The ANCHOR Aft Anohor of th, !oNl, Stwe lind Firm-ST. PAUl.
Bishops Warn Co'untry Faces Moral Decline Hierarchy in America Point Out Causes Of Sodal Evils .. WASHINGTON (NC)The U. S. Catholic Bishops have warned' of a national moral declin-e "unique" in,
the country's history and have called on Americans to renew their sense of personal, social PRICE lOe and international responsibility. $4.00 per Year The Bishops said in their 1961 annual statement that, "above all, the, Christian' today must have a profound sense of mission, which will cause him to bear witness to his religious faith and his moral convictions as the early Christians did, by deed and affirmation-even by death." "Such was St. Paul's program of action; such, too, was St. Augustine's," they said. "Like Paul, we face a world largely paganized. Like Augustine, we see the encroachment of barbarism. Like both, we must be dauntless in proclaiming • Christ." The complete text of the staiement was carried by the New Bedford Sunday Standard Times, the Fall River Herald News, and the New York Times, Sunday edition.
Fall River, Mass., Thursday, Nay. 23, 1961 Vol. 5, No. 48
© 1961 The Anchor
Assistance should include opening "our hearts and our homes to those who come to our shores; to make room for them in OUr schools and universities; even to send our own sons to
Bishops Press For Fair Play The Hierarchy of the United States reiterated their stand against discrimination in federal aid to Education. The Bishops said in a statement at the annual meeting in Washington: "The Bishops reaffirm their stand against any form of general Federal aid to education that discriminates against children a'ttending non - public schools." "In their judgment, the merits of a general Federal aid to education program ought to be determined by an objective study of need and of the possible effects of such aid on America's social structure and institutions." The Bishops further "unanimously appealed for justice and for an understanding recognition of the rights of such children to participate in any proposed program of aid."
Deplore Scientism, Godless Education And Secularism their lands to assist them," the •American hierarchy continued. The Bishops also appealed to Americans to exercise charity and justice in their approach to the problem of racial justice and "other issues which divide us." The statement, entitled "Unchanging Duty in a Changing World" hit out at numerous causes of the current moral decline. It specified: A false "scientism" that denies God and makes sport of the moral law." The mass communications media which ,have propagated a "pernicious cult of the 'image'" -the idea that "whether a thing is true is less important than the impression it creates." Popular education which by excluding religion has turned out "great numbers of young people almost completely devoid of religious belief and moral guidance." Secularism which seeks "the banishment of God from public and private life and the enthronement of human nature in His place." Turn to Page Two
Officials at PC Eye New Club PROVIDENCE (NC) Providence College officials are scrutinizing a new student Conservative Club to
WE GIVE THEE THANKS ••• When most Americans sit down today to a huge Thanksgiving Day dinner, over go to bed hungry. two-thirds of the rest of the world This youngster in the Maryknoll mission in Chile, is grateful for just a bowl of stew, perhaps her only meal of the'day.
will
determine whether it is a "partisan political group" or an academic study club. Father Joseph L. Lennon, a.p., dean bf the college, has asked the Student Congress to determine whether the new Conservtaive Club is "a label for a Republican political club in support of 'Goldwater for President.' " Pending clarification of the Conservative Club's position, he said in a memorandum, he does "not deem it advisable" to present the new group's constitution to the college committee on administration for its consideration. Approved by this committee is required for any extracurricular organization at the college, which is conducted by the Dominican Fathers. Father Lennon said the college's opposition to campus political clubs does not indicate "disinterest in, or indifference
to, the political situation in the United States."
Catholic Growth Nea II'ly Double Average foEl' AU NEW YORK (NC) ~ The number of U. S. Catholics grew last year at almost twice the growth rate for all U. S churches combined, according to a publication of the National Council of Churches. Catholics last year increased from 40,871,302 to 42,104,90o-a total increase of 1,233,598 or 3.2 per cent. By contrast, the total membership of all U. S. churches, according to the 1962 Yearbook of American Churches, is 114,449,217, an increase of 2,222,312 or 1.9 per cent over the previous' year. _, While church membership wag growing at a rate of 1.9 per cent, the total U. S. population was Turn to Page Eighteen
He said the' college years should be for a student not merely a period of "preparation" for future political and social action, "but should be a time for actively engaging the interests of students in social, economie and political problems." He said it has been "unfortunately true for too long" that American college students have been largely "illiterate" and "relatively unconcerned" about politics. "If the proposed Conservative Club is nothing more than II partisan political group, then I do not deem it advisable to present it to the committee on administration for final consideration," Father Lennon said. "If, on the other hand, it is concerned chiefly with an analysis and an understanding of tho history, progress and principles of the conservative tradition in America, then I can see where it might be academically beneficial to the students who participato in this extracurricul~r activity,Father Lennon said.
Lack Consistent Doctrine for School Aid MINNEAPOLIS (NC) The U.S. Supreme Court is unprepared to rule consistently in cases involving the issue of public support for private schools, a priest-lawyer said here. Father Thomas McDonough declared that the court "still is in search of a doctrine that will give clear and constant meaning to the first amendment religion clauses." "The time may not be opportune to confront it with a difficult case at the moment," he said. "But when the proper time does come, the court will have to interpret the First Amendment so it doesn't prevent· religious freedom by requiring the imposition of a secular education upon our children, or by enforcing a state monopoly that would make private education possibly only. for the wealthy." Father McDonough, chaplain at the University Qf Chicago Newman Center and holder of a law degree from the university, spoke here at the Newman Center at the University of Minn&-
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Rt. Rev. M. P. Leonidas Lariviere, pastor of St. Jean the Baptiste Church, Fall River; announced today that
serve a' public purpose by teaching secular subjects and preparing students with secular skills. He agreed that religious education in private schools is "outside the scope" of public support, but said there is no reason why such schools should not receive public assfstance for their secular educational activities. "No benefit can be given a child or a school because of religion, but neither can a benefit be denied just because the, child or school happens to be religious or irreligious," he said. Father McDonough advised Catholics to make it clear to non-Catholics tha"t' they are in , favor of the First Amendment's guarantees of religious liberty.
Theodore Loranger and Sons, New Bedford building contractors, have been awarded the contract for the erection of the new rectory at the corner of Stafford Rd. and Tucker 'Street, ,Fall River. The new structure will be constructed of yellow brick to match the Church and the parish school. The new home for the parish TurD &0 Page Ei&"hkeD
Thanksgiving is a legal holiday. It is not a holy day of obligation. The Pilgrims, amidst tremendous problems, took time out to set aside a day of' Thanksgiving to God for His charity. Attendance at 'Mass Thursday morning, is the best way we know &0 stMt 'lrhanksglv!nng Dal'1.
He said there is "no reason why the government can't aid private enterprise in so far as it accomplishes a public purpose," an'd argued that this principle holds good for private schools as much as for any other private enterprise. - The priest said private schools
FeU R6ver Parish Gives COU'SQ'r@ct FelT Re~fr@rrv
REFUSED: Vincent J. Sposato of Tulsa helps his children Nancy, 13, and Michael, 12, 'who were refused adJnis.. sion to publie school system remedial reading classes bec,ause they attend regular classes at parochial schooL NC , Photo