October 31, 2014

What was in the news on October 30, 1964?

Talk of religious liberty at the Council, and a debate about 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 October 30, 1964, issue of The Criterion:

  • Schema 13 repeats plea for religious liberty
    • “VATICAN CITY—A call for religious freedom, the subject of a proposed council declaration that has already been hotly debated, is also included in chapter two of schema 13 on the Church in the modern world. Chapter three is a capsule version of the ecumenism schema. A summary of the chapters, released by the council press office as debate on them began [on Oct. 26], says that chapter two proclaims religious liberty as ‘indispensable’ both for the Church to fulfill its mission of announcing the Gospel and for men to accept the Gospel through a free act of faith.”
  • Challenge to council: Make Church relevant
  • Cemeteries head uses talents as architect
  • St. Meinrad augmenting Peru staff
  • Pope speaks at Cassino dedication
  • Two given citations by Interracial Council
  • Outline of low Mass
  • CCM opens annual drive
  • 300 ‘experts’ attend: Sharp debate marks Rhythm Symposium
    • “WASHINGTON—Rhythm works and, correctly practiced, is as effective for family planning as most contraceptives—but it isn’t easy. … More than 300 doctors, priests and other persons concerned with medical and moral problems of family life attended [a] symposium [on Oct. 20-22], which by coincidence came at the same time that the ecumenical council was taking up population questions in its debate on the schema on the Church and the world. … Sharp, unscheduled debate erupted several times on the pill. The disputant raised such questions as whether and how these drugs may be used in connection with rhythm, and whether there is truth in charges that they achieve their results by contraception [creating an environment hostile to sperm survival] and abortion [preventing the implantation of a fertilized ovum in the wall of the womb] as well as by suppressing ovulation. … The issue came to a head when four doctors circulated a mimeographed letter ‘urgently’ requesting a ruling on the pill by the Church.”
  • Little Sisters expand Advisory Board
  • Declares nuns must be ‘kind little people’ plus
  • Catholic teachers laud public schools
  • Pope John outlines new role of woman
  • Warns ecumenism may be ‘passing fad’
  • Korean notables enter the Church
  • Eleven youth leaders are honored by CYO: John Bosco Medals awarded at banquet
  • Details announced for Baking Contest Sunday, Nov. 1
  • High school students to visit Marian campus
  • Council initiates debate on problems of modern world
  • Married couples as auditors?
  • U.S. parish priest is concelebrant

(Read all of these stories from our October 30, 1964, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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