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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