Newspaper Page Text
PACE 4 GEORGIA BULLETIN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 1963
the
Archdiocese of Atlanta
GEORGIA BULLETIN
**til »A S
SliVINO GIOIGIA S 71 NOITHfRN COUNTIES
Official Organ of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Published Every Week at the Decatur Dekalb News
Published by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Printed at Decatur, Ga.
MANAGING EDITOR Gerard E. Sherry CONSULTING EDITOR Rev. R. Donald Kiernan
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Sue Spence
Member of the Catholic Press Association
and Subscriber to N.C.W.C. News Service
Telephone 231-1281 j \ U.S.A. $5.00
Canada $5.50
Foreign $6.50
^^^and J
m
2699 Peachtree N.E.
P.O. Box 11667
Northside Station
Atlanta 5, Ga. . _
Application to mail at Second Class Postage Rates is pending at Atlanta, Ga.
Nothing Changed
The signing of the treaty c reat-
ing a partial ban on nuclear
testing by the U. S., Britain,
and the Soviet Union, changes
nothing. It is good to recall this
as we view pictures of a smil
ing Khrushchev, clinking cham
pagne glasses with Secretary of
State Rusk in the ornate halls
of a Moscow palace.
The treaty may well lead to the
reduction of international tens
ion, and this regard it could be
important. If honored by all par
ties, it will certainly reduce the
poisonous pollution of the atmosp
here by test explosions. It could
also lead to the discussion and
possible solution of other press
ing world problems in an atmos
phere of cordiality more condu
cive to good faith.
Alas, it is on this question of
faith that the props of the treaty
rest. There is the nagging quest
ion of Soviet good faith. We have
many reasons for pondering on
this matter. The Soviet Commun
ists have a string of broken pled
ges to their credit. Indeed, the
only treaty that they have so far
lived up to is that which estab
lished the independence and neu
tralism of Austria.
We must judge every country
on its record; and we would have
to be mighty charitable to look
upon the list of broken Commun
ist pledges with anything but
grave distrust. From the days of
Yalta the Russians have kept only
those pledges which have been in
the interest of their quest for
world domination. Hence, this
latest test ban treaty affords no
elation; rather, it demands
somber reflection.
Our people must constantly be
made aware that the alleged “new
atmosphere” changes nothing,
except perhaps Communist tact
ics in their efforts to preside
at the burial of the free world.
It is consoling to note that our
government has manifested an
acute awareness of Soviet double
talk and treachery. Therefore,
the test ban treaty can be
viewed only as a small step
in the quest for true peace. It
must lead to a stiffening of our
people’s opposition to Commun
ism and the resurgence of our
efforts to maintain true liberty
here and genuine freedom for the
peoples of all nations.
To Be Or Not To Be
Not many years ago taking
one’s own life was regarded sol
ely as a moral problem. A vio
lation of God’s fifth command
ment, its gravity was magnified
by the probablity of final im
penitence, and few suicides were
granted Christian burial. The
present-day Catholic attitude to
ward this problem is vastly ch
anged, not in the direction of
permissiveness or toleration, but
in the direction of greater un
derstanding,
HERE IS ONE MORE refutat
ion of the old calummy of the
Church’s monolithic character:
the findings of the modern sci
ences of psychology and psych
iatry have been adapted to the
contemporary concerns of moral
theology. The result is that we
now know that most of these un
fortunate people who end their
own lives are only partially res
ponsible at best and do not de
serve moral reprobation, but ra
ther sorrow and sympathy.
Incredible as it may seem,
one suicide takes place inAmer-
ica every 26 minutes, one attem
pted suicide every 2 1/2 minutes.
This means that 20,000 manage
to end their lives every year,
more than those who die from
tuberculosis, cerebral palsy or
muscular dystrophy. Of these the
largest group consists of those
over 7 5, though students of col
lege and high-school age also
rank high. In fact, 8 to 12%
of all deaths of college students
are suicides.
Over the past half-century the
National Save-A-Life has helped
prevent 50,000 suicides by its
volunteer rescue service. Physi
cians and psychiatrists have been
profiting by considerable re
search on suicide motivation and
danger signs, done by such in
stitutions as the Suicide Preven
tion Center of Los Angeles Co
unty General Hospital.
MILTON GO UN, who recently
surveyed the whole problem in
an enlightening article in the
National Observer, attributes the
soaring figures to lack of public
interest. The public he argues,
should have greater information
on the subject and intensive anit-
suicide campaigns should be
ganized.
The suicide problem is one
which, however unpleasant, de
mands the interest and concern
of every intelligent citizen. All
of us might well make it our
personal task to increase our
own knowledge of the subject and
to be prompt to render assis
tance to those who are men
tally and emotionally disturbed,
especially by guiding them to
proper pastoral and psychologi
cal help.
NEWARK ADVOCATE
‘IT AINT NEW, BUT IT IS MORALLY DECENT'
OUTMODED
Immigration Laws
BY REV. LEONARD F.X. MAYHEW
Our present immigration law is based on the
quota system, which means that countries areal-
lotted a number of entrances per year based on
that nationality's proportion of the U. S. popu
lation of some decades ago. Thus, Great Britain
has an annual quota of over 65,000; Germany,
25,000; and Ireland, almost 18,000. On the other
hand, Italy has an annual quota of 5,645; Greece,
308; and Lebanon only 100. These quotas are based
on a long-dead population make-up of our nation.
Since they were first set, there have been various
"liberalizations,*’ in which severe limitations of
quotas from certain countries, whose immigra
tions occured later in our history, have been some
what raised. Also, exceptions have been made and,
for humane reasons, refugees have been allowed
entrance outside the quota system. After the revo
lution in Hungary, for example, many thousands of
political refugees were allowed to enter the coun
try, even though her allotment is only 900 a year.
And there have been other exceptions.
What stands out, however, is
I that the quota system effective
ly discriminates against peo
ples from certain parts of Eu
rope, not to speak of other
parts of the world. Subtly, and
harshly, our immigration, po
licy implies specifically, that
persons of Anglo - Saxon and
Nordic stock are more valued
human beings, more desirable citizens, than per
sons from eastern or southern European nations.
Or else, why would it be considered important, or
desirable, to maintain the same ethnic balance
as obtained in the U.S., before the huge immigra
tions from southern and central Europe during
this century? Our policy is one of prejudice —
at least suggested. It indicates that Americans
consider certain national "types*’ better than
others; that we think in terms of stereotypes.
The vaS t majority of places open for immi
grants ot British stock go begging year after year.
LITURGICAL WEEK
At the same time, many Italians and Greeks,
to quote two examples, wait on interminable line.
The upshot is that the U. S. admits, each year,
only a fraction of the total number of immigrants
which it has itself authorized.
This is a gentle kind of racism. Instead of
considering each person as an individual, and in
stead of welcoming men and women who are ax-
xious to tie their destinies to our own, we squan
der a hypocritical welcome on invisible immi
grant This is a^lghly impractical course of ac
tion, as is always the case when decisions are
based on prejudice.
Our present policy flies in the face of the spi
rit of the Constitution by implying that all men
are, indeed, not equal; and it contradicts the Chris
tian concept of man which holds that all social
action is to be predicated on the innate, God-given
dignity of each person. Such a policy implies, and
effectively applies, a concept of racial or ethnic
superiority.
The President has proposed that we change the
entire basis of our immigration policy. Mr. Ken
nedy has suggested that we drop the quota sys
tem entirely, as un-American and has offered
a plan for a gradual change-over in which un
used quotas from, say, Great Britain would be
applied to other groups which are hopelessly
backed up in mortgaged quotas. At the end of five
years, the same number of immigrants would be .
authorized as presently, but admissions would be
made on a realistic basis. Preference would be
given those who have relatives in the U. S. and
those with needed skills, training and talents,
no matter what their country of origin. "Every
human being has the right, when there are Just
reasons for it, to emigrate to other countries
and take up residence there. The fact that one
is a citizen of a particular state does not detract
in any way from his membership of the human
family as a whole, nor from his citizenship of
the world community.** (John XXIII, Pacem In
Terris).
‘Reading’ Worship Of God’s People
BY FR. ROBERT W. HOVDA
Priest of the Pittsburgh Oratory)
AUGUST 11 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PEN
TECOST. In the mklst of cities and whole coun
tries torn and facing violence because of in
justice in relations between groups of men, today's
Mass reiterates that we are one in Christ.
It is only through the Spirit that we can say,
"Jesus is the Lord" (First Reading). And, say
ing this, we are one in Him, whatever the var
iety of our gifts and talents. The Pharisee
(Gospel) rejects this unity, holds himself aloof
from his brothers (for holy reasons).
The publican has rejected this unity, too, at
times — that is why he is a sinner. But he ad
mits his sin...and his fraternity. He is presumably
ready to do something about it. Every celebration
of the Mass means these things, but this one
spells it out. The tragedy is that so many
Christians still cannot "read" the public wor
ship of God’s People, and go on playing the
Pharisee who "shall be humbled."
MONDAY, AUGUST 12 ST.
CLARE, VIRGIN. "You loved
Justice and hated wickedness*’
(Entrance Hymn), we sing in
tribute, first, to Christ the
Lord, and then to those who,
like today’s saint, share His
life as faithful disciples.
This, the liturgy suggests,
is the true source of joy, of
"gladness," The First Read
ing sees it as faithfulness to the wedding vows
between the Church and Jesus Christ. The Gos
pel proclaims it as a sharing in the marri
age feast, of which the Mass is earthly sign
and sacrament.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 MASS AS ON SUNDAY.
God is the Saviour of those who suffer injus
tice, the Tighter of wrongs, the one who will
humble the proud. Entrance, Gradual and Offer
tory Hymns fill the Christian people with this
confidence and hope. We are His instruments,
so it must be achieved through us. But as long
as we worship Him and are willing to be His
Instruments, there is hope of its achievement.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 VIGIL OF THE
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
No modern crusader for women's rights could
be more lavish in praise of woman, and of
what this woman in God’s providence was and
is, than today’s liturgy.
It takes so long for the lessons of the litur
gy to penetrate the hearts of men and cultures.
Mary’s primacy among Christ's members
is hymned throughout the Mass. Lesson and
Gospel speak of the incomparable blessing which
was hers, but also of her special relation to
the rest of the human family. Opening Prayer
Prayer after O>mmunlon stress her assumption
as participation in the Saviour's rising again and
as confident proclamation of the resurrection of
all Christ’s members. .
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 ST. JOACHIM, FATHER
OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, CONFESSOR.
The Gospel geneology locates the meaning of
this feast as a celebration of the Church’s Jewish
roots, her roots in history. No mere set of
abstract principles, Christianity has to do with
history. No mere set of blood and birth and life
and death. We invoke the traditional name for
the father of Mary and claim Abraham's heri
tage of faith as our own.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 ST. HYACINTH,
CONFESSOR. The Entrance Hymn consoles:*‘Be
not envious of evildoers." Meditating this text, we
can return to the theme we found on Sunday.
The evildoer, the Pharisee, the rejecter of unity,
the segregationist, the uncommitted—his is not
the blessing of the First Reading. Had he known
"at what hour the thief was coming, he would
certainly have watched" (Gospel). But he did not
know and he did not watch and he did not care.
Our assembly around the altar, if it is any
thing, must be an assembly of those who care,
who are not afraid to witness or to demonstrate
or to "show forth your mercy in the morning
and your truth throughout the night" (Gradual
Humn).
NATIONAL PROBLEM
Don’t Be
A Drop-Out
BY GERARD E. SHERRY
One of the least publicized, but most important
comments made by President Kennedy at last
Thursday's Press Conference concerned the drop
outs from our nation’s schools. It is a problem of
great magnitude for the country inasmuch as it
is a drain on human resources. It also has econo
mic reprecussions because, while current em
ployment is at an all-time high (over 71 million
persons) unemployment remains at 6^ of the work
ing force.
What the country’ needs, and what the President
wants, is for most young people who quit school
to go back and continue their education. It is esti
mated that at present
some 400,000 young
sters do not plan to
return to school. In
addition, it is sug
gested that 700,000
boys and girls who
resume classes in
September will not
complete the school
year.
These are startling figures when one consid
ers the demands of the space age. The country
needs now, and the demands will increase year
by year, a highly skilled labor force of scien
tists, technicians, engineers, and the like, cap
able of preparing us for the supersonic 20th cen
tury'. Therefore, we cannot afford the tremen
dous drain of potential technicians which the
drop-out problem has created.
THE ADMINISTRATION considers the situation
so critical that the President has announced
a crash program to meet it. Some $250,000 has
been allocated from the Presidential Emergency
Fund to finance guidance counselors. They will
work in school systems throughout the country
to try to get drop-outs back to school. Some 250
such counselors will be visiting homes all over
the country this month attempting to persuade pa
rents and youngsters that the best Interests of
the country require boys and girls to get the best
education possible.
The problem has been with us for some time,
and some cities such as Miami, New York, and
St. Louis have been working on the problem
without waiting for Government intervention. They
realize that few of the drop-outs are going to
find permanent employment at that age. Indeed,
over a million of our nation’s youth neither have
jobs nor an education. They roam the streets or
the bowling alleys with time on their hands and
no future. It is a bad thing for them and much
worse for the nation's future.
SOCIOLOGISTS agree that the problem has con
tributed to the ever-increasing number of youth
ful criminals in our midst. There is more than
enough to the old adage, "Idle hands. . .’’ Our
nation’s leaders are not content to stand aside
wringing their hands In despair. They want the
youngsters back in school where they can be help
ed to be useful and highly educated citizeas.
President Kennedy, at his News Conference last
week, addressed one of the main sources of the
problem — the parents of thexlroi>-outs. He asked
them to help die country by urging their young
sters to return to the classrooms. In the long
run, they will also be helping themselves, be
cause our young people will be better trained
and better fitted to enter life, becoming less
of a burden on their parents.
IT IS true that some youngsters don’t want
to leave school. Many of them have grades that
are high enough to visualize a future college de
gree and a comfortable salary in some trade or
profession. But they are faced with a here and
now situation. The economic condition of the fami
ly may be such that they are expected to go to
work as soon as they are legally able to leave
school. Many a teacher has been saddened when a
bright pupil is forced to act this way. But it is
hard to judge a family under these conditions.
Those who drop out under these circumstances
form only a small part of the total number. Many
of those who do quit school have no real reason,
except laziness, apathy, or the false dreams of
easy living.
One thing is certain — there are just not
enough jobs for the untrained youngster. It is
therefore foolhardy, nay, criminal, to permit
these young people to leave school and waste
their lives bemoaning the fact that they have
nothing to do.
REAPINGS
AT
RANDOM
THIS IS not to say that education of itself
guarantees a job or success in life. There are
many highly educated people whoremainfailures.
But adequate schooling does open doors; does lead
to opportunities, and does qualify the average per
son to earn a decent living. Admittedly, some
youngsters who drop out get Jobs. Alas, they are
mostly the "blind-alley" type with few opportuni
ties for advancement or decent salaries.
The new Presidential program gives both pa
rents and their youngsters the opportunity to think
twice before throwing away a golden opportunity
of education. There is a bright future awaiting
the youth of today. But they must work for it.
First, by seeking knowledge and skills, and then
by applying them in the realities of modern day
living.
VVhat’s my advice? Simple! Don’t beadrop-outl