Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – El padre Clement Olukunle Oyafemi (alias Clemente de Dios) se unió, a mediados de octubre, al personal del Departamento de Formación de la Fe de la cancillería como Coordinador del Ministerio Intercultural.
La Oficina Diocesana de Ministerio Intercultural (ODIM) está renovando sus esfuerzos en proporcionar un enfoque de misión de diversidad para

Padre Clemente Oyafemi, BCC

“cultivar el empoderamiento de las comunidades católicas negras, hispanas, vietnamitas, nativo-americanas y otras comunidades culturales en toda la diócesis”. En 1978, la Hermana Thea Bowman, FSPA fue nombrada por el Obispo Joseph Brunini para dirigir la Oficina de Asuntos Interculturales de la diócesis para sembrar las semillas de la promoción de la conciencia y la sensibilidad culturales. El ejemplo de misión y vida de la hermana Thea mostró a los católicos en Mississippi y en todo el país el cómo “abrazar nuestra fe común mientras celebramos nuestra diversa herencia cultural.”
El año pasado, el obispo Kopacz decidió compilar la misión de los ministerios negro e hispano, bajo la visión de diversidad de la hermana Thea, para lograr el mismo objetivo y extender los servicios a nuevas comunidades, creciendo en número entre la diócesis. Los antecedentes del padre Clem se ajustan a continuar la misión de la hermana Thea y a la visión católica mundial. El Padre Clem, durante su misión en la Diócesis, quiere colaborar y comprometerse con el pueblo de Dios en un esfuerzo continuo por verse como miembros de la misma familia de Dios. “Él realmente ve el trabajo de este nuevo rol como un llamado,” dice Fran Lavelle, directora del Departamento de Formación de Fe. El Padre Clem nació y se crio en el suroeste de Nigeria, en una familia ecuménica y es uno de los seis hijos vivos. Ordenado en 1994, el Padre Clem es sacerdote de la Diócesis Católica de Osogbo. Sirvió en la Oficina de la Cancillería y parroquias durante 18 años. Se desempeñó como Capellán de Personal, Gerente y Director de Atención Pastoral hasta el verano del año pasado cuando regresó a casa brevemente después de 18 años de servicio misionero en los Estados Unidos.
“Pero nuestra ciudadanía está en el cielo.” (Filipenses 3:20)
“Soy del cielo. Soy ciudadano del cielo”, es la respuesta del padre Clem cuando le preguntas de dónde es porque su madre le enseñó esa línea cuando tenía tres años. Criado en un ambiente multiétnico, intercultural e interreligioso, el Padre Clem es una persona que ve a Dios en cada ser humano sin importar su raza, color, etnia, idioma, edad u orientación.
El Padre Clem ha estudiado y convivido no solo en África sino también en Inglaterra, Puerto Rico, México y Estados Unidos y se nota al hablar, su impecable español tiene acentos, principalmente mexicano con sabores latinoamericanos-nigerianos. Al Padre Clem le gusta cantar, bailar, contar chistes, cocinar, caminar, jugar tenis de mesa, voleibol y fútbol. Espera ir a las parroquias y reunirse con la gente de nuestra gran diócesis. “La ODIM espera construir sobre una experiencia multicultural y transcultural que ya existe”, agregó Lavelle y continúa explicando “… el Padre Clem espera celebrar Misa en la diócesis para alentar y promover un espíritu intercultural. También ve un gran valor en la formación de los laicos, seminaristas, sacerdotes, religiosos y religiosas en sus esfuerzos por ministrar al santo y diverso pueblo de Dios. La ODIM espera desarrollar una Jornada de Formación Intercultural dedicada a la formación de líderes parroquiales en la diócesis en las áreas de conciencia cultural, eclesiología, cristología, liturgia y teología,” y Lavelle concluyó diciendo “… Este tipo de formación pastoral se dirige a que necesitamos ver la unidad en la diversidad y la diversidad en la unidad de la iglesia.”
El Padre Clem tiene dos maestrías, una en Teología y otra en Educación religiosa y una licenciatura en Filosofía. Comparte con la hermana Thea la pasión por el Señor y la música; el Padre Clem fundó el Rejoice Ministry of African Worship Songs (AFRAWOS) en 2002. Después de ser pastor de varias parroquias multiétnicas y capellán en hospitales de California, Illinois y Florida debido a su pasión por el ministerio hospitalario, el padre Clem es compasivo, trabajador y tiene un gran sentido del humor. Él ve la vida como “… un viaje corto y cree que su llamado es servir y no ser servido (cf. Mat. 20: 20-28)”
Al preguntarle sobre sus expectativas con los Latinos dijo “…Mi mensaje a la comunidad Latina es que ‘Juntos como hermanos, estamos en la lucha’. Bendiciones!”

Youth news

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AMORY – Carlos and Yoselyn Meza received their First Holy Communion at St. Helen parish on Saturday, Oct. 17. They are pictured here with Father Joseph Le. (Photo by Jean Pinkley)
COLUMBUS – Annunciation students showed that they are Paws-itiviely Drugs and Bully Free by making donations to Columbus Lowndes Humane Society during Red Ribbon Week. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
JACKSON – Saint Richard celebrated its annual All Saints Mass that features first graders dressed as their favorite saints. For weeks, these conscientious students studied their assigned saint, created art renderings and gathered information to present an oral report after Mass. Shown here is first grader Bo Zimmerman dressed as St. Christopher, the patron saint of travel. He even brought his own walking stick sourced from his own backyard. (Photo by Emily Myers Garner)
MADISON – St. Joseph Senior, Josh Briscoe, gave treats to hundreds of kids “drive-through style” for the annual St. Joe Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 27. (Photo by Clay Blanchard)
MERIDIAN – (left) St. Patrick Catholic School preschool students learned to pray the rosary Friday, Oct. 23 with rosary bracelets the students made themselves. Students and staff recited a decade of the rosary every Friday. Pictured is Liza Thompson. (Photo by Helen Reynolds)
COLUMBUS – (above) Annunciation sixth grade student, Sophia Heinkel, tells about the life of her saint to fifth grader, Isabella Nguyen. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
JACKSON– Each month Saint Richard School has a “Service Project of the Month” for students and staff. They recently collected donations for “SOCKTEMBER” in honor of the Sisters of Mercy’s Sock Ministry. Saint Richard believes that service to others is an integral part of teaching students to be like Christ. Shown collecting socks are Hank Harkins, Avery Toth, Kate Donaldson and Hills Ezelle. (Photo by Emily Myers Garner)
JACKSON – The youth group at St. Therese parish prepared an altar to remember the souls of departed family members on Oct. 17. (Photo by Johana Velázquez D Magaña)

Father Clement Olukunle Oyafemi joins chancery as Coordinator of Intercultural Ministry

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By Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Father Clement Olukunle Oyafemi (a.k.a. Clemente de Dios) joined the chancery office as the Coordinator of Intercultural Ministry for the Department of Faith Formation on Oct. 19.

The Office of Intercultural Ministry is tasked with the primary goal of “cultivating the empowerment of Black Catholic, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Native American and other culture communities throughout the diocese.”
Last year, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation, saw a growing need to combine the mission of the Hispanic and Black Catholic ministries to better serve the needs of emerging cultural communities in the diocese. This vision connected to the past with Sister Thea Bowman.

Father Clement Olukunle Oyafemi – “Father Clem”

In 1978, Sister Thea was appointed by Bishop Joseph Brunini to direct the Office of Intercultural Affairs for the diocese to sow the seeds of promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity. Sister Thea’s example of mission and life showed Catholics in Mississippi and nationwide how “to embrace our common faith while celebrating our diverse cultural heritages.”

Father Clem’s background fit the vision to continue Sister Thea’s mission. His goal during his mission to the Diocese of Jackson is to collaborate and engage with God’s people in an ongoing effort to see each other as members of the same family of God. “He truly sees the work of this new role as a calling,” says Lavelle.

Father Clem was born and raised in Southwest Nigeria, into an ecumenical family, and is one of six living children. Ordained in 1994, Father Clem is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. He served in the chancery office and parishes for 18 years before he was called to a full-time hospital ministry in 2013. He served as a staff chaplain, manager and director of pastoral care until the summer of 2019 when he returned home briefly after 18 years of missionary service in the United States.

Father Clem has studied and lived with people from various ethnic groups not only in Africa but also in England, Puerto-Rico, Mexico and the United States and it shows. His impeccable Spanish has accents, mainly Mexican with Latin American and Nigerian flavors. Father Clem enjoys singing, dancing, telling jokes, cooking, walking, playing table tennis, volleyball and soccer. He looks forward to visiting all of the parishes and meeting with the people from all across the diocese.

“Raised in a multi-ethnic, an intercultural, and interfaith environment, Father Clem is a people person who sees God in every human being regardless of race, color, ethnicity, language, age or orientation,” said Lavelle. “Father Clem is compassionate, hardworking and has a great sense of humor. He sees life as a short journey and believes that his calling is to serve and not to be served.” (Cf Matt. 20:20-28)

Love of God is always measured by love of neighbor

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By Carol Glatz Catholic
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The proof of being on a path of conversion and holiness always consists in loving one’s neighbor, Pope Francis said.
“As long as there is a brother or sister to whom we close our hearts, we will still be far from being disciples as Jesus asks us,” he said before reciting the Angelus prayer with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 25.
The pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading (Mt 22:34-40) in which Jesus said the greatest commandment was loving the Lord with all one’s heart, soul and mind, and the second commandment was loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
With this, “Jesus establishes two essential principles for believers of all times,” the pope said.
The first is that love – not anxious or contrived obligation – must always be the driving force behind following God’s commandments, he said.
“The second fundamental principle is that love must tend together and inseparably toward God and toward one’s neighbor,” the pope said.
“This is one of the major innovations of Jesus’ teachings, and he helps us understand that it is not true love of God if it is not expressed in the love of the other,” and, vice versa, it is not true love of the other if it is not rooted in one’s relationship with God, he said.
Love for God is expressed most of all in prayer and adoration, Pope Francis said, and love for one’s neighbor is expressed by being close to people, listening to them, sharing and caring for others.
“So often we overlook listening to others because it is boring or because it takes up my time,” he said; such feelings even arise when someone else needs someone close during times of trial or sorrow.
“However, we always find time to gossip. All the time! We don’t have time to comfort the afflicted, but lots of time for gossiping. Be careful!” he said.
Communion is a gift “to be invoked each day, but also a personal commitment so that our life is not left to become enslaved by the idols of the world,” he said.
“The proof of our journey of conversion and holiness always consists in love of neighbor,” the pope said.
God’s mercy “does not allow us to be discouraged, but rather calls us to begin anew each day to live the Gospel consistently,” he added.

Called by Name

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Our seminarians are supported by so many parishioners throughout the diocese who believe it is vital that our future priests receive the best formation possible. As we continue to celebrate the beatification of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, I would like to focus this column on what our local KCs do to support the education of future priests. Every year the Knights present a large donation to my department that goes directly to the education of our men. In 2019 they donated more than $40,000 – what an amazing gift!

Father Nick Adam
Father Nick Adam

A special program that I am seeking to promote in the coming months and years is the RSVP (Refund Support Vocations Program), which provides individual councils and 4th degree assemblies with the opportunity to sponsor individual seminarians and support them with small monetary gifts. The money that the men receive helps them to cover incidentals while they are in school, as well as pay for things that their tuition costs and diocesan stipend do not cover. I am very grateful to the more than ten councils in our diocese that have committed to supporting our seminarians in this way. They are also encouraged to provide moral support and prayers for the men they sponsor, and the seminarians are encouraged to keep in touch with the councils supporting them and nurture relationships with them while they are in formation and beyond.

The Knights of Columbus Council in Meridian was a big influence on me when I began discerning God’s will in my life. The men of Council 802 were great witnesses to me and an incredible support to me during my six years in the seminary. I remember working closely with several brother knights on a Habitat for Humanity project before deciding to go to seminary. While we worked I got the opportunity to learn how their faith influences every decision they make, including big decisions with regard to their families. This had a huge impact on me.

I have greatly enjoyed working with Knights from across the diocese and the state, and I am so pleased that Father McGivney has been beatified. If your council is not participating in RSVP and would like to take part, please contact me and I will let you know how to support the men studying for the priesthood in our diocese.

Office of Vocations Quarterly Report

By Father Nick Adam

Homegrown Harvest

It has been a wonderful start to the new academic year and I am very grateful to the support we received from parishes and individuals across the diocese in our first annual Homegrown Harvest Gala and Fundraiser. With your help we blazed past our $75,000 goal and we are now up to over $80,000, and we might not be done!
You can check out the videos that I produced for the gala on the vocations website (www.jacksonpriests.com). I want to thank Father Jim Wehner, the rector of Notre Dame Seminary and our keynote speaker for doing an excellent job and for all that he does to support our local church.

Congratulations to Carlisle Beggerly

Carlisle Beggerly (Immaculate Conception, West Point) was installed as an acolyte in October at Notre Dame Seminary. Acolyte installation is the last liturgical step prior to Diaconate Ordination, so please keep Carlisle in your prayers.

Discerners

I continue to “pound the pavement” to bring forth men for formation to the priesthood. Right now, I have one applicant looking at entering next year with a few more guys pondering the possibility.
I am taking small groups of discerners down to the seminary, with one group of three visiting in early October and another group of two at the end of October. I am convinced that this is the most effective way to get guys to take the call seriously and to feel comfortable in making the decision to enter formation.

Join us in prayer

Bishop Joseph Kopacz has committed to praying intentionally for all of our seminarians during a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament on the first Thursday of every month from 6-7 a.m. Bishop Kopacz and I have been observing this hour of prayer together at the Cathedral of St. Peter Jackson and the seminarians are observing it at their respective seminaries. I invite you to consider joining us in solidarity.

The Service of Good Friday

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Spirit and truth
By Father Aaron Williams
The liturgical celebration of Good Friday is one with a very interesting history. I remember being told when I was younger that the simplicity of the Good Friday service was a window into how the Mass looked on any day in the ancient church. But, a careful study of history shows a much more interesting story.

Father Aaron Williams

As far back as St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, we have records which show that the ancient church used to not celebrate any liturgy on Good Friday at all. Instead, a single liturgy was offered beginning at sundown on Holy Saturday and lasting until dawn, and within this one celebration was marked both the Passion and the Resurrection of Christ (interestingly enough denoted by a shift in vestment color during the service from violet to white). I will address the matter of the Holy Saturday Mass in a future column, but suffice it to say that there was no Good Friday service early in the church because the entire mystery was celebrated in a single service on Saturday night.
By the end of the fifth century, you see a movement to begin offering a service on Good Friday, but with an emphasis on this service not being a Mass. Instead, it was designed as a service of scripture readings and psalms which concluded with the adoration of a cross. Eventually by around the seventh century, it became common for a particle of the Sacred Host from the night before to be reserved and received by the Priest alone at the Good Friday service. The particle would be received with unconsecrated wine to further underscore that what was happening was not a Mass.
The medieval church gave this service the title “Mass of the Pre-Sanctified,” which was a borrowed title from the Eastern Church which celebrates all through Lent the “Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts,” which is essentially a Mass without a consecration where the priest receives communion from the reserved Sacrament.
The structure of this service was as follows. The priest entered wearing a black mourning chasuble. Interestingly enough, the deacons also wore chasubles for this service, but with a deacon stole. The priest and ministers prostrated themselves in silence and then, after saying a prayer, were seated for the reading of lessons. At the time of the Gospel, the deacon would remove his chasuble and read the Passion narrative from St. John wearing only a stole. When this was finished, the priest would change into black cope and go to the altar where he offered the solemn intercessions — similar to the intercessions in today’s Good Friday liturgy where each intercession is preceded by a period of kneeling for silent prayer. When this is completed, he changed back into chasuble and the cross is brought forward and adored. Afterwards, the priest and deacon went to the Sepulchre — the altar of repose from the previous night — and with solemn festival, the ministers brought the Sacrament back into the church to be placed on the altar. Incense was used and bells were rung as a prelude to the Resurrection. The priest incensed the Sacrament and the altar while kneeling. Then, plain wine was poured into his chalice and he received the Host with the plain wine. Afterwards all departed.
This service remained essentially unchanged until 1955 when the reforms of Pope Pius XII were instituted. At this point, a rubric was given that enough hosts were to be consecrated the night before so that the faithful may receive communion on Good Friday as well. The name of the service was changed to “The Solemn Liturgical Action of the Preparation Day” — a reference to the Jewish term for Friday as a preparation for the Sabbath. The structure of the service remained similar, but the procession with incense was omitted and the deacons wore black dalmatics. The Passion Reading was also shortened to remove the Last Supper, and the burial of Christ.
The Roman Missal of 1970 left the liturgy of Good Friday essentially untouched from its 1955 form. The only changes were aesthetic: the ministers wear red instead of black vestments, and the liturgy is now called “The Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion.”
What we can learn from this history is that the church, for centuries, has been intentional about making the Good Friday service simple and lacking any sort of ornamentation or “bells and whistles.” The rubrics in the Missal denote that the use of instruments is forbidden on Good Friday, and that all singing is to be done a cappella. The use of simple songs with refrains are much preferred to more difficult works or ‘solo-pieces.’ The liturgy should be intentionally stark — to underscore the emptiness the church feels at the death of Christ, reminding us of the separation we had from God due to original sin.
Parishes should try to avoid any sort of emotionalism. A lot of places today like to turn Good Friday into a praise and worship concert with light effects and loud music, but this doesn’t do justice to the church’s vision for Good Friday. We are meant to feel the difference between what happens on Good Friday and what normally happens at Mass. Here, simplicity is key. The more elaborate ideas can be left for Easter.

(Father Aaron Williams is the administrator at St. Joseph Parish in Greenville)

An outpouring of support for first African American cardinal-designate for U.S.

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By Rhina Guidos
WASHINGTON (CNS) – They came in tweets, news releases and Instagram posts from old friends, women religious and brother bishops in various languages congratulating Washington’s Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory.
The news of the country’s first African American prelate to be elevated to the rank of cardinal Nov. 28 sparked joy, as well as commentary that it was something that should have happened long ago.
“In elementary school, he asked his parents if he could become Catholic. Priests and Sisters in a Catholic school had inspired his heart. Today…look what the LORD has done….,” tweeted Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, Tennessee, Oct. 25, the day the announcement was made public.
The Archdiocese of Chicago, where the cardinal-designate chose to become Catholic as boy after attending a parochial school (even though neither of his parents was Catholic), said it was rejoicing over the announcement and touted the cardinal-designate’s experience and contributions during difficult times for the church.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Washington was one of 13 new cardinals named by Pope Francis Oct. 25. He is pictured processing with fellow prelates at the beginning of the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life Jan. 23, 2020, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

“Cardinal Gregory, who came to the Catholic faith as a student in an archdiocese grammar school, went on to become a strong leader in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the church and society,” the archdiocese said in an Oct. 25 news release.
“In his years as president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops and beyond, he has been at the forefront of moving the church to repair the damage of child sexual abuse and confronting racism in all its forms,” the release said.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago pointed out the meaning of the appointment, given that it comes as the U.S. faces increasing social strife.
“While we take particular pride in this recognition of a dedicated priest, whom we are proud to claim as our own, we are also moved that Pope Francis chose this compassionate, thoughtful pastor when our nation and the world are in desperate need of healing and courageous leadership,” he said.
On a more personal note, the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters recalled that the cardinal-designate “credited Adrian Dominican teachers at St. Carthage Grammar School in Chicago with inspiring him to convert to Catholicism.”
“Archbishop Gregory, soon to be Cardinal Gregory, has long inspired us – and continues ever more,” the council said in a statement. “Archbishop Gregory’s appointment is a blessing beyond measure for the entire church. As the first African American to be elevated to the College of Cardinals, Archbishop Gregory will bring the unique gifts and perspectives of Black Americans and Black Catholicism to the global church’s highest ecclesiastical body.
“As a prelate deeply committed to social and racial justice,” it added, “Archbishop Gregory will bring his courageous voice of integrity to the pope’s inner circle, speaking words of compassion and inclusivity.”
The social justice organization Pax Christi USA said the message Pope Francis was sending to the U.S. Catholic Church was clear.
“He has named the first African American cardinal in the U.S. in the midst of our nation’s reckoning with systemic racism, as millions assert that Black Lives Matter,” the organization said in a statement.
Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, said in news release that he is “a pastor at heart” and “his wisdom, kindness and faith” will serve him well “as he takes on this new responsibility as a special adviser to the Holy Father and a papal elector.”
“As our state and nation continues to grapple with racial tension, the appointment of the first African American cardinal in history also has special significance,” Kraska said, adding that “throughout his ministry,” Cardinal-designate Gregory “has sought to address wrongs and bridge differences.”
On Twitter, Shannen Dee Williams, assistant professor of history at Villanova University, who specializes in African American, women’s, religious and civil rights history said that “the road to this appointment has been long” while the costs in the U.S. Black Catholic community had been tremendous.
“While global #BlackCatholics still remain grossly underrepresented in the College of Cardinals, this moment MATTERS,” she tweeted.
In the Archdiocese of Atlanta, then-Archbishop Gregory’s successor as head of the archdiocese, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, said: “Being chosen as the first African American cardinal from the United States indicates the pope’s awareness of the needs and gifts of the multicultural Catholic population throughout the United States.
“As his successor in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, I am particularly grateful for his leadership, mentoring and fraternity.”
Among his accomplishments, he said, the cardinal-designate is known for working closely with fellow bishops, clergy and women religious, promoting Catholic education, and fostering good relations with leaders of all faiths.
“It is clear that the talents and accomplishments of Archbishop Gregory will be a part of his legacy as a leader not only in the United States, but also as a member of the College of Cardinals who attend to significant issues of dioceses throughout the world,” Archbishop Hartmayer added.
Father Bruce Wilkinson, a retired priest from Atlanta, tweeted that while he was celebrating the moment, the church had to take a long hard look because after Cardinal-designate Gregory, “there will be none (no Black prelates) to follow.”
“Did it have to take this appointment to send a message by Pope Francis to be a diverse and an inclusive church in America?” he asked on Twitter Oct. 25. “I’m not trying to rain on the parade, too much, but this is … one man in one position.”palliative sedation;” obligation of care for patients in a “vegetative state” or with minimal consciousness; and conscientious objection by health care workers.

Pope not changing church teaching on gay unions, Secretariat of State says

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By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent an explanatory note to nuncios around the world insisting that when Pope Francis spoke about civil unions, he was not changing or challenging “the doctrine of the church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years.”
The note, which was not signed, explained that the pope’s remarks about gay people in the recent film, “Francesco,” come from his responses to two separate questions in a 2019 interview for Mexico’s Televisa network.
The pope’s comments were “edited and published as a single answer without the necessary contextualization,” the note said.

Pope Francis speaks with Valentina Alazraki of the Mexican television station Televisa during an interview that aired in May 2019. Clips, apparently cut from the interview and showing Pope Francis talking about “civil unions,” is used in the documentary “Francesco” by Evgeny Afineevsky. (CNS screenshot/Noticieros Televisa via YouTube)

As Catholic News Service reported Oct. 26, when Pope Francis said gay people have a right to be in a family and that gay couples needed some form of civil law to protect their rights, he was not advocating any form of “marriage” or marriage rights for gay couples.
Yet, in his documentary “Francesco,” director Evgeny Afineevsky presented the statements as if Pope Francis had been talking about the right of gay couples to form a family, including with children.
Afineevsky, who a Vatican official said was never granted an on-camera interview with the pope, pulled the quotes about families and the quote about civil unions from the interview by Valentina Alazraki, correspondent Televisa, CNS had reported.
The clips used in Afineevsky’s film put together quotes from three separate moments of the Televisa interview, so the pope appears to say: “They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”
The note from the Secretariat of State also noted that Pope Francis repeatedly has insisted that gay unions cannot be equated to marriage, pointing to a 2014 interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
In the interview six years ago, Pope Francis was asked about moves across Europe to legalize gay marriage or adopt civil union laws.
“Marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said. “Secular states want to validate civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, driven by the need to regulate economic aspects between people, such as ensuring health care. These are cohabitation pacts of various kinds, of which I could not list the different forms.”
“It is necessary to see the different cases and evaluate them in their variety,” he said, implying that some forms of civil unions would be acceptable.
From the unedited interview with Televisa, the pope’s remarks to Corriere della Sera and similar distinctions he has made on other occasions, the Secretariat of State’s note said, “It is clear that Pope Francis was referring to particular state regulations, certainly not the doctrine of the church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years.”

New 4th degree assembly formed at St. Richard Jackson

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By Dave Fisher
JACKSON – When the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882, three principles united its members: charity, unity and fraternity. At that time people feared that members of the Catholic faith owed their entire allegiance to the church and could not be trusted as citizens of their country. Patriotism was added to the Order’s principles in the year 1900, based on the idea that Knights are loyal to both God and country.
Members, who hold a 3rd degree and are in good standing in their Council, and wish to live out patriotism together can join “the Fourth Degree.” Members of this degree have the special honor of holding the title “Sir Knight,” participating in color and honor guards and organizing programs that promote Catholic citizenship. They also become part of a Fourth Degree Assembly in their area.

JACKSON – Sir Knight Craig Harrell presents the letter of approval to Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Dave Fisher. (Photo courtesy of Dave Fisher))

For approximately the past 10 years, the Sir Knights of Saint Richard Council #15131 have belonged to the Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly #554. This Assembly consists of five Councils from the general area.
Through constant and creative recruiting, #15131 experienced above average growth while maintaining a strong officer corps and the support of Father John Bohn. The Council leaders are always looking beyond the current year in their strategic planning so as to ensure manpower and financing of parish and program needs
It was this history of success, consistency and routinely advancing members to the 4th degree that, in late July 2020, the Faithful State Master, SK Jerry Schmuck, and his Marshal, SK Craig Harrell, offered the Sir Knights of #15131 the opportunity to form their own Assembly. The Sir Knight membership overwhelming accepted the opportunity.
The State Master requested SK David Fisher, Past Faithful Navigator of #554, to run the project and act as Faithful Navigator for the “new Assembly.” One of the initial requirements is to obtain the pastor’s approval. Father John Bohn agreed as long as it did not interfere with the workings of #15131. He was then asked to suggest a name for the new Assembly. He came up with Mr. John Edward Tracy. Tracy, along with Msgr. Farrell started the Special Kids Program at St. Richard Jackson 41 years ago, and then along with Msgr. Chatham, Tracy was also instrumental in securing permission and financing from Bishop Gerow to build the present-day St. Richard Church.