Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 4—THE BULLETIN, December 22, 1962 \
The Illinois Decision
WASHINGTON, (NC) - The
Illinois decision to have tax
payers support a determined
program to cut down the num
ber of births among the state's
poor people raises grave ques
tions of public policy.
Other states and communi
ties probably will be forced
to face the same questions Illi
nois is debating because birth
control organizations undoubt
edly will argue that the state
offers a precedent for others
to follow.
Furthermore, the impact may
be felt on the national level.
The six to four vote of the Illi
nois Public Aid Commission
contrasts sharply with present
and past stands of national ad
ministrations.
The Federal government has
steadfastedly refused to permit
birth control to become endor
sed and supported as public
policy. Birth control groups can
be expected to try to upset this
position in view of Illinois’
action.
Behind the Illinois decision
lies the belief that by prevent
ing the birth of children to
public welfare recipients, tax
money due to support these
youngsters will be saved. Thus,
any welfare recipient with a
spouse or a child can get at
(By J- J. Gilbert)
public expense medical service
and contraceptives, including
the medically controversial
“birth control pill.”
Originally, the commission
planned to vote on the
proposal without public hear
ings. But, as controversy
mounted, two days of hearings
were held, with Catholic
spokesmen—clerical and lay—
presenting the negative point of
view.
Catholics stressed that they
did not want to impose their
moral stand regarding artifi
cial birth control on others.
They suggested compromises,
such as a plan for referral of
public aid recipients to private
sources for family planning in
formation.
The questions they raised
in the debate ranged from al
legations that such a program
can lead to state interference
with individual rights to char
ges that the proposal was being
acted upon without definite proof
that it would save money—a
dubious basis for a policy that
offends the convictions of a
great segment of society.
If poor people are encouraged
and given the means to avoid
bringing children into the world,
in the belief this will save tax
dollars, why not, then, for the
same reason, finance steriliza
tions, or abortions? Why main
tain tax-supported institutions
for the hopelessly ill? Euthan
asia might save money.
Furthermore, it is admitted
by proponents of the campaign
that there is no solid evidence
it will save money. Critics say
it may even cost more because
of the continued medical atten
tion necessary to make it ef
fective.
Some Catholics noted that the
Criminal Cole of Illinois makes
adultery, fornication and pros
titution crimes, yet contracep
tives can be given under the new
policy to unmarried mothers,
some of them teenagers, and to
mothers separated from the
father of their children, thus
encouraging immoral and
criminal behavior.
Finally, uncertainty exists
about whether the state-
financed efforts won't be used
to tranquilize the social con
science, to replace efforts
which would extend equal op
portunity and brotherhood to
minority groups, especially
economically and culturally
disadvantaged Negroes who are
the main target of the Illinois
scheme.
VATICAN TACT OR TACTICS?
Sum and Substance
REV. JOHN B. SHEERIN. C.S.P.
A few weeks ago L’Osserva-
tore Romano carried the fol
lowing notice: “The Secretariat
for Promoting Christian Unity
wishes to make clear that it
has been most happy with the
delegated ob-
servers
whom it has
invited. All,
without ex
ception, have
shown a sin
cerely reli
gious and
and ecumeni-
spirit. The
Secretariat thus deplores cer
tain public comments which
have been contrary to the spirit
animating the loyal contacts
with the delegated observers.
The Secretariat dissociates it
self from such public com
ments.”
This communique apparently
referred to the sinister rumors
circulating in Rome in regard
to the Russian Orthodox observ
ers. This statement by the Sec
retariat deplored Roman gossip
about the “questionable mo
tives” of the Russians. But
there was another rumor that-
originated in New York that
cast suspicion on the Secretar
iat as well as the Russian ob
servers.
ACCUSES VATICAN
According to a New York
Times account, Archbishop Iak-
ovos, Greek Orthodox primate
in America, charged that the
Vatican was the villain of the
piece. In issuing the invitation
to the Russians, he alleged,
the Vatican had resorted to
tactics "apparently aimed at
disrupting and undermining the
authority of the Ecumenical
Patriarch.”
According to Iakovos, the Or
thodox churches had agreed
among themselves that Ecu
menical Patriarch Athenagoras
of Istanbul, should negotiate
with the Vatican regarding in
vitations and he was to re
ceive and transmit the invita
tions to the individual churches
since he enjoyed a primacy of
honor among them.
The Vatican, by sending in
vitations to the individual
churches- had tried to under
mine Orthodox unity and the
trick worked with the Russian
Orthodox only because they had
ulterior motives of their own.
So said the Archbishop.
The Secretariat was too busy
with Council affairs to give due
attention to this item in a New
York newspaper. But grave
harm had been done to the good
name of the Secretariat which
has been so scrupulously care
ful to treat the Ecumenical
Patriarch and all the Orthodox
leaders with great respect and
brotherly benevolence.
The fact is that last summer
the Secretariat sent invitations
not only to Patriarch Atheno-
goras but also to the heads of
other Orthodox churches be
cause several had requested
that the invitations be sent di
rectly to them. The Secretariat
complied with these requests,
notifying the Orthodox leaders
that Secretary Willebrands had
already been in contact with
Patriarch Athenagoras and that
it was for them to decide whe
ther they should respond to the
invitations on their own or
through Patriarch Athenagoras.
RUSSIAN REQUEST
In late August, Archbishop
Nikodim of the Russian Ortho
dox church met Monsignor Wil
lebrands in Paris and told him
that the Russians would like to
receive a visit from him so
that they might receive an
invitation in the same way in
which it was communicated to
other churches. Monsignor
Willebrands then flew to Mos
cow and shortly thereafter the
invitation was in the hands of
the Russian Orthodox. They ac
cepted, not knowing that Pat
riarch Athenagoras had decli
ned in the meantime.
It may well have been the
truth that there was a mutual
minunderstanding, Patriarch
Athenagoras assuming that the
Russians were hostile to the
idea of sending observers and
the Russians assuming that the
Ecumenical Patriarch would
not reply to the invitation.
One point is crystal clear.
The Secretariat’s conduct was
beyond reproach. It tried to
honor the wishes of Patriarch
Athenagoras and respect at the
same time the sensibilities of
the other Orthodox leaders. The
failure of so many venerable
Oriental churches to send ob
servers was a painful disap
pointment to Pope John and
Cardinal Bea but there are'
good reasons for hoping that
these churches will send
observers to the second ses
sion of the Council.
CONVERT URGES COMPLETE INSTRUCTION
Sharing Our Treasure
If you want expert help in
sharing your Faith, get two new
15-cent pamphlets. Seven Ways
to Win Converts, Queen’s Work
Press, St. Louis 18, and Share
Your Faith, American Press,
New York
They set forth
not only the du
ty of Catholics
to bring
Christ's life-
giving truths
to others but
also the me
thods of doing
this. One of the most effective
is to bring a churchless friend
to a priest for systematic in
struction.
This is illustrated in the con
version of Louis Edward O’
Donnell of East Syracuse, New
York. “My parents,” he re
lated, “were members of no
Church and, though I went oc-
assionally to various churches,
I wasn't baptized. My interest
in the Catholic Church began
when I was keeping company
with Mary Ellen Gleason. A
devout Catholic, Mary explain
ed to me that a Catholic can
be married validly only by a
Catholic priest.
“Furthermore, the non-
By Rev. John A. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Catholic must take a brief
course of pre-marital instruc
tions. This 1 took from Father
Norbert Sheed, O.F.M., pastor
of St. Mary;s Minoa, New York,
who married us while I was
home on a furlough. Ten years
later we had several of our
children in the parochial school
and they began to ask questions
about their lessons in the ca
techism . I had promised that
they would be raised Catholic.
“But how could I keep that
promise if I couldn’t answer
their questions? Hence I call
ed on Father John Costello
at St. Matthew’s Church, East
Syracuse and asked for in
structions. He gave me a copy
of Catechism for beginners and
had me come once a week for
six months. I'll never forget
the line of evidence he pre
sented to show that the Catho
lic Church is Christ’s true
Church.
“First he proved from Scrip
ture that Christ is God. Then
he showed from the Bible how
Christ founded a Church, say
ing to the Apsotles: 'Go, there
fore, and make disciples of all
nations, baptising them in the
name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you;
and behold I am with you all
days, even to the consumma
tion of the world’ (Mt. 28:19).
“The list of popes stretching
in unbroken succession from
Peter to the present pontiff is
the Church’s title deed to the
truths of Christ and to its au
thority to teach all nations. With
grateful heart I was received
into Christ’s true Church and
received our Eucharistic Lord.
Now we are a truly united fami
ly, saying our prayers toge
ther.
“At first I dreaded con
fession, but now I look forward
to it. After leaving the confes
sional, I feel as close to heaven
as anyone can get in this life.
The Latin in the Mass had me
stumped, and I still wish it were
in English, but a missal helps
somewhat. My advice to all
marrying a Catholic is: ‘Get
a complete course of instruc
tion. It will lead you into
Christ’s true Church and unify
your whole married life.’
(Father O'Brien will be glad
to have converts send their
names and addresses to him at
Notre Dame University, Notre
Dame, Indiana, so he may write
up their conversion stories.)
LOOK WHAT’S NEWS NOW!
It Seems to Me
So you’re beginning to talk
about religion. It's a conver
sation piece. No longer do you
avoid the subject because it’s
too controversial and leads to
people getting red in the face
and yelling at
one another.
Religion is
b ecoming
fas hionable.
It’s getting
into living
rooms and
cocktail bars.
It’s - bobbing
up on planes
and buses, and in the pages of
popular magazines and “think”
publications.
Folks who can talk intelli
gently about religion are eager
ly listened to, questioned and
cross-questioned.
Conversations are turning
from sports to theology; from
autos to Church history; from
fashions to Christian unity;
from community doings to the
Judeo-Christian inheritance.
The names of churchmen are
becoming almost as well known
as those of ball players.
RELIGION IS NEWS; excit
ing news. Religion has broken
out of the cocoon in which we
wrapped it because it was a
matter of personal loyalty and
hardly at all of intellectual com
prehension, and therefore a
touchy subject.
We are learning to talk calm
ly and humbly about it, and to
realize how fascinating it is,
how mysterious, how complex
and yet how indispensable for
solving the perplexities of life,
whether personal or interna
tional.
Religion is on the move. The
planet, you might say, is thaw
ing; and the great glaciers of
God, no longer frozen in place,
are going irresistibly across
the world. And the world is going
to be changed for the better.
The ecumenical movement, at
which dedicated Protestants
have labored so patiently, along
with the Orthodox Churches,
are largely responsible for all
this. And the ecumenical coun
cil in Rome is giving it new
impetus.
AFTER ALL, if cardinals,
archbishops and bishops from
everywhere can get together to
debate theology, vigorously and
outspokenly, are the rest of us
just going to sit there? No we
too are becoming interested.
This is one of the great
goods of the ecumenical move
ment and the council. Another
is the new atmosphere of friend
liness in matters religious. A
third is the shattering of the
notion that the Catholic Church
is as monolithic and rigid as a
Byzantine court.
The fluidity and flexibility of
the Church are being realized.
It is not like a huge frozen
statue; it i s a living thing,
vigorously at work, criticizing
itself, searching for greater
perfection.
JOSEPH BREIG
A COMMISSION headed by a
famous cardinal presents a
draft of a proposed statement on
the sources of Revelation, and
the arguments begin flying. This
won’t do, it is said; this is not
the best way to express our
belief.
The Secretariat for Promo
ting Christian Unity speaks up.
Its spokesman says that the
statement in this form will be
a new obstacle to Christian
union at the very time when the
ecumenical movement is mak
ing such great progress. The
secretariat calls for a redraft.
Others judge that the best
thing to do would be to drop
the subject for now. After all,
theologians are still studying
and debating the problem. Fur
ther clarification can be ex
pected. Why not wait?
THE SUGGESTION that the
matter be left for some future
council is put to a vote. It
fails, barely, to get a two-
thirds majority. Apparently the
decision is that a statement
should be made but not in this
form.
Delegate-observers repre
senting other Christians watch
in amazement, and voice their
astonishment. They had thought
that in the Catholic Church the
pope decides everything and the
bishops and the people just go
along. They are happily
astounded.
A missionary bishop calls a
press conference and tells
newsmen that he has proposed
a “world Mass” composed
chiefly of the words of Christ
in the languages of the various
peoples. He has put his idea
before the council. He smiles
and says it is “a mustard
seed”—it will grow.
So it goes. In a world that
some had thought was going to
secularism and atheism and
materialism, religion suddenly
stands up, gigantic.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
Jottings
By BARBARA C. JENCKS
Christmas is a time for wishing.
Tonight I wish I were many things other than a 0 \£riter
with a Christmas column to produce. Every year i|ais the
same problem. I yearn to write the stars out of the sky
and to bring readers to their knees before the wonder of
the season. I never can.
I wish that I were a little girl again so that I might capture
the innocent wonder of Christmas. It would be worth a
kingdom to view the world as a 'five-year-old again at
Christmas. The innocence of childhood fails to seethe world
of the grownup with its complexities and distractions. Per
haps that is why all men love Christmas, it takes them back
to the innocence and safety of childhood.
I would like to be the mother of a little boy at Christmas,
too. I would like to take him on my lap and read the story
of another little Boy’s Christmas many hundreds of years
ago in the city of Bethlehem.
At Christmas, I wish, too, that I were a cloistered nun
far from the distractions of the holiday world. I yearn to
escape from the frenzied crowds which attempt to take all
the magic and music from the season. I could contemplate
then away from all distractions the meaning and promise
of Christmas. And if I were a cloistered nun this night, I
would never for a moment forget those out in the world
imprisoned by the tangibles of Christmas. Nuns, no matter
how old they are, hold some of the starry-eyed Christmas
wonder of children.
Alas, I am a writer. I am not a little girl again or a
cloistered nun or the mother of a little boy. I have words
at my disposal to translate the feelings which set my heart
aflame. Words never appear as inadequate as they do at
Christmas.
Christmas is something sacred. It is silence and rever
ence and peace and joy. These things cannot escape at the
snap of a writer’s fingers or at the command of an editor
for a Christmas story.
I can never write the stars out of the sky at Christmas as
much as I desire. It matters little. For everyone holds
his own private thoughts about Christmas. Inspiration is in
the air and is not dependent on the words of a column.
One does not have to be a mother, a nun, a little girl or a
writer to know the wonder of Christmas and to hold it close.
All we must do is contemplate again the birth of a Baby Who
is God.
DORIS REVERE PETERS
&&orid
ndwerd
YOUTH
ELOPING IS IMMATURE
APPROACH TO MARRIAGE
Dear Doris: '
I realize my problem may
be presented to you everyday
but I have not found an an
swer for it yet. I am in love
with a wonderful boy. (At least
I think I am). But how can I
know for sure? We want to
get married after I finish high
school but my parents will not
consent to it. I will be 18 then.
Is it possible for us to marry
in the Church in a simple cer
emony without my parents con
sent? He wants to elope but
that would mean excommuni
cation. He is not yet a Cath
olic but is becoming one. Can
you please help us?
Advice seekers (Texas)
Boys are wonderful—love is
wonderful—marriage is won
derful. But all have their prop
er time. I don’t think mar
riage is for you at this time.
In the first place you are a
minor and are obliged to com
ply with your parents wishes.
I am sure all their wishes are
based on sound judgment and
wisdom — and on their love
for you.
Eloping would be an imma
ture approach to marriage.
Many, many broken marriages
are the result of hasty decis
ions by teenagers. My advise
is to comply with the wishes
of your parents and the teach
ings of the Church. One day
(not too far away) you will re
alize that a delay now will
bring about a wonderful mar
riage later.
HEAVY MAKE-UP
Dear Doris:
I have read your answers in
the paper and I was very in
terested with the one "Would
Enter Convent” for the answer
you give is true. It has hap
pened to me also. I was inter
ested in entering the convent
with just a grade nine educa
tion but I found out that it would
be better.,with more education.
Also if you cannot get along
with your parents very well then
it would be hard in the con
vent.
Now I also have a question
for myself. Why do girls need
this heavy make-up? Does it
help for" health? I think not,
for powder would close the por
es of the skin. Why is it nec
essary to color the hair?
Please excuse writing for
I am a Dutch girl.
Anna Maria (Ontario)
I’m happy you enjoy the col
umn, Anna Maria, I agree too
that girls have to learn how to
get along with people no mat
ter which vocation they choose.
And they learn this at home first
with their parents.
Hair coloring is a fad. And
teenagers are always happy to
try something new. Constant
use of dye may eventually dam
age the hair even when done by
an expert. But many have to
learn the hard way.
Girls wear make-up because
they think it makes them look
glamorous. And some who use
a heavy hand with it make them
selves look ridiculous. A little
make-up goes a long way. And
even a little has to be remov
ed thoroughly everyday. Other
wise pores will become en
larged and your complexion suf
fers. Many girls with skin prob
lems could clear them in no
time by using a little less make
up and a little more soap.
JOB OR SUMMER SCHOOL
Dear Doris:
I’m in my third year of high
school. At the end of this year
I would like to go to summer
school for advanced work and I
would also like to get a part
time job. My Dad says it would
be too much for me to handle
but I would like to have some
money for senior year expen
ses.
Should I listen to my Dad and
either work or go to summer
school or should I try to do
both and take my chances on
passing in summer school?
Tom (New York)
Your Dad makes sense. I
would listen to him.
Unless you fail a subject and
have to make it up in summer
school I’m in favor of the part
time job. It not only provides
a change of pace from the rou
tine of school it’s a good ex
perience.
However the job situation next
summer may make your decis
ion for you. Jobs were hard to
find last year and may be again
this summer. Start looking
early and you may be one of the
lucky ones.
If you can’t get a job go to
summer school — but don’t
try both.
QUESTION BOX
(By David Q. Liptak)
Q. Does chewing gum break
the Communion Fast?
A. The problem in trying to
determine whether or not chew
ing gum breaks the Communion
Fast stems from the fact that
gum of itself--excluding the
candy-coated variety and the
medicinal kind—is neither food
nor drink nor true medicine.
Hence it cannot be neatly as
signed to one of the three prin
cipal categories in terms of
which the Eucharistic Fast
legislation is formulated.
TO BE DIRECT, the question
is not settled with certainty.
The opinion that ordinary gum
does not violate the Communion
Fast is probably enough insofar
as the letter of the law is
concerned, though it definitely
would be more reverent not to
chew gum before Communion.
FATHER E.J. Regatillo, S.J.,
who wrote on this subject in
1958, was of the opinion that
ordinary chewing gum does not
break the fast at all. Com
menting on Father Regatillo’s
judgment in the December 1960,
Theological Studies, Father
John J. Farraher, S. J., takes
the same view, though he adds
that it might be good to advise
against the use of gum just
before Communion.
A PRACTICAL NORM in this
area has been offered by Bishop
Thomas Riley, who edits the
“Questions and Answers” col
umn for the Boston Pilot,
"Regardless of the dispute on
this point,” he wrote last year,
"it would seem more reverent
to abstain from chewing gum
during the three-hour period
prior to the receiving of Holy
Communion.”
NOTE THAT this entire dis
cussion revolves around ordi
nary gum. Candy-coated gum
must be assessed according to
the rules pertaining to solids in
general; i.e., they are not to
be taken for three hours before
Communion time. Medicinal
gums, i.e., those containing true
medicine such as aspirin,
should normally be assessed, it
seems, according to the rules
pertaining to the use of true
medicine before Communion.
416 8TH ST.. AUGUSTA. GA.
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Second class mail privileges authorized at Monroe, Ga. Send
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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, December 22, 1962 No. 15
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
GEORGE GINGELL, Columbus President
MRS. DAN HARRIS, Macon Vice-President
NICK CAMERIO, Macon Secretary
JOHN T. BUCKLEY, Augusta 1 Treasurer
ALVIN M. McAULIFFE, Augusta Auditor
JOHN MARKWALTER, Augusta Executive Secretary
MISS CECILE FERRY, Augusta Financial Secretary