Southern cross. (Savannah, Ga.) 1963-2021, November 21, 1963, Image 1

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Southern cross., November 21, 1963, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Text1 { 1 I * V U.S. Bishops Urge National Examination Of Conscience Dangers to Nation Cited shops re-studied the nation’s heritage of moral and political principles, pointed to threats facing it today and expressed confidence Americans will meet the challenge. The statement was released here (Nov. 17) through the exe cutive department of the Na tional Catholic Welfare Con ference. The Bishops said secularism, which regards God and religion as irrelevant to everyday life, is enjoying “ increasing es tablishment as an official American view of life.” They said it can be found in educa tion, marriage, business and recreation. Materialism, they continued, is reflected increasingly in mo ral values. "Security in the comforts of living is too often our major, even our controlling concern,” they said. They added that "as an afflu ent nation, we are unfortunately acquiring the vices associated with irresponsible material ists; overindulgence, excessive gambling and the insatiable de mand for excitement.” The third problem they cha racterized as "the frequent use of expediency rather than prin ciple in meeting our social problems.” Typical of this defect, they said, is the "confusion and ten sion surrounding the so-called ‘race question.’ ” Social justice, they charged, under the influence of secular ism and materialism, "be comes merely a political matter and we remain as a nation mo WASHINGTON (NC)—The Bi shops of the United States have said that many of America’s goals remain unfulfilled, but are within reach if Americans unite in a common effort to at tain them. In their annual statement, en titled "Bonds of Union,” the Bishops warned that the nation’s people face grave challenges from erroneous philosophies. The Bishops said: ”A national examination of conscience would reveal today that we are in danger of be coming a people weakened by secularism in our social philo sophy, materialism in our con cept of the good life and ex pediency in our moral code.” But they said a review of the nation’s moral values and "re newed dedication to our com mon goals may help us to face the present trials as a people truly one nation under God.” In their statement, the Bi- Deanery Meeting Of Catholic Men Unwittingly Aid Church MEXICO CITY (NC)—Oddly enough, Cuban communist lead ers are the best source of the Catholic strength in the island, as they try to denounce or ex ploit religious sentiment there. Bias Roca, editor of the com munist daily, Hoy, in Havana, said recently that the party had no room * * ‘for workers still holding to religious ideas.” Then he launched a series of open attacks against religion and the Church. Popular indignation was such that Premier Fidel Castro decided to attend an official re ception at the papal nunciature in Havana a few days later and ordered his press and radio to give wider coverage to his meeting with the charge d’af fairs there than to the display given to Roca’s remarks. ' ‘He surely is trying to undo the damage,” remarked one of the diplomats attending the re ception honoring Pope Paul VI. For all the seesaw of the re gime’s policy on religion, the Church in Cuba continues to be deprived of its 340 schools and of all access to communica tions media, and is 500 priests short of what it had in 1959. In the last few months, the number of priests have gone from the 150 left after mass expulsions and harassments during 1960 to some 200, most ly Canadians and Europeans (except Spaniards). Some 25Cu ban deacons have been ordained priests since 1959. Two semin aries are still open, El Buen Pastor near Havana, and El Cobre near Santiago, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. The Castro regime and its So viet advisers are now more sen sitive to religious troubles be cause they seem overwhelmed by economic calamity and poli tical interparty division. Hur ricane Flora has made things much worse. Therefore there took place the step backward in the Red blueprint for finishing religion. Two steps forward were taken when conditions were ripe. Cas tro took advantage of the Bay of Pigs invasion almost three years ago to declare a state of emergency and to launch the harshest blow at the Church. One step in retreat is being made now that the people’s loyalty to religion reacts against recent attacks. While many outstanding Ca tholics have fled the country because of persecution, and oth ers have gone into hiding, most of the faithful go on living their religious life as normally as they can. They are living wit nesses of human dignity strug gling to survive in spite of atheist propoganda and other hardships of a bankrupt police state. There are continuous reports of this brave survival of a Christian life that is influencing even the attitudes of many oth ers. Travelers arriving in Mexico City — one of the few avenues open between Cuba and the West — testify to this re ligious revival. One reliable observer — a technician just arriving here after completing his report on resources in Cuba—has this to say: * ‘Cuba is an example, perhaps more vivid than others, of how a people, basically Christian as in Eastern Europe, reacts when oppressed by communism. However limited the opportuni ties are for worshiping, no mat ter how harsh police repres sion is, and in spite of the con stant hammering of anti-Church propaganda, the real Christian enlivens his faith and becomes a true apostle in the midst of confusion. ‘‘Such valiant Catholics are not only defending their beliefs; they are an inspiration to many others who only a few weeks ago still joined the communist choir. ‘ ‘There is a true legion of si lent Catholics who do nothing but preach with their example of courage and conviction. Here and there they engage in a dis creet dialogue with neighbors to defend their Christian views. This they do in spite of the ‘vigilante’ block committees. The same happens at places of work, again in spite of the communist cells and militia.” This and other recent con tacts show that Castro mobs still show hostility to priests and lay leaders in some rural towns or in the cities. While hard-line propaganda has seen no decrease, some newspapers like El Mundo run a Sunday supplement with re ligious articles. But these are Pray For Our Deceased Priests RT. REV. JOHN BARRY, D.D. Second Bishop of Savannah Nov. 21, 1859 * * * RT. REV. MSGR. HARRY F. CLARK Nov. 27, 1935 * * * REV. WILLIAM MCCARTHY Nov. 27, 1930 quite innocuous under present circumstances. One of the articles commen ted unfavorably on the blasphe mous Spanish movie ‘‘Viri- diana” for its "mutilation” of the Christian message. But the movie itself was shown all over Cuba. Another article on ‘‘Christ and Social Classes” called for a classless society with no discrimination other than one established ‘‘by work and the technical skill to pro duce and serve the social com munity.” This is one of the main Marxist tenets. St. Teresa of Avila is prais ed in another government pa per by columnist Mario Para- jon for her mysticism and real istic sense as a reformer, but for little else. Incidentally, Parajon’s wed ding at the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Havana this summer is one of the out standing paradoxes of Cuba to day. The bride, Annabelle Rod riguez y Garcia, a practicing Catholic who even went to a Sisters' high school, is the daughter of Carlos Rafael Rod riquez, number one theoretician of the Communist party in Cuba, and of his divorced wife, Edith Garcia Buchaga, one of the leading agents of Marxism-Le ninism in Cuba, who converted her husband to communism. What is crystal clear is the regime’s intention of spreading Marxist - Leninist doctrine throughout the island and the rest of Latin America. Some weeks ago the government-con trolled press hailed commence ment ceremonies at Havana University when 104 students received their diplomas from the School of Economics and Political Sciences. Their ma jor subject: “Dialectic and His toric Materialism.” Elected To NCWC Board ROME (NC) — Archbishops Leo Binz of St. Paul and John P. Cody, Apostolic Administra tor of New Orleans were elect ed new members of the Ad ministrative Board of the Nat ional Catholic Welfare Con ference at the annual general meeting of the Bishops of the United States held here. The prelates succeed on the board Archbishop Lawrence J. Shehan of Baltimore and Bi shop Allen J. Babcock of Grand Rapids, Mich., who had served the permissible five con secutive one-year terms as board members. well, Gary Scott, Johnnie Battle, George Rockwell, Lindsay Rouse, Bob Hanson, Craig Scott; third row (1-r) athletic association president Jerry Kilpatrick, coach Frank Sch warz, Mike Dillon, Terry Hennessy, Joey Shearouse, Jimmy McQuillan, Steve Brennan, Mahaney Cromartie, Bernard Foran, Father Edward Frank.—(Savannah News-Press Photo by McDonald) rally tortured by racial injus tice in schools, jobs, housing, communal facilities, even in the most obvious area of demo cratic suffrage.” The proper approach to the race issue, they said, “is to treat all men and women as persons, without reference to patterns of difference.” "Unless the Declaration of Independence is taken to mean what it says about inalienable rights and their divine origin; unless the salute to the flag including Lincoln’s phrase ‘un der God,’ is uttered without tongue in cheek; unless theplain intent of the Constitution is wholeheartedly endorsed—any talk of Taw and order' is worse than poor policy; it is hypo crisy,” they said. Despite this outlook, the Bi shops expressed confidence that the situation will brighten. "Even these problems of our republic can be bonds of union. .They are faced by all Ameri cans; their solution is our mu tual burden,” they said. "Men of good will are finding that they must work together to stem the march toward se cularism. Reaction against ma terialism may, please God, re sult in a renewed commitment to spiritual values, turning our search for wealth into a voca tion of service,” they said. As for the "sad controversy j over civil rights,” the Bishops said that the desire for a more perfect union “can yet rally the moral energies of the nation to complete the ‘unfinished busi ness' of the Emancipation Pro clamation by full recognition of all their rights for millions of our fellow citizens of the Negro race.” The prelates also discussed the courts, saying that while tribunals must be vigilant to protect justice, "the people must be vigilant too, lest the courts. . .annul the original determination that ours be a government of laws, not of men.” “Our courts must see,” the V. Bishops said, "that the law of the land is so interpreted as to be free from undue influence of particular schools of thought. "It has best served the American tradition when the law reflects a community consensus or common understanding of what is best to achieve the com mon ends of justice.” The Bishops expressed gra titude for worldwide interest in the council proceedings. "In these days so full of his toric importance, we have gratefully noted the prayers and the cordial expressions of good will toward the council and the Church from Americans of every faith,” they said. The statement also includes praise for American recogni tion of the right of conscience and notes how this respect pa rallels the words of the late Pope John XXIII on the subject. "The recognition of the right of conscience has been basic to our civil traditions,” the Bi shops said. "Citizens have found in this a bond of union and the favor of the law in countless cases. No personal right has been so fiercely defended by public au thority and so generously con strued in court. "The tradition of our nations corresponds with the words of Pope John XXIII: ‘Every human being has the right to honor God according to the dictates of an upright conscience and, there fore, the right to worship God privately and publicly.’ ’ ’ The Bishops also cited American defense of private property and praised Protes tant leadership for an "enlight ened Christian sense of ste wardship.” "Fortunately,” they said, "the power to dispose of the fruits of one’s labors has been wisely controlled by the concept of the stewardship of wealth. When our Protestant fellow citi- (Continued on Page 6) SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1963 Savannah, Sunday, Nov. 24th SAVANNAH — The Bishop’s Council of Catholic Men in the Savannah Deanery will hold their fall meeting Sunday, No vember 24th. The meeting will be held in the Cathedral Cafe- torium beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Membership of the Bi shop’s Council of Men is com posed of all the men enrolled in the various parishes and the various organizations in each JULIAN HALLIGAN Savannah Deanery President SAVANNAH—Members of St. Mary’s Home Guild, at their semi-annual meeting last Sun day, heard a plea by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Toomey, Guild Moderator, for an inten sive drive to increase mem bership. St. Mary’s Home Guild is at organization of Catholic Wo men, affiliated with the Dioce san Council of Catholic Women, founded by His Excellency, Bi ship Thomas J. McDonough to further the work of caring for dependent girls of the Diocese at St. Mary’s Home in Savan nah. "It is very difficult to try to single out any diocesan organi zation as being the most impor tant. But surely, St. Mary’s Home Guild which plays such an important and even essential role in the care of children deprived of normal home life, is not less important than any other group of women in the Diocese of Savannah. parish such as the Holy Name Society, Men’s Association, or League of the Sacred Heart, etc. Sizeable Delegations of men from each Parish within the Deanery are expected to attend the meeting. The Deanery con sists of all the Catholic Parish- jes in Chatham County as well as the Parishes of Brun swick, Claxton, Statesboro and Fort Stewart, Georgia. The Officers of the Savannah Deanery are: President, Mr. Julian Halli- gan; Vice President, Mr. James Houlihan;Secretary, Mr. Donald McLendon; Treasurer, Mr. Wade Simmons. Heading the General Com mittees of the Council are: Spiritual Life, Mr. John Sti les, Brunswick; Vocational, Mr. Thomas N. McCarthy; Confra ternity, Dr. Louis Castilian; Catholic Action, Mr. John Bren nan; Catholic Charities, Mr. Percy Miller. An interesting agenda for this meeting has been prepared by the Executive Committee in cluding decisions to be made on an annual date of investiture into the Holy Name Societies in each parish in conjunction with an intensive recruitment cam paign. Another important de cision to be made after explor- d own town Savannah and a lunch eon at the city’s famous Pi rate’s House restaurant. Members voted to hold their annual benefit card party on January 17, 1964 at St. Mary’s Home beginning at 8:00 p.m. Members heard a short talk by Sister M. Christine R.S.M., Superior of the Home, who wel comed the members and special guests at the meeting. The meeting was closed with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and refreshments, served by Guild members from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The next meeting will be held on the first Sunday of March, 1964. ation, will be under the Catholic Action Committee; It has been suggested that an ‘‘Open House” be held in each Parish for non-Catholics, when friends and neighbors and residents of the communities will be invited to come and visit catholic chur ches. The plan would involve the Men’s Council members as guides and hosts to visitors. At the conclusion of the busi ness agenda a turkey buffet din ner will be served by Mrs. Gay Paul and the Cathedral Cafetor- ium Committee. Blessed Sacrament Parents Meet SAVANNAH—' ‘Our Beautiful City, Savannah,” was the theme of the program at Blessed Sa crament Parish’s Home and School Association meeting last week. Mr. Jerry Kilpatirck showed a Savannah Chamber of Com merce film highlighting the his toric nature and unique charm of this southeastern port city. Another short film contained excerpts from a television show featuring singer Perry Como and composer-conductor John ny Mercer, a native of Savannah. Como and Mercer sang amedly of longs composed by Mercer about Savannah and Georgia. The excerpts were from Como’s ‘‘Salute to Georgia” show. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrew McDonald, administrator of Blessed Sacrament, and Fa thers Edward Frank and Cor nelius Keane, assistants, gave short talks. Parents were told that a Phy sical Fitness program is being planned for students. ‘‘We hope it can be worked into the school schedule in the very near fu ture,” said Monsignor McDon ald. Students of Blessed Sacra ment were invited to attend a ‘‘Fall Festival” sponsored by the Association last Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. under the chairmanship of Mrs. Thomas Jackson. Mrs. John Fogarty and Mrs. Frank Finnachiaro were named co-chairmen of the annual Thanksgiving Pantry Shower for the Sisters of Mercy who teach at the school. At St. Mary’s Home Msgr. Toomey Urges “Intensive” Campaign For Guild Membership BISHOP THOMAS J. McDONOUGH is pictured in St. Peter’s Square leaving session of Second Vatican Council. “Yet membership has steadily declined from a peak enrollment of 1,000 to 653, as of today’s meetings,” Monsignor Toomey said. He urged an "in tensive, dedicated and prayer ful effort” to bring membership up to or past the 1,000 mark. The meeting, conducted by Guild President, Miss Johanna Daly, featured a stage produc tion of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by girls of the Home, under the direction of Mrs. Pat Reilley. The highlight of the business portion of the meeting was the presentation, by the Guild, of a check for $625.00 toward the operation of St. Mary’s. Mon signor Toomey accepted the check for Bishop McDonough, who is in Rome. The guild will sponsor an out ing for girls of the Home on Friday, November 28th, which will include attendance at the annual Christmas Parade in UNDEFEATED PAROCHIAL. CHAMPS—The undefeated Blessed Sacrament football team finished their season Sat urday with their 37th consecutive victory. Making up the Parochial League championship aggregation are: first row (1-r) Allen West, Jimmy Griffin, Harry Haslam, Walter Crawford, Steve Kelleagher, Claude Lodge, Larry Brady, Chip Robertson; second row (1-r) Charlie Cusick, Greg Se- Cuban Communist Leaders