Cardinal marks 50 years

Even as the nation weeps in sorrow for the loss of lives and devastation after Tuesday's terrorist attacks, people can find comfort in the triumph of Jesus Christ on the cross, said a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church Friday.

More than 250 people gathered in Old St. Vincent Church in downtown Cape Girardeau for a Mass Friday evening to mark the 50th anniversary of Cardinal William Wakefield Baum's ordination as a priest and 25 years as cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church.

"Even as our hearts are filled with sorrow and we are still in shock from the events of this week, our thoughts and hearts are overshadowed by what took place Tuesday," said Baum.

The 74-year-old spoke while seated, using a microphone to amplify his voice so that all inside could hear. He walked slowly and read Scripture with the aid of a magnifying glass.

"Not at this moment do we have the answers to all the questions," he said. But in our sorrow, "we can place our confidence and our trust in the cross of Jesus Christ."

The sorrow and despair and disarray after the cross turned into triumph over sin and death and today can become our prayer, Baum said.

Even though people are cleansed of their sins at baptism, they must continue to purify themselves from the cares and worries and weaknesses that enter their lives. Baum urged the people to confess.

"Go to confession often," he said. "Have your soul cleansed from all the sins that fill up your heart and get in the way of living the true, Christian life."

'A special occasion'

About 30 priests, deacons, the bishop and cardinal processed through the aisles of the church to begin and end the service.

The visit is significant for the diocese, which has never played host to a cardinal wishing to celebrate an anniversary before, said Bishop John J. Leibrecht.

"We've been looking forward to celebrating the cardinal's anniversary. Like any wedding anniversary or birthday, it is always a special and happy occasion."

Leibrecht and Monsignor Richard Rolwing, who serves as priest at St. Mary Cathedral, were all students at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis with the cardinal.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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