May 31, 2013

What was in the news on May 31, 1963?

Pope John XXIII nears death, and the Supreme Court orders integration of recreation facilities

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 May 31, 1963, issue of The Criterion:

  • World keeps prayerful vigil at stricken pope’s bedside; hopes for recovery fading
    • “The world kept an anxious and prayerful vigil as His Holiness Pope John XXIII lay gravely ill with a serious gastric condition which doctors have been unable to correct. At Criterion press time on Wednesday morning, wire service stories carried reports that the pope has spent a ‘bad night,’ and had received several transfusions in the wake of massive internal bleeding. Later reports on Wednesday indicated a slight improvement in his condition, but medical experts at his bedside held little hope for his recovery. One Vatican spokesman was quoted as saying that ‘only a miracle’ could save him. … When told that the world is praying for him, Pope John told Cardinal [Giovanni] Cicognani: ‘Since the whole world prays for the sick pope, it is quite natural that an intention be given to this supplication. If God desires the sacrifice of the pope’s life, may it serve to implore copious favors for the ecumenical council, the holy Church, and those who seek peace. However, if it please God to prolong this pontifical service, may this be for the sanctification of the pope’s soul and the souls of those who work with him for the expansion of the kingdom of our Lord.’ ”
  • High Court orders prompt integration
    • “WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected gradualism in the desegregation of parks and other public recreational facilities and held that the norm of ‘all deliberate speed’ does not ordinarily apply to them. The court, in an opinion by Justice Arthur Goldberg [on May 27], unanimously served notice on the city of Memphis, Tenn., to integrate its public recreational facilities at once. In passing, it also cautioned public officials against excessive delay in public school desegregation.”
  • Hebrew congregation men to visit parish
  • Construction to begin on Ritter High School
  • Report cardinal to visit Czechs
  • New Orleans school integration hailed as success
  • Outlook for Great Britain
  • Philadelphia to launch major shared-time plan
  • Gives progress report on Papal Volunteers
  • In Assembly document: Strengthen Catholic ties, Presbyterians are urged
  • 102 to be graduated at Marian College
  • Woods sets graduation ceremonies
  • Small high schools ‘passing’
  • Editorial: The Holy Father
  • General Electric Report on ‘union shop’
  • Priests, nuns hold parley on spiritual direction
  • Bishop to boycott places practicing discrimination
  • Israel will help Holy Land tourists
  • Religion a major factor in family size
  • Raps auto as status symbol
  • Warning given parents on obscenity problem
  • Urges churches to adapt to needs of our cities
  • Don’t desert inner city, high schools cautioned
  • Schedule telecast on Cuban refugees
  • Stress contributions of our school system

(Read all of these stories from our May 31, 1963, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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