Negative Criticism Time Now Out NEW YORK (NC)-The time is "long overdue for us to eliminate negative criticism from our minds, hearts, pulpits, classrooms and newspapers," an archbishop said here as he evaluated the American Catholic Church in the 70s.
Archbishop John F. Whealon of Hartford, Conn., in a homily at the Mass opening the 89th annual convention of the supreme council of the Knights of Columbus in St. Patrick's cathedral, urged Catholics to elminate derogatory "progressives and con-
The ANCHOR An Anchor of the Soul, Sure and Firm-St. Paul
Fall River, Mass. Thursday, August 26, 1971 Vol. 15, No. 34
© 1971 The Anchor
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I·nfant Baptism Rite Stresses' Preparation His Excellency, Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, has issued liturgical norms for the implementation of the New Rite of Baptism in the Diocese of Fall River. The norms are to be adopted in all the parishes of the Diocese no later than Sept. 1, 1971. The det~i1ed guidelines were issued to help assist the priests of the Fall River Diocese in the conferral of the Sacrament of Baptism. They also emphasize and' call for a proper catechesis for .parents, godparents and friends who assist at Baptism so as to. make the participation of all as profitable as possible. The ceremony was illustrated for The Anchor during the actual Baptism of William Joseph Patrick Murphy, the youngest of six children of Mr. and Mrs. James Murphy .of Our Lady of
Assign Three Religious Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, S.T.D., Bishop of Fall River, approves the nomination by Very Rev. Finton Sheeran, SS.CC. Provincial of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, of the following assignments: Rev. Rene Gaudin, SS.CC., who has been at Queen of Peace Mission Seminary in Jaffrey, N. H., to be assistant at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Wellfleet. Rev. Boniface Jones, SS.CC.., from St. Mary's Parish, No. Fairhaven, to be assistant at Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich. Rev. Jeremiah Casey, SS.CC., who has been stationed at Abaco, Bahamas, to be assistant at St. Mary's Parish, No. Fairhaven. The assignments are effective Sunday, August 29, 1971.
Victory Parish, Centerville. Rev. Thomas E. McMorrow, assistant pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parsh, was the celebrant. Mr. and Mrs.' Richard Griffiths were the godparents. Stephen Ricciardi and Kevin Fellows served as altarboys. The explanations and illustrations can be found on' pages 10 and 11 of this issue of The Anchor. . The practice of infant baptism has been constant in the Church from New T~stament times, yet the rite by which the Sacrament was administered to children has been an abbreviated form of the ' ceremony used in baptizing adult converts. A specific rite for infant baptism was historically unknown in the Christian West. The rite which has been in use since the publication of the Roman Ritual in 1614 is an adaptation of the ceremony for baptizing adults. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II called for modification of catechetical and liturgical procedures associated with Christian initiation and the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism:' . . "The rite for the baptism 'of . infants is to be revised and should be adapted to the circumstance that those to be baptized ar:?, in fact, infants. The roles of parents and godparents, and also their duties,should be brought out more sharply in the rite itself." (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, No. 67; 64-70). The Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship responded to this directive of the bishops and, on May 15, 1969, published a'new rite. A parochial catechesis will be necessary to provide instruction and to assist prospective' parents and godparents to particiTurn to Page Six
servatives" labelings of members of the Church. The time has come, he said, for expunging such artificial characterizations "in favor of common realization that we are all trying to do our best to serve faithfully God's Word and God's Church." The sociological changes of the last decade, he said, have been called "a new American revolution." Those changes, not Vatican Council II or theology, have made it difficult for a Church accustomed to uniformity, charity, mutual respect and steady progress. "The mood of 1971, it seems to me, is a different and healthier mood for Catholic Americans," the archbishop said. "We have been chastened, humbled-and it is good for our souls. Perhaps we' were riding too high back in those heady days of 1961 when captivating Pope, John was in' Rome, the Catholic John 'F. Kennedy was in
the White House, the Ecumenical Council was planned to solve the problems of the world, and our
ARCHIBSHOP J. F. WHEALON
seminaries, novitiates, schools and churches were crowded." Archbishop Whealon said the stress today should be placed on the "irreplaceable positive values of our own religion." He added: "The dust of confusion has settled over our family jewels; it is time for them to be polished, seen and appreciated again." AqlOng eight outstanding val-. ues of the Catholic Church today, Archbisop Whealon underscored: The updated Church which affords a Catholic to see "the oldest and yet the newest." Liturgical renewal which has brought changes in the Mass and the Bible to "enrich and nourish the spiritual and worship life of Catholics." Widespread concern for the poor which has brought about inner-city apostolates and the U. S. bishops' anti-poverty campaign for Human Development. Faith as a guide to a balanced spiritual life.
Over 400 at CCD Congress Most Reverend Humberto S. Medeiros, Archbishop of Boston, greeted the New England Congress of Religious Education and its many members "who dedicate.
yourselves to preserve and to hand on that sacred tradition which Christ Himself commissioned the apostles to teach to all men."
Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin conceleorated the opening Mass and took part in the discussions arranged for' Fall River diocesans at Campion Hall. Most Reverend James J. Gerrard also joined the New England bishops.
the Diocese. "I am happy to welcome you," the Archbishop said, "as teachers of 'that gospel which is the source of all saving truth and moral teaching' and as preachers of that living tradition of the apostles which we have all received by faith" and which we must all fl,iithfully defend."
The Bishop of the Diocese was pleased to be joined at the Con"Your efforts contribute to the gress with more than 400 of the laity and over 40 priests of the teaching life. of the Church, to Diocese. He expressed his grati- an increase of faith and holiness tude for the sacrifices entailed of life among the People of God. in participating in the Congress . With your generous help, the and expressed great ,hope for Church -perpetuates and hands the betterment of religious in- on to future generations 'all 'that Turn to Page Two struction that it would mean for
"SHOWER OF STARS" DAZZLES CAPE COD: Carmen EIio, coordinator and Bishop Cronin, honored guest display perfect contentment at the successfu'I' social held in Hyannis to benefit the Diocesan Nazareth Apostolate for Execptional Children regardless • of race, color or creed.