December 14, 2012

What was in the news on Dec. 14, 1962?

The council goes into recess, and the American Church sees a golden opportunity

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 Dec. 14, 1962, issue of The Criterion:

  • Work of council to continue during recess, pope declares
    • “VATICAN CITY—His Holiness, Pope John XXIII, speaking to the Catholic bishops of the world, stressed that the work of the ecumenical council will continue during its nine-month recess and foresaw the council’s possible end by Christmas 1963. Pope John, in an address at the concluding ceremonies of the council’s two-month-long opening session, declared that the council ‘really remains open during the next nine months’ until the start of its second session next September.”
  • Father Graham: Council developments ‘positive, encouraging’
  • Ordination scheduled in Eternal City
  • Name recess commission for council
  • ‘A good start’: Archbishop comments on council
  • New wording for Canon prayer
  • Political science expert: Urges council to define religious freedom stand
  • Swiss theologian: Sees improved climate for unity
  • Council observers voice ‘gratitude and hope’
  • Editorial: Council progress in first session much greater than it appears
  • Column: A golden opportunity
    • “In his new book, The Catholic Church in a Changing America, Msgr. Francis Lally makes the very interesting point that the current time is one of golden opportunity for the American Church. One can detect all kinds of new interest and sympathy for the Church since January 20, 1961. In certain parts of the secular academic world, for example, people are falling all over themselves to be friendly to the Church. Clergy and religious on some campuses find themselves almost embarrassed by the attention showered on them by their professors and fellow students. As one scholar put it, ‘Having a Catholic priest around here is kind of a status symbol for us.’ ”
  • Religious leaders file protest with Krushchev
  • Mass visitation planned of Chicago Negro homes
  • Use opportunities, laymen are urged
  • ND freshman is named ‘Catholic Youth of the Year’
  • Catholic image of future seen in hands of youth
  • Teach teenagers proper role of sex, priest urges
  • Newsmen are briefed on first council sessions
  • Episcopal church rings Angelus bell for Catholics

(Read all of these stories from our Dec. 14, 1962, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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