November 2, 2012

What was in the news on Nov. 2, 1962?

The number of Churchmen eligible to serve as council Fathers, and possible major changes in the liturgy

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 Nov. 2, 1962, issue of The Criterion:

  • Link between Bible, worship stressed by council Fathers
  • Non-Catholic is honored for parish youth work
  • Pope names nine to each commission
  • Urge national basis for liturgy changes
  • Birth control plan rapped
  • Pope appeals for peace on election anniversary
  • 2,908 eligible for council
    • “VATICAN CITY—There are 2,908 Churchmen throughout the world eligible to serve as council Fathers, a directory published by the ecumenical council’s general secretariat has revealed. Msgr. Fausto Vallainc, head of the council’s press office, has announced that, of this number, 2,540 prelates actually came here for the council. Some of these have had to return home for various reasons. … Italy, with 430 eligible council Fathers, has the most Churchmen on the list. It is followed by the U.S. with 241, Brazil with 204 and France with 159.”
  • Report Pope to insist on two-thirds majority
  • Working smoothly now: Council’s press office survives chaotic start
  • ND to microfilm famed documents
  • Polish Reds taking over convents, priest reports
  • Editorial: Honest politicians
  • Editorial: Religious tolerance
  • Not all U.S. bishops of conservative bent
  • Protestant backing seen ‘key’ to shared-time
  • 3rd council Father dies at age of 83
  • Cardinal Cushing back from council
  • Enlarge Spanish mission seminary
  • Church unity belief reported increasing
  • Unity leader stresses ‘priesthood of laity’
  • Patients’ spiritual care most vital, priest says
  • Anglo-Protestant stand on contraception scored
  • Husbands’ refusal to lead seen as blow to marriage
  • Jeffersonville nun wins U.S. award
  • Cites duty of hospitals on unions
  • U.S. is second to Italy in commission members
  • Possible major changes seen in Church liturgy
    • “Cincinnati—Less Latin in the Mass. Holy Communion under the species of both bread and wine. More emphasis on the Scripture lessons and preaching in the Mass. More responsibility for Church administration entrusted to laymen. These are some of the hopes of a priest whose Minneapolis parish became nationally known for its program of active participation in the Mass and of lay responsibility for parish affairs. Father Alfred C. Longley told a Xavier University Forum audience that the Second Vatican Council may realize his hopes.”

(Read all of these stories from our Nov. 2, 1962, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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