April 8, 2016

What was in the news on April 8, 1966?

Mass revisions, a new bishop for Evansville and challenges on a new view of the Eucharist

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 April 8, 1966, issue of The Criterion:
 

  • Two revisions of Mass texts are proposed
    • “WASHINGTON—Two new translations of parts of the Ordinary of the Mass have been released by the International Committee on English in the Liturgy in a trial balloon aimed at obtaining international criticism and suggestions. The texts are unofficial, and are ‘not for use in actual liturgical celebrations.’ They have been published simultaneously in London and New York in booklet form, with blank pages at the end inviting comments and suggestions.”
  • Bishop Leibold named to Evansville
    • “EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The Most Rev. Paul F. Leibold, Apostolic Administrator of the Evansville diocese since the retirement of Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman in October, 1965, has been appointed Ordinary of the diocese. Bishop Leibold has continued to serve as auxiliary bishop and vicar general of the Cincinnati archdiocese while performing the duties of apostolic administrator.”
  • New theology of Eucharist backed by Dutch theologian
  • Challenges views on Holy Eucharist
    • “WASHINGTON—Father Francis J. Connell, C.SS.R., has taken strong exception to the views on the Eucharist expressed by Father Luchesius Smits, O.F.M. Cap., in an interview for the U.S. Catholic press. The Dutch theologian was interviewed by the NCWC News Service on his views of the nature of the change of the bread and wine that takes place in the Mass. He is a proponent of an existentialist theology of the Eucharist. Father Connell, former dean of the school of sacred theology at the Catholic University of America, held that Father Smits’ opinions regarding the nature of the change of bread and wine are ‘transfiguration.’ ‘In other words,’ said Father Connell in a statement, ‘if he is quoted correctly , he believes that the bread and wine remain, as “an extension of Christ and a gift from Him.” He says: “I keep all of the Eucharistic bread in transubstantiation. … For me, bread and wine remain, yet in a way are profoundly changed. In transubstantiation, nothing of the bread’s nature needs to be destroyed…” ’ Father Connell said that if Father Smits made these statements, he should have explained ‘how they can be harmonized with the solemn proclamations of the Council of Trent [which it is heresy to deny] that the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist contains truly, really and substantially the body, blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and that none of the substance of bread and wine remain, but only the appearances of bread and wine.’ ”
  • Mixed reactions seen to classroom ‘limit’
  • Reveal proposal to unite seven denominations
  • Text of Church in Modern World schema
  • Best in rural areas: Brothers’ vocations drop off around world, survey shows
  • U.S., Rumania set science exchange
  • Conference backs strike at Delano
  • Mission letter: Never dull moment, nun writes
  • Written in fourth century: Triumphant ‘Exultet’ heralds Resurrection
  • Radio award won by Catholic Hour
  • Interfaith talks set in Germany

(Read all of these stories from our April 8, 1966, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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