FORT WORTH (TX)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By Darren Barbee
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The message traveled by television, emails from the Vatican and the tolling of a church bell at St. Patrick Cathedral in downtown Fort Worth.
Devout believers and lapsed Catholics entered candlelit sanctuaries. In Bedford they walked past a wedding party, wiping away tears. Others stopped at the first church they found on their way home from Saturday afternoon errands.
Throughout the day they prayed for Pope John Paul II - a man they knew from great distances and from vast rallies in Texas, Louisiana and Colorado - because his death felt so close. ...
Dede Schmidt, a member of the Fort Worth chapter of Voice of the Faithful, a Catholic group that supports victims of sexual abuse, said she admired the pope for his strong stance on social justice, his opposition to war and his dedication to peace.
But Schmidt, 73, also said she hopes the church will work toward greater openness, especially regarding reports of sexual abuse, and more involvement for women.
Posted by kshaw at April 3, 2005 04:17 AM