What was in the news on Oct. 19, 1962?

Significant developments following opening of the Second Vatican Council in Italy

By 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 Oct. 19, 1962, issue of The Criterion:

• Significant developments follow opening of council
  • “VATICAN CITY—The week-end pause following the opening of the Second Vatican Council found participants and journalists pondering three significant developments of the previous days. These were the meaty opening address by Pope John XXIII, the dramatic arrival of the two delegate–observers from the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Council’s brief first working session at which French and German cardinals joined forces in what newsmen chose to consider the opening maneuver in a conflict of influences. All three events, each in its own way and degree, made a notable impression on the initial stage of the Vatican Council. … In his talk, the pope agreed that the Council’s first duty is to preserve the integrity of the deposit of faith, but he made it clear he expects the Council to look upon its work from the pastoral rather than from primarily a theological standpoint. This does not, of course, exclude significant decisions of highly doctrinal import during the course of the Council.” Read this whole story here
• In New Albany: Convert old hospital into retirement home
• Convention of men set this Sunday
• High court bars review of Oregon textbook case
• New Jewish translation of Old Testament lauded
• Ecumenical Council convening on the site of St. Peter’s tomb
• Pope addresses council observers
• Torchlight parade marks council opening
• Council is opened with 81 cardinals
• New findings may alter Last Supper observance
• Editor comments from Rome: Opening session of Vatican Council II offers stirring unity lesson
• Exchange ‘kiss of peace’
• Private agencies’ use in food program urged
• Feminine piety seen as urgent need today
• Bishops, newsmen ‘collide’
• May give confirmation in absence of bishop
• Three deaneries set quarterly meetings
• ‘Brothers in Christ’: Bonds of baptism strong, cardinal tells observers
• Italian Jews send message to pontiff
• U.S. bishop dies while at council

(Read all of these stories from our Oct. 19, 1962, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †