Stress Catholic-Jewish Dialogue
The ANCHOR An Anchor of the Soul, Sure and Flrm-St. Paul
Fall River, Mass., Thursday, Jan. 9, 1975 PRICE 15c Vol. 19, No.2 © 1975 The Anchor $5.00 per year
At the outset of the press VA'J1lCAN CITY (NC) ~ The Vatican's new guidelines and conference it was made cle.ar suggestion!'> on Catholic-Jewish that the newly published doc· relations were drawn up for ument was "not a political docRoman Catholics and do not ument," nor did it intend to deal presume to interpret Jewish with . theological problems as thinking or how "Jews view such. themselves." Father Martini stressed that That was an essential point the document was "almost ex· made at a Vatican press confer- clusively of a practical nature." ence given by several members He noted that it "doe!'> not of the commis!'>ion that drafted the guidelines. Taking part in propose a Christian theology of the conference were Italian Jes- Judaism," and suggested that uitFather Carlo Martini, rector the new commission of relations of the Pontifical Biblical Insti· with the Jews may in the future tute in Rome, Msgr. Charles contribute special research and Moeller, secretary of the Vat· reflection on this theological ican'!? Secretariat for Christian aspect. Asked why the question of Unity, and Dominican Father Pierre-Marie de Contenson, sec- the Church's mis!'>ion to evanretary of the Commission for gelize was explicitely mentioned Catholic-Jewish Relations, which in speaking of the need for diwas establi!'>hed by Pope Paul VI . alogue with the Jews, Father De Contenson rejected the assertion in October.
of some that a "missionary intent" is implicit in the document. ":It seems to me that. the first part of the document, dealing with dialogue, stre!'>ses respect, respect for religious convictions. In dialogue each side must express its point of view but this does not imply proselytism, be· cau.!'>e proselytism implies in itself the imposing of one's own point of view at the expense of dialogue," said Father De Contenson. Father Martini, referring to the same question, said: "The document is an invitation to dialogue and to go forward in full respect, with each group naturally expressing itself and it!'> views freely." He added that the work of evangelization must not be done offensively and only with "the strictest respect for religious liberty."
Bishop1s Charity Ball Tomorrow Evening The Most Rev. Daniel A Cronin, S.T.D., will be the principal speaker at the 20th annual Bishop's Ball tomorrow night at the Lincoln Park Ballroom, North Dartmouth. This -is Bishop Cronin's fifth appearance at this outstanding social and charitable event which honors him for his work in behalf of exceptional and underprivileged children reo gardless of race, color or creed. Proceeds of the affair benefit four schools for exceptional children and four summer camps for underprivileged and exceptional children. The program for the evening will include music for dancing by Manny Silvia and his Tophatter!'> in the main ballroom from 8 P.M. to 8:45 P.M. and in the Ballroom Lounge from 9 P.M. to 1 AM. Meyer Davis, society's noted orchestra, will personally direct the music for dancing in the main ballroom of Lin col n
Park from 9 P.M. to 1 AM. At 9:05 Bishop Cronin will be escorted to the Bishop's Box by the honorary chairmen of the Ball, Mr. Stanley A McLean of Centerville, president of the Cape Cod and Islands Particular Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Mrs. Rich· ard M. Paul!'>on 'of Taunton. president of the Dio«;esan Council of Catholic Women. The introduction of the 37 presentees to Bishop Cronin by the master of ceremonies, Mr. Edward F. Kennedy of Taunton, former diocesan president of St. Vincent de Paul, will take place between 9: 10 and 9:35. 'Following the Grand March at 10 o'clock, Rev. Msgr. An· thony M. Gomes, diocesan direc· tor of the Bishop's Charity Ball, will introduce Bi!'>hop Cronin, who will address the gathering. Tickets wjll be available at the door for anyone desiring to attend this ev~nt.
Rev. Leo T. Sullivan Dies; Prayer, Gentleness Hailed Most Rev. Daniel A Cronin, S.T.D., Bishop of Fall River, was the principal celebrant of the funeral Mass for Rev. ~eo T.
REV. LEO T. SULLIVAN
Sullivan, former pastor of Holy Name Parish in New Bedford. Concelebrating with the Most Reverend Bishop were 135 priests from the Fall River Diocese, four other states and the District of Columbia. The eulogist was Rev. Eugene Robitaille, SS.CC., of Germantown, N.Y., while Rev. William G. Campbell of Holy Name Parish in ,Fall River conducted the Cathedral choristers and Rev. Horace J. Travassos of St. James Parish, New Bedford, led the people's participation. Honorary bearers included some 60 members of Holy Name Parish. In the sanctuary were seated Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop; Rev. Msgr. Luiz G. Mendonca, V.G., and classmates of Father Sullivan: Father Sullivan, 64 years of age, wa!'> born in Fall River, the son of the late John and Julia Driscoll Sullivan. A graduate of Turn to Page Eight
INTERFAITH ACTMTY: Laying wreath at the Yad Vashem Martyrs' shrine on the Mount of Remembrance in Jerusalem are, left to right, Rev. Msgr. John Oesterreicher of South Orange, N.J.; Dr. Jos~ph Lichten of B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League; and Rev. Alfred P. Klausler of Chicago. New Vatican document urges dialogue, prayer and action between Catholics and Jews. NC. Photo.
Ministry to Sick An innovative and comprehen. sive program designed to clarify people's understandmg of the Sacraments for the Sick will be undertaken in this area during the month of January. This announcement was made today by the Rev. Kevin F. Tripp, Coordinator of Catholic Ministry at St. Luke's Hospital. Recently, with the publication of a new ritual, some of the sacramental pastoral practices of the Roman Catholic Church have assumed a new direction, commented Fr. Tripp. In the Church's ministry to the sick, there is a special sacra· mental presence and ministry. In former times this sacramental ministry was exercised primarily in crisis situations. Today, the Church, returning to some ancient traditions and prayers, has broadened that ministry, and encourages more people to partici-
pate in it. "The primary goal of our program is to help people who are well understand the Church's sacramental ministry to the sick in proper perspective. Then when they become ill, or when relatives or friends become ill, they will know how to respond better," noted Fr. Tripp. Situations of sickness and death are heavily ladened with emotion, and this program will provide an opportunity for people to become acquainted with this renewed sacramental practice in non-stressful and unemotional conditions. Fr. Tripp indicates that he places an important part of his work among the sick in the area of education. Tbe program, in planning for more than three months, is being coordinated among many agen· cies. They include: The Office of Catholic Ministry in St.
Luke's Hospital, coordinated by Fr. Tripp; the Department of InService Education in St. Luke's Hospital, directed by Miss Annette Gagne; the Division of Adult Education of the Department of Education of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, directed by the Rev. Michel G. Methot; St. Mary's Parish of New Bedford, represented by the Rev. Mr. Herbert Nichols and Sr. Mary Evelyn Dailey, R.S.M.; St. Mary's Parish of Fairhaven, represented by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hart; Our Lady of the Assumption Parish of New Bedford, represented by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Santos; and Holy Name .Parish of New Bedford represented by Mr. Charles Foley. Plans have been made for many presentations. All the staff Turn to Page Two