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THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1965 GEORGIA BULLETIN PAGE 2 IN ALL FAITHS Seminary Education Seen In ‘Critical Transition’Stage BY RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE A theological education exe cutive speaking in Lima, Peru, in mid-July keynoted a situa tion causing sweeping concern through virtually all of Christ endom when he declared that the process of preparing young men for the ministry is in a period of “critical transition.” In the minds of many, the course seminary education takes will in large measure de termine the future of the en tire “aggiornamento” (up-dat ing) movement now underway not only in the Catholic Church but throughout most Christian bodies. areas Interseminary Faculties Union, a group representing 12 Protestant seminaries, that “too much attention (is paid) to antiquated questhps and too little attention theo logical thought and Iherelations of theology with other , learned disciplines.’’ Theological edu cation, he maintained, needs “more breadth and depth’’ by in - troducing "contemporary problems and...more modern methods...’’ MANY STEPS have already been taken to broaden and deep en the scope of theological ed ucation. It is widely agreed that to morrow’s religious leaders will be ineffective spokesmen unless steps are taken today to prepare them for a ministry not only within sanctuary and parish boundaries but to an in- creasinly complex world. THE CHURCHMAN, speaking in Peru, Dr. E. Theodore Bach- mann of New York, executive secretary of the Lutheran Church in America’s Board of Theological Education, stressed to professors from Lutheran seminaries in Mexico, Argen tina and Brazil that all Chris tians today share “not only the awareness of a ministry confronted by many different situations but also the uncer tainly of what kind of minis try is needed and where.’’ Dr. Bachmann noted that "ministers themselves have been revealing increasing un certainty about their calling and their actual work... many are disturbed by their apparent loss of status in the community, by their activist role as ’pastoral director,’ by their basic lone liness and by their insufficient preparation for the practical demands of their ministry.” Within Catholicism, it is an- ticapted that passage of a do cument pending before the Va tican Council — "On Priestly Formation” — will give new stimulus to the up-dating of seminary training. A key pro position of the document states that the preparation Of pastors "is to be practical as well as theoretical and is to be ac- compained by apostolic train ing,” a clear directive for se minarians to learn about the world they will serve at the same time they engage' in tra ditional studies. According to Msgr. George W. Shea, rector of Immacu late Conception Seminary in Darlington, N.J., a Vatican Council expert, Catholic semi nary training has improved significantly in the last 50 years. "But, ” he added, ''I think the Vatican Council will make some significant changes in areas... which will make the priest’s training even broader- and better.” The problem, he said, involves retaining growth while traditions while making changes, combining "tradition al methods with wise innova tions.” A major cause of such a di lemma among present minis ters and priests, according to a Catholic theologian, can be fdhnd' °m ' yeitfinary so ddueatiotis , ‘ that have been too Tirriited to’ dogmatic ana philosophical structure. Father John L. McKenzie, S.J., professor of Biblical his tory at Loyola University of Chicago, told members of the French Couture Bride / Bride’s Mpid and Cocktail ORIGINALS Only by Appointment Atlanta 378-9579 TO AN EVER-EXPANDING degree, the ecumenical temper of the times is being reflected on the seminary scene. In nu merous areas Protestants are launching new cooperative se- minary programs and there have been significant beginnings in the joint exploration of theo logical education by Protestants and Catholics. One of the most broad-based Protestant - Catholic discus sions of theological education and ecumenism to date took place late laat year at Chica go under the sponsorship of the University of Chicago Di vinity School and Loyola Uni versity in cooperation with the National Conference of Chris tians and Jews. Some 75 pro fessors from over 40 seminar ies attended the sessions, urg ing expansion of interreligious discussion at the seminary level and examining several issues facing theological education, in cluding its task in a secular society. Among speakers at the Chi cago meeting, Dr. Joh Casteel, director of the Division of Life and Work in the United Church of Christ, stressed that it is impossible to deal with ecu menism solely in theological terms and maintained that at the present time theological educa tion does not appear able or ready to respond to the con temporary world. "How long can theology go on, without liv ing contact with those communi ties outside theology, the semi nary and the church?” he ask ed, advocating development of "a theology of the contempor ary world.” THE INAUGURATION last year of the noted theologian, Dr. John Coleman * Bennett, as the 11th president‘■'■•'.of. Union Theological Seminary in New SndMSuznce in all iti l&imsi) 91 itd. written, U& write it .:. Sutter & McLellan 1422 RHODES HAVERTY BLDG. JAckson 5,-2086 WHERE INSURANCE IS A PROFESSION NOT A SIDELINE York also was the occasion for a call for up-dating ip the se minary world. Declaring that theological education ‘ "should always have in view the con tinuous reformation of the church,” Dr. Bennett pointed out that today’s interrelated "bitter problems” of the inner city and the drive for racial justice are specifically challeng ing the churches. Theologocal education, he said, consequent ly has a major task in pre paring students “to take part in this fluid situation with cri ticism of existing structures but without cynical attitudes toward existing congregations of Chris tian people.” Improvement of theological education has been sought through interdenominational Protestant, and, in some cas es, interreligious cooperation. In an unprecedented move this summer, faculties from semi naries maintained by the Cath olic order of Dominicans, the American Lutheran and United Presbyterian Churches and the non-denominational School of Religion of the State University of Iowa formed the Association of Theological Faculties in Iowa. It was believed to be the only such alliance in the U.S, Earlier, St. Albert's Domini can College, a Catholic semi nary in Oakland, Cal., became affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union which rep resents five Protestant semi naries in the Bay area, pooling their resources in post-grad uate religious education pro grams. There was academic and ecumenical interest when, also in California, the Catholic Immaculate Heart College agreed to move to a site adja cent to the Associated Colleges of Claremont, making it a neigh bor of the Methodist School of Theology at Claremont. ANOTHER NEW proposal, voiced at a Catholic National Workshop on Christian Unity at Boston this June, calls for some parts of Protestant wor ship to be used in Catholic sem- iqafi^s, Jpte^eMgious^eplq?!, gical contact is being promoted, too, through such programs as a new study center for clergy and laymen in Detroit and the increasing exchange of speak ers among seminaries. Within Protestantism, a new program believed to be among the most advanced in preparing young men to cope more effec tively with practical problems has been announced at Union Theological Seminary at Rich mond, Va. In the first major curriculum change in eight years at the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (Southern) school, some sub jects virtually unheard of a de cade ago reflect the broadening field of Christian social con cern. Together with "pas toral counselling,’’ and “clin ical pastoral care,’’ elective courses include such special ties as "group dynamics’’ and "religion in the changing South.” DENOMINATIONS continue to seek greater coordination in their individual seminary sys tems and cooperative support for institutions is seen in such schools as the Interdenomina tional Theological Center in At lanta, Ga„ and many places overseas. Among developments -- thirteen different Churches have agreed to establish jointly ,a theological college for the Pacific Islands at Suva, Fiji; :four Protestant bodies are opening an interdenominational seminary this summer at Bare illy, North India; Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches in New South Wales are considering a united theo logical school. Periodic reports indicating an increasing rate of seminary ‘ ‘drop-outs ’ ’ at both Protestant and Catholic institutions have been a cause of searching con cern over the status of theologi cal education. A decrease in Catholic seminary enrollments in nearly all European countries has been reported; recent sur veys from Detroit and Balti more indicate declining Cath olic seminary enrollments in this country; Lutheran semi naries in the U.S. last year re ported fewer students for the third consecutive year; drop ping enrollment has led to a pre diction that Oberlin (Ohio) Graduate School of Theology, founded in 1835, will close in the next few years. While the statistical indica tions have been contested by KEEPING PACE IN THE ROSE GARDEN at the White House (July 21) President Lyndon B. Johnson greeted educators attending the White House Conference on Education. Here among the conferees are (left to right): Sister Marie Charles, M.H.S.H., Wilmington, Del.; Sis ter Margaret Louise, S.S.J., Brooklyn, N. Y.; Sister St. Regina Marie, C.N.D., Washing ton, D.C. In background is Sister M. Lillian, SS.N.D., New Orleans. (NC Photos) some— increased enrollments are noted in some areas — the various reports also have prompted comments that under score the need to re-examine and revamp seminary educa tion. Msgr. W. B. Kerr, - rector of St. Augustine’s College atScar- borough, Ontario, discussing a bishop McCarthy reported increasing drop-out rate among seminarians in the province, called the situation “a phenomenon of the age — an age in which the world ap pears to have so much to offer the layman." "BIG SALARIES are attrac tive,” the rector continued. ‘ 'I don't think the boys can real ly see the future clearly defin- ed...I think students now are insecure in today’s world.” Al so noting that today’s seminar ians are not content with “pat answers ” to current problems, he added; “They are searching into questions which we took for granted and when they find the answers they will end up with a stronger faith.” Sees Racial Involvement As ‘Christian Imperative’ CINCINNATI—A bishop said here that involvement in the problems of interracial justice and charityis "a Christianim- pdrative" In his first public talk since his consecration last month, Auxiliary Bishop Edward A.' I McCarthy of Cincinnati told the Cincinnati Catholic Interracial Council (July 19) its work is "the noble endeavor of giving forthright witness to the love Of Christ and of His Church fOf every man.” He said,this same love "mult bethe ’ttlffiftlate' ®'61iitRiii r U5 f r tfii# grave pF&yem oLr^cial injus tice trat* 5 Seftri sciences.” matter how successful the de monstration, the problem is not solved unless positive'action is taken to correct the abuses that the demonstrators; are protest ing... to remove discriminatory laws or practices, to create jobs, to provide better educa- j tional opportunities;3 better housing. REITERATED "This is the sweat of the movement - not dramatic, not- exciting, not perhaps as re lieving of a guilty conscience as carrying a sign—but this is the essential solution, the hard, plugging, brain-wracking, everyday, follow - up — the positive,; constructive ap- Droach," the bishop said. Churchmen Score lo nouqtono 4|ik * "What a sacrilege,” He said, "that those of Us who partici pate as a family in the liturgy, together as a sign of unity, who kneel for Communion at the same divine banquet, table, should ever refuse to eat at the same restaurant table]” HE RECALLED that the U,S. bishOps’ 1958 statement affirm ed the problem as a moral and religious one. "Every man—whatever his color—is created in the image and likeness of God. He has the sublime dignity of intelli gence, of free will, of an im mortal soul. He is destined to spend eternity in an unsegre gated heaven with God and the saints,” the bishop said. Suggesting "guiding princi ples for action,” Bishop Mc Carthy said: "All your activi ty should be motivated by one dominant, fixed idea—you are giving witness to the love ofc Christwhich urgesyoU on. This should be the distinctive con-; tribution of the Catholic Inter racial Council to the community effort to solve the race pro blem—love.” PROTEST demonstrations "held under the proper condi tions” are sometimes the “Only way a smug society will hear the cry of conscience,” Bishop McCarthy said. He advised that such demon strations should meet certain conditions. Bishop McCarthy detailed: "They : must be in support of some specific, pro per, attainable objective—for example, passing of a specific law, repealing of a specific le gal disability—not a vague pro test against general condi tions.” Demonstrations must be law ful, he stressed, “under proper auspices and properly directed to their true objectives.” “In other words, you mugt not permit yourselves to be used for some ulterior motive,” the ) bishop advised, "Just because the purpose is good and right, the demonstration is not neces sarily good unless the means used and conditions also are right.” HE ALSO cautioned that “no WASHINGTON (NC) — Mem bers of three religious groups sent telegrams to all members of the House of Representatives, reiterating their opposition to the “right to work laws” sec tion of the National Labor Rela tions Act, The telegrams were sent by the Rev. Cameron Hall, direc tor of the commission.on church and economic life at the Nation al Council of Churches of Christ; Msgr. George G. Hig gins director, Socal Action De partment, National Catholic Welfare Conference; and Rabbi Richard of the Central Conf erence of American Rabbis. A proposal to repeal section 14B of the law is now being considered by a House Labor subcommittee headed by Rep, Frank Thompson of the New Jersey. THE THREE churchmen ear lier sent a message to Rep. Thompson in which they stated: "We look upon bona fide col lective bargaining between management and organized la bor as a constructive method of handling industrial relations. Nevertheless our devotion to Medicare Will Aid Church Institution the principle of religious lib erty compels us to defend the rights of those who find it im possible, as a matter of relig ious belief, to join our support outside organizations, includ ing labor unions.” The message was circulated generally among members of the House by a representative of a religious group who advo cated opening the legislation to unlimited debate and amend ment. The churchmen then sent a second message, ad dressed to all members of the House, in which they stated: "fT HAS COME to our atten tion that this telegram (the first message) is being inter preted to mean that we are ad vocating an amendment to the rule proposed in HR 437 which would open HR 77 to unlimited debate and amendment. This was not the intention of our telegram. As a matter of fact; we deliberately refrained from trying to tell Congress, in spe cific terms, how to handle the religious liberty issue refer red to above. Our only pur pose was to record our support of principle of religious liberty while reiterating our opposi tion to section 14B”. $1.2 MILLION WASHINGTON (NC) — The newly approved medical aid bill for the elderly will be a great assistance to Catholic institu tions that care for aged per sons, according to Bishop-elect Raymond J. Gallagher, secre tary of the National Conference of Catholic Charities. Bishop - elect Gallagher, named by Pope Paul VI to be bishop of Lafayette in Indiana last June, said the measure will enable Church-run institutions to offer better and more ex tensive medical services for the aged. HE SAID there are 357 Catho lic - run Residences, convales cent homes or nursing homes for the elderly in the United States. They provide care for about 35,000 persons. The Cleveland-born prelate said the homes, most of them operated by Sisters, were origi nally designed to be places of refuge for the poor or for el derly persons who found their pensions could not meet the rising cost of living. In time, many of them began to offer medical as well as custodial services. At the present time he said there are about 100 genuine nursing homes run by the Chruch in the U.S. Approxi mately 125 other have nursing wards staffed by registered nurses and part-time physi cians. The rest are custodial homes. "This bill,” he said, "marks another stage in the people’s desire to care for their aging. The Sisters have an opportunity to amplify operations in homes providing a moderate degree of medical attention. We are mov ing from custodial homes to those with moderate medical care and, now, to bona fide nursing homes.” BISHOP-ELECT Gallagher emphasized that Church - run homes have not been "dragging their feet” in comparison with other private or publicly op- ■efate'd' 1 H&Vids ld f(Jir thfe”61dfe l riy. i H"^ n fe‘S%3'the !< sbt i Vici 0 tW titfe' in the Church has beihSkd^ittg 3 pace with the service offered by other agencies. Ireland. Land Of Celibacy DUBLIN, (NC)—The number of unmarried adults in Ireland is from two to six times that of any other European country, "quite a fantastic situation,” the Irish chief national statis- ician told a Council of Europe conference on population and refugees here, “Lest it be thought that this fact is in any way seriously influenced by the number of priests, Brothers or nuns in the country, let me hasten to add that in any particular age group only about 3% of the males and about 5% of the females are in religious life,” said Dr. M. D. McCarthy, director of the Irish Central Statistics office. Dr. McCarthy said that the Irish are n6w marrying young er. Compared to 1946, the aver age marrying age for men has dropped from 33 to 30 and for women from 28 to 26 1/2. Home Loan Awarded Priest WASHINGTON (NC)—Peru’s credit union priest has won ap proval of a $1.2 million loan by the Inter-American Develop ment. Bank to help finance con struction of more than 500 homes for low-income fami lies in Peru. 1 . The 20-year loan, with an an nual interest rate of 1 1/4% was made to Father Daniel McLellan, M.M., from the So cial Progress Trust Fund, which the bank administers. THE LOAN will enable the El Peublo savings and loan asso ciation, which Father McLel lan founded and still heads, to build over 500 homes, with a maximum value of $5,250, to be ■ assigned to families with in come less than $130 per month. FATHER McLELLAN spear headed the credit union move ment in Peru. Ten years ago he established the first such cooperative organization in his parish in Puno, with 23 mem bers and $32 in assets. The movement spread and in 1959 he founded the Central Credit Union as a national co ordinating body. A year later he founded the El Pueblo sav ings and loan association as a nonprofit organization to mobi lize private resources in an at tempt to build low-cost hous ing. He won two $1 million loans in 1961, one to help El Pueblo build 370 homes, the other to be lent by the Central Credit Union for housing, farm im provements, water supply and sanitation. El Pueblo has since become the largest savings and loan "The largest help to our o- peration will be ability of the person himself (by means of government assistance) to pay a larger share of the opera tion. This bill will enable the Sisters to continue the Chris tian receiving of patients who are unable to pay.” Besides enabling the Church - run homes to improve their ser vice and care for more people, Bishop-elect Gallagher said one provision of the medicare bill will reduce the pace in which older people apply for institu tional care, since now they will have financial means to pay for medical care at their homes. He said the post-hospital me dical care provided by the bill will make hospitals more will ing to accept aged persons in acute need of medical aid. Pre viously, he said, some elderly persons who lacked funds or a place to live could not be dis charged easily once their acute need was met. ONCE IT IS signed into law, the medicare bill will provide hospitalization, nursing home care, home nursing service and out-patient diagnostic services' for all Americans over 65 through the expansion of the so cial security inucce pro gram. An additional government in surance program will pay for doctor bills and some other •health costs for persons who voluntarily pay $3 a month in premiums. The individual Con tributions will be matched by the federal government at a cost of about $600 million a year from general tax revenues. The bill will further provide a 7% increase in all cash be nefits under the present Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program and other liberalizing changes in the so cial security law. The Senate-House committee turned down a Senate provision thMt- WduW-'havealloweS'pers 6ns agddi^Q-'tfe' recdlVe •SodidP'ste^ cUrity benefits at a reduced rate. The present retirement age is 65, and reduced rate payments are available at the age of 62. The committee a- greed to perm it retired persons to earn as much as $1,500 annually without losing their be nefits. EXCEPT FOR nursing home care, benefits under both the basic and supplementary in surance plans will become avai lable next July 1. The nursing home aid be effective on Jan. 1, 1967. The 7% increase in social security benefits is re troactive to last Jan. 1. Leader Jailed BONN, Germany (NC)— Fr anz Kosatik, a former pre sident of Catholic Action in Cze- chosolvakia, has been arrested and jailed, according to KNA, the German Catholic news ag ency. Kosatik previously serv ed several years in prison af ter an arrest in 1950. Foll owing his release he was for- bideen to practice law and was working as a gardner. organization in Peru, last year accounting for more than 28% of the loans made by such as sociations. DINE & DANCE GOOD FOOD OUR SPECIALTY MUSIC BY THE ESQUIRES ROBINSON’S Paces Ferry at River RESV. 435-7690