Newspaper Page Text
The Southern Cross
DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH NEWSPAPER
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Vol. 61 No. 31
Thursday, September 11,1980
Single Copy Price — 15 Cents
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TUNNEL VISION - Pope John Paul II blesses
the crowd at ceremonies in the northern Italian
town of Assergi marking completion of an
eight-mile highway tunnel. The pope spent 40
minutes walking through the crowd of 1,500
miners, civic officials, shepherds, farmers and
their families before mounting the podium for the
official welcome. (NC Photo)
“Dynamic Initiatives”
Toward Unity Praised
By Ecumenical Leader
GEAYMOOR, N.Y. (NC) -
“There is no doubt about the
pope’s commitment to the
promotion of Christian unity,”
said Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler
of Charleston, S.C., chairman of
the U.S. bishops’ Committee
for Ecumenical and
Interreligious Affairs.
W riting in the September
issue of Eecumenical Trends,
published by the kray moor
Ecumenical Institute, Bishop
Unterkoefler praised Pope John
Paul II’s “dynamic initiatives”
which, he said have given the
quest for Christian unity “new
impetus for the decade of the
1980s.”
The pope, Bishop
Unterkoefler said, “has given
Roman Catholics some clear
ecumenical direction for the
future” by relating ecumenical
activity to catechesis. “Taking a
cue from the pope,” the bishop
said, “I am convinced that
catechetical formation helps
Roman Catholics not only to
deepen their own faith but also
to give witness to their identity
with more solid conviction.
Such an endeavor enables
Roman Catholics to know other
Christians better and to esteem
them more highly, thus
enabling the common search for
the way to full unity in the
whole truth.”
The pope has also related the
restoration of Christian unity to
pastoral care, the bishop said.
“The shepherds of the church
should set a high priority for
ecumenical activity. This in no
way endangers the overall
commitment to evangelization.
In fact, evangelization and
ecumenism are complement-
Ull .
ary.
A third guide for the future
of ecumenical activity among
Catholics, the bishop said, can
be found in the papal
recommendation that there be a
“closer integration of dialogue
and reflection on the
relationship of the principles of
faith to ethnics, to moral
behavior arid to the conduct of
individuals.”
“Theoretically,” he said, “it
should be easier for Christians
to come to common agreement
about matters of behavior in
relation to human and Christian
values. However, it would seem
from observation and
experience that there may be
more neuralgic points in the
area of morality than there are
in the area of faith. In no way,
of course, do we Roman
Catholics want to diminish our
own commitment, convictions
and perceptions in the areas of
faith and morals.”
Because of recent papal
directives to Catholics regarding
ecumenism and because of
greater openness among other
Christians toward active
involvement in ecumenical
education, a number of
practical projects now “seem
mature for the future.” Bishop
Unterkoefler said.
Among such projects, he
said, are “development of a new
series of bilateral theological
conversations on issues which
(Continued on page 2)
School Office Moves
The Diocesan Schools Office has been moved from the
Chancery Annex on Liberty Street to St. John’s Center, on the
Isle of Hope.
The correct address for correspondence now is: Office of
Education, St. John’s Center, Grimball Point Road, Savannah,
Ga. 31406. Telephone: 355-9420.
Bishop Lessard Gives Views On Episcopal Clergy Decision
For some years. Savannah's Bishop Raymond Lessard has been closely involved in the
ecumenical dialogue with the Episcopal Church in the United States. As one of the two
bishops appointed to provide liaison, he was asked to provide help in the recent decision
of the Holy See to consider admission of Episcopalian clergy to priesthood in the Catholic
Church.
Last week Frank Rossiter, member of the Savannah Diocese’s Communication
Commission, discussed with the Bishop the background to Rome’s decision, and the
impications it may have for the Church in the United States today.
Bishop, since you played a part in this historic and
precedent-setting decision, can you give us some background on
events leading up to it?
I can begin by noting, and this is rather important, that the
decision from the Vatican was in fact a response to inquiries that
were made by a number of Episcopal priests into the possibility of
their being received into the Catholic Church but retaining some
elements of their Anglican identity. So the first step that led up to
the decision in that series of events would have been made by the
Episcopal priests.
The matter came to the attention of our Episcopal Conference
and the Bishops, gathered together, discussed the matter and
what might be done with these inquiries. It was decided that it had
to be referred to the Holy See for consideration and possible
decision.
Included in the inquiry was the question of the married status of
some of these Episcopal priests. Now, note that all of them are not
married, but some of them are, and part of their inquiry was
NEW SAINT ANNE’S, COLUMBUS -- Ground was broken for
the new St. Anne’s Church, in Columbus, on Sunday, August 24.
Architect for the new Church is Ed Burdeshaw and Bill Cummings
whether they could perhaps continue to function in a priestly
ministry as married.
In the course of time the Holy See studied the question and
referred the matter back to the Conference to see what was the
mind of the Bishops of the United States regarding the presence in
this country of, first of all, married priests, and secondly, a group
that would retain some common identity.
The result was that the Conference did give a favorable response.
Was the Episcopal Church’s decision at Minneapolis in 1976 to
ordain women priests and to supplant the Book of Common Prayer
the catalyst that touched off the move by those of Anglican
background to become members of the Roman Catholic Church?
That is mentioned rather frequently as the historical moment
that, as you say, catalyzed their decision to make this inquiry, and I
think it would be rather simplistic to suggest that those decisions of
General Convention played no role. However, I can say, based on
conversation with some of these persons, that would not be the
reason for their inquiry. In fact, in many instances there has been
that desire for a long, long time. As one stated, we have strived to
keep alive within the Episcopal Church and within the Anglican
communion the possibility of an eventual reunion with Rome, and
we are concerned whether that possibility might not be more
distant today, in part because of these decisions. So I guess the
answer to your question is yes, it might have been a catalytic
moment, but not the reason. At most, maybe the occasion.
is the contractor. Story and additional photos will be found on page
three.
How long do you think it will take to work out details and when
may we see the first married Episcopal priests at work in this and
other Dioceses?
That’s very difficult to answer because it will depend on the
structures that will have to be set up and procedures that will have
to be devised. The suggestion has been made that the Conference of
Bishops through its structures, perhaps its President or a Bishop
Delegate, either alone or with a select committee, might be
designated to work out the details. It has been suggested that
perhaps within a year there might already be some instances of
formal reception into the Church.
How many married Episcopal clergymen are seeking admission
to the Catholic priesthood? Published accounts indicated 65 to 91
throughout the nation.
Well, I would put no credence in those reports unless they have
information that is not available to us, certainly not to me. I have
no idea how large a group has shown an interest in such
possibilities, or how many of these as individuals are going to
respond to the possibility that has been presented to them by this
answer from the Holy See. In a sense the ball is in their lap now to
weigh the proposal, maybe to wait for more details to be worked
out, and then to make their decision.
It is very similar to an inquiry class that we might conduct in one
of our parishes. If we have a class of fifty that means there are fifty
who are interested. Some may have come out of curiosity, some
may already have decided they want to come into the Church, but
one cannot anticipate how many are going to eventually come into
the Church at the end of the instructions. It is their decision, and
their free decision. They have to be given not only that freedom but
also the time to make that choice.
I would say, though, I don’t foresee it being that large a number.
We understand that each of these priests must be individually
evaluated by the Vatican. What about their ordination? Some
Anglicans take exception to not recognizing their ordination rites.
How will the Church address that?
There are two matters there to look at. The first one is the
consideration of the individual, whether or not he will be received
into the Church and whether he is properly disposed. Does he have
a proper understanding of the Catholic faith? Does he accept our
teachings? Does he accept our structures, our Church order, and so
on? That’s the first question. That will be done individually, and if
the person is prepared and ready he would then be asked to make
an individual profession of faith.
The second matter has to do with those who are presently
ordained Episcopal priests, if they are desirous of continuing in
priestly ministry. Then there will be an individual examination of
their status as ordained ministers. I would like to clarify here that
(Continued on page 4)