August 3, 2012

What was in the news on Aug. 3, 1962?

Arizona judge upholds state abortion ban

Criterion logo from the 1960sBy Brandon A. Evans

This week, we continue to examine what was going on in the Church and the world 50 years ago as seen through the pages of The Criterion.

Here are some of the items found in the August 3, 1962, issue of The Criterion:

  • Cardinal Bea hopeful council will narrow gulf between faiths
  • CAIP backs Kennedy: Peace group supports easing of trade curbs
  • Personal friendliness seen vital to solution of social problems
  • European community warned of egotism
  • How to acquire a parish hall
  • Plan special gifts drive for Fatima Retreat House
  • Archdiocese announces high school tuition hike
  • Mass on Telstar?
  • Future Cardinal Gibbons: American was youngest at 1st Vatican Council
  • Dialogue growing: Coming council spurs unity talk
  • Religious liberty issue up for council discussion
  • Editorial: Abortion case
    • “We should be … grateful to Judge Yale McFate of the Arizona Superior Court who, in emotional circumstances that must have almost overwhelmed him, fearlessly upheld the State law forbidding abortion. A popular young Phoenix mother and radio star sought exemption from the abortion law to prevent the birth of a child she feared might be malformed… We Americans profess a belief in the dignity of man. By that we mean that every human being regardless of his color or size, or of his physical or mental abilities, has a value, a worth, a dignity incalculably greater than any price that could ever be put upon it. … This is the foundation of our entire law, the basis of our civil liberties, the inspiration of our democratic republic. … So convinced are we of this dignity of man that every one of our fifty states has a law against abortion and spends a considerable sum each year keeping alive in institutions for their care malformed and ill-equipped human beings, not one of whom is of any ‘human’ use to society. There are times when our emotions and sensibilities tempt us to forget this fundamental conviction. … The birth of a deformed baby would be a family tragedy. But the weakening in America of respect for the dignity of man would be a world tragedy.”
  • Liturgist’s proposal: Early parts of the Mass seen read from lectern
  • Swiss Catholic women get church council vote
  • Schools may face suits over ‘substitute’ prayers
  • New St. Louis school will be open to all
  • German Catholics to help refugees
  • Family Clinic: How should she handle a date who gets fresh?
  • Laity urged to read Bible, join in Church renewal
  • Pope authorizes new indulgences
  • Native of Terre Haute will teach in Panama
  • Dismayed at rendition of chant by U.S. choirs
  • ‘Not a luxury’: Lay apostolate termed essential to the Church

(Read all of these stories from our August 3, 1962, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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