"DIA won't announce Mass times"

Saturday, December 9, 2000

DIA won't announce Mass times
By Virginia Culver
The Denver (CO) Post Religion Writer


Dec. 9, 2000 - Denver International Airport officials won't be announcing
Catholic Mass times over the public-address system, but they have agreed to
announce that an airport chapel exists.

The announcement will say that the interfaith chapel is on terminal level 6
southeast and that it is open 24 hours a day for meditation. Travelers will
be told they can dial 2036 on a white paging telephone for times of
services.

But airport officials won't agree to the request by the Denver Catholic
Archdiocese to announce Mass times, as had been the custom before last
summer.

"It's a small step in the right direction, but we sincerely hope we can get
further on this," said Greg Kail, spokesman for the archdiocese.

DIA officials couldn't be reached.

Mass time announcements were stopped last summer after a traveler complained
about the announcements, which stated the Mass times shortly before each
service.

The American Civil Liberties Union protested the announcements, saying they
were a breach of the separation of church and state unless all religions get
the same billing.

Other groups haven't requested service time announcements.

A check with airports in other cities showed that service times are
announced at many airports and signs are posted in many airports to inform
travelers and employees where the chapels are. The only postings about the
DIA chapel is the sign on the chapel itself.

The archdiocese sponsors noon Masses each Sunday, communion services at noon
on Mondays and Wednesdays and Masses on holy days. Protestants, Jews and
Muslims don't have regular services at the chapel.

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http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID8

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