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PAGE 2 GEORBLA BULLETIN BOOK SUPPLEMENT Problems Before Real Some PROBLEMS BEFORE UNITY: Willebrands, Sheehan, Mail- leux, Hovda, Abbott, Weigel, Boyer, Leeming, Delahunt. Helicon. $3.50 BY REV. LEONARD F.X.MAY- HEW It is a formidable task to re tail all the splendors of this small book. It contains, in a condensed and readable form, an unbeatable summary of the present state of the ecumeni cal movement on all sides of the denominational fence - Cat holic, Protestant and Orthodox. Each of the chapters consists of a paper presented at a con ference on Christian unity held in 1961 at the motherhouse of the Friars of the Atonement, Graymoor, N.Y. Father Paul Wattson, the founder of the Atonement Friars, was a cha mpion of the cause of Chris tian unity. While still an Epis copalian, he established the Chair of Unity Octave, which he later introduced and popula rized among Catholics. Each year in his memory an award is given “in recognition of dis tinguished contributions in the field of Christian Unity.” The 1961 recipient of this award was Father Charles Boyer, S.J.The presentation coincided with a conference on the subject of Christian Unity which brought together outstanding Catholic ecumenical figures from Eur ope and the United States. The results of this important conference have been compiled in the present volume. In a short but moving Fore word, Augustine Cardinal Bea, Chairman of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Un ity, states succinctly what must be the overriding awareness for all involved in ecumenical work: “Indeed, we are not dealing with an objective whose complete re alization is near, but even so, it is no less urgent to carry on the work with ardor and en ergy, inspired by the very Di vine Heart of the Founder of the Church.” The scholars responsible for the papers contained in this symposium are all experts whose thought defies easy sum marization and whose reason ing may, for the uninitiated, en tail some rough sledding. The recompense, however, in terms of solid information and thought provoking proposals, both the oretical and practical, will be commensurate with the ef fort expended. The editors would have made me a happier reader, if they had translated the Latin phrases and avoided more of the very many typogr aphical errors. Msgr. J. G. M. Willebrands, in the opening chapter on “Cat holic Ecumenism,” analyzes the general problems and consi derations inherent in striving for union among Christians. He presents the biblical and theol ogical data of the divinely wil led unity and universality of the Church, God's Kingdom on earth, and defines the ecumen ical problem as succinctly as I have encountered it: in act ual fact ” the situation of the Church in relation to the whole of mankind does not accord with her theological prerogative” to collect all men into a corpo rate, visible unity animated by the Spirit of Christ. Common regard for the Bible as the vehicle of the Word of God is the outstanding bond am ong Christians. Father Walter M. Abbott, S. J. documents the growing cooperation among Catholic and non-Catholic bibl ical scholars, dating from the impetus given Scriptural st udies by Pius XIL Of great interest is his detailed account of the growing desire for and movement toward a common translation of the Bible, which would be used and accepted by all English-speaking Christ ians. Closely related to the role of the Bible in ecumenical en deavors is the growing liturgi cal awareness Jaoth among Cat holics and in many non-Catho lic communities. Father Shawn G. Sheehan proposes that incr eased liturgical understanding will bring a heightened consci ousness of the Church as a living organism, unified and un iversal by its very nature. From this there will result a deeper concern about the existence of disunity among Christians and a freedom from narrow partisan ship. In a rather technical trea tment Father Gustave Weigel, S. J. reaches to the heart of the theological concern for unity with a discussion of the nature of the Church of Christ and the conditions of membership in it. Paul Mailleux, S.J. contri butes an extremely interes ting paper on various theolo gical trends among the East ern Orthodox Churches, some of which, at least, may event ually lead to easier reunion with the See of Peter. His treatment necessarily brings up the posi tion of the Papacy and the re lations between the Bishop of Rome and his fellow bishops, a subject which the Vatican Council is expected to treat and elucidate substatially. Father Charles Boyer, S.J., the recipient of the Graymoor award, offers a brilliant and much needed analysis of the current and rather varied tre nds among Catholic ecumenists. Father Bernard Leeming, S.J. does the same service for the non-Catholic ecumenical move ment with a very detailed pre- SOME QUESTIONS THE FISHERS OF MEN by Michele Saponaro. For some years to come there will be no dearth of books about the Apostle to the Gentiles, St. Paul. His writings breathe forth the soul I of a man who will not be denied a hearing by seekers of wisdom. The Roman Governor Festus was but the first of many men who have come under the spell of Paul's words, even when written. An impressive number of studies of Paul have been published during the past few years. The approach of Saponaro is not that of a study so much as that of a novel-like historical account by one whose imagin ation has been captured by Paul. THE work is a translation of I Discepoli written in the early fifties by the venerable Italian novelist, Michele Saponaro. The historical span of the book is from the resurrection of Christ to the death of the last Apostle. Nevertheless, the bulk at the book is Paul—his conversion, preparation for the apostolate, early ministry terminating with his confrontation with Peter,- his later missionary activity and death at Rome. History comes alive In this smooth account of the world's unusual century and the author's style carries one along much as that at the one about whom he writes. The unnamed tran slator has done a commendable task in reproducing the free flowing and vivid language that made this’ the most popular work of Italy. It may not be out of place to note that historic realty in many details that have a doctrinal implication is lacking. The author shows no interest in theology but does make state ments that indicate a theological attitude that is not always in sentation of various Protestant mentalities and the progress of the World Council of Churches. Of special interest to laymen will be Father Robert W. Hov- da's excellent and very practi cal chapter on “The Layman’s Potential for Ecumenism.” Prayer, adult education, lit urgical understanding, social awareness, greatly improved catechetics and an intelligent approach to matters of common interest to all Christians - all come up for serious discussion and practical suggestions. This book represents a dia logue of experts, as I have said. It would be a pity, however, if it were read only by others experts or quasi-experts. If the laity- are to take seriously their vocation to participate actively in solving the Church's prob lems, they need to possess a solid ground of information about the terms of these prob lems. The rarefied discussions of specialists and the initiatives of those in high places will only create living and lasting res ults when they percolate down the pastors and their parish ioners and become part of our everyday religious concerns. harmony with Catholic belief and historical accuracy. Instances are: Did Mary Maga- dalen actually see our Lord or not (p 9)? Was Peter the head of the Church (p 21 & 250), or Peter and John (p 260)7 Was Paul an apostle by Christ or by election of the apostles (p 130)7 Were the orginial Twelve chosen, or did James, Judah and Simon join later (p 18)7 Did Christ or the Christian community institute the Eucharist (p48)7 Was Christ against sacrifice (p 55)7 Were women ever admitted to carry out the Liturgy ( pp 17 ff)7 Is obedience to lawful authority a matter of expediency (p 253)7 These ideas and others in the book are almost like brief musing of the author and in no way pertain to his main objective which is to portray the drama of the apostolic decades. Imagination is a neccessary tool for the novel writer and the author uses it well generally It is regrettable that in places he has used it to invent facts rather than to expand facts. Instances are; Old Mary Maga- deten actually see bur. Lord or* not (p 9)7 Was Peter the head at the Church ( p 21 & 250), or Peter and John (p 270)7 Was or Peter and John (p 270)7 T.T.McNULTY ♦ ** OLIVER, BERNARD. Chris tian Hope. (Newman. $2.95). A translation from the French on various aspects of this vir tue. GOLDSCHE1DER, LUDWIG. A Survey Of Michelaneelo's Mo dels In Wax and Clay. (New York Graphis Society. $6). The text is accompanied by 65 re productions of details from sta tues and drawings. 196* Half the world eats Mm America’s Overseas Relief Groups are united behind the Freedom From Hunger Campaign. Your help is needed. Continue to support the groups in your community that display the symbol of the golden stalk of wheat. For information write: Freedom From Hunger Campaign, Washington 6, O. C. His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, says of the June Readers Digest book condensation, ‘This tme story—The Triumph of Janis Babson—will appeal to all who admire courage...” El.DOM—even on the battlefield —is a human being asked to pass through an ordeal more demand ing than that faced, so courageously, by this little girl. And it will be evident to all who read the inspiring story of her two- year battle with leukemia that what sus tained her, what gave her tha strength to help others (even while she herself was dying) was her faith in God. “This true story will appeal to all who admire courage, to all who wonder about the sources of courage, and to all who may feel that life has treated them harshly. The Triumph of fanis Babson* was indeed a triumph—a victory, by the Grace of God, over death itself. Let any person who feels heavy-laden read the story of Janis thought fully and he will draw from it new humil ity and new strength for daily living.” aaouushot or «w you Read The Triumph of Janli Babson —and more than 40 other articles and features, condensed to save your time, in June Reader’s Digest NOW ON SALE Fishers Of Men In Apostolic Age JL O