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PAGE 4 GEORGIA BULLETIN THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1963
the
Archdiocese of Atlanta
GEORGIA BULLETIN
A *t SS***
SERVING GEORGIA S 71 NORTHERN COUNTIES
Official Organ of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Published Every Week at the Decatur Dekalb News
PUBLISHER - Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan
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^ ( ^^nd i
The Lost Art?
Controversy is slowly becom
ing a lost art. There was a time
when one could become con
troversial without being accused
of evil motives, lack of integrity
and lack of sincerity.
Some of our great giants of the
past argued with each other on
the most controversial subjects
possible, yet they retained that
sense of gentility and kindness
towards each other. They were
interested primarily in issues--
personalities were not important.
Today, one must confess, it's
the other way about. Controversy
becomes a question of one per
son slugging his opponent with a
verbal barrage of abuse and ac
cusation. It becomes solely a
question of personalities with is
sues lost in a fog of uncharit
ableness.
We have our share of contro
versy, and it becomes more and
more obvious that few people re
ally read what one has said. They
read only what they want to see
in an editorial or column, be it
for or against.
A recent column on community
affairs is a case in point. A
Catholic view was expressed on
a situation which was of vital
importance to all citizens of the
community, including Catholics.
Sad to relate there were some
who were so filled with hate and
prejudice that they could not ac
cept a Christian point of view.
Alas, too, some of these taunters
claimed to be fellow Christians.
The abusive, hate letter is a
horrible weapon, employed by
those who have no real convict
ions. They are against everything
except their own point of view.
They do not tolerate diverse op
inions. And they are normallype-
ople who claim a monopoly on
patriotism, using meaningless
slogans and cliches to support
illogical premises.
A journalists task is not always
a pleasant one, but we are proud
of our profession, and are not a-
fraid of the consequences. Indeed,
it inspires us to go ahead, pray
erfully seeking divine guidance
that we might be right, if only
a little -- and this because there
is so much wrong in the world.
In a civilized society there
should be room for different po
ints of view without one person
hating another; without twisted
minds erupting into violent ar
rays of abuse. There is such a
thing as charity towards one’s
neighbor, and even this is be
coming a lost art.
GES
Summer Jobs Are Needed
You have to admire a person
who strives to add his drop to
the bucket in other waysthanjust
shedding tears into it.
Most of the social problems
we are presently faced with can
be solved if each one accepts
the solution as his personal res
ponsibility and then does some
thing about it. Too often we are
content to pass the burden off to
somebody else. You know, a “let-
the - government - take - care-
of-it” attitude.
TAKE THE PROBLEM of un
employed youngsters. Normally
thousands of them would have se
cured summer jobs. With the pre
sent unemployment situation,
most of them will be just hang
ing around for the next two mon
ths. Some of them are bound to
get into trouble. Vandalism can
be very costly. Work supplies a
needed discipline.
The problem has a solution if
enough of us will pitch in and
help.
If we look hard we’ll find many
jobs around the home, the church,
the parks, the shops, the stores
that these youngsters are capable
of doing even on a part time
basis. They don’t have to be paid
a lot, but they shouldn't be of
fered slave wages either.
Each job may be a small drop
in the bucket, but enough of them
will fill it to the brim.
Look around your own neigh
borhood for young people who
seen to have time on their hands.
Perhaps that fence ofyours could
stand a coat of paint, or the
lawn may need a little extra care.
If you have a business, maybe
some of them could be given jobs
for a few days or a tew weeks.
AND A WORD to the young
people. Just don’t sit around be
moaning the fact that there are
no jobs. Push a few door bells
and sell yourself. Others are do
ing it. No doubt your talents are
qrth a high salary. But if it
means getting something to do,
settle for less.
Join the “Jobs for Juniors
Club.” There are two kinds of
membership. There are those
who will take them. The summer
will not be wasted if both types
of members show some activity.
NEWARK ADVOCATE
‘New
BY FR. ROBERT W. HOVDA
Priest of the Pittsburgh Oratory)
JULY 14 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST.
The connection between liturgy and “life/* be
tween our public worship and the rest of our
existence, is particularly apparent in today’s
Mass. The First Reading teaches that Christ
is not only our Lord and our Master but a “pat
tern" for a “new kind of existence.”
The liturgy is the place where
we are cut to the pattern, where
jMr we sacramentally participate
/f \ in Christ's living and dying and
rising again. It is the place
■TV. VA where Christ acts to incorpor-
K ' I ate us into Himself, His Body,
His existence.
What happens at public wor-
■HRl JIB ship, then, is a matter of our
being, not merely an isolated
'HOLD ON TO YOUR BOOKS - HERE COMES THE WIND'
REUNION
Pipe Dream Or Mystery?
BY REV. LEONARD F.X. MAYHEW
There are two ways of viewing the question of
Christian unity: either as a pipe-dream or as a
mystery. Nothing in the realm of religion has
captured the imagination of the world more than
the accelerated momentum among Catholic and
non-Catholic Christians toward unity. This was
evidenced by the world-wide suspense over the
choice of a successor to John XXIII and the col
lective sigh of relief when Paul VI dedicated his
reign to the goal of Christian reunion. All the
same, it seems doubtful that in the popular mind
there exists a very clear idea about the state of
the ecumenical movement, the goals it seeks or
the means that are being employed.
That Christian oneness is no
pipe-dream is proven by the
seriousness with which Our
Lord prayed that his disciples
would possess it. That it is a
mystery is obvious to anyone
with eyes to see the difficulties
involved and with faith suffi
cient to accept it s ultimate
achievement. The reunion of
Oiu iStians is a mystery in the strict sense be
cause it is a reality of the realm of faith which
reveals a pattern not perceptible to reason alone.
The goal of unity and its necessity, as Archbishop
Paul J. Hallinan pointed out in his pastoral let
ter, is founded not on pragmatic considerations,
but on the will of God. Unity must be our goal be
cause it is the clear will of God. It will ultimate
ly be achieved, once again, because God so wills.
The means by which this goal may be achieved
and the steps to be followed to that end are less
obvious. Difficulties are evident. There are radi
cal disagreements among Christians concerning
doctrine, particularly concerning the nature of the
Church itself. There are deeply ingrained dif
ferences of tradition and history, particularly
with regard to the Orthodox Churches. Finally,
there is the stifling overgrowth of animosity nour
ished by centuries of bitter, often violent, con
flict. The difficulties are so staggering that it
is quite impossible here and now to visualize
in what way reunion may eventually be accompli -
shed.
It remains true nevertheless that Christian
unity ought to exist. Here and now, and at each
juncture which we encounter, we must do what
appears possible, with the firm conviction that
our efforts cooperate with and will be guided by
the Holy Spirit. This is a stand - not of men of
worldly practicality - but of men of faith. The
final end of the effort is seenonlyin a vague man
ner. This faith provides the assurance that what
we need to do is to strive now, tomorrow and
the next day, until we find the way.
The German theologian, Karl Adam, wrote: “A
mere longing for unity is not enough. Each of
us, in our different circumstances, must help to
prepare for it. And it is surely true that we shall
best show our loyalty to Jesus by refusing to let
hindrances and difficulties keep us from seeking
and following the road to unity. Reunion is not a
matter of simple good-will only, but also of hard
thinking and energetic action. We need a kind of
good-will which is ready to abandon deep-seated
prejudices and habits of thought for the sake of
eternal truth.”
There are many paths to be followed now in the
confidence that they will lead us closer to our
goal. We need to restore unfeigned and vital love
among Christians. TTiis was to be the outstand
ing mark of Christ’s followers. To the degree
that we fail - or refuse to try - to love one ano
ther, we make a mockery of the name of Chris
tian. In a positive way, it is urgent that we pro
mote what has come to be known as dialogue -
trusting and friendly encounter to clarify both
what unites us and what divides us. As Catholics
we must be anxious to clarify what is essential
to our faith and to distinguish it from what is
accidental. All too often it is accidentals which
obscure issues and cause the deepest rifts.
There must live in us as well a jealous zeal
for another mark of Christ's Church - holiness.
Insofar as the Church is composed of fallible
human beings, its holiness varies constantly in
dependence on the love and purity of its mem
bers. It is always in need of reform. This is in
the best spirit of Catholicism. The causes of
divisions have often been a lack of holiness
where holiness was demanded. A continuous re
form which aims at a growing holiness of the
Church will convince where arguments fail and
will infallibly lead toward unity.
The individual Catholic can contribute to this
goal by nothing to obscure the real meaning of
Catholic truth. In a more positive fashion he can
contribute by understanding his faith better in or
der to distinguish the essentials from the acci
dental and to bear witness by word and deed to
the purity it embodies.
Christian unity will only be granted to men who
desire it and pray for it with zeal, longing and
constancy. Persevering prayer will create de
sire; desire will creat opportunities; opportuni
ties wisely utilized will ultimately lead to the
achievement of our noble goal.
LITURGICAL WEEK
Kind Of Existence’
deed. It effects all of our living, not merely the
moment of death. We are here made “alive with
a life that looks towards God”—looks towards
Him permanently and habitually.
MONDAY, JULY 15 ST. HENRY, EMPEROR,
CONFESSOR. It is this orientation, reinforced
again and again in the Church's public worship,
which can save the Christian from the false
gods of the First Reading: gold, money, trea
sures, unbridled self will. And it is also vigi
lance of the Gospel. A clear, firm sense of
direction (“we know where we're going”) is the
watch we keep. It is God's gift to those who
open themsleves to him in worship.
TUESDAY, JULY 16 MASS AS ON SUNDAY.
“If I send tham back to their homes fasting,
they will grow faint on their journey,n Jesus
says (Gospel) in this story which prepares us
for the Eucharist. Holy Communion, like the
Passover meal of our Jewish ancestors in faith,
is food for a journey. Not only the journey of
viaticum and the rites of the dying but also
the whole journey of life, of human work and
play, which without this fasting when we have
gathered around that symbol of Him which is
the altar.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 MASS AS ON SUNDAY.
Christ sets a sacrificial meal “before the mul
titude” at Mass, makes us sacrificers and blood
brothers before he sends us home. At Mass
the Food is always the same, is never less
powerful or effective, never diminished no matter
how great the multitude. And as food serves us
not only when we sit at table but for the sus
tenance of our lives, so the Eucharistic Bread
creates in us, according to our dispositions, an
energy of grace and love for all of life.
THURSDAY, JULY 18 ST. CAMILLE’S OF
LELLIS, CONFESSOR. “That you should go and
CONTINUED TO PAGE 5
F.B.I. WARNING
Firearms
Dangerous
BY GERARD E. SHERRY
The June issue of The Law Enforcement Bulle
tin, published by the Federal Bureau of Inves
tigation, has an excellent article by Bureau
Director, J. Edgar Hoover, concerning firearms.
According to Mr. Hoover, a significant factor
in the murders committed in this country is the
easy accessibility of all types of guns. Mr. Hoover
gives the following facts:
Of the 7,261 murders on which details were
reported under the Uniform Crime Reporting Pro
gram last year, 54 percent of the victims were
killed with guns, the vast majority of which were
committed with
handguns. In 18 Sta
tes which have bare
minimum control
laws over firearms,
65 per cent of the
murders were com
mitted with guns.
Many States have re
strictions of varying
degrees; however, in
7 States which re
quire a permit, or the equivalent thereof, to pur
chase a handgun, 41 percent of the murders were
attributed to firearms as compared to 58 per
cent for the other 43 States. Further, in two
States which have stringent laws on the control
of firearms, the figures for 1962 showed 32 per
cent of the murders were by committed with
guns.
REAPINGS
AT
RANDOM
Controlling the sale of handguns, of course,
will not eliminate all willful killings. In many
instances, if a gun is not available, the killer
resorts to other means. However, those who claim
that the availability of firearms is not a factor
in murders in this country are not facing reality.
Guns are by far the most lethal weapons used
in assaults to kill — seven times more deadly
than all other weapons combined. Death to the
victims results in 21 percent of such attacks
where guns are used, whereas it occurs in only
3 percent of assaults to kill with all other wea
pons.
A review of the motives for murder suggests
that a readily accessible gun enables the per
petrator to kill on impulse. With no such wea
pon available , the killer's rage may subside
and better judgement prevail. Add too, if the assa
ult is made with another weapon, it may not be
fatal since the victim has a better opportunity
to escape or to defend himself against other wea
pons.
True, hoodlums arid criminal gangs will obtain
guns regardless of controls. During 1962, there
were almost 700 felonious murders committed
during the course of other crimes, such as bur
glary and robbery. This total also included gan
gland slayings and juvenile gang killings. O f
this number, 52 percent were by gun. There were
39 juvenile gang killings, 19 of which were by
gun. Of the 112 law enforcement officers who
died from criminal action during the last 3
years, 108 were murdered with guns. Murders
committed during the commission of other crimes
will always be a problem. Usually, hardened
criminals are involved. For these individuals,
certain punishment is the only language they
understand. Mandatory penalties, over and above
the sentence for the substantive offense, for
using a gun while committing a felony should
be a certainty.
No one blanket proposal or universal regulat
ion will meet the needs and requirements of
all communities. The numerous facets and rami
fications of gun control are so varied and com
plex that regulatory measures must be at State
and local levels. It is only at these levels that
effective enforcement efforts can be undertaken.
Many communities already have local ordinances
which protect the rights of society without
infringing on the rights of Individuals who pur
chase guns for protection or legitimate recrea
tion pleasure.
Mr. Hoover says that the questionable traffic
in deadly weapons in many sections of the country
is a disgrace. He feels that the public has a
right “to expect that the distributor and the pur
chase of weapons as deadly and easily concea
led as handguns should meet certain regulat
ions and qualifications.”
There is no question but that Mr. Hoover is
right. In many states, buying a gun is almost
as easy and effortless as buying a pair of shoes
or a suit of clothes. Every state should make
purchasers of guns register with the law enforce
ment agencies, stating their reasons for purch
ase. The transferring of guns from one person
to another should also be registered in the same
manner that we register cars, an equally dan
gerous weapon in the wrong hands. Such enforce
ment would limit the distribution of firearms,
especially to teen-agers.
Sportsmen and those who handle guns in the
course of their work should have no fear of such
regulations. After all, it protects their best in
terests, as well as that of the general public.
There are too many careless people about, apart
from the criminal element to whom firearms
should be denied. Certainly, stiff penalties should
be enforced when teen-agers have them in their
possession. And youngsters who are permitted
to use them in hunting and marksmen sports
should alw ays be supervised by competent adults.
It is a problem that merits all our attention.