June 20, 2014

What was in the news on June 19, 1964?

‘Socialization’ norms outlined by the Vatican, and Dutch theologian says changes possible in papal role

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 June 19, 1964, issue of The Criterion:

  • ‘Socialization’ norms outlined by Vatican
    • “BARCELONA—The Holy See, in a letter to the 23rd Spanish Social Week, has recognized the growing ‘socialization’ of modern life while warning of dangers if the process is left to ‘exclusive state power or deformed ideologies.’ The letter, written in the name of Pope Paul VI by Cardinal Amleto Cicognani, … defined socialization as ‘the progressive multiplication of the relations of coexistence, with the consequent shaping of many modes of life and of social activity which are recognized for the most part in public and private law.’ Modern man, the letter continued, is ‘more and more surrounded and integrated by social relations. His human well-being depends more and more on the social bodies which were created for this purpose.’ ”
  • Home for the Aged drive passes $1.3 million
  • Final ordinations held at West Baden
  • Protestant asks stand on liberty
  • American Mass ‘plan’ supported
  • Prepare council draft on family limitation
  • Commission will take final look at schemata
  • Mindszenty hearings set
  • Theologian’s opinion: Killing self is held permissible for spies
  • Announce Carmel novenas
  • ‘Open Church’ must welcome public criticism
  • The council and the priesthood
  • Understanding Church an ecumenical ‘must’
  • Use of A-bombs on Japan immoral, physicist holds
  • Sees South Africa ‘explosion’
  • Philippine Islands to send missioners
  • An airborne Noah’s ark?
  • Unique university is lay-administered
  • Importance of faith stressed by Pontiff
  • Priest critical of Cardinal McIntyre relieved of administrative work
  • Foot-dragging charge on race is disputed
  • Seminar planned on role of laymen in missions
  • Charges parents neglect marriage preparation
  • Sweden’s anniversary recalls Catholic roots
  • ‘Still under study’: Controversy renewed on Jewish statement
  • Major changes seen possible in papal role
      • “THE HAGUE—A prominent Dutch theologian has suggested that it is conceivable that the office of pope could be limited to a specific tenure instead of being for life. Father F. Haarsman, theological adviser of the Dutch Hierarchy for the Second Vatican Council, said that the essential Catholic concept of Christian reunion—‘the return to the one Church under the one pontiff’—does not rule out the possibility of major changes in the office of the papacy. ‘Can we say at this moment how far those changes will lead the Church? The Catholic conviction is that the Church without Peter and the other Apostles is unthinkable. But this does not preclude the fact that, with the common reflection of all Christians on the Bible and tradition, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the pontifical office might take on a form which we cannot now possibly foresee.’ ”
  • Suggests 7-point plan against pornography

(Read all of these stories from our June 19, 1964, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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