'Powerful'

San Juan archbishop urges prayers to beatified Puerto Rican in Vieques strife

By MAX PIZARRO

Launching a weeklong series of events in recognition of Puerto Rican pride, Sunday night's Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral focused on the recent beatification of Carlos Manuel Rodriguez.

Archbishop Roberto O. González, O.F.M., of San Juan, Puerto Rico, served as main celebrant and Cardinal Egan presided.

The archbishop began his homily by thanking Jesus for the gift of Puerto Rico's first beatification in the person of Carlos Manuel Rodriguez.

"The beatification is, for Puerto Ricans and for the Church and for the entire world, a call to holiness," said Archbishop González, speaking in Spanish as he looked out over the congregation, where several Puerto Rican flags waved proudly.

Archbishop González called on Massgoers to pray to Blessed Carlos that his intercession might resolve the situation on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, where the U.S. Navy--amid much protest--continues regular bombing exercises near a community of 9,000 people.

"The sanctity of Blessed Carlos is more powerful than the entire military might of the United States," he said.

Archbishop González, who was installed as Archbishop of San Juan in May 1999, had served in the Bronx from 1977 to 1988--first as a newly ordained priest assisting at St. Pius V parish and then at Holy Cross, where he was a parochial vicar and for two years as pastor until his 1988 ordination as an auxiliary bishop of Boston.

On Monday, Archbishop González was in Albany where he delivered the invocation at the opening of the day's Assembly session and met with elected officials. At a news conference there, he said the Rev. Al Sharpton and three Bronx politicians jailed for Vieques protests have "raised the level of awareness in the New York area (about Vieques), and that is very important."

He added that the group, known as the Vieques 4, are "in my prayers." He said he recognizes that Rev. Sharpton is a controversial figure, "but the solidarity of the four individuals has made a strong statement to the cause of peace in Vieques."

Archbishop González said he would propose that the state Senate and Assembly pass a joint resolution calling on President Bush to add a third option to those to be offered to Puerto Rican people in November.

Currently proposed is that the Navy continue its exercises using inert bombs for the next three years with a $40 million economic development package; the other proposal is that the Navy continue bombing indefinitely with live bombs and pay an additional $50 million annually, the archbishop said.

Archbishop González proposed an option that the bombing immediately cease.

At the cathedral on Sunday, Archbishop González emphasized Blessed Carlos' dedication to the liturgy of the Catholic Church and his belief in the transforming power of the Eucharist. Blessed Carlos was a man who understood its primary significance in the life of all Catholics, he said.

"We live for tonight," said the archbishop. "The history and the hope of the Puerto Rican people are present in the power of the Mass."

Blessed Carlos--or "Charlie" to those who knew him--was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, in 1918. A catechist and choir manager, Blessed Carlos was a tireless pioneer and patron of the liturgical movement in Puerto Rico. He suffered numerous health ailments during his life and died in 1963. Pope John Paul II beatified Carlos Manuel Rodriguez in April.

Cardinal Egan, in remarks in Spanish at the end of the Mass, pointed out that on the occasion of Pentecost it was fitting to honor Blessed Carlos, whose interior conversion and commitment as an evangelizer exemplified the spirit of Pentecost.

"The Church of New York is delighted to celebrate today the beatified (Blessed Carlos), who is a model of sanctity not only for the laity but also for the entire Church," Cardinal Egan said. "Puerto Rico, thank you for the gift of Blessed Carlos Manuel, thank you, Puerto Rican community, for all of your pastoral work in the Archdiocese of New York."

The offertory procession contained a colorful array of gifts and gift-givers, some wearing traditional Puerto Rican dress symbolizing love of the land. Along with the bread and wine, people presented gifts including the flag of Puerto Rico, a framed portrait of Blessed Carlos and flowers symbolic of the Virgin of Providence.

Events in connection with Puerto Rican pride week will culminate on Sunday, June 10, with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It begins at 11 a.m.