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The Buffalo News, in an article sub-headlined, “Pro-Life Shrine Wins Support,” reported the Buffalo Common Council's unanimous vote (12 - 0) on April 3, 2002, to support The Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and International Shrine of the Holy Innocents. (Click here to read response by Executive Director Laurence D. Behr) The support resolution was proposed by Councilman-at-Large Charley Fisher, who recently made news by announcing his allegiance to the cause of the innocent unborn.
Publicly deploring his previous, self-described “hypocrisy” on this issue, Councilman Fisher, a non-Catholic, stated in February, 2002, that his shock at reading statistics on the high incidence of abortions among African-Americans, his discussions with Most Rev. Henry J. Mansell, Bishop of Buffalo Diocese, and his admiration for the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and International Shrine of the Holy Innocents, had helped him to recognize the need to stand up for the right to life. Moreover, Councilman Fisher's appreciation for the Catholic Church’s leadership on the issue of the sanctity of human life, and a new recognition of the vital role of Mary in God’s salvation plan, have led Councilman Fisher to embrace the Catholic faith; he is presently enrolling in RCIA.
The full text of the Common Council’s support resolution follows: RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN CHARLEY FISHER
WHEREAS,
the City of Buffalo is proud of the diverse cultural and religious
heritages of its residents, and desires both to respect and also to
encourage the free expression of time-honored religious sentiments,
believing, together with America’s Founding Fathers and its leaders
throughout history, that the good of society depends in part upon
the vitality of its religious institutions; and, WHEREAS, the
Association for the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
and International Shrine of the Holy Innocents, a non-profit corporation
founded by leaders of Buffalo’s professional and lay Catholic community,
has proposed to construct a monumental shrine in keeping with the
tenets of the Catholic faith, which is the religious heritage of the
majority of the residents of Buffalo; and WHEREAS, the
proposed shrine would attract pilgrims and tourists from all parts
of the continent and the world, and may reasonably be expected to
contribute immeasurably to the revitalization of the area economy,
while also furthering the important objective of usefully developing
the Buffalo waterfront, and the Outer Harbor in particular; and WHEREAS, the
Association has pledged its cooperation with City officials and civic
leaders, toward ensuring that the shrine is built according to high
standards of architectural beauty and integrity, so as to fittingly
complement and enhance the City’s skyline, and add to Buffalo’s treasure
of renowned architectural attractions; be it now therefore hereby RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City
of Buffalo approves and supports the efforts of the Association for
the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and International
Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Inc. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 12-0, APRIL 2, 2002 HELP BUILD THE CULTURE OF LIFE! To make your tax-deductible donation, make checks payable to: Arch of Triumph of the IHM, PO Box 394, Buffalo, NY 14201. Make secure charge and check account donations on our Web site, www.ArchofTriumph.org, or by calling toll free, 1-866-205-6512. For each donation of at least $100 US, one name may be inscribed on Mary’s golden Arch of Triumph of a person, living or deceased, born or unborn ($175 for wedded couples; $250 for group names). Donors of at least $1000 will also receive a beautiful signed certificate. Donors of at least $2000 may also have names placed on bronze plaques in the Chapels of the Sacred Heart, the Immaculate Heart, the Triumph, or the Holy Innocents, as they may choose. Start a Local Chapter! Contact Director Laurence Behr, LDBehr@ArchofTriumph.org, or call 1-866-205-6512. |
