October 9, 2015

What was in the news on Oct. 8, 1965?

Pope Paul VI visits the U.S., later talks about not being ready to issue an answer on birth control

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 Oct. 8, 1965, issue of The Criterion:
 

  • Millions see Pope Paul on historic visit; UN appeal for peace is widely acclaimed
    • “NEW YORK—Pope Paul VI has been here. He came on the longest journey ever made by a reigning pontiff, in history’s most dramatic appeal for peace. It marked the first time a bishop of Rome had ever set foot in this hemisphere, and the less than 14-hour stay was crammed with history-making happenings that gripped the attention of the world. His Holiness came to address the General Assembly of the United Nations, in response to an invitation extended earlier this year by UN Secretary General U Thant. But the Holy Father also met with the President of the United States; talked with Catholic, Protestant and Jewish representatives of groups having contacts with the UN; saw and was seen by millions of people; celebrated Mass for some 90,000 persons in Yankee Stadium, and visited the Vatican Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair.”
  • Pontiff reports to council on peace mission
  • Editor comments from Rome: Rumors rife in the coffee bars
  • New subcommission: Editor on U.S. body for Jewish liaison
  • Instruction Service in ‘rhythm’ started
  • Beam papal visit to Red countries
  • Prospects bright for early council close
  • Martin Work lauds laity secretariat
  • Schema 13 seen as further defining nature of Church
  • Annual benefit dinner set for Child Center
  • 5-year plan studied by Church in Brazil
  • Something new on campus
  • Calls Latin American Church a ‘vibrant world of reform’
  • Soviet persecution seen with ‘new face’
  • Only ten priests in Southern Sudan
  • Says charity is what Christianity is about
  • Rabbi is included in new faculty members at Woods
  • ‘International flavor’: Record crowd attends pope’s stadium Mass
  • New immigration law signed by President
  • High praise for pope: World Methodist head hails council
  • Catholic Scouting leaders will meet in Indianapolis
  • Pope not ready to give answer on birth control
    • “ROME—In an interview published in an Italian paper, Pope Paul VI said he knows the world is waiting for an answer to the birth control problem, but that he is still not clearly certain what that answer may be. … ‘The world asks us what we think, and we are seeking to give an answer. But which one? We cannot remain silent. But to speak out is a real problem. The Church has not ever over the centuries had to face anything like these problems. It involves, we say, material that is unusual for men of the Church, material which is even embarrassingly human. So the commissions come together, the mountains of reports and studies grow. Oh, yes, much study is going on, you know. But it remains for us to decide. And in deciding, we are alone. To decide is not as easy as it is to study. But we must say something. But what? … Truly it is necessary that God enlightens us.’”

(Read all of these stories from our Oct. 8, 1965, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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