News Clippings for Fr. Jack O'Malley

Fr. Jack O'Malley, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Manchester during the civil rights era, was active with the Citizen Clergy Coordinating Committee in its efforts to eliminate slum housing and a strong supporter and participant in the Black Construction Coalition's efforts to increase the hiring of blacks on construction jobs. Long active in the peace movement, he has remained committed to human rights causes and is currently AFL-CIO chaplain. (Freedom Corner - http://www.freedomcorner.org/legends_of_the_movement.html#m-p)

Santorum defends role of religion in political decisions

Santorum was heavily criticized, including by some in his own party, in April 2003 for remarks to The Associated Press about homosexuality, which he compared to incest, bigamy and adultery...

Members of the Association of Pittsburgh Priests attended Santorum's speech. They distributed an open letter to the senator that calls for his pro-life stance to encompass more than the abortion issue. The letter also admonishes the senator for his support of the war in Iraq and the death penalty. "We shouldn't give someone a free pass because they're good on one or two issues," said the Rev. Jack O'Malley, an association member who is chaplain for the state's AFL-CIO. (Santorum Watch - http://mysite.verizon.net/lardil/id10.html)
<>CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL: Giving Thanks at Quecreek
<>Aired August 4, 2002 - 18:30 ET

JACK O'MALLEY, REV. CHAPLAIN, PA, AFL-CIO: I first wanted to take this opportunity to thank the mine workers' family. And what a privilege it was for me to come from Pittsburgh on Thursday to be with people of such a positive faith. Very often, a clergy person ministers to the laity, but I tell you on those three or four days, it was you folks ministering to me.

Your attitudes were so positive, your faith was so strong, it bolstered my faith. I want to thank you very much.

It all came home to me when we were at All Saints Parish in Acusto (ph), out in Boswell, when a little youngster came into the service with a little miners cap on, little plastic yellow miners' cap with a red light on. And for me, that was symbolic of life and symbolic of why these men had to come out of those mines to watch their children grow up and to watch their grandchildren.

So I want to thank you very much for that opportunity in those three or four days in a comfortable fire hall floor. I also want you to know that I put on five pounds with the wonderful groceries that were sent from such caring people.

Psalm 46. "In God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble. And therefore, we will not fear. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and mountains quake with their surging, there is a river who's streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most high dwells. And God is within her. She will not fall. God will help her at the break of day. And nations are in uproar. Kingdoms fall and God lifts God's voice and the earth melts.

The Lord almighty is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations God has brought on earth. God makes wars cease to the ends of the earth, breaks the bowel, shatters the spear, burns the shields with fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord Almighty is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress." (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0208/04/se.00.html)

Church Reaches Out to Workers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (September 1, 2003: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/pittsburgh/s_152840.html )