The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current, December 12, 1963, Image 11

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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).