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PAGE 4 GEORGIA BULLETIN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1964
the
Archdiocese of Atlanta
GEORGIA .BULLETIN
SCIVINO GEORGIA'S 71 NOUTHMW COUNTIES
Official Organ of the Archidocese of Atlanta
Published Every Week at the Decatur DeKalb News
PUBLISHER- Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan
MANAGING EDITOR Gerard E. Sherry
CONSULTING EDITOR Rev. R. Donald Kieraan
2699 Peachtree N. E.
P. O. Box 11667
Northside Station
Atlanta 5, Ga.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rev. Leonard F. X. Mayhew
Member of the Catholic Press Association
and Subscriber to N. C. W. C. News Service
Telephone 231-1281
Second Class Permit at Altanta, Ga.
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Foriegn $6.50
Church And State
Recently the Council Fathers
were involved in a discussion
of Church and State. It was
very gratifying to observe the
reception accorded the Ameri
can Bishops who spoke on the
subject. And we recall that here
at home many of our fellow citi
zens have some fear of the
Church, They don’t quite know
how to define it, but this very
haziness makes it all the more
real. When they sense the Church
as a danger to those essentials
of our American political and
constitutional heritage, this fear
becomes particularly acute. To
some, it is crystalized in the
so-called battle for the ‘’sepa
ration of Church and State.**
We can respond to the fears
of our neighbors with cries of
bigotry, but it would be better
if we had recourse to the prin
ciples which are involved so that
we can bring some assurance to
the doubtful. If we discuss the
Church-State problem in a bal
anced historical perspective we
can show the impossibility of any
universally binding Catholic
solution. Since both the Church
and the State are involved in the
historical process, the relation of
the Church to the constantly
changing state will differ from *
one set of circumstances to ano
ther. Unchanging principles come
alive only in the midst of a var
iety of facts, and thus they will
command differing practical
courses.
Imperial Rome, in which the
state was a god; the Christian
Empire after Constantine, in
which the state tried to use
the church; the middle ages with
its highly developed co
operation, and the danger of
absorbing the state into the
church; the Reformation State
with its union of throne and altar;
the modern Lay State, which is
disengaged from religion; the
Post Modern State which once
again seeks a pagan divinity. All
of these are different types of
states. The Church has relations
with each of them. None of them
can claim any canonization
from the Catholic conscience.
Spain is not the United States.
Lawrence On
Have clergymen involved!
themselves and their churches
excessively in the present pre
sidential campaign? Yes, accord
ing to^ Time (Oct. 9, 1964); this
year, “as never before, religious
journals, church groups and in
dividual clergymen are deeply,
openly involved in the election.**
Does this unprecedented in
volvement in the campaign vio
late the American doctrine of
church-state separation? y e s,
according to- columnist David
Lawrence (Atlanta Journal, Oct,
14, 1964).
We were aware of some church
magazines which parted with pol»
icy and advocated the defeat of
one of the presidential candid
ates. We were not aware that
“a substantial number’* of Cath
olic publications had, as Mr.
Lawrence stated, abandoned their
past neutrality and had “come out
in favor of the Democratic tic
ket.” If the columnist’s state
ment is correct, the reasons for
this change of policy will make
an interesting study, but one
The relations between the Church
and the Spanish state will be dif
ferent from the relations bet
ween the Church and the Ameri
can state.
We pointed out previously that
within the ample span of the
Church there is room for var
iety in thought and action, as
long as basic principles are
maintained. The Church is not
a monolith. This is particularly
true in the field of Church-State
relations.
It is a fact that there is an
opinion within the Church, based
on the facts of Spain, Italy and
France, which seeks the solution
to the tensions of a Church-State
relation by a union of Church and
State. It is true that this opin
ion has for a long time been
a majority opinion. It is also true
that this opinion also had strong
Papal support.
But it is equally true that the
majority of Council Fathers now
seem to maintain that there is
a valid sense in which the Church
can be separate from the State,
Based on the facts of some of the
modern states, rooted in the An
glo-Saxon traditions of democ
racy, this opinion has gained sup
port over the years.Vi Jjj "1» taiteAfija
In the realm of practical ac
tion it is safe to assert that
American Catholic, laity and
clergy, act in the light of this
opinion. Catholic citizens taking
the oath of office, in the mili
tary, in the Federal government,
(even in the Presidency) see no
conflict between their conscience
and the American constitution.
We hope that the Council Fath
ers will come up with a practi
cal solution to the problem which
can have universal applica
tion. But we on our own local
level, neighbor to neighbor, have
a job to do. We must intro
duce a bit of calm history into
the discussion of Church and
State, Most important, in living
our civic responsibilities, we
must always witness to the sin
cerity with which we accept
theConstitution.
Holy Politics
would think he would help the
study to get started by naming
at least one of these publications.
And we never thought the activi
ties of the clergy and churches
would every exceed that of
1928 and 1960; if this statement
is also correct, we have anoth
er intriguing study project and
we*11 know at the start that the
religion of one of the candidates
was not the reason for their act
ivities.
Our major concern at this time,
however, is Mr, Lawrence's
charge that the clergy are
violating the American doctrine
of church-state separation in this
campaign. If we have read him
correctly, he is saying that
clergymen, speaking as reli
gious leaders, are not free to
discuss any issue and the posi
tion of the candidates on that is
sue in any political campaign,
and if they do so, they are vio
lating the American doctrine of
church-state separation.
CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
What They Fought For
GEORGIA PINES
‘Gloomy Gusses’
BY REV. R. DONALD KIERNAN
Somewhere I once read that It took more mus
cles to frown that to smile. The conclusion being
that It takes more work to be miserable than to
be happy. Why is it then that the world seems
to be filled with more “gloomy Gusses" than
n
ppy Hermans,?*^,. ^
I would imagine that the answer to that ques
tion would provide food for thought for many
a Psychologist. The other day I was talking to a
government official from Washington. This man
directs the lives and activities of nearly a thou
sand men. The subject of our conversation cent
ered around the unhappiness of so many people
today. He commented that many of his friends
are weekly going to a Psychaitrist. "Myself",
he said," I've never felt the need of a Psychi
atrist because I go to confession without fail
every week."
FT REALLY does seem
strange that since more exer
cise is needed to be miser
able than to be happy so many
people today are miserably un
happy. Of corse, there are
family problems, financial los
ses and physical infirmities
which tend to fell even the
strongest.
Yet, too, we all know people,
I am sure, who turn poverty into blessings,
physical infirmities into joys and family pro
blems into solutions. Like the man who com
plained that he had no shoes until he met the
man who had no feet, even the worst situation
has its solution.
1 THOUGHT about this problem of unhappiness
last week and Sunday morning after reading
the Gospel for All Saints Day, I thought that
here is the perfect blueprint for happiness.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit. . .Blessed are
the meek. . . Blessed are the peacemakers. . .
Blessed are the clean of heart. ." ' - all practi
cal solutions given for present day problems over
1,900 years ago!
I'm sure that we all have observations
about the miserable. (There are so many of
them that they can't go unnoticed!). But I think
that there is no one quite so miserable as a
miserable person himself. General Eisenhower
made an observation about this some years
ago when he said, "Take your work seriously,
but not yourself." ,
IT IS A tendency of human nature to be sel
fish. We think the only one with a idea, is our
selves; the only plan which will work, is ours.
Add this potion with a small amount of jeal
ousy and just a sprinkle of conceit and brother,
we are really on cloud #9\ firmly convinced
that the planets revolve around our own little
world.
Franciscan Father Tone observes that people
are likened to stained glass windows. From the
outside they resemble a series of broken pieces
of glass welded together with metal. Take the
trouble of going inside (with a little sunshine)
and the pattern reveals itself into a well plan
ned, artistically constructed, beautiful picture.
A-Veteraniariancommented once to me that in all
of his years of practice he has never treated a
cat but what the owner did not pay his or her
bill. "This is not true of all dog lovers" he
said. Could it be that no matter how miserable
a person is "mans best friend" will never
leave him?
Hobbies have a tendency to make a person
think of something besides himself. A good card
player, fisherman or - golfer usually possesses
a sense of humor which tends not only to make
the practicipant happy but it radiates itself to
those around.
SERIOUSNESS is often a decided asset and
certainly seriousness does not exlcude one from
having the ability of possessing a sense of hu
mor. But in our seriousness we should never
forget how to smile. After all, as the old Sage
put it, "more flies are caught with a spoon of
sugar than a barrel of vinegar."
EUROPE’S VIEW
Your World And Mine
BY GARY MacEOIN
West Europe’s concept of the United States has
changed vastly in recent years. While still far
different from our picture of ourselves, it is more
accurate and up-to-date than the old-time cari
cature of a dollar - toting, ci
gar-champing Uncle Sam.
Europeans understand clear
ly that the United States enjoys
world nuclear supremacy, and
that their survival rests on this
fact. It does not disturb them,
nu». even the British and French
who want their own token force.
Unlike many on other con
tinents, they are quite sure that American inten
tions are honorable and peaceful. They believe the
average American to be more upright and well-
intentioned than the average European, less like
ly to abuse his power for his private benefit.
THEIR CONFIDENCE in American judgment
is less absolute. They are by no means satis
fied that the American political system ensures
the expression in foreign affairs of the intentions
of the average peaceful American. They are not
even sure that his average peaceful Ameri
can has the maturity to judge what must be done
and what avoided in order to implement his in
tentions.
This does not mean that Europeans favor a
weak American foreign policy. On the contrary,
they applauded the firm Kennedy confrontation
of Krushchev over Cuba, though they were the po
tential front line. What they fear is a wild po
licy. If you ask for an example, they offer the
recent widely supported suggestions that Ameri
can nuclear power be used to achieve limited
military objectives in Asia.
The risk of world annihilation is here far less.
But what Europeans see and American proponents
ignore are the political byproducts, even assum
ing a military success without escalation. The
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
EXTREMISTS OUT
National Unity
Is Prime Aim
BY GERARD E. SHERRY
The people have spoken. Lyndon Baines John
son has received an overwhelming mandate from
the people and becomes the thirty-sixth President
of these United States in his own right. The
memories of that November day in Dallas cannot
be erased, but we have gone on and survived.
Senator Barry Goldwater and his philosophies
have been soundly repudiated by the vast
majority of the voters and political oblivion is
his possible fate. Alsa, this will not be so
for the majority of the political extremists who
used him for their
ends. They will
look for another set
of coattails upon
which to cling while
they spread hate and
prejudice throughout
the land.
IT IS a very serious time in the history of our
nation. Tuesday's national elections were the
culmination of one of the most disgustingly vic
ious political campaigns in our history. It is
not so much a question of the language as the
tactics used. The deceit and the lies about the
various candidates were unbecoming of an alleg
edly mature democracy. Most of it could not
be put down to ignorance. It was a carefully
plannned campaign of smear and intimidation and
operated by political extremists whose selfish
interests come before the country's.
The task now is to pick up the pieces and with
the aid of men of good will in both major political
parties, to set about establishing a basic unity,
while encouraging a healthy diversity of opinion.
It is not going to be an easy task for the hate
mongers will try to prolong the campaign bit
terness; They will try to create disorder;
They will try to further their false patriotism
and phony flag waving. Concerned citizens, there
fore, will heed the urgings of responsible lea
ders in both the Republican and Democratic
parties. The wounds of the election campaign
must be bound and the healing salve of rea
son must be applied with all speed.
IT IS especially important at this time for
church orientated groups to encourage a return
to national sanity; to a furthering of the spirit
of brotherhood; and an end to mistrust and bias,
hate and prejudice, in the political arena. This
is an urgent task far more patriotic in accom
plishment than the millions of words and the thou
sands of flags that have been waved during the
election battle.
I also think that both major parties should
form a. Joint committee to investigate some of
--the purveyors of haje d ^j?rejy^q, l] wh t o. 1 ^fd, uu
.-nidthem selves to respectable political organizations
in order to gain maximum distribution for their
libelous and scandalous literature.
WE HAVE also to revamp the national fair
practices committee which has been the watch
dog on election campaigns. There certainly has
been little protest this year although there has
been very little fair practice. The biggest loser
in this campaign has been the presidency. So
much disgusting material (most of it half-
truths and outright lies) has been distributed
on President Johnson that it has done immeasur
able harm to the image of the greatest office in
the land.
One of the most deplorable tactics used was
to tie the Communist Party with the success
of Lyndon Johnson’s campaign. Because the
Daily Worker backed President Johnson (the les
ser of the two evils they claim) some of his
opponents implied that a vote for Johnson was
a vote for the Communist party. It is the same
tactic that has been used many times before.
It has been used against Pope John and many
bishops, priests, and laymen busy in Catholic
action. Because the Church is for something which
is also supported by the Communists, then
they say there is something wrong with the
Church’s position. How many times have we seen
this argument used even in Catholic periodicals
of the extreme Right.
THE NUMBER of sins that arc committed
under the guise of Americanism and anti
communism should give us much food for thought
in the quest for national unity. The most vocal
of the anti-Communits have often been found to
be also the most vocal racists, and the most
vocal anti-Semites; the most vocal and allegedly
true standard bearers of Americanism are often
those who run around the hills of the South and
California learning to use guns to repel the
"invaders;” they are the so-called "patriots"
who set American against American on the grounds
that to achieve world peace
one has to have world war. They
are the trigger-happy Americans to whom "love
of neighbor" is a foreign phrase. I don’t lump
Senator Goldwater in this category. I think he has
too much integrity for that type of thing; but
I do believe that the Senator has been blind to
their influence in his midst and has unconsciously
permitted them to blacken the image of the genu
ine American Conservative.
One of the basic requirements for national
unity is the reemergence of the true Conser
vative in both the Republican and Democratic
parties. Healthy political diversity finds room for
both conservatism and liberalism. We need the
checks and balances in and out of congress.
It behooves all politicians of good will therefore
to re-establish respectable Conservatism devoid
of the extremist outpourings which were the
hallmark of the recent unlamented campaign.
National unity will not be attained by hiding from
oneself the fact that political extremists have
attempted a Political takeover of our Govern
ment. That they failed is gratifying, but the
Party must be rebuilt so as to reflect the genu
ine Conservative expression. The government,
too, must refrain from punitive reprisals. Pre
sident Johnson will make his mark in history
if he reflects true bi-partisanship in all areas
where it has been traditional.
REAPINGS
AT
RANDOM