Holy See Publishes Instructions About Special Groups Masses, • Distributing Holy Com munlon ('
WASHINGTON (NC) - Two new liturgical instructions have been received by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops here. The instructions come from the Roman Congr~gation for Divine Worship. The first, dated May 15, describes the circumstances for celebrating Masses in special gatherings such as home Masses. The other was sent to the presidents of episcopal conferences on May 29 and insists
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strongly on maintaining the traditional manner of giving communion. At the same time it recognizes that in some countries the practice. has grown of placing the consecrated bread in the hand of the communicant. In such cases it provides that the conference of bishops may present their reasons for continuing the practice if they should so desire. The instruction on Masses for special J:roups lists the various
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Papal Letter Gives Supporft to Cardina; WASHINGTON (NC)-Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle revealed at a news conference that he had offered 41 dissident Washington priests a new chance to return to the exercise of their priestly ministry if they would reconsider the,ir position and accept the Pope's encyclical on artificial contraception. Cardinal O'Boyle also made public a letter he received from Pope Paul VI expressing encouragement and support for the cardinal in the long standing constroversy ~ over the encyclical and exhorting the dissidents to "reconsider" their position. But the dissident priests, led by Father John E. Corrigan, followed the cardinal's news conference with one of their own, held on the steps of St. Matthew's Cathedral here, and anTurn to Page Thirteen
CARDINAL O'BOYLE
Bishop Medeiro~ Lauds D'education Of Serrans
Bishop to Bless Parish Center
HOUSTON (NC) - Most Rev. Humberto S. Medeiros, Bishop of Brownsville, Texas and former chancellor of the
Bishop Connolly will bless and dedicate the new St. Francis Xavier Parish Center in Hyannis on Monday night at 7:30. Following the ceremonies, an open house will be conducted for parishioners and visitors to the Cape Cod Center. George Cross, chairman of the Selectmen of the Town of Barnstable, of which Hyannis is a part, will speak and then G. Arnold Haynes, contractor, will present the key to the new center to Rev. Msgr. William D. Thomson, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish. The center will meet the need for CCD classroom and will accommodate educational, social and recreational activities.
Fall River Diocese, praised members ()f Serra International at their 27th convention here for their continued dedication "in the midst of the turmoil of the day." Bishop Medeiros stressed that "not a few Christians are now going lhrough a crisis of faith, that the temptations of this scientific and technological age have been too strong for many good followers of the Crucified and Risen Son of God." He continued: "Even the noblest of human sciences, which is theoiogy, has had in recent years a divisive influence upon many priests and laity when it has been motivated and en IightTurn to Page Six
occasions when Mass may be celebrated, with the local bishops' permission, for small gatherings even outside churches and chapel~. Detailed rules are given, but these do not substantially change the concessions and variations permitted by the publication of the revised Order of Mass last April 6. The readings from the Scriptures are not restricted on these occasions to the usual series but "readings adapted to the 'particular celebration can be chosen from approved lectionaries." Encouragement is given to a period of meditation or instruction prior to Mass in special circumstnaces, as well as to the preparation of intentions for the prayer of the faithful by the individual participants. No changes are made concerning the vestments of the priest or the use of sacred vessels. The other Roman document describes the background of recent requests from episcopal conferences and individual bishops that "the eucharistic bread be Turn to Page Five
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For Infants VATICAN CITY (NC) After 19 centuries and more of Christianity, babies will receive the sacrament makAPPROVED MANNER: Cathedral's Rev. Mr. Thomas McMorrow gives Communion as prescribed by Holy See.
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Speck Triggers Tax Query WASHINGTON (NC)o:-Tax exemption for Church property! The rash of publicity on the churches and taxes has made many speculate that it would be only a matter of time for this issue to reach the Supreme Court. No one, however, guessed it Under challenge in the Walz would originate with an al- case is the constitutionality of most phantom figure, a re- state laws exempting Church cluse New York lawyer, who property used for religious purmade his challenge not by a flamboyant courtroom appearance but by mail. Not only that but this time honored exemption involving land valued at many millions of dollars is contested by a man owning 638 square feet of Staten Island, bought for $100 and presently taxed at $5.24 a year. Such is the case that is properly known as Walz v. The Tax Commission of New York. Frederick Walz contends that the exemption enjoyed by religious organizations increases his property tllxes and thereby forces him to support churches in violation of the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution. Walz's arguments were rejected by the state courts of New York but the U. S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the issue.
poses from state taxes. At issue is a tradition dating from colonial times, actually antedating the Federal Constitution. The basic issue centers on the following question: Is there a contradiction between federal constitutional provisions against the establishment of a religion or the use' of public funds for religious purposes and state statutes exempting church property from taxation? The Federal Constitution makes no reference to tax exemption. There was no discussion of the issue in the Constitutional Convention nor in the debates on the Bill of Rights. The historical fact is that at the time of the founding of our country churches were not taxed. After the ratification of the ConstituTurn to Page Eighteen
ing Christians' of them in a rite that recognizes their babyhood. The new baptismal rite for infants, published June 20 by the Holy See, is the first such in the history of the Catholic liturgy. The present ritual, promulgated three and a half centuries ago, is an abbreviation of the rite for the Baptism of adults. Under the new ritual, which goes into effect Sept. 8, parents are given a more active role to play, while godparents continue to have an important part. The responsibilities of both couples are made clear. The chi I d's incorporation through Baptism in the people of .God is given gr~ater emphasis, and the rite is oriented toward the participation of the parish community. The new text, in the words of Father Annibale Bugnini, C.M., secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, is "much gentler." It understands the infant's "real condition." Gone are the long interrogations to which the baby-cooing or crying or sleeping-:-has been subjected "as if he should or could reply" (again to quote Father Bugnini). Gone is the hairraising exorcism. And though the book of the ritual still offers the traditional renunciation of Satan, . his pomps and his work-which always rang discordantly when addresed to a child fresh from the hand of God-there is an alternate choice. This alternate renunciation is "more in harmony with the modern mind," Father Turn to Page Five