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PAGE 8 GEORGIA BULLETIN
icon be prepared containing
simpler melodies, for use in
small churches.
118. Religious singing by the
people is to be skilfully fost
ered so that in devotions and
sacred exercises, as also dur
ing liturgical services, the voi
ces of the faithful may ring out
according to the norms and re
quirements of the rubrics.
119. In certain parts of the
world, especially mission la
nds, there are peoples who have
their own musical traditions,
and these play a great part in
their religious and social life.
For this reason due Importance
is to be attached to their music,
and a suitable place is to be
given to it, not only in forming
their attitude toward religion,
but also in adapting worship to
their native genius, as indicated
in Art. 39 and 40.
Therefore, when missiona
ries are being given training in
music, every effort should be
made to see that they become
competent in promoting the
traditional music of these peo
ples, both in schools and lnsa-
cred services, as far as many
be practicable.
120. In the Latin Church the
pipe organ is to be held in
high esteem, for it is the tra
ditional musical Instrument
which adds a wonderful splen
dor to the Church’s ceremonies
and powerfully lifts up man's
mind to God and to higher
things.
But other instruments also
may be admitted for use in di
vine worship, with the know
ledge and consent of the compe-
tent territorial authority, as
laid down in Art, 22, %2, 37,
and 40. This may be done, how
ever, only on condition that the
instruments are suitable, or
can be made suitable, for sac
red use, accord with the dign
ity of the temple, and truly con
tribute to the edification of the
faithful.
121. Composers, filled with
the Christian spirit, should feel
that their vocation is to culti
vate sacred music and incre
ase its store of treasures.
Let them produce compositi
ons which have the qualities
proper to genuine sacred mus
ic, not confining themselves to
works which can be sung only
by large choirs but providing
also for the needs of small cho
irs and for the active particip
ation of the entire assembly of
the faithful.
The texts Intended to be sung
must always be in conformity
with Catholic doctrine; indeed
they should be drawn chiefly fr
om holy scripture and from lit
urgical sources.
CHAPTER VII
SACRED ART AND SACRED
FURNISHINGS
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 12, 1963
122, Very rightly the fine arts
are considered to rank among
the noblest activities of man's
genuis, and this applies espe
cially to religious art and to its
highest achievement, which is
sacred art. These arts, by their
very nature, are oriented tow
ard the infinite beauty of God
which they attempt in some way
to portray by the work of hu
man hands; they achieve their
purpose of redounding to God's
praise and glory in proportion
as they are directed the more
exclusively to the single aim of-
turning men's minds devoutly
toward God,
Holy Mother Church has the
refore always been the friend of
the fine arts and has ever sou
ght their noble help, with the sp
ecial aim that all things set ap
art for use in divine worship
should be truly worthy, becom
ing, and beautiful, signs and sy
mbols of the supernatural
world, and for this purpose she
has trained artists. In fact, the
Church has, with good reason,
always reserved to herself the
right to pass Judgment upon the
arts, deciding which of the wor
ks of artists are in accordance
with faith, piety, and cherished
traditional laws, and thereby
fitted for sacred use.
The Church has been particu
larly careful to see that sac
red furnishings should worthily
and beautifully serve the dign
ity of worship, and has ad
mitted changes in materials,
style, or ornamentation promp
ted by the progress of the te
chnical arts with the passage of
time.
Wherefore it has pleased the
Fathers to issue the following
decrees on these matters.
123, The Church has not ado
pted any particular style of art
as her very own; she has ad
mitted styles from every per
iod according to the natural ta
lents and circumstances of peo
ples, and the needs of the var
ious rites. Thus, in the course
of the centuries, she has bro
ught into being a treasury of art
which must be very carefully
preserved. The art of our own
days, coming from every race
and region, shall also be given
free scope in the Church, pro
vided that it adorns the sacred
buildings and holy rites with due
reverence and honor; thereby
it is enabled to contribute its
own voice to that wonderful ch
orus of praise in honor of the
Catholic faith sung by great men
in times gone by.
124, Ordinaries, by the enc
ouragement and favor they show
to art which is truly sacred, sh
ould strive after noble beauty
rather than mere sumptuous
display. This principle is to
apply also in the matter of sa
cred vestments and ornaments.
Let bishops carefully remove
from the house of God and from
other sacred places those snr-
HERE AUGUSTIN CARDINAL BEA, S. J„ HEAD OF the Council's the portable altar in the basilica. Cardinal Bea became one of
Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity, says Mass at the best known figures at the Council.
ks of artists which are repug
nant to faith, morals, and Chri
stian piety, and which offend
true religious sense either by
depraved forms or by lack of
artistic worth, mediocrity and
pretense.
And when churches are to be
built, let great care be taken
that they be suitable for the
celebration of liturgical servi
ces and for the active partici
pation of the faithful.
125, The practice of placing
sacred images in churches so
that they may be venerated by
the faithful is to be maintained.
Nevertheless their number
should be moderate and their
relative positions should
reflect right order. For other
wise they may create confusion
among the Christian people and
foster devotion of doubtful or-
thodxy.
126. When passing judg
ment on works of art, local
ordinaries shall give a hear
ing to the diocesan commis
sion on sacred art and, if ne
eded, also to others who are
especially expert, and to the
commissions refered to in Art.
44, 45, and 46.
Ordinaries must be very
careful to see that sacred fur
nishings and works of value are
not disposed of or dispers
ed; for they ore the ornaments
HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI stands at his throne during the
Mass celebrated at the final assembly of the Second Vatican
Council’s second session. Cardinal Tisserant was celebrant.
of the house of God. as to imbue them with the spi
rit of sacred art and of the
127. Bishops should have a sacred liturgy. This they may
special concern for artiata, ao do in person or through suita
ble priests who are gifted with a
knowledge and love of art.
It is also desirable that sc
hools or academies of sacred
art should be founded in those
parts of the world where they
would be useful, so that artists
may be trained.
All artists who, prompted by
their talents, desire to serve
God's glory in holy Church, sh
ould ever bear in mind that they
are engaged in a kind of sac
red imitation of God the Crea
tor, and are concerned with
works destined to be used in
Catholic worship, to edify the
faithful, and to foster their pie
ty and their religious forma
tion.
128. Along with the revision
of the liturgical books, as laid
down in Art. 25, there is to be
an early revision of the canons
and ecclesiastical statutes whi
ch govern the provision of mat
erial things involved in sacred
worship. These laws refer esp
ecially to the worthy and well
planned construction of sacred
buildings, the shape and const
ruction of altars, the nobility,
placing, and safety of the euc-
haristic tabernacle, the dignity
and suitability of the baptistery,
the proper ordering of sacred
images, embellishments, and
vestments. Laws which seem
less suited to the reformed li
turgy ore to be brought into ha
rmony with it, or else aboli
shed; and any which are help
ful are to be retained if al
ready in use, or introduced wh
ere they are lacking.
According to the norm of Art.
22 of this Constitution, the ter
ritorial bodies of bishops are
empowered to adapt such thing
to the needs and customs of
their different regions; this ap
plies especially to the materi
als and form of sacred furnis
hings and vestments.
129, During their philosophi
cal and theological studies, cle
rics are to be taught about the
history and development of sa
cred art, and about the sound,
principles governing the produ
ction of its works. Inconseque
nce they will be able to appre
ciate and preserve the Ch
urch’s venerable monuments,
and be in a position to aid, by
good advice, artists who are en
gaged in producingworksofart.
130, It is fitting that the use
of pontificals be reserved to
those ecclesiastical persons'
who have episcopal rank or
some particular Jurisdiction.
APPENDIX
A DECLARATION OF THE SE
COND ECUMENICAL COUN
CIL OF THE VATICAN
ON REVISION OF THE CALEN
DAR
The Second Ecumenical Sac
red Council of the Vatican, re
cognizing the importance of the
wishes expressed by many con
cerning the assignment of the
feast of Easter to a fixed Sun
day and concerning an unchang
ing calendar, having caredully
considered the effects which
could result from the introduc
tion of a new calendar, decla
res as follows:
1. The Sacred Council would
not object if the feast of Eas
ter were assigned to a particu
lar Sunday of the Gregorian Ca
lendar, provided that those
whom it may concern, especial
ly the brethren who are not in
commission with the Apostolic
See, give their assent.
2. The sacred Council like
wise declares that it does not
oppose efforts designed to in
troduce a perpetual calendar
into civil society.
But, among the various sys
tems which are being suggested
to stabilize a perpetual calen
dar and to Introduce it into ci
vil life, the Church has no ob
jection only in the case of
those systems which retain and
safeguard a seven-day week
with Sunday, without the intro
duction of any days outside the
week, so that the succession of
weeks may be left intact, unless
there is question of the most
serious reasons. Concerning
these the Apostolic See shall ju
dge.
FOOTNOTES
1. Secret of the ninth Sunday
after Pentecost.
2. Cf. Heb. 13:14.
3. Cf. Eph. 2: 21-22.
4. Cf. Eph. 4: 13.
5. Cf. Is. 11: 12.
6. Cf. John 11:52.
7. a. John 10: 16
8. Cf. Is. 61: 1; Luke 4: 18,
9. St. Ignatius of Antioch, To
the Ephesians, 7, 2.
10. Cf. 1 Tim. 2: 5.
11. Sacramentarium Veronese
(ed. Mohlberg), n. 1265; cf. also
n. 1241, 1243,.
12. Easter Preface of the Ro
man Missal.
13. Prayer before the second
lesson for Holy Saturday, as it
was in the Roman Missal bef
ore the restoration of Holy
Week.
14. Cf. Mark 16; 15
15. Cf. Acts 26: 18.
16. Cf. Rom. 6; 4; Eph, 2:
6; Col. 3: 1; 2 Tim. 2: 11.
17. a. John 4: 23.
18. Cf. 1 Cor. 11: 26.
19. Council of Trent, Session
XIII, Decree on the Holy Euc
harist, c. 5.
20. Council of Tent, Session XX
II, Doctrine on the Holy Sacri
fice of the Mass, c, 2.
21 Cf. St. Augustine, Tractatus
in 'Ioannem, VI, n.7.
22. Cf. Apoc. 21: 2; Col. 3:
1; Heb. 8: 2.
23. Cf. Phil, 3: 20 Col. 3: 4.
24. Cf. John 17: 3; Luke 24:
27, Acts 2: 38.
25. a. Matt. 28: 20.
26 Postcommunion for both
Masses of Easter Sunday.
27. Collect of the Mass for Tue
sday of EasterWeek.
28. Cf. 2 Cor. 6: 1.
29 Cf. Matt. 6: 6.
30 a. 1 Thess. 5: 17.
31. Cf. 2 Cor. 4: 10-11.
32. Secret for Monday of Pen
tecost Week.
33. St. Cyprian, On the Unity
of the Catolic Church, 7; cf.
Letter 66, n. 8, 3.
34. Cf. Council of Trent, Ses
sion XXII, Doctrine on the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass, c. 8.
35. Cf. St. Ignatius of Antioch,
To the Smyrnians, 8;TotheMa-
gnesians, 7; To the Philadelp
hians, 4.
36. Cf. St. Augustine, Tracta
tus in Ioannem, VI, n. 13.
37. Roman Breviary, feast of
Corpus Christi, Second Ves
pers, antiphon to the Magnifi
cat.
38. Cf. St. Cyril of Alexandria,
Commentary on the Gospel of
John, book XI, chap. XI-XII:
Migne, Patrologia Graeca, 74
557-564.
39. Cf. 1 Tim. 2: 1-2.
40. Session XXI, July 16, 1562
Doctrine on Communion under
Both Species, chap. 1-3: Conci
lium Tridentinum. Diariorum,
Actorum, Epistolarum, Trac-
tatuum nova collectio, ed. soc.
Goerresiana, tome VIII (Frei
burg in Br., 1919), 698-699.
41. Council of Trent, Session
XXIV, November 11, 1563, On
Reform, chap. I. Cf. Roman Ri
tual, title VIII, chap. II, n. 6.
42. a. Eph. 5: 19; Col. 3: 16.
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5)
avoid those that may be a cause
or occasion of spiritual harm to
themselves, or that can lead ot
hers into danger through base
example, or that hinder desira
ble presentations and promote
those that are evil. To patroni
ze such presentations, in most
instances, would merely re
ward those who use these media
only for profit.
In order that those who make
use of these media may fulfill
the moral code, they ought not
neglect to inform themselves in
time about judfprnents passed by
authorities competent in these
matters. They ought also to fol
low such judgments accord
ing to the norms of an upright
conscience. So that they may
more easily resist impro
per inducements and rather en
courage consciences with suit
able aids,
10. Those who make use of
the media of communications,
especially the young, should
take steps to accustom them
selves to moderation and self-
control in their regard. They
should, moreover, endeavor to
deepen their understanding of
what they see, hear or read.
They should discuss these mat
ters with their teachers and
experts, and learn to pass sound
judgments on them. Parents sh
ould remember that the> have a
most serious duty to guard
carefully lest shows, public
ations and other things of this
sort, which may be morally
harmful, enter their homes or
affect their children under ot
her circumstances.
11. The principal moral res
ponsibility for the properuseof
the media of social communic
ation falls on newsmen, writ
ers, actors, designers, produc
ers, dispiayers, distributors,
operators and sellers, as si ell
as critics and all other-, who
play any part in the product
ion and transmission of mass
presentations. It is quite evi
dent what gravely important re-
sponsibiities they have in the
present day when they are in
a position to lead the human
race to good or to evil by in
forming or arousing mankind.
Thus, they must adjust their
economic, political or artistic
and technical aspects so as ne
ver to oppose the common good.
For the purpose of better ach
ieving this goal, they are to be
commended when they join pro
fessional associations, which-
even under a code, if necessary,
of sound moral practice - ob
lige their members to show
respect for morality in the du
ties and tasks of their craft.
They cugr.t always to be
mindful, however, that a great
many of their readers and au
dience are young people, who
need a press and entertainment
that offer them decent amuse
ment and cultural uplift. In ad
dition, they should see to it that
communications or presenta
tions concerning religious mat
ters are entrusted to worthy and
experienced hands and are car
ried out with fitting reverence,
12. The public authority, In
these matters, Is bound by spe
cial responsibilities in view of
the common good, to which
these media are ordered. The
same authority has, in virtue
of its office, the duty of pro
tecting and safeguarding true
and just freedom of informat
ion, a freedom that is totally
necessary for the welfare of
contemporary society, espec
ially when it is a question of
freedom of the press. It ought
also to encourage spiritual val
ues, culture and the fine arts
and guarantee the rights of
those who w ish to use the med
ia. Moreover, public authority
has the duty of helping those
projects which, though thev are
certianly most beneficial for
young people, cannot otherwise
be undertaken.
Lastly, the same public
authority, which legitimately
concerns itself with the health
of the citizenry, is obliged, th
rough the promulgation and ca
reful enforcement of laws, to
exercise a fitting and careful
watch least grave damage befall
public morals and the welfare
of society through the base use
of these media. Such vigi
lance in no wise restricts the
freedom of individuals or gro
ups, especially where there is a
lack of adequate precaution on
the part of those who are pro
fessionally engaged in using
these media.
Special care should be taken
to safeguard young people from
printed matter and perform
mances which may be harmful
at their age.
CHAPTER II
ON THE PASTORAL ACTIVITY
OF THE CHURCH
13. All the children of the
Church should join, without de
lay and with the greatest ef
fort in a common work to make
effective use of the media of
social communication in var
ious apostolic endeavors, as
circumstances and condit
ions demand. They should anti
cipate harmful develop
ments, especially in regions
where more urgent efforts to
advance morality and:religion
needed.
Pastors should hasten,
therefore, to fulfill their duty in
this respect, one which is inti
mately linked with their ordin
ary preaching responsiblity.
The laity, too, who have some
thing to do with the use of
these media, should endeavor to
bear witness to Christ, first of
all b> earn ing out their indi
vidual duties or of: ice expertly
and with on apostolic spirit,
and, further, by being of dir
ect help in the pastoral act
ivity of the Church - to the best
of their ability - through their
technical., economic, cultural
and artistic talents.
14. First, a good press should
be fostered. To instill a fully
Christian spirit into readers,
a truly Catholic press should be
set up and encouraged. Such a
press - whether immediately
fostered and directed by eccle
siastical authorities or by Ca
tholic laymen - should be edited
with the clear purpose of form
ing, supporting and advancing
public opinion in accord with
natural law and Catholic teach
ing and precepts. It should dis
seminate and properly explain
news concerning the life of the
Church. Moreover, the faithful
ought to be advised of the nec
essity both to spread and read
the Catholic press to formulate
Christian judgments for them
selves onall events.
The production and showing
of films that have value as de
cent entertainment, humane cu
lture or art, especially when
they are designed for young
people, ought to be encouraged
and assured by every effective
means. This can be done parti
cularly by supporting and join
ing in projects and enterprises
for the production and distribu
tion of decent films, by encour
aging worthwhile films through
critical approval and aw
ards, by patronizing or jointly
sponsoring theaters opera
ted by Catholic and responsible
managers.
Similarly, effective support
should be given to good rsdio
and television programs, above
all those that are suitable for
families. Catholic programs
should be promoted, in which
listeners and viewers can be
brought to share in the life
of the Church and learn relig
ious truths. An effort should
aleo be made, where it may be
necessary, to set up Catholic
stations. In such instances,
however, care must be taken
that their programs are out
standing for their standards of
excellence and achievement.
In addition, there should be
an effort to see that the noble
and ancient art of the drams,
which now is diffused every
where by the media of social
communication, serves the
cultural and moral betterment
of audiences.
15. To provide for the needs
just set forth, priests, relig
ious and laymen who are equip
ped with the proper skills for
adapting these media to the ob
jectives of the apostolate should
be appointed promptly.
Importantly, laymen ought to
be afforded technical, doctrinal
and moral training. For this pu
rpose, the number of schools
faculties and institutes should
be increased, where newsmen,
writers for screen, radio and
television and all other interes
ted parties can obtain a sound
training that is imbued with the
Christian spirit, especially
with respect to the social tea
ching of the Church.
Finally, care must be taken to
prepare literary, film, radio,
television and other critics,
who will be equipped with the
best skills in their own crafts
and trained and encouraged to
render judgments which always
put moral Issues' in their pro
per light.
16. Since the proper use of
the media ot social communic
ations which are available to
audiences of different cultural
backgrounds and ages, calls -
for instruction proper to their
needs, programs which are sui
table for this purpose - espec
ially where they are designed
for youngpeople - should be en
couraged, increased in num
bers and organized according to
Christian moral principles.
This should be done In Catholic
schools at every level, in semi
naries and in lay apostolate gr
oups. To speed this along cat
echetical manuals should pre
sent and explain Catholic tea
ching and regulations on this
matter.
17. It is quite unbecoming for
the Church's children idly
to permit the message of sal
vation to be thwarted or impe
ded by the technical delays or
expenses, however vast which
are encountered by the very na
ture of these media.Therefore,
this Sacred Synod advises them
of the obligation they have to
maintain and assist Catholic
newspapers, periodicals and
film projects, radio and tele
vision programs and stations,
whose principal objective is to
spread and defend the truth and
foster Christian influence in
human society. At the same
time, the Synod earnestly In
vites those organizations and
individuals who possess fina
ncial and technical ability to
support these media freely and
generously with their re
sources and their skills, inas
much as they contribute to ge-
unine cluture and the aposto
late.
18. Moreover, that the varied
apostolates of the Church with
respect to the media of social
communication may be strengt
hened effectively, each year In
every diocese of the world, by
the determination of the Bis
hops, there should be celebra
ted a day on which the faith
ful are instructed in their res
ponsibilities in this regard.
They should be invited to pray
and contribute funds for this
cause. Such funds are to be ex
pended exclusively on the
promotion, maintenance and
development of Institutes and
undertakings of the Church in
this area, according to the ne
eds of the whole Catholic world.
19. In fulfilling his supreme
pastoral charge with respect to
media of social communication,
the Sovereign Pontiff has at
hand a special office of the
Holy See.
Moreover, the Fathers of the
Council, freely acceding to the
wish of the "Secretariat for the
Supervision of Publications and
Entertainment," reverently
request that the Sovereign Pon
tiff extend the duties and com
petence of this office to include
all media of social communica
tion, including the press, and
that experts from various coun
tries be named to It. including
laymen.
20. It will be the task of the
Bishops, however, to watch ov
er such works and undertakings
in their own dioceses, to pro
mote them and, as far as the
public apostolate is concerned,
to guide them, not excluding
those that are under the dire
ction of exempt religious.
21. Since an effective aposto
late on a national scale colls
for unity of planning and res
ources, this Sacred Synod dec
rees and orders that national
offices for affairs of the pre
offices for affairs of the press,
films, radio and television be
established everywhere and
given every aid. It will be the
special task of these offices to
see to it that the consciences
of the faithful are properly in
structed with respect to these
media. Likewise they should
foster and guide whatever is
done by Catholics in these ar
eas.
In each country the direction
of such offices should be entr
usted to a special committee of
Bishops, or to a single Bishop.
Moreover, laymen who are ex
perts in Catholic teaching and in
these arts or techniques shou
ld have a role in these offices.
22. Since the effectiveness of
these media reaches beyond na
tional boundaries and has an
impact on individual members
of the whole human family, na
tional offices should co-operate
among themselves on an inter-
ational plane. The offices spo
ken of in Number 21 should as-
sduously work together with
their own international Catholic
associations. These Catholic
international associations are
legitimately approved by the
Holy See alone and depend on
it.
APPENDICES
23. So that the general princ
iples and norms of this Sacred
Synod with respect to the media
of social communications may
be put into effect, by the exp
ress will of the Council, the of
fice of the Holy See mentioned
In Number 19 should undertake,
with the assistance of experts
from various countries, to
issue a pastoral instruction.
24. As for the rest, this Sa
cred Synod is confident that its
issuance of these instructions
and norms will be gladly ac
cepted and religiously kept by
all the Church's children. By
using these helps they will ex
perience no harm and, like salt
and light, they will give savor
to the earth and brighten the
world. Moreover, the Synod in
vites all men of good will, es
pecially those who have charge
of these media, to strive to turn
them solely to the good oi soc
iety, whose fate depends more
ami more on their proper use.
Thus, as was the case with an
cient works of art, the name of
the Lord may be glorified by
these new discoveries in acco
rdance with those words of the
Apostle: "Jesus Chlrst, yes
terday and today, and the same
forever" (Hebrews 13:8).