August 14, 2015

What was in the news on August 13, 1965?

The Civil Rights Voting Act, remembering Hiroshima, mixed marriage changes and new rules on cremation

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 13, 1965, issue of The Criterion:
 

  • Two legislature milestones in civil rights battle
    • “When the Senate passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and sent it to President [Lyndon B.] Johnson for his signature, a milestone was passed in the fight for civil rights. This completed a vital piece of unfished business in the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964. Paradoxically, however, the Senate on the same day took another action which may in the long run be more important for Negro rights than the Voting Rights Act. The defeat of the so-called Dirksen amendment on reapportionment may well prove to be the capstone in the struggle for a fully integrated society. The paradox may be explained in this fashion. The power to vote insures the Negro, and other minority citizens, of the opportunity to secure basic civil rights. But the securing of civil rights is only a first, although highly necessary, step in the direction of full equality. Equally essential are the provision of good education, job opportunity, elimination of slums, and open housing.”
  • Hiroshima bombing draws papal censure
    • “CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy—‘May the world never again see a day of misfortune like that of Hiroshima,’ Pope Paul VI prayed during his usual appearance on the balcony of his summer home here.”
  • Five-point statement: See government role in family planning
  • Six nuns choose jail, but lawyers pay fines
  • Denies need for friction in Church
  • Pope urges confidence in Church
  • Franklin church dedication set
  • Red radio cites pope’s message
  • Bishop Gallagher is consecrated
  • 10,000 Poles start pilgrimage
  • Ukrainians called ‘martyrs’
  • Change in Church stand on cremation explained
    • “WASHINGTON—A change in the ‘overtones’ associated with cremation led the Church to relax its opposition to the practice, according to a canon law expert. Whereas in the 19th century cremation was often an expression of an ‘anti-Christian sprit’ and was ‘equivalent to a challenge thrown in the face of the Church,’ today it has ‘lost its historical overtones,’ according to Father John Russell, S.J. ‘It is so common and accepted a practice today that it no longer serves as a gesture of rebellion against the Church,’ he says in explaining a Vatican instruction that ‘tolerates’ cremation of Catholics.”
  • U.S. Sisterhoods to discuss change
  • St. Catherine wins another tennis crown
  • Profession ceremony slated at St. Meinrad
  • Fourth session outlook: Council impact greatest in field of liturgy
  • Pope counsels vacationers
  • Noted theologian is hospitalized
  • List current officers for Council of Women
  • ‘Theology of work’ groundwork cited
  • Opposition voiced to ecumenism
  • Life was in danger, Selma priest says
  • 600,000 refugees flee Viet Cong terror
  • Editor cites impasse in Catholic press
  • Contends Christ was probably born in 6 B.C.
  • Cincinnati paper gets lay editor
  • Population study group names listed
  • Goya canvas discovered
  • ‘Star Council’ rating given four KC units
  • 1966 Jesuit meeting expected to be brief
  • Changes authorized for mixed marriages
    • “WASHINGTON—U.S. bishops have been authorized to permit the celebration of Mass at mixed marriages and allow the non-Catholic partner’s minister to bless the newlyweds at their home after the Catholic rite. … Presently, mixed marriages involving a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic are held in Catholic churches with the priest acting as witness, but without celebration of Mass.”
  • Nearly 45 million in mission areas

(Read all of these stories from our August 13, 1965, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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