What was in the news on June 30, 1961? The need for prudence among Scriptural scholars and the Civil War centennial

By 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, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Here are some of the items found in the June 30, 1961, issue of The Criterion:

• Nine lay persons are named for high papal decorations
• What is immoral? Hit ‘theological lag’ in business ethics
• Prudence urged: Rome issues a warning to Scriptural scholars
  • “ROME—The Holy See in warning Biblical scholars to be prudent in carrying out their activities was seen here as reflecting concern that certain tendencies in current research might be confusing to the average Catholic. The warning was issued by the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office. … The warning specifies that in the praiseworthy fervor of Biblical studies in various regions, opinions and judgments have been circulating which ‘place in danger the true, historic and objective truth of the Sacred Scriptures, not only of the Old Testament, … but also of the New, even in regard to the words and deeds of Our Lord.’ ”
• Speakers announced for Carmel novenas
• Priest hails barring of belief test
• Book on Christ placed on Index
• House unit passes school loan plan
• Religious climate in our state universities
• Purdue’s all-student parish is unique
• Chaplains discuss theory of evolution
• Family Clinic: Teenage son’s antics worrisome to parents
• Clergy work as priests, not pals, laity reminded
• War centennial called ‘disgrace’
  • “NEW YORK”—Calling the present observance ‘a blasphemy and a disgrace,’ the president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis suggested here that the Civil War Centennial be rededicated to the elimination of ‘official, legalized discrimination before the observance ends in 1965.’ Rabbi Bernard J. Bamberger charged that ‘the war was in vain, the celebration is a blasphemy and a disgrace, if a century later the Negro’s right to full equality may still be limited by prejudice enacted into law or perpetuated by custom.’ ”
• Teenagers pitch in to refurbish school
• Study of farm bill urged as an aid to cooperatives
• Maryknoll missioners note 50th anniversary
• Likens Communism to Goliath
• Urges Catholic schools to use education TV
• Sees bright future for African Church
• 3 schools will drop first grade
• Surge of converts

(Read all of these stories from our June 30, 1961, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †