October 16, 2015

What was in the news on Oct. 15, 1965?

Pope prevents council debate on clerical celibacy law, and an editorial mourns the closing of the Indianapolis Times

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. 15, 1965, issue of The Criterion:
 

  • Pope bars council debate on clerical celibacy law
    • “VATICAN CITY—Pope Paul VI informed the Second Vatican Council that he intends not only to preserve the ancient law of celibacy of the clergy of the Latin-rite Church, but also ‘to reinforce its observance.’ The pope thus in effect removed the subject of celibacy from the competence of the council. His decision was revealed in a letter read to the council during its 145th general congregation [on Oct. 11] by the secretary general, Archbishop Pericle Felici. … In it, the pope said he was aware that some council Fathers had asked to speak on the law of clerical celibacy in the Western Church when the schema on the priestly life and ministry came up for debate. … ‘Public debate is not opportune on this subject, which is so important and which demands such prudence. Furthermore, it is our intention not only to maintain this ancient, sacred and providential law with all the force of which we are capable, but also to reinforce its observance, calling on priests of the Latin Church to recognize anew the causes and reasons why today, especially today, this law must be considered most suitable. Through it, priests are able to consecrate all their love completely to Christ and to dedicate themselves exclusively and generously to service of the Church and to souls.’ ”
  • New school being built at Madison
  • Teachers’ Institute slated at Chatard
  • Deny plans for 2nd papal trip to the U.S.
  • Council pushed ahead despite complexities of Schema 13
  • Urges new methods to combat bias
  • Editorial: A great loss
    • “The passing of the Indianapolis Times is going to leave a void in the capital city and throughout Indiana that may never be filled. For many years, the Times has been one of the best written, best-edited, most readable newspapers in America. It was a doughty crusader for justice without ever being flamboyant or sensational. Its motto, ‘You always get both sides in the Times,’ was not an idle boast.”
  • Pontiff, Greek prelate prayed together in NY
  • Pope sends Johnson ‘get-well’ message
  • Stamp sale provokes ‘riot’
  • Europe planners meet with pope
  • Shrines give new look to our cemeteries
  • Catholic agency paces relief work

(Read all of these stories from our Oct. 15, 1965, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

Local site Links: