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ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA
The Georgia Bulletin
SERVING GEORGIA S 71 NORTHERN COUNTIES
Vol. 9 No. 29
Dear
Reader
By HARRY MURPHY
It was at one of those
places in the Georgia
mountains that serves family
style meals.
A small line waited, 8 or
10 youngsters with long hair,
beards and garb popular with
the younger set, the Murphy
Clan, a couple of middle-aged
men, and a couple with a
couple of toddlers.
The owner filled all but
four places at one table with
the long hairs and announced
the vacancies.
We needed nine places with
Mom and Pop both on hand
to control some table
manners which still have
rough edges.
One of the middle-aged
men noted there were only
two in his party, “but we’d
rather not sit with them (the
longhairs).”
The couple with the
toddlers were next in line and
eagerly moved foward to take
the owner’s offer.
“You’d better tell them
who they’re sitting with,”
cautioned one of the
middle-agers.
“Yeh,” chirped the other.
“They don’t know what
they’re getting into.”
But the couple went on as
if they didn’t hear.
They ate, helped feed their
kids, engaged in convivial
conversation with their table
mates and survived.
The middle-agers were
seated at a table of more
conventional appearing
people, survived also, but
missed a chance for a new
experience simply because
they rejected people with
long hair.
This reluctance to undergo
new experience and chance
some disappointments is a
characteristic of too many
Americans, particularly
tourists abroad.
Unfortunately it also is a
trait of Protestants and,
moreso, of Catholics.
Therefore the Ecumenical
movement proceeds at a
snail’s pace because of this
suspicion of others’ services.
I’ve just finished shooting
the Chatooga River rapids in
rubber rafts with nine
persons, one of whom I know
only casually and none of
whom I have ever engaged in
anyt’ .ig where each man’s
life depends on the other.
Had I not been willing to
go with strangers and trust
them, I would have missed
this adventure and some of
the most beautiful scenery in
the world.
Familiarity may breed
contempt, but ignorance and
fear have a similar effect.
How can we reject
Protestant and Jewish services
if we don’t know anything
about them?
The same goes for different
races and nationalities.
Christian Bovee, an American
author and editor of the late
1800’s, said, “There is great
beauty in going through life
without anxiety or fear. Half
our fears are baseless and the
other half discreditable.”
Ah, if we could be so
fortunate.
‘Miracle’
American
HOT AND THIRSTY! - As temperatures soared into the 90’s,
several tourists in Rome, Italy, joined a priest recently in getting
a cool drink of water outside the Vatican from a fountain
carved in the shape of the Papal Crown. (NC PHOTO)
600 U.S. Nuns
Set Meet Here
The leaders of virtually all
the Religious Congregations
of Women in the United
States will convene in Atlanta
Sept. 5-11.
“The Church Is For the
World” is the theme chosen
by the Conference of Major
Superiors of Women for their
Annual Assembly.
Some 600 women religious
are expected to participate in
the 6-day program. Scheduled
to speak are: Cardinal George
Flahiff of Winnipeg, Canada;
Reverend Gregory Baum,
author of “Man Becoming”;
Reverend Richard McBrian,
Theologian from Boston
College and Reverend Mark
Said, A Dominican priest
from Rome, who will speak
on the future of Church Law
with regard to religious.
Mother Theresa, famed
foundress of the Missionaries
of Charity from Calcutta,
India, will also address the
group.
Besides the lecturers, a
group of experts in various
fields will direct five different
Workshops each afternoon.
The Major Superiors will
choose which one they wish
to attend.
Issues such as War, Peace,
Abortion, Addiction, Welfare,
Housing, Reform of Penal
Institutions and Racism will
be among the topics discussed
at the Workshops.
The Superiors will also
turn their attention to new
forms of ministry for women
religious, to youth culture,
educational matters and other
current topics.
During the sessions, Sister
Angelita Myerscough,
President of the Conference
of Major Superiors of
Women, will present an
overview of the past year’s
activities. At the close of the
meeting, Sister Angelita will
be succeeded by Sister
Thomas Aquanas Carroll,
Superior General of the
Sisters of Mercy of
Pittsburgh. A new
Vice-President for the
Conference will be elected
during the course of the
meeting.
Sister Thadda Kelly and
Sister Bridget Fitzpatrick, the
two American Sisters who
hold posts at the Sacred
Congregation for Religious in
Rome, will attend the Atlanta
assembly.
The seven Bishops who
form a Committee of the
National Conference of
Catholic Bishops that
functions as a liaison group
with religious sisters will also
be in attendance.
The Conference of Major
Superiors of Women is an
organization composed of the
leaders of Catholic
Sisterhoods. Its purpose is to
assist its members in
developing creative and
responsive leadership
programs that are consonant
with the evolving mission of
women religious in today’s
world.
Roswell Group
Gets $10,000
The Campaign for Human
Development has approved a
$10,000 grant to the North
Fulton Child Development
Association to operate a
bi-racial, ecumenical day care
center for 30 preschool
children.
Mrs. Lillian McNair, the
Association’s vice president,
said the money will allow
some payment to the teachers
and cook which serve the
Groveway Center on Grove
St. in Roswell.
The school is entering its
fourth year and this is the
first grant received, outside of
some funds from the U.S.
Agriculture Department for
lunches.
The fund is operated by
the National Council of
Catholic Bishops.
«
Thursday, September 2,1971
$5 per year
Can Save
Priesthood
BY FATHER LEO E. McFADDEN
ROME (NC) — The Catholic priesthood as it is
known today in the United States needs a miracle to
avoid extinction, according to a statistical study
presented to the Vatican last April and now made
available to NC News.
The research project
compiled by an American
sociologist -Jesuit Father
Eugene Schallert, director of
the Institute for
Socio-religious Studies at the
University of San Francisco
-depicts the American
priesthood as losing the battle
“to survive as a viable force in
our society.”
A separate analytical study
by the Schallert staff
summarizes the main
scientific studies of the
American and Canadian
priesthood and concludes:
The findings are hardly
subtle. The priesthood seems
to be losing some of its most
innovative, intelligent,
talented, creative and
idealistic members.”
the figures are conservative
but accurate.
“Not all our figures are
accurate to the final digit, but
by using every form of
modern statistics we are
convinced this study is
accurate in terms of ratios
and percentages and is a
highly dependable overview,”
he said.
Why does the crisis exist?
How could it be averted?
To find the answers, the
Schallert research team
produced the analytical study
by sifting through the major
scientific studies of the past
six years on the American
and Canadian priesthood.
They determined that the
crisis hinges on differences of
opinion among the clergy
regarding change.
ECUMENICAL EFFORT - The crucifix that customarily hangs in patient’s rooms at St. Mary’s
Extended Care Center, Minneapolis, is now being replaced with a Star of David plaque when a
Jewish patient is admitted. The idea evolved from members of the staff concerned with ways to
recognize a patient’s personal belief. Above Mrs. Irving Bernstein, who designed the plaques, looks
at them with three clergymen who participated in the presentation ceremony. They are, from left:
Reverend David Parrish, Protestant chaplain on the St. Mary’s staff; Rabbi Max Shapiro, Temple
Israel in Minneapolis, and Father Ralph Goman, Catholic chaplain at St. Mary’s. (NC PHOTO)
ATLANTA INCLUDED
Survey Favors Church Tax
The analytical study
recommends such changes as
better communications
between superiors and
subordinates, wiser use of
clergy, new ministries, and
optional celibacy “to stem
the tide” of those leaving.
Highlights of the statistical
study given four months ago
by Father Schallert to
Cardinal Jean Villot, papal
secretary of state:
-For every priest ordained
in 1965, the Church in the
United States lost three
quarters -.77 -of a priest
through death, retirement,
departure or going on leave.
By 1970, for every priest
ordained, two and a half were
lost.
-In the same five-year
period, religious order losses
jumped from one half a priest
(.59) to two and two thirds
(2.62).
-The median age of
diocesan priests is now 46,
for religious order priests, 48.
-Again in the same period,
the loss rate among diocesan
priests grew 12 times; among
religious, attrition increased
eight times.
-For both diocesan and
religious, recruitment is down
by more than 30 percent,
while death and retirement is
up 150 percent.
“This would tend to mean
that the diocesan clergy must
regain half of its present
members within 19 years and
religious orders within 16
years if they are to keep their
same numerical
strength ... .The eventuality
this timetable will be met
seems remote,” the study
says.
In computing figures for
losses in the priesthood,
Father Schallert explained
that he counted the number
of priests who asked Rome
for laicization and added an
equal number to allow for
those who left without
asking. To this he then added
91 percent of priests on leave
of absence (since less than 9
ever return).”
Even though adding those
on leave to the loss column
naintc o Kloolroi* ninfnfUnn
M fiiviuic l/llClll
some other surveys, Father
Schallert insisted his study
was conservative because he
allowed for certain unknowns
-for instance, when a diocese
does not provide all the
information or when a priest
says he will leave but then
stays.
Father Caesar Caviglia,
who prepared the statistical
charts for the study, agreed
WASHINGTON (NC) — City dwellers disapprove of tax-exempting churches,
private schools and universities, according to a survey of Atlanta and nine other
cities contracted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Some were content with
the “parish structure” form
of ministry in which the
priest gave out the
sacraments, raised money,
and kept a Catholic school
going.
The survey of persons
living in 10 cities showed that
a majority favors removing
the tax-exempt status from
these churches and schools, a
heated issue in recent years
because many cities have
been hard pressed for extra
revenue.
cannot be taxed. Do you
think this law should be
changed?” The same question
was asked about churches.
NEWS BRIEFS
Pope Appeals For Peace
CASTELGANDOLFO (NC) — Pope Paul lamented the
“hatred and bloodshed” rocking Northern Ireland and prayed
that both Catholics and Protestants would work for unity to
save their land “other sad trials.” His words of concern over the
six counties of Ulster were delivered to thousands of tourists at
the Sunday noon Angelus in the courtyard of his summer villa
here Aug. 29 in what he described as a “serene Sunday
gathering.” “We ardently wish that all the people in Northern
Ireland, whose common Christian faith should bring them closer
together in unity, can soon return to enjoy the great benefits of
true peace,” the Pope said.
New Pa. Aid Bill
HARRISBURG, Pa. (NC) — Gov. Milton J. Shapp signed into
law Aug. 27 a new nonpublic school aid program-drafted in the
wake of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision voiding another
Pennsylvania aid law. Describing education in all forms as “our
greatest human investment,” Gov. Shapp said the new law is a
“modest contribution to the education of nonpublic school
children,” but a “giant step toward removing the need for
massive infusion of more public money into the public school
system.” Approved Aug. 25 by the Pennsylvania Senate and
Aug. 11 by the state House of Representatives, the aid law-a
tuition reimbursement program-grants $75 annually for each
child in a nonpublic grade school and $150 per nonpublic high
school student.
'Lost Battalion’ Priest Dies
NEW YORK (NC) — A retired monsignor who served in
World War I as chaplain of the famous “Lost Battalion” died of
an apparent heart attack Aug. 29 at the age of 85 in a suburban
New Rochelle hospital. Msgr. James L. Halligan had been
assigned to the 308th Regiment, 77th Division, and was with a
surrounded battalion that withstood strong enemy attack for
five days. He was ordained in 1912 at the Pontifical North
American College in Rome and was commissioned a chaplain in
1917. From its dedication in 1930 until he retired last year,
Msgr. Halligan was pastor of Holy Name Church in New
Rochelle.
The survey was conducted
by the National League of
Cities’ Urban Observatory
(NLCUO), under contract by
HUD, to determine the
attitude of city dwellers on
taxes, services and other
problems.
A summary of the initial
findings of the league said it
was not known whether the
surveyed attitudes on
tax-exemption reflected a
new ideology or “a current
desperation for new resources
of income for cities.
“We do not even know
whether the figures represent
a change from the past,” the
survey said. “However there
seems to be little doubt that
some change in the laws
regarding taxation of school
and church property is
politically feasible in most of
the cities in this country.”
The survey was taken by
devising a cross-section of the
population in Albuquerque;
Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston;
Denver; Kansas City, Kan.;
Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee;
Nashville, and San Diego.
Those surveyed were
asked: “As you probably
know, land that is owned by
private schools and
universities in the city by law
More than 54 percent
responded affirmatively to
both questions. More than 41
percent responded negatively
and more than 4 percent had
no opinion.
Those questioned about
ending or retaining church
exemption were asked, “Why
do you feel that way?”
The most common reasons
for ending church exemptions
were: the city needs the
money; a church is a business,
churches are not special;
separation of church and
state; churches can afford to
pay; churches provide limited
services to the community.
The most common reasons
for retaining church
exemptions were: churches
cannot afford to pay;
freedom of religion, churches
provide service to the
community; churches are
non-profit institutions; a
church tax would constitute
double taxation; the churches
have traditionally been tax
exempt.
The pollsters said that
among the surveyed cities
with significant Catholic
populations, there was no
difference between Catholics
and others on the willingness
to change laws on taxing
church property.
Archbishop Celebrates
Spanish Mass At Prison
Canada Labor Day Statement
OTTAWA, Ont. (NC) — Canadians were urged to “identify
and begin to root out the underlying causes of violence” in a
Labor Day message by the bishops of the social action offices of
the Canadian Catholic Conference. ‘Mere condemnation of
violent symptoms is never enough,” the bishops wrote in the
message on “A Christian Stance in the Face of Violence.” The
bishops instructed Christians that they have “the responsibility
to adopt concrete actions.” Giving assurance that the national
office of social action would cooperate, they urged “diocesan
councils, social and apostolic movements, parish councils,
omim^ninol nnr1 onmmnnitv avruinincrc tn oparrh nut nnn-vinlpnt.
vvumcmvui ui»u — —
creative answers to injustices.”
101-Year-Old Priest On Church
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (NC) — A 101-year-old priest says
he is surprised it took the Church so long to change. “Now it is
better than before,” he is convinced. Father George M. Trunk
says he is happy about the reduced fasting before communion,
revisions in the reading of the breviary and changes in the
liturgy. But he draws the line on some things, remarking that it
is “foolishness” for a priest to think about getting married. “We
are in a crisis of selfishness,” Father Trunk says, “and a priest
should not be foolish or selfish.”
)
Some 30 Spanish-speaking
inmates at the Atlanta
Federal Penitentiary gathered
Saturday for a Spanish Mass
celebrated by Archbishop
Thomas A. Donnellan.
The arrangements for this
Mass had been made by
Father Raymond Beane,
O.F.M., chaplain at the
institution.
The Archbishop delivered
the homily in Spanish.
Speaking of the day’s feast of
Saint Augustine, he pointed
to the chance for a new life
that is open to all men by
faith in Jesus Christ.
This Mass was part of the
overall Spanish apostolate at
the prison. Father Raimundo
Dolano, O.F.M., from Sacred
Heart parish has been
working with the inmates for
several months.
A full scale religious
education program has been
established by the men along
with assistance from local
Spanish Catholics.
In addition to Father
Solano’s work, there has been
a Spanish-speaking deacon
active in the program all
summer. Father Beane
indicated that the program
was expected to grow as it
was being well received by
the men.
After the Mass, the
Archbishop greeted each of
the men personally and
visited briefly with them.