The CHOR
An Anchor of the Soul, Sure and Firm-
ST. PAUL
Fall River, Mass., Thursday, Oct.
9,
Vol. 13, No. 41
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© 1969 The Anchor
1969
Pope Bids Theologians 'Defend People of God' VATICAN, CITY (NC)-Pope Paul VI opened the inaugural meeting of the Holy See's International Theological Commission with an appeal to its 30 members to "defend the People of God from the numerous, excessive and pressing errors that are assailing the divine deposit of truth." He declared that the "authority ana security" of the Church's teaching office-"magisterium"--derive from Christ Himself and are "essential for the government, stability, peace and unity of God's Church." The Pope warned: "He who refuses it or attacks it assails the one true Church, and therefore incurs a grave debt in regard to the souls that have the faith or are seeking it, and is responsible before God's judgment." The Theological Commission was set up at the instance of the first Synod of Bishops, which met in Autumn 1967, to be a clearinghouse of theological information and trends and to act as a point of contact between wotking theologians and the Holy See. The Pope pointed to two goals for the commission besides that of defending the People of God from the assaults of error: (1) "finding in the frimness of our faith the mysterious secret of a persuasive language for ecumenical dialogue intended to reestablish in the same faith and in the same charity perfect and happy communion with the brothers still separated from us; (2) "reviving our kerygmatic pedagogy, our ability to present the message of divine revelation and human salvati'on with the authenticity that certainly sur· passes the capacities of intelligence and; all the' more so, the attitudes of modern man, along with clarity of speech, freshness of style and ardor of charity, so that the Church's apostolate in the modern world may today more than ever beam forth its light of truth, beauty and certainty. The Pope was at pains to disown any notion of theology as a monolithic science admitting no diversity. He said he "willing. ly" admits "the development and variety of theological sciences." Turn to Page Five
Practical Collegiality Bishops Synod Topic That the Bishops are essentially united to Rome •.. that the Pope alone presides over all bishops . . . that all bishops share a universal duty in governing the Church •.. these are undisputed facts. But HOW • . • this is the work facing the world's bishops as their representatives come to Rome to take part in the Bishops' Synod which opens Saturday.
Closer Contact
No Usurpation
Cardinal Danielou
Archbishop Zoghbi
Jean Cardinal Danielou, S.J., in .an interview for Informations Catholiques Internationales, stressed the need for close contact between the Bishops' Conferences and the Roman Curia, the Church's administrative ofoffices. The French Cardinal said the importance of the synod derives from collegiality, and he then discussed what he said was existing confusion concerning that term. ;'Some," he said, "tend to maintain that the (Second Vatican) Council constituted a veritable revolution in the very concept of the Church, destined to undermine at its base the hierarchical structure. Vatican II undoubtedly put' particular emphasis on the reality of the people of God and on the fundamental equality of all the baptized; but that does not signify that the 'hierarchy has less importance than in the past. It is necessary to emphasize, on the contrary, that if the council spoke of the people of God in the terms that we are familiar with, lit nevertheless confirmed the teaching of the First Vatican Council (1869-70) for which the role, of the sovereign pontiff is constitutive of the Church such as Christ founded it. If one does not accept that, one is no longer speaking of the Church." Cardinal Danielou went on to say that anyone "who finds it inadmissible that the pope should act alone and who afTurn to Page Twelve
Very Often News Features Controversial on Religion KING OF PRUSSIA (NC)-John Cardinal Krol of Philadelphia gave his views of the current popularity of religion in the news. Addressing a regional convention of Serra International in this Philadelphia suburb, the cardinal said that since the Second cQnsider news," he ,continued. Vatican Council it has been "Quite often the balance favors evident "that religious news the unusual, the extraordinary was often confined to a few and the controversial. Two hunarticles or notices. Time and space were given as a sop to believing readers and listeners. Since the counCil, religious news is headlined, and sometimes even rates the front page," he said. "It is the genius of reporters and editors to feature what they
dred and seventy-five bishops carrying the heavy daily burden of their office will merit little space in comparison to the one who betrays his commitment. Sixty thousand priests working faithfully day after day will merit little space in comparison Turn to Page Six
M,elkite-rite Archbishop Elias Zoghbi of Baalbel<, Lebanon, in an interview in the same Informations Catholiques Internationales expressed the resentment of Eastern-rite Catholics for what they regard as the usurpation of the authority of their patriarchates by the Vatican Congregation for Eastern-rite Churches. Archbishop Zoghbi made an extended plea for diminishing authority on the part of the Vatican Congregation for Eastern-rite Churches and for greater authority for the Eastern· rite patriarchates. ' "The ordinary government of the churches of the East," the archbishop said, "has always CARDINAL DANIELOU, S.J. been exercised, since Christian antiquity, in the patriarchal synod. That synod was pre~ented to the Fathers of Vatican II as the traditional, authentic type according to which the return of Latinity to episcopal collegiality ought to be effected. "Now here we are, Eastern· rite CMholics, after Vatican It SAGINAW (NC) - Seven as before it, actually governed parishes of the Saginaw di- by a'super-patriarchate which is ocese will lose their pastors located jn Rome and which is the 'Congregation for Jan. 1, under the new "re- called Eastern-rite Churches.' Through tirement plan at 70" policy. All priests of the diocese have the conciliar texts, we find ourbeen invited either to apply for, selves brought back, by a clever play upon words, to the pseudoor recommend successors, for the Eastern rite canon law, imposed soon-to-be-vacant pastorates. ' ..... A letter sent to each priest on us Turn to Page Ten from the diocesan personnel board also notes that "maybe, too, you might have ideas about economical deployment of our priests in such a way that manpower could be better utilized in the administration not only of these but also of other parishes and missions in the dioBishop Connolly will precese." "If you desire change from sent the Marian Medal and your present post," the letter Ad Altare Dei award to some adds, "now might be a good 80 Boy and Girl Scouts, time to inform our board." Recommendations for assign- Camp Fire Girls and Junior ments of the new pastors will be Daughters of Isabella from all made by the diocesan personnel parts of the Diocese in. cereboard, but the appointment will monies at 1 Sunday afternoon. be made by Bishop Francis F. Oct. 26 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River. Reh of Saginaw. Music will be under direction Under the plan a pension of$500 per month is paid to priests who of Rev. William G. Campbell and Illay retire at 65, but must re- guest speaker will be a Jesuit priest from the facuIty of Bishop tire at 70. Connolly High School. Arrangements for the event, held annually on the Feast of Christ the King, are under superThe regular meeting of the vision of Rev. Walter A. SulliSenate of Priests will take van, Diocesan director of youth place on Friday afternoon, activities, and Joseph F. Murphy, Oct. 10, at the Catholic Home lay chairman. in Fall River, at 1:30.
Resignations Spur New Response
Bishop to Give Youth Awards On Oct. 26
Senate
(OllEGE DAY AT STONEHlll, OCT. 13