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PAGE 4—The Southern Cross, July 1, 1965
. The Southern Cross
The Way to Unity
P. 0„ Box 180, Savannah, Ga.
Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough, D.D.J.C.D., President
Rev. Francis J. Donohue, Editor John E. Markwalter, Managing Editor
Phone 234-4574
Second Class Postage Paid at Waynesboro, Ga.
Send Change of Address to P. O. Box 180, Savannah, Ga.
Published weekly except the second and last weeks
in June, July and August and the last week in December.
Subscription price $5.00 per year.
The Verdict Of History
In spite of the imprecations of Russia and
China on the one hand, and the wrist-slapping
condescension of France and other fair wea
ther allies on the other vis-a-vis the actions
taken by this country in South Vietnam,
we think history will speak kindly of the
United States of America and its leadership
during the frightening and frequent crises which
have threatened the peace of the world over
the last several years.
But if the “teach-ins” and student demon
strations charging America with trampling on
the rights and freedoms of peoples in other
nations are remembered at all, it will only
be because of the striking anomaly they ve-
sent.
How curious that both professors and stu
dents, all the while declaiming their own dedi
cation to freedom of thought and expression
should, by shrill down-shouting and the poor
manners that are the death of any real or
meaningful debate, frustrate the very free
doms they profess to espouse - preventing
duly elected and appointed officials of the
government they attack from setting forth the
causes which, in their judgement, justify the
nations's course in foreign affairs.
Nor will history find worthy of more than
passing comment the unrealistic demands and
self-defeating purpose of those who cry for
America to turn its swords into ploughshares,
in the face of a relentless enemy bent on
world conquest and the destruction of those
very moral, spiritual and cultural values which
the nation’s critics claim as the special ob
jects of their predilection.
But it will record that never before, in the
long history of man, did one country pour out
the knowledge, the labor and even the very
lives of its sons - and the bounty of its trea
sure - in the defense of freedom around the
world and to bring to all men, everywhere,
a more abundant life, as did the United States
of America.
To keep the record straight - let it be grant
ed that war cannot be considered as a means
to the ultimate solution of world problems.
For, as Pope Paul said last Friday, “Let
no one resent it if we again preach the cause
of peace. It is still in danger. It is necessary
to halt, to speak to responsible men while
there is time...
“War—and the experience of this last one
proves it—does not solve problems. It creates
new and more complex ones. Salvation lies in
frank, honest and loyal negotiation.”
But, until the leaders of the communist
movement decide to become “responsible men”
willing to negotiate frankly, honestly and loyally,
military force and economic pressure offers
the only means of deterring them from their
avowed campaign of world conquest.
The United States has expressed its willing
ness to negotiate without preconditions. Com
munis! leaders showed their “responsibility”
by scoffing at the offer.
On orders from President Johnson, air at
tacks on installations inside North Vietnam
were discontinued for a time to demonstrate
the sincerity with which our offer of negotia
tions with the Hanoi regime was made. The
raids were only resumed after the reds once
again showed their unwillingness to do any-
think to restore peace to southeast Asia.
Third parties have offered their good offices
to set up talks which would require neither
the United States nor the North Vietnamese
Communists to make the first move.
It ought to be quite clear to all who have
not blinded themselves to the fact that it is
the intransigience of Hanoi and nothing else
which stands in the way of a cessation of hos
tilities in Vietnam.
And if Christian civilization survives the
ever-increasing onslaughts of its militant,
atheistic enemies, through America’s continued
committment to the freedom of men and their
dignity as children of God, all the people will
say, “Amen. Thanks be to God.”
FAITH IS MORE THAN RITUAL
God’s World
Rev. Leo J. Trese
There have been instances reported of Catho
lics who have stopped going to Mass because
they find the changes in the liturgy so dis
tasteful. It seems almost incredible that any
one’s religious faith could be so superficial
as to regard the externals of the Mass as being
essential to that faith.
Genuine religious faith is a belief in God
and in all that He has told us. It is a belief
in God’s governance of the uni
verse, a belief that He has
things under control and that He
is working things out according
to His plan. It is a belief that
He loves us, that He has re
deemed us and that He has
bound us together in a Church
which is an extension of Him
self.
It always is difficult to change the habits
of a lifetime, especially for those of us who
are older. But it is a travesty of faith to
think that our soul is going to suffer and that
God’s purposes are going to be defeated be
cause we cannot assist at Mass in silent
solitude. With such an attitude we align our
selves with the formalists of Christ’s own
era.
“Unless your justice exceeds that of the
Scribes and Pharisees,” Jesus said, “you shall
not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The Scribes and Pharisees, the religious
and political leaders of the Jewish people,
attached supreme importance to external rites
and observances. They criticized the apostles
for daring to eat without performing the ritual
washing prescribed before meals. They criti
cized Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rest by
healing a sick man. They made a great dis
play of their own meticulousness in observing
every least prescription of Jewish worship
and practice. To them, it was a greater sin
to mend a leaky roof on the Sabbath than it
was to cheat a neighbor in a business deal.
To the Scribes and Pharisees, salvation was
to be found in outward observance. They were
strangers to such concepts as charity, mercy
and compassion. Theirs was a sterile faith
and a legalistic attitude toward religion. It was
because of this that Jesus condemned them so
severely. It seems tragic that still today there
should be in Christ’s Church individuals of
similar mentality.
The majority of us have taken the litur
gical (and all other) changes in stride. As
we wrestle with strange hymns and add our
uncertain voice to the vocalized dialogue of
the Mass, we assume that God knows what
He is doing, whether we do or not. The law
of love, of God and neighbor, still abides. We
continue to pray daily, to keep the command
ments , to nourish ourselves on the Body of
Christ. The same heaven still awaits us, and
the lack of Gregorian chant sung by a select
choir is not going to keep us from getting
there.
Still, it would be a dangerous mistake to
feel smug about our adaptability. We may *not
be such compulsive formalists as the Scribes
and Pharisees, but we can confuse the means
(which are prayer and the sacraments) with
the end (which is charity). We can get into
the habit o f thinking that because we do go
to Mass, do receive the sacraments and do re
cite certain prayers, nothing more remains
to be done.
However, we truthfully can say that no more
remains to be done only when we have developed
a habitual attitude of thoughtfulness for others,
of concern for the needs of others, of gene
rosity — in service as well as in money—
in alleviating the burdens of others, of com
passion toward the weaknesses of others and
patience with their stupidity, of easy forgive
ness toward others and complete freedom from
grudges and resentment. In short, only when
we can find absolutely no further improvement
to be made in our love of neighbor, has our
love for God reached its limit. Only then can
we say, “There is no more to be done.”
Obviously none of us ever does reach this
upper limit. That is why we dare not rest
complacent in our present status. Our faith
must be dynamic, urging us on to further
effort. If our growth stops, if we assume
that we are good enough now and assured
of heaven—well, we draw dangerously close
to the Scribes and Pharisees of old.
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THE CHURCH IN PERIL?
It Seems To Me
In recent weeks I have
noted three things which are
importantly related:
1. Twenty-eight per cent of
Catholics who replied to a ques
tionnaire sent out by the Catho
lic Star Herald of Camden, N. J.,
replied “yes” to the question,
“Do you feel that the Catholic
Church is in
danger of being
Protestan
tized?”
2. A speaker
told the Catholic
Hospital Asso
ciation of the
U.S. and Canada
that some young Catholic intel
lectuals—including some semi
narians and priests— are ex
periencing a “crisis of faith”
and “are confused and frustrated,
wondering what they actually be
lieve.” Some, said the speaker
(writer Edward R. F. Sheehan)
have dropped the Mass and the
sacraments.
3. From a few of my own read
ers, I have received letters
claiming that the Catholic Tradi
tionalist Movement, which com
plained about the Church being
“Protestantized,” is represen
tative of a not inconsiderable
number of Catholics.
I DO NOT KNOW how many
agree with CTM.
I do not know how many may
be “confused and frustrated,
wondering what they actually
believe.”
I agree with the Star Herald
JOSEPH BREIO
that 28 per cent is a “substan
tial minority,” and that the fears
of that many cannot be brushed
aside.
However, I would go farther
than the Star Herald. The fears
or frustrations of even ONE per
son are important and should
not be brushed aside.
This, I think, is one of the
central things that the Holy
Spirit is trying to teach us
through the ecumenical council.
IF I WERE ASKED to sum up
the meaning of Vatican Council
II, I would say that it is redis
covering, or re-emphasizing the
FAMILYNESS of the Church
and the world and the human
race.
The astounding loveableness
of Pope John XXIII—his almost
incredible popularity with people
of all religions and none—was
due, it seems to me, to the fact
that he incarnated the fatherli-
ness of God and the brotherli-
ness of Christ.
After the hideous hatreds and
sufferings of two world wars, he
made mankind feel like a fam
ily again—a family with God for
Father.
He made us tremendously
aware of the words of the Lord’s
Prayer: “Our Father, who art in
Heaven.”
NOW THE UNIQUE charac
teristic of a real family is that
nobody in it is unimportant, and
nobody in it is more—or less—
important.
The Church being in truth a
spiritual family, this is true of
the Church. If even one person
is fearful, or is going through a
“crisis of faith,” the fact is im
portant; and every member of
the Church ought to be con
cerned, because every member
should love every other member
with a great love.
What, then, can be said to
those who, in one way or an
other, are “in crisis”?
I would say this.- trust Christ
in His Christians. We are priv
ileged to be participants in a
wonderful work of reunifying not
only the Church, but the world.
PIUS XII SPOKE of a “new
springtime for the world.” John
XXIII spoke of “a new Pente
cost.”
I believe that Archbishop John
J. Krol of Philadelphia is right
in saying that the Holy Spirit is
“assembling” us; that Christian
unity is coming through an in
spired and divinely guided move
ment of all Christians toward
one another; and that the
changes in the Church and in the
liturgy are part of that tremen
dous assembling—part of the
restoration of the familyness of
Christians and of all humanity.
This is no time to drop Mass
and the sacraments. This is no
time to be fearful. To the con
trary, and most emphatically,
this is a time to be joyfully
trustful of the providence of God.
VATICAN SUPPORT FOR V.N.
Capital Report
WASHINGTON—The fact that
the Holy See sent an official
representation to its 20th
anniversary observance (June 26)
and the possibility that Pope
Paul VI may visit its head
quarters this Autumn have heigh
tened world interest in the United
Nations, now entering its third
decade of existence.
There are more individual na
tions in the world-some 120—
than there were 20 years ago and
the UN has its largest member
ship ever. But the world is still
in some disarray and the at
mosphere is explosive. In an
average year, there are between
30 and 40 changes of government
in countries of the world.
Diplomats see a world or
ganization promoting peace based
on law and order as more
necessary than ever. It has been
said on behalf of the United States
that “the world is too volatile
to permit the spread of militant
violence and the success of ca
mouflaged aggression.”
But “wars of liberation” must
certainly fall frequently under;
the heading of “camouflaged
aggression,” a device which
Adlai Stevenson says is greatly
hindering the “rule of law.”
The U.S. Ambassador to the UN
said “camouflaged aggression”
has become so sophisticated that
“it is increasingly difficult to
diagnose and define.” “The re
fined technique of generating
foreign revolutions and civil
wars, and the methods of infil
trating and subverting authentic
revolutionary movements almost
defy detection and defense in
time,” he said.
If adequate peacekeeping
machinery—either regional or
UN—is not readily available in
such an emergency, Stevenson
said, “any government faced with
armed violence it cannot control
will appeal for outside help,” and
it is “all too likely,” he said,
that the appeal be directed to
the U. S.
Stevenson suggested that “an
inadequate public appreciation of
a new and vexing problem—
camouflaged aggression” maybe
responsible for questioning of
this country’s “dedicationto law,
to consensus, and collective ac
tion.”
CABBAGES AND KINGS
Rev. William V. Coleman
On F athers
Teen-agers shouldn’t read this column. It is
written for “adults only.” Really, it is written
for parents only and, especially, for fathers.
A few weeks ago we celebrated Father’s
Day. Children, youngand old, gathered their pen
nies and bought new ties for Dad. Dad beamed
and felt quite important for the day. A few
fathers, perhaps, thought a bit about the nature
of their calling, to be the creator and pro
tector of their families. By
now, it is all forgotten and poor
dad has slipped back into his
happy oblivion.
In ancient times, the father
of a family was its protector.
He took his club in hand and
beat off the wild beasts and
wilder men who dared to vio
late his corner of the cave. Because his
strength was powerful enough to insure the safety
of his children, his place was an honored one.
Clubs are out of fashion today. The dangers
which beset a family are too subtle to be con
fronted with so simple a solution. A father
often bumps along merrily, oblivious to the
dangers destroying his children. He is a pal,
a great guy, the happy Dagwood type. His
children haven’t any real respect for *him be
cause he doesn’t protect them from the beasts
which are devouring them.
For most children, today, the great devouring
beast is premature social contact. Little chil
dren whose age can hardly be expressed in
two figures are dragged to dances and mixed
parties. At an age when boys used to begin to
wear long pants, and girls first chopped off
their pigtails^ doting mothers are beginning
to worry about the social adjustment of their
sons and the “datability” of their daughters.
If they don’t date, something is quite wrong.
After all, they have reached the ripe old age
of thirteen.
By the sophomore year in high school, every
little girl must have her steady and every little
boy must be ready to assume the obligation
of a regular girl friend.
What kind of a protector is it who allows
his family to live this way? What kind of a
father is it who cannot see the danger to the
innocence of his child in such a situation? If
there are problems among our teen-agers it
is surely because their fathers have given up
protecting their children.
Mothers are wonderful people but they can
not be expected to grasp the danger inherent
in this dating pattern. God did not give them
the realization of evil that lies in a man’s,
heart. He wanted their innocence and optimistic
outlook to balance a man’s innate suspicion
of human weakness. They cannot be expected
to dictate wise policy in matters of social
conduct. God never planned it that way.
Well, Dad, what do you think? Are you worthy
of your children’s trust and respect? Are you
a real protector of your family? Are you a.
manly, virile father?
QUESTIONS
Our F aith
Q. Pulpiteers stress that this or that “of
fends God.” My question: How can an infinite
being be offended? The word offense bears
human connotations, such as jealousy, envy,
etc. It seems to me that if God can be “of
fended” He takes on Human attributes and,
therefore, could not be infinite.
A. Your problem is one of semantics. We
must use human terms in speaking of God; we
have no divine language. Our
sins do not actually touch God
or hurt Him in any way. He is
not made angry or sad; such re
actions would be impossible in
an infinite, perfect, immutable
being.
What sin does is disturb our
relationship with God. By sin We
interrupt — or lose — our love of God; by
mortal sin we eliminate from our soul the sanc
tifying effects of His love for us. Our relation
ship with Him then is comparable to that which
we might have with a human person whom we
had actually offended.
We must not forget that God the Son did
actually suffer in His human nature because
of our sins.
Q. I would like to contradict the person who
said they heard Jim Bishop say, “Christ did not
carry His cross.” I heard Jim Bishop inter
viewed on a popular TV show and he distinctly
said, “Christ carried the cross beam.” Evi
dently this person misunderstood him.
A. Another person wrote to tell me that she
had read Jim Bishop’s book, and that he clear
ly stated that Jesus carried the cross beam.
I am sorry I accepted hear-say evidence against
him.
Q. My daughter is planning marriage. She
had a child out of wedlock and gave it up for
adoption. Now she wants to wear white and a
veil. Should we allow her to do it?
A. Why not?