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PROTESTANT WRITER SAYS: Implementing Updating Crucial Test Of Council PAKISTANI women of the Jati district draw water from a deep well in a village spon sored by Catholic Relief Services-National Catholic Welfare Conference. CRS aroused in terest and co-sponsorship from other voluntary welfare agencies throughout the world. POTATO CHIPS TWIN PKG. ECHOLS TRANSFER INC. Hauling & Moving Truck & Driver $3.75 Per Hour Tractor TYailor & Driver $4.50 Per Hour 370 Lee St., S. W. PL3-2153 Atlanta IGNATIUS HOUSE RETREATS BY JESUIT PRIESTS Weekends For Men And Weekends For Women 6700 Riverside Drive N. W. 255-0503 Atlanta, Georgia 30328 *&ee Studio* WEDDINGS PORTRAITS COMMERCIAL BLACK - WHITE AND NATURAL COLOR 1164 N. HIGHLAND AVE., N # E. ATLANTA, UA. TR 6-3716 WE SPECIALIZE IN FINE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY. OUT OF TQJVN ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED H+tdusioHce in all Ua pvufti! 9l it'd, wAitten, we wAile it Sutter & McLellan 1422 RHODES HAVERTY BLDG. JAcksnn 5-2086 WHERE INSURANCE IS A PROFESSION NOT A SIDELINE SENSIBLE TOYS SENSIBLY PRICED OPEN NITES MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY PIAY SHOPS EVERY TOY DISCOUNT PRICED! 3687 Roswell Rd., N.E. Cherokee Plaza Toco Hill N. Decatur Plaza Sandy Springs North Us« your C ft 8 Crsdlt Card Letters TO THE EDITOR: “Magnificent” is the only word I can think of to describe the front page of the Georgia Bulletin of Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 19641 The column of Archbishop Hallinan was so full of wonder, so full of hope and promises, and so full of humility that tears came to my eyes as I read it. The symbols so beautifully pictured represent all of Christianity and the historical Jewish faith from which it sprang. We, tod, of other than the Roman Communion, pray that those who find it difficult to change, may be given that pa tience and love enough to su- ceed, I'm sure that with God's help and in love and charity, we will truly come to know that we are all “one in Christ”, God bless Archbishop Hallinan and the “Georgia Bulletin” for being I JEAN LOMBARDI ATLANTA, GA. BY CLAUD D. NELSON Religious News Service Special Correspondent Looking at * ‘renewal and re form” not in one session butin the sweep of all three sessions of the Second Vatican Council — and doing so in an ecumenical perspective — three yardsticks will aid us to measure the pro gress of aggiornamento and the resistance to it. The crucial questions are: What is happening to papal in fallibility? To the Romanity, or Latinity, of the Catholic Church? And to establishment — alli ance of the Church with gov ernment? TO TRADmONALISTS and to the administrators who consti tute the Curia these have seem ed to be, and they have been since Vatican I, unshakeable foundations — if not of the faith, certainly of ecclesiastical poli cy. Thus, the battle rages around all three, and in all three cases not only aggiornamento but pro gress toward Christian unity is at stake. Papal infallibility begins to make sense to Protestants and Eastern Orthodox — and to countless Catholics — when it is understood to be the voice of the whole Christian fellow ship under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Hence the inten tion of Vatican I, after defin ing the authority of the Pope, to clarify the relation between the papacy and the episcopacy. It may not be an unmitigated disaster that this clarification was not attempted by a Council on the defensive, in the era of Pius IX's Syllabus of Errors. A less embattled, more con sciously pastoral generation of bishops may have succeeded ON TOUR Nuns 9 Habits Shake Up Russian People ADRIAN, Mich. (NC)— A Dominican nun disclosed here that she and her nun-traveling companion created a stir among the Russian people when they visited the Soviet Union in the summer. Sister M. Ann Joachim, legal counsel for the Adrian (Mich.) Dominican Sisters, and her companion wore their religious habits during the visit. “WE were as much a curio sity to the Russian people as Council Praised ROME (NC)— For the first time in Rome's memory, a Protestant clergyman spoke at the Pontifical Urban University, operated by the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. The Rev. Roger Schutz, prior of the Protestant monastery at Taize, France, and a guest at the ecumenical council, said of the event: “We are emerg ing from a long winter to en joy the spring of ecumenism." HE WAS speaking during a conference sponsored by the universityjs Omnes Gentes (All Peoples) asociation, whose theme was “Toward New Di mensions of Ecumenism.’ and tempest,” he told 700 se minarians in the audience, “but this does not prevent us from asserting we are indeed ex periencing a ’little spring’ or a ’first spring,' according to expressions used by (Popes) John XXIII and Paul VI. “The unanimous vote of the council Fathers for the schema on ecumenism is a source of great hope because it will per mit us to present to the world, which needs to believe, a more united church, and because it bears witness to the pastoral concern of bishops at" a truly universal level. they were to us,” said Sister Joachim, who practiced law be fore she joined the Dominicans in 1928. “Everywhere we went people stared at us and followed us," she said. “Some of the older ones would point to rosaries as if telling us that they under stood what they were. Others would attempt to make the Sign of the Cross or indicate that we do so. “In elevators when we were the only occupants, the opera tors would sometimes show us a chain with a religious medal which they wore around their necks,” she continued. “WHEN we first arrived in Moscow, we asked our guide where we could attend Mass. She directed us to St. Louis church. When we arrived we found a neat blue fence around the church and the gate locked with a big chain and padlock. Later we learned that the French church had been closed by Khrushchev when De Gaulle recognized Red China,*’ said Sister Joachim. She said women have an im portant role in Russia since that country lost some 10 million men during World War II. “Most of the doctors and law yers are women. The director of the health clinic was a wo man. Other women work as ma sons, on construction crews, in the fields and as street sweepers,” she said. AFTER repeated requests, Sister Joachim (who is also a writer, lecturer and educator) was allowed to visit a Soviet court in session. “They must have known we were coming," she related. “They were trying a divorce case. I asked the judge, who was about 25 years old, why witnesses were not sworn. He replied, ’There Is no need for witnesses to be sworn since all Russians are honest.* “It was a foolish question," Sister Jo achim admitted. where its predecessors in 1879 might not have been able to summon the necessary courage or theological support. But even now, when De Ecclesia with its especially vital Chapter III has become a constitution of the Catholic Church, the proof of the collegiality pudding must still be in the eating. MANY FRIENDS of the col legiality doctrine were sur prised when Archbishop Pietro Parente, a member of the Doc trinal Commission, advocated its approval, doubtless winning many votes for it. It was said that his acquiescence was bas ed on the fact that the text did not dispute the “ex sese” (by and of himself) of Vatican I, and that he might therefore have sacrificed the substance to save the form. But in the Roman tradition the “ex sese” could not be repealed: one has only to take care that it not be forgotten. Furthermore, for every assertion of collegiality by Pope Paul or bishops there is a corresponding and often more emphatic assertion of the Pope’s ability to act alone. But we are often reminded that, even with “ex sese” empha sizing papal self-sufficiency, it must not only be understood that this is the gift and guaran tee of the Holy Spirit, but it must be assumed that the Pope speaks with the assent of the Church. The infallibility of the Church itself has not been de fined. The practical effect of col legiality remains therefore not only to be seen but, in large measure, to be developed. The way is open for the establish ment of a senate or group of bishops of dioceses to report to and advise the Holy Father. If representative of all par'.s of the Church, and not a body permanently residing in Rome, such a group might be of great help in establishing policy, leaving only administration to the Congregations that are per manently seated in Rome and that make up the Curia. It is scarcely to be expected that any such advisory body, with either permanent or rotating membership, will be created until after the Council's conclu sion, But the policy is affirm ed, and may be implemented as Pope Paul and his successors find expedient — perhaps through successive experi ments, “Romanita” is closely con nected with what seems to Pro testants, even more to Ortho dox, the excessive legalism of the Catholic institution. It con stitutes an additional barrier for the Orthodox, who protest that the early Church did not speak Latin, nor feel the need of a highly developed juridial institution! Catholics from cen tral Europe, North America, Africa and Asia have seen in the Council that they are in an overwhelming majority, and need not in the long run be sub jected to Latinisms that are not essentially Catholic, Pope John's long and sympathetic contacts with the East helped him to open the way for a measure of de-Latinizing. De velopment of a meaningful col legiality will obviously take his Church further along that road. CLOSELY LINKED with the intransigence of many of the Latins is a fear — almost a horror — of surrendering such control of governments and sup port by them as are still en joyed in several Latin coun tries. This may help to explain the daring and dogges resis tance to any meaningful state ment on religious liberty, al though it has become doctrin- ally — after approval of the decree on ecumenism — an in escapable corollary, and was never contrary to official doc trine. At one point in the third ses sion, the U.S, bishops’ press panel gave an indecisive an swer to a reporter's query whether the adoption of the pro posed religious liberty declara tion would have any important practical effect. In answer then to a more pre cise question — whether cer tain concordats had not allied the Church with governments in imposing deprivations and pen alties on non-Roman Chris tians, and whether the new dec laration would not <stop> the Church from entering into such alliances — Father John Court ney Murray, S,J„ a leading American authority on Church- state relations, assented to the first part of the question and gave an emphatic (and heart felt) affirmative to the second. HE WAS ON the panel because of the important part he had in developing and piloting the dec laration through its various states. There are among the Council Fathers some friends of religious liberty who think that the declaration in its pres ent form would be thought of as too much based on the United States experience, and should therefore be somewhat further revised. Pope Paul’s problem is to maintain the unity of faith, wor ship and Christian spirit that exists among the bishops, be neath and above these and oth er controversies, with mini mum obstruction or delay of an aggiornamento that will make possible a wider unity — in the Church, between clergy and lai ty, Latins and non-Latins, ad ministrators and theologians, etc.; and between the Church of Rome and other Christian Churches, which do not have the same concept of unity, or even of dialogue, to which the Pope subscribes. A distinguished observer has remarked more than once in private conversation that the “conservatives” have not pre sented their best case. This may be in part an illustration of the Lord Acton dictum that power corrupts. Why should they resort to reasoning when they occupy the strategic posts and can at least delay action, as , in my view, they did be tween the first and second ses sions, and more notably in the dosing days of both the second md third sessions? This had a cumulative effect that might eventually produce sufficient reaction among the majority of the bishops to challenge the strategic position of the minori ty. But foundations have been laid, windows have been open ed. Whatever the Council may do with its unfinished business, including the formidable task presented by Scema 13 on the Church in the world — and I re main a resolute optimist — the currents that are flowing through the Roman Catholic Church will continue to cleanse and renew it. The currents may ebb, but they will return. Let the non-Roman Churches not doubt the Catholic renewal; let them be open to the currents that must cleanse and renew their own house of faith. PREPARING vestments for the many Masses and sacred functions of the 38th International Eucharistic Congress, to be held in Bombay from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6, keeps these In dian nuns busy. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1964 GEORGIA BULLETIN PAGE - Archbishop’s Notebook • WHAT DO PARENTS THINK? In a number of parishes in the United States, the old-style “FirstCommunion Day"' is changing. An article in Sign (Dec. 1964) explains and illustrates the experience of 6 1/2 - year- old Susan Jelniker of Christ the King parish in Oklahoma City. 1. Susan was instructed in the great mystery by her parents. 2. Susan’s parents had previously attended a class with other parents on “how to teach” God’s love as manifested in the Eucharist. 3. The pastor examined Susan’s readiness at her home; 4. Susan will not make her first confession until later. 5. When Susan was ready for Communion she received it, in her Sunday best, with her family. Afterwards, they all join ed around a joyful family breakfast. In these simple little changes, so meaningful to a child, there is a great deal of theology. What do our parents think of this new method? I would be very interested in learning your reaction. Sister Mary Charles Bryce, O. S. B., has two interesting little books, Come Let us Eat (for children) and First Communion (for parents and teachers). • THE CHURCH- DEFINED FOR OUR TIMES Nothing that has come from the Second Vatican Council promises more for the future of Catholicism than the Constitution, On the Church. Liturgy, ecumenism and other steps are remaking our lives, but out of what? Into what? Only in the great document that reexamines the Church we love do we find the shape of God’s design for us. Just compare the highly juridical descriptions we learned as children with the scriptural definitions of this new conciliar text; “a people made one with the unity of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit”. “The land that is God’s tillage’* “The building of God, our Mother, Christ’s own Body” “God’s Holy People". Notice the difference in emphasis? Everything in the old de finition is true; now the jewel is turned that we may see new facets. It’s like a legal concept of parenthood, — a juridical bond arising from the biological relationship of progenitor and progeny, issuing in certain rights and obligations for both, and anchoring such entailments as transmission of family name, property, etc. But is that all a father and mother are? Parents are relities, not legal concepts. They love or they ne glect; they pass on ideals or pretenses; they 'sacrifice or they remain self-centered. They are flesh-and-blood; vital beings, 1 and we honor them best when we grasp this, and not when we define them as abstractions. So with the Church. It simply means more to you and me to be included in “God's Holy People" than in “a visible, perfect, hierarchical society”. As our narrow, almost sectarian view of our Church is widened to the full spectrum of biblical images given us by God, we too will widen: our horizons, our vision, our duties, our resources, our faith. “a perfect society" “hierarchical structure” “one in government" “one in doctrine" “one in sacraments" • ALL OVER That is, “from all over” (every place) not “it's all over" (time). The renewal of our worship is only beginning. But it’s good to know that all over the Archdiocese, signs of fresh fer ment blend with signs oh joy in the new liturgy. — Out at the Cathedral, hundreds of families are expected to join in the Advent Bible Novena this month. — In several convents, with the agreement of the priest- confessor and the Sisters, an experiment is being conducted to stress Reconciliation as the chief purpose of confession, rather than the Judicial Act alone. — A beautiful Thanksgiving Vigil was held at St. Joseph’s Infirmary in which readers and participants were of all faiths. — One of my young friends from St. Paul of the Cross second grade writes: “We hope you will be out soon to say the new Mass”. (P. S. I offered Mass in the Hospital last Sunday in the new style). Thanks to all of you— for being ready. You follow St. Paul's advice on preparation for the coming of the Lord. 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