What was in the news on Oct. 27, 1961? Communion rules eased for the sick, a smut arrest and the Holy Father urging a family rosary

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 October 27, 1961, issue of The Criterion:

• Exploit the laity’s talents, speaker reminds the Church
• Former FBI agent: Hits charge that Reds have infested clergy
• Spur creative thinking, teachers are advised
• Communion rules eased for the sick
  • “VATICAN CITY—Sick persons who are unable to leave their homes may now receive holy Communion in the afternoon or evening even if they are not bedridden or in danger of death, the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office has ruled.”
• Archdiocese to take part in Catholic Youth Week
• Unification of Germany poses some thorny, complex problems
• Nations pool resources in atomic energy study
• Ask Presidential order to end bias in housing
• All-student parish at Purdue planning church expansion
• Orthodox protest erection of church
• Blessed Martin’s cause is advanced
• U.S. Negro priest given Rome post
• Family Clinic: Parents obliged to try to stop ‘bad marriage’
• Couple to work in Pakistan mission
• Robert F. Kennedy to receive award at CYO convention
• 11 airliners take pilgrims to Lourdes
• Tip of employees of Catholic paper brings smut arrest
  • “CHICAGO—A Chicago policeman was arrested after two young women employees of the New World, Chicago archdiocesan newspaper, said he asked them to make copies of allegedly pornographic literature. They said Joseph C. Rendak, 42, who directed traffic near their office, asked them to do some copying for him on a copying machine in the business section of the New World. But when they saw the material, they believed it was pornographic. The two women informed New World business manager James Meadows, who told them to pretend to go along with the request. He watched as Rendak handed the girls a looseleaf booklet on the street. The booklet contained sketches and stories. Meadows called police authorities, who in turn called in Rendak.”
• Diet of Trappists helps the heart?
• Sees Latin America need for basic social reform
• Unity is the concern of all
• Young lectors in Rome spark lay participation
• ‘Singing converts’ urged as lay participation spur
• Hits depersonalization of medical profession
• U.S. aid grant to Cuban refugees does not cover parochial children
• Pontiff urges family rosary
• Protestant theologian hits coexistence foes
• ‘Disastrous’ move: Deplores plan to drop grade school classes

(Read all of these stories from our October 27, 1961, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †