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PAGE 8—The Southern Cross, October 25,1973
DCCW Notes
BY GUEST COLUMNIST
FR. BEN WERNER
Our Country Right or Wrong?
One of these mornings we’ll turn on
our tv sets to be greeted once again by a
gentleman senator with eyebrows
wiggling as he quotes the Bible. “Woe
unto the world because of offenses. For
it must needs be that offenses come; but
woe unto that man by whom the
offense cometh.” Senator Ervin would
of course be giving the traditional
teaching on Original Sin that we are all
sinners in Adam, and that consequently
we ought to set up systems of
protection against man’s evil tendencies
especially in government. Many
Americans are sick of Watergate and its
revelations of crime upon crime, but
some citizens have tended to overkill
and throw the U.S. out with the dirty
bathwater. What can we learn from
Watergate?
If the noble experiment in
government by the people which
America began in 1776, had been based
on the idea that all kings, presidents,
and congressmen were born honest and
decent, that generals never lie, that
bureaucrats always uphold the law,that
judges never cheat, then the U.S. has
been a dismal failure. But wasn’t our
government founded on the opposite
idea; that the people must be protected
from the power of its leaders?
Left without a system of checks and
balances, many politicians are
corruptible, given enough money and
power. The fathers of our country
especially painted a villainous picture of
King George III of England, along with
a prediction that his American
successors in power would turn out to
be tyrants if the people were not
protected.
Our founding fathers set about
limiting our politicians’ power by a
system of checks and balances, dividing
governmental powers between the
executive, legislative, and judicial. The
newspapers, opposition political party,
Congress, the courts, and the people
were also to act as watchdogs over the
politicians. Weren’t the press and tv
especially instrumental in exposing the
Watergate horrors?
To be an American citizen does not
mean to blindly obey our leaders and
think this is patriotism-no we must, as
individual citizens, keep vigilant over
our rights and freedoms for fear we
might lose them for our children.
Somehow we fall into a trap like the
little child with its father. “My Daddy
can beat your Daddy. My Daddy is the
strongest man in the whole world.” This
is fine for the little child but can get
Daddy into trouble!
The presidency and the executive are
the symbol of our really big Daddy. We
want someone bigger and more
powerful than us to protect us against
the troubles of the world. He’ll take
care of us and make it all right.
And yet in some ways Watergate
shows the world that we still have the
best country on the planet. Other
countries look at us and see Richard
Nixon, the most powerful man in the
world, with vast armies and navies at his
disposal, who at the dialing of his
telephone can unleash nuclear bombs,
waiting to see if he will still be able to
lead America-and this depends on the
verdict the American people reach
concerning what, in itself, is a minor
burglary and bugging case. This is the
genius of our country and the lesson of
Watergate-a system of checks and
balances against man’s ability for evil,
instead of a belief that our leaders
would always be noble and brilliant.
This is the lesson we need to shout
from our housetops. Man needs
disciplining in his life to protect himself
and others. He needs to teach his
children that this is a country of laws
and right order; not selfishness and what
can I get; a country of checks and
balances.
He needs to go to church on Sunday
to keep God in his and his children’s
minds. He needs to do some things in
life because they are good for him even
though he might not like to do them.
No mere man can save us from
ourselves-not Richard Milhous Nixon
nor Uncle Sam Ervin.
Only Jesus, more than a mere man,
can save us. We need His help and
whatever checks and balances we can set
up ourselves, to restore our USA to the
greatness of her past and the greatness
she can achieve in the future.
'Respect Life Month
Program on CBS
NEW YORK (NC) - Respect Life Month will be observed on the CBS
television program “Look Up and Live,” Sunday, Oct. 28 with a segment
entitled “Choose Life, Celebrate Life.”
It will be aired in Savannah at 10:30 a.m. by WTOC-TV, channel 11. Other
CBS affiliates will also carry the program at that time.
A special series of slides, never before seen on television, will help
communicate the meaning of Respect Life Month, which is sponsored by the
U.S. Catholic Conference (USCC).
The lives of the very young and the aged will be the subject of the broadcast.
Respect Life Month also focuses on the unborn and the mentally retarded.
Sister Virginia Schwager, director of the Division of Health Affairs of the
USCC, will be interviewed.
ALUMNAE SHRIMP BOIL Pictured above are a few of members of St.
Vincent’s Alumnae, Savannah, who gathered at S.V.A. Hall for the first
activity of the 1973-74 year. Left to right: Terry Fogarty, Sr. M. Amata,
Veronica Harte, Janet Byerly, Helen Fogarty, Jan Hogan, Marie Macher,
Peg Dressel and Cheri Lanier.
r
Shepherds in the Wings
This column is a weekly feature
written by Seminarians studying for the
priesthood for the Diocese of Savannah,
and is intended to convey the
viewpoints of men who wfll one day be
Shepherds of Souls, on a variety of
subjects.
RELIGION AND POLITICS
Part Two: The Use of Scripture
Before we actually look at scriptural
comments about our subject, we ought
to consider various methods of using
scripture. In the Bible we find inspired
writings which contain divine revelation
from God to man. Yet not every use to
which the scriptures are put seems to be
consistent with the scripture themselves.
Some contemporary churches find it
possible to argue from Bible verses that
dancing is morally evil.
To us this seems a strange use of
scripture indeed; however, to others it is
quite logical. Since everyone wants God
on his side, I think everyone potentially
misuses scripture, making the Bible
agree with him.
When we use scripture, then, we
ought to be careful to try to see what
the scriptures themselves mean rather
than unconsciously molding them to
agree with our own positions.
There are also some real limitations
to the use of the Bible. Scripture should
not, firstly, be used to answer specific
moral and political questions which did
not exist when the Bible’s authors
wrote. Scripture does not directly
address problems such as atomic
warfare, genetic tampering, test-tube
babies, and the like.
I do not for a moment think that we
must decide these questions without the
help of scripture. At this point I only
wish to say that the Bible does not give
direct answers. These questions were
not “operative” when scripture was set
down.
Secondly scripture should not be
used in a “proof-text” manner This sort
of use can be seen especially in Catholic
books of the early decades of this
century. The author would reason to
certain conclusions, and then cite a few
verses of the Bible to “prove” that he
was right. Of course someone else who
reasoned to other, contradictory
conclusions could use other,
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contradictory verses to “prove” that he
was right.
The Bible was not written to be a
collection of “proof-texts” for the ideas
of people who reasoned to conclusions
without reference to the Bible and then
looked in it for a few hours to find
support for what they believed to be
truthful conclusions. Of course most
books were not quite so blatant as I
picture them, and no author
intentionally set out to deceive. These
books served useful purposes in their
day.
Thirdly the Bible does not present a
unified system of moral and political
ethics. It was written over a period of
1,000 years under constantly changing
social and cultural conditions. The
scriptures contain many different
themes, and one who consults them to
help in making decisions should not fail
to realize that he can all too easily be
selective. Paul speaks about the great
coming of Jesus and the saving power of
faith in Jesus, while he downplays
works because he feared the popular
Jewish mentality of the age which
guaranteed salvation to every man who
faithfully observed all the tenets of the
law.
Someone who thinks that “legislating
morals” is evil, then, might quote Paul,
while his opponent, a social
revolutionary maybe, would quote
James. James stressed the absolute
necessity of good works.
Lastly the scriptures themselves are in
need of interpretation. Just take a
simple example: John 15:19. “You do
not belong to the world,” Jesus tells his
disciples. What did he mean; Martin
Luther might say that he meant that all
worldly things are evil. Personally I
would have some problems with that
position.
My own interpretation might be that
he who sets the concerns of the world
(money, a good car, a home, his
country right or wrong) over his desire
to be as perfect a Christian as possible is
in dnager of having a poor relationship
with God. But I don’t think Jesus meant
we were all supposed to be absolutely
miserable here on earth or else we
would risk hell hereafter.
One final point about the way in
which the Catholic Church has
approached the scriptures from the
beginning. It is a remarkable and happy
fact that the Church has always allowed
room for the operation of human
wisdom and reason in decisions about
how Christians think, decide, and act.
The Church has never felt that
scripture was the exculsive basis by
which judgements are to be made. God
became human in Jesus Christ, and
Catholics affirm the goodness of
humanity and human reason because of
that fact.
If I have been negative this week, I
shall be postive about the role of
scripture next time.
Corish & Company, Inc.
If you rent, check our low costs to protect your
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206 East Bay Street Savannah 234-8868
Limited stereo albums of
music from Bishop Andrew J.
McDonald’s Episcopal
Ordination will be available
before Christmas, at twelve
dollars (SI 2.00) per album
(which is actual cost of
producing). Album consists of
2 records (4 sides).
Any one interested in
purchasing an album may call:
233-9362 OR 354-9253
Or mail order to:
J.K. Ebberwein
P.O. Box 8546
Savannah, Ga. 31402
A '' " . v
Around The Diocese
l_ J
Obituaries
* Mr. James W. Price formerly of Savannah, October 14th
* Mrs. Kathryn Maloney Murray of Augusta, October 15th
* Mr. Chester B. von Kamp of Augusta, October 18th
* Mrs. Edmund Keener Stovall of Augusta, October 18th
* Mr. Christopher A. Murphy of Savannah, October 20th
* Mr. Bert McLeod Benton of Millen, October 20th
Marriages
* Miss Leslie Karen McLendon and Mr. Michael Stephen Galletta, both of
Savannah, Ga., October 19 in Blessed Sacrament Church, Savannah.
* Miss Pamela Jean Bailey and Mr. Stewart Manuel Chavira, both of Savannah, Ga.,
October 20 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah.
* Miss Angela Patricia Clary of Augusta, Ga., and Mr. David Ralph Fiveash of St.
Mary’s, Ga., October 20 in St. Mary’s on the Hill Church, Augusta.
Necrology
* Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Brennan, Oct. 27,1963.
* Rt. Rev. Msgr. T.J. McNamara, Oct. 28,1970.
* Rev. John J. Bessmer, Oct. 29,1926.
Blessed Sacrament CCW
The Blessed Sacrament Council of Catholic Women will hold its November meeting
on Monday, November 5th at 8:00 P.M. in the Teacher’s Lounge of Blessed Sacrament
School. Musical selections will be rendered by Reverend John A. Kenneally, Reverend
Liam Collins and Reverend Brendan Breen singing as a trio. Hostesses for the meeting
are: Mrs. Pearlie Cosgrove, Mrs. Mary Anne Sheehan, Mrs. Bertha Ingram and Mrs.
Janie McMillian.
St. Benedict’s, Savannah
Mrs. Martha Corley, Director of Child Care Centers of the Model Cities
neighborhood in Savannah, was guest speaker at last Sunday’s (Oct. 21) meeting of
the Educational Committee of St. Benedict’s parish. The committee meetings are open
to the public. Speakers for a 9 a.m. meeting Sunday, Oct. 28, are librarians Mrs. Erma
Cameron and Mrs. Betty Jones.
St. Vincent’s Guild Meeting
The first meeting of St. Vincent’s Parents’ Guild will take place on Monday,
October 29 at 8:00 p.m. in St. Vincent’s Hall. An audio-visual presentation explaining
all facets of St. Vincent’s academic program will be offered.
Augusta Deanery Meeting
St. Joseph’s Church, Augusta, will be host for the Augusta Deanery Fall
luncheon on October 28, 1973 at Nicholas Hall. Msgr. Le Frois, Pastor of St. Mary’s
on the Hill will be the Celebrant at the 12:15 Mass preceeding the luncheon. Guest
speakers include Sister Celine, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Scavullo, Mrs. George Quinn, Mrs.
C. O’Leary and Mrs. Jack Eckert. Mrs. Clifford Herzberg, President of the Augusta
Deanery will conduct the business meeting. Fr. Andrew Doris is pastor of St. Joseph’s
Church.
AVGUSTA NOV. 3-4
Human Life Seminar
A “Human Life Seminar” will be
held at Augusta’s St. Mary’s School
(1200 Monte Sano Avenue), the
weekend of November 3 and 4.
The regional event is being hosted by
the Augusta Chapter “Georgia Right to
Life.” Principal speaker will be Dr. John
Wilke, of Cincinnati, member of the
national board of “Right to Life,” and
Georgia State Senator R.E. Holley of
Augusta.
Dr. Wilke will give the keynote
address at 11 a.m. Saturday morning,
and also address the dinner scheduled
for 8 p.m., that evening. Senator Holley
will address the 11 a.m. Sunday Brunch.
A series of workshops will be held
Saturday afternoon at St. Mary’s
School. The schedule is as follows:
2 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
“Public Relations” - Dr. John Wilke.
“Alternatives to Abortion” - Dr.
King Emery.
“Medical” - Dr. Blanche Coleman.
3:30 P.M.-5 P.M.
“Counseling” - Fr. Thomas Duffy.
“Legislative” - Rep. Matthew W.
Mulherin (Georgia House of
Representatives).
“Organization” - Dr. John Wilke.
“Euthanasia” - Dr. Russell Moores.
The registration fee of $10 includes
the two Saturday meals and the Sunday
Brunch. Overnight accommodations
should be handled directly. Persons
planning to attend are asked to
pre-register, by October 27th, with Mrs.
Wm. H. Barrett, No. 5 Somerset Court,
Augusta, Georgia 30904.
THE COOK’S
NOOK
BY THE CHEF
MONTE CARLO CLUB SANDWICH
one large slice of rye bread
one large slice of swiss cheese
one large slice of thin ham
several thin slices of chicken or turkey breasts
several lettuce leaves
one hard boiled egg
thousand island dressing
Place bread in center of dinner plate. Spread small amount of dressing. Now place
layer of chicken or turkey; then layer of ham; next layer of cheese. Place lettuce
around edges; slice egg. Cover whole thing with dressing. (You must eat it with a knife
and fork). This is delicious.
ONE EYED EGYPTIAN
butter
sliced bread
eggs
salt and pepper
Drop a little butter in frying pan. Pinch a piece from the middle of each slice of
your bread. Drop bread in frying pan and crack an egg into it so that the yolk goes in
the hole and the rest of the egg spreads over the bread. Flip back and forth until
toasted a golden brown. Serve at once.