Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 4—THE BULLETIN, October 13, 1962
Perseverance And The Council
After almost three years
of preparation, the Second
Vatican Council, 21st such
council in the Church’s history
of almost two thousand years,
is now in session in The Eter
nal City, Rome.
Newspapers and television
screens are filled with the
colorful panoply and ancient
ceremony surrounding the
Council’s solemn convocation
by His Holiness, Pope John
XXIII. \
And for some time to come
the news media of the world
will be filled with the more
important work undertaken
this week by almost 3,000
Cardinals, Archbishops
Bishops, Abbots and General
Superiors of religious orders
and congregations - the work
of presenting to the world
the Church as Christ founded
her - presenting the Church
with the Truth and Simplici
ty of her Divine Founder.
Heaven has literally been
besieged by the prayers of
millions, Catholic and non-
Catholic alike, that under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit,
this historic Council may
bring men closer to God in
the spirit of true Faith, and
closer to one another i n the
spirit of Justice and Char
ity.
Jesus said, “The Kingdom
of Heaven suffers violence
and the violent bear it away.*’
Surely, the deluge of pray
ers, now rising to the Throne
of God is the Holy violence of
which He spoke.
There may be a tendency, as
the weeks go by, particularly
if there are no startling state
ments from the Council
Fathers (and it is commonly
conceded that there will be
none) to lose interest in the
proceedings, to rise from our
knees and unfold our hands.
To yield to such a natural
impulse would indeed be most
unfortunate, and would betray
a weakness of faith and per
severance, without which the
work of the council can only
be hindered and its success
diminished.
Moses raised his arms in
prayer beseeching victory for
the people of God. So long as
his petitions rose to heaven,
the efforts of the Israelites
were rewarded with success.
We may confidently expect
that so it shall be with us,
if only we are convinced that
“With God all things are pos
sible’’ and that 1 every Grace
that comes to man is loosed
from the Hand of God by pray
er.
THE MAIN TOPIC AT THE COUNCIL?
Sum and Substance
In discussing the coming
Council, many Catholic theo
logians r say that the question
of the rights and privileges of
bishops will be given top pri
ority.
The Amer
ican Catholic
may imagine f $ Zjl
that this topic Laf ggjnlP
is related to t
nedy’s Hous-
when, as a
candidate for
the presidency, he denied that a
Catholic president would be
subject to dictation from the
American bishops. The Council
topic, however, will have a much
broader scope. It will deal
mainly with the bishops’ rights
and privileges in relation to the
power of the Pope.
The First Vatican Council
dealt with the subject of papal
power and concluded its consid
erations by defining the
primacy and infallibility of the
Pope. The Council intended to
take up next the matter of the
rights of bishops but the Fran
co-Prussian war broke out sud
denly and the bishops returned
home, leaving the question un
touched.
In the course of their discus
sion of Church government,
however, the Fathers of the
Council did make a brief ref
erence to the fact that bishops
are genuine pastors of their
flocks and so the full signifi
cance of this statement willun-
REV. JOHN B. SHEERIN. C.S.]
doubtedly be clarified at this
coming Council.
,. The. Rope has immediate and
ordinary jurisdiction over
every member of the Church
but the bishop has immediate
and ordinary jurisdiction over
every person in his diocese.
How are these two facts re
conciled?
Again, the Pope has full and
supreme jurisdiction over the
whole Church but an Ecumenical
Council of bishops presided
over by the Pope also has full
and supreme jurisdiction over
the Church. How are these
two principles reconciled?
The Orthodox and the Angli
cans are more interested in
this whole topic than in any
thing else that might come up
for discussion. For it involves
the question of papal primacy
and infallibility. The Orthodox
feel that there has always been
a trend towards centralization
of power in the Roman Catho
lic Church, and that this trend
reached its apex when the First
Vatican Council defined the pri
macy and infallibility of the
Pope.
Most Orthodox seem to admit
this centralization of power at
the Vatican has made for
efficiency and unity but that
it has been a radical departure
from the plan of church organi
zation established by Christ.
They claim that Scripture and
tradition both make it impossi
ble for any bishop, even the
bishop of Rome, to exercise
a power or jurisdiction over
another bishop or his flock.
The Anglicans also feel that
the decrees of the First Vatican
Council, at least as far as they
understand them, have down
graded the successors of the
Apostles, the bishops of the
Church.
In a recent article in Cross
Currents, Stephen Neill of the
Colgate-Rochester Divinity
School states that "... the
Anglican Churches firmly be
lieve that they have preserved
the catholic episcopacy in all
its purity but tend to believe
that the Vatican Council
abolished it in the Roman
Church.” He expresses the
hope that the present Council
will clarify the earlier decrees
so that it will not seem that
Catholic bishops have been rob
bed of their Christ-given rights
and have been degraded to the
rank of papal clerks.
The Council will not change
Catholic teaching. There is no
question of watering down the
primacy or the infallibility of
the Pope but the Council will
probably specify the pastoral
rights of a shepherd of a dio
cese and his duties to the uni
versal Church.
As Yves Congar, O.P. re
cently said: “For a diocese
to be truly catholic, its bishop
must govern it not as an in
dependent unit but rather as a
portion of the universal Church.
This implies that the bishop
actualizes in his diocese all the
great causes of the universal
Church.”
'INQUIRY CLASS WAS TREAT OF MY LIFE* SAYS CONVERT
Sharing Our Treasure
In seeking to share the
precious treasure of our holy
Faith with churchless friends,
we can learn a lot from com
mercial salesmen. They are
courteous, kindly, zealous and
tactfully
p e rsist-
e n t. They
know that, ot
her things
being equal,
the salesman
who calls on
the most
p r ospects
makes the most sales. No won
der that Jesus said, “The chil
dren of this world are wiser
in their generation than the
children of light.”
Our popes, bishops and
priests are appealing with ever
REV. JOHN A. O'BRIEN
increasing frequency and force
to our laity for the assistance
so urgently needed to reach the
hundred million churchless or
non-church-going people of our
land. “It is necessary,” said
Pius XI, “that all men be apos
tles, that the Catholic laity do
not stand idle but be united with
their bishops” in the extension
of Christ’s Kingdom among
souls.
In a message to the national
congress of the Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine in Buffalo
in October 1956, Pius XII
PRAISED "the invaluable ser
vices which a zealous and well-
trained laity can render to their
bishops and priests in the vital
task of making the truths of our
religion better known and better
appreciated.” This is illustrat
ed in the conversion of Bernard
M. Haley of Waterloo, Iowa.
"I was reared,” related Mr.
Haley, "as a Lutheran and at
tended church and Sunday School
quite regularly until I was about
20. But I seemed to be miss
ing something and stopped
going. Later I met a Catholic
girl, Doris Kelly, and after
some brief instructions was
married in the rectory. During
the first 15 years I would go to
Mass occasionally with my wife
and children. I’m sure Doris
was praying for my conversion,
but she was careful not to push
me.
"Occasionally she would in
quire if I wouldn’t like to take
instructions, but I wasn’t quite
ready. But all this time the ex-
(Continued on Page 5)
Fill Them With Prayer!
*ETW<l/hm
ABOUT THAT DAILY. NOW
It Seems to Me
Despite the failure of past
attempts to create a success
ful "Catholic daily newspaper;;
in the U. S., many American
Catholics go on wishing for
one.
The sub
ject got re
newed atten
tion a few
weeks ago in
several pub
lications.
Msgr. Sal
vatore J.
Adamo, exe
cutive editor of the Camden
Catholic Star-Herald, wrote
that there is "room for a news
paper that can and will tell
the truth about vital things,”
instead of letting "garish tra
gedy” push important things to
"obscure corners.”
The Dubuque Witness replied
that Dubuque had seen at close
hand the failure of one Catholic
daily, and that Catholics will
not support such a paper.
"ALERT CATHOLIC MEN,”
organ of the National Council
of Catholic Men, asked readers
what they thought, and got un
animous replies favoring a Ca
tholic daily.
Nobody wants growth and im
provement in Catholic journal
ism more than I do, but let’s
look at some hard facts.
The basic commodity of a
newspaper is news; that is,
information about current
events while they are happen
ing.
Most news is not "Catholic”
news.” Most news concerns
everybody—earthquakes, space
flights, epidemics, the stock
tables, community affairs,
sports, national and inter
national problems, accidents
and safety campaigns, and so
on and on.
THERE IS A “Catholic way”
of handling news, but this boils
down for the most part to be
ing accurate, honest, truthful,
capable, skilled and charitable.
For those qualities, many a
Catholic journalist could go to
many of his colleagues in the
general press for lessons. I’ve
learned a lot from them my
self.
So much for the theory of the
thing. Now for practicable con
siderations.
A daily newspaper must be
delivered to readers while the
news is news. But when people
talk about a Catholic daily,
they mean a national Catholic
daily.
THAT’S ALL RIGHT in the
Netherlands, where there are
several Catholic dailies. But the
country is so small that the
papers are on the doorstep
within a couple of hours of
printing.
In the U. S. and Canada, with
their vast distances, most read
ers wouldn’t receive their paper
until at least a day late--often
two days. The news would be
stale.
Moreover, a national daily
cannot provide local news,
JOSEPH BREIG
which is the news-backbone of
a newspaper.
So right there, the national
Catholic daily has a couple of
strikes on it- staleness of
news, absence of the local news
which readers need to be in
telligent community members.
ANOTHER HARD FACT —
much of a newspaper’s income
comes from local advertising.
But local advertisers can’t use
a national publication; they’ve
got to have circulation con
centrated in the area from which
they draw customers. So out the
window goes a main source of
necessary income.
So now we have our Catholic
daily facing four colossal handi
caps.
First, if it were a real news
paper, much of its news wouldn’t
be "Catholic,” but just general
news which readers can get
elsewhere.
Second, it couldn’t get the
news to readers while it was
news.
Third, it couldn’t provide lo
"NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART"
Jottings
By BARBARA C. JENCKS
“And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes. And death shall be no more; neither shall
there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more,
for the former things have passed away.”
Apocalypse
Loneliness comes to every man. To some, it comes often.
It wears different disguises. It steals upon us when we
least expect it, when we are in congenial company, or
have experienced some small triumph and we wonder at it.
It comes striding boldly into the heart, settling, too,
like a block of ice in the stomach. We understand its
presence ... as twilight descends upon us in a strange
city; in the wail of a train as it cuts through the night;
sitting in a doctor's office awaiting a verdict; when we
have been parted from someone we love — and amid the
Autumn’s falling leaves. People confused alone and lonely.
Someone recently wrote that the pathetic clown with his
grease paint smile would be an appropriate symbol of the
modern lonely man.
* * *
Although loneliness comes to each man, the solitary
person is not always the loneliest ironically. There are
certain types of people we would expect to be lonely
the shut-in, the hospital patient, the prisoner, the old.
Sometimes it is the person who is in continual contact
with people and caught up in a whirlwind of activity who
is loneliest of all. When one understands loneliness, it
does not hold such terror. We are usually lonely because
we are not complete in ourselves. In our age, the threat
of nuclear warfare adds to our insecurities and fears —
and lonelinessl Father Thurston Davis wrote in an article,
“The Loneliness of Man”, ". . . often from what we see
in the streets of our cities, something important can be
deduced, namely that today’s world is being increasingly
populated by inexpressibly lonely and confused people,
persons who have not only lost touch .with a community
in which they might hope to find meaning and fulfillment,
but whose very search for such a universe has apparently
ceased to exist.”
* * *
Many who experience loneliness are afraid to admit
it; they fear it is a sign of weakness or unpopularity.
Sociologists usually advise such people to go out and
mix, join clubs, take up a hobby. This remedy would be
an external one. The spiritual writers say that loneliness
is a symptom of our incompleteness without God. Our
DORIS REVERE PETERS
nSwerd
YOUTH
WHICH SISTERHOOD?
cal news.
Fourth, it wouldn’s have the
vital income from local adver
tising.
THE FINAL blow is this: if
you’re going to have a Catholic
daily, you’ve got to have a daily
Catholic worldwide news serv
ice, pouring in news around the
clock.
The cost of that would be
prohibitive. The two big serv
ices, Associated Press and
United Press International, are
supported by hundreds of
dailies.
What’s the answer? Well, our
weekly publications supply us
with plenty of food for thought
and action. But American maga
zine, for instance, has fewer
than 75,000 subscribers. So has
Ave Maria. Commonweal has
fewer than 40,000. Many dio
cesan papers are in a similar
fix.
Shouldn’t we begin by doing
what we can do—support the
publications we have--instead
of talking about doing what we
can’t do?
Dear Doris:
I am entering my junior year
in high school in September and
I feel I have a vocation. I
have read articles and pam
phlets but am torn between
two orders. One is a mission
society which is completely dif
ferent from the other which is
a teaching order. How can I
be sure which one to choose?
I would also like to know if
you think I am too young to
recognize a vocation or might
this be a passing phase.
Maureen
You are never too young to
recognize a vocation, Maureen.
Thank God you did.
Don’t worry about making the
choice of orders now. Concen
trate on your studies and make
the most of the remaining year
in high school. Reading and
study will help. You will find
that in two years your interest
will develop and jell. Then you
will be better able to choose.
Talk to one of the Sisters—
one who knows you well. And
discuss your vocation with your
pastor or a priest he recom
mends. They are qualified to
guide you. At the end of the
two years, with spiritual gui
dance, study, prayer and God’s
help you will have no trouble
making the right decision.
TRAVEL WITH CHILD CARE
Dear Doris:
This June I graduated from
high school. My goal is to get
a job taking care of children
in a family which travels a-
round from place to place. Can
you suggest any training I could
take to fit me for this? I like
children and am firm afid re
liable with them. I have done
quite a bit of baby sitting.
Travel appeals to me also and
it would be wonderful if I could
combine my preferences in one
job. Thank you for any help
you can give.
Joan E.
Any training in child care
and/or homemaking would be
valuable. This kip4, ftf, training
varies from area to area. Child
caring institutions such as
nurseries, orphanagesr “child
ren’s hospitals, etc., some
times offer a one year course.
Colleges and some junior col
leges offer this type of course
in the home economics depart
ment. Investigate these in your
community.
Perhaps you could get a job
with a family while going to
school. Lots of college girls
do this. They take care of the
children in return for room and
board. It is a nice arrange
ment and it is excellent ex
perience. In the end it will be
the combination of your training
and experience that will get
you the kind of job you want.
Some families are willing to
train young girls who love child
ren and are willing to work with
them. This attitude, plus some
experience, are your best
assests.
RIGHT WAY
Dear Doris:
Is it permissable for a 15-
year-old boy to invite a girl
to an occasional parish-
sponsored dance or to an af
ternoon show?
John K.
Yes, John, it is permissable
and quite the right way to be
gin dating—occasionally, and in
groups. That is, of course, if
your parents approve too.
CANNED CONVERSATION
Dear Doris:
I’m not a complete social
success and it seems my big
gest problem is saying dull
things. With girl friends I have
an easy time talking and kid
ding and joking but when boys
are included nothing comes out
right. Could you give a few sug
gestions of topics that wouldn’t
sound matter of fact and stiff.
Barbara
All “canned conversations”
are stiff. Rather than a list
of topics or a canned conver
sation (which is what you are
asking for) I suggest that you
relax and act natural. A good
conversationalist is, first, last
and always a good listener. You
will have no trouble if you
remember this—and practice
listening.
Maybe you are trying to say
too much. For a little while
just sit back and listen. When
you do talk your cue will come
from the boys conversation. You
don’t have to be smart and
witty or joking and kidding to.
go over big with boys. In fact
the boys will appreciate it if
you just talk sense. It might
be a pleasant surprise. And a
good listener will be surpris
ingly popular.
Doris Revere Peters answers
letters through her column, not
by mail. Please do not ask for
personal reply. Young readers
are invited to write to her in
care of The Bulletin.
! QUESTION BOX
By David Q. Liptak
Q. At an ecumenical council,
as I understand it, each in
dividual bishop really and truly
has a vote, and his vote counts.
What I can’t understand is this:
Since basic Catholic doctrine
cannot possible be altered, of
what significance are the votes
the bishops cast?
A. In assessing the signifi
cance of the votes cast by bi
shops taking part in an ecumeni
cal council, several distinctions
must be kept in mind. One must
first of all ascertain whether
the issue voted is essentially
doctrinal; or, on the other hand,
whether it pertains to periphe
ral Church matters such as
canon law, the liturgy, general
discipline or practice, etc.
When the Fathers of a council
vote on substantial issues of
doctrine, they do so as wit
nesses of the Faith received in
tact, untainted by the ages, as
from Christ himself. Cardinal
Newman’s explanation with re
ference to the First Council of
Nicaea can be applied to every
other general council that has
ever taken place, as well
as to any that will take place
in the future:
". . . It must be borne in
mind that the great Council of
Nicaea was summoned, not to
decide for the first time what
was to be held concerning our
Lord’s divine nature, but, as
far as inquiry would come into
its work, to determine the fact
whether Arius did or did not
contradict the Church's teach
ing, and, if he did, by what
sufficient tessera he and his
party could be excluded from the
communion of the faithful.”
(Tessera is a Latin term for
a "token” or a "watchword.”)
Or, as St Athanasius put it
(Continued on Page 5)
416 8TH ST.. AUGUSTA. GA.
Published fortnightly by the Catholic Laymen’s Association
of Georgia, Inc., with the Approbation of the Most Reverend
Bishop of Savannah; and the Most Reverend Archbishop of
Atlanta. Subscription price $3.00 per year Subscription in
cluded in membership in Catholic Laymen’s Association.
Second class mail privileges authorized at Monroe, Ga. Send
notice of change of address to P. O. Box 320, Monroe, Ga.
Rev. Francis J. Donohue Rev. R. Donald Kieman
Editor Savannah Edition Editor Atlanta Edition
John Markwalter, Managing Editor
Rev. Lawrence Lucree, Rev. John Fitzpatrick
Associate Editors, Savannah Edition
Vol 43 Saturday, October 13, 1962 No. 10
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
GEORGE GINGELL, Columbus President
MRS. DAN HARRIS, Macon Vice-President
NICK CAMERIO, Macon Secretary
JOHN T. BUCKLEY, Augusta Treasurer
ALVIN M. McAULIFFE, Augusta Auditor
JOHN MARKWALTER, Augusta Executive Secretary
MISS CECILE FERRY, Augusta Financial Secretary