November 4, 2016

What was in the news on November 4, 1966?

A delay in the decision on birth control, a new school in Madison and the first session of the ICC

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 November 4, 1966, issue of The Criterion:
 

  • Pope delays decision on birth control
    • “VATICAN CITY—Pope Paul VI said he is delaying his long-awaited decision on artificial birth control ‘for some time yet’ because the conclusions of the international commission that has been working on the problem ‘cannot be considered definitive.’ ” However, he reminded Catholics that the Church’s existing norm against the use of artificial methods to prevent birth ‘demand faithful and generous observance. They cannot be considered not binding as if the teaching authority [magisterium] of the Church were in a state of doubt.’ That magisterium, he said, is rather ‘in a moment of study and reflection concerning matters which have been put before it as worthy of the most attentive consideration.’ It is the ‘law of God much more than our authority, a supreme concern for human life considered in its integral fullness, dignity and destiny much more than any partial concern,’ he said, which makes this existing norm of the Church ‘the best and most sacred norm for all.’ ”
  • Dedicated to Pope John: New Madison school serves four parishes
    • “MADISON, Ind.—...Tangible evidence of lay leadership coming to grips with basic issues is evidenced in the construction of the new consolidated elementary school being completed here which will serve four parishes in the area. The Pope John XXIII School, now ready for occupancy, will replace present facilities at St. Mary’s [built in 1876] and St. Michael’s [1905] parish schools and ‘downtown’ Madison. Four hundred youngsters from those two parishes, St. Patrick’s parish and St. Anthony’s parish in nearby China, will move into the 16-classroom, two-story building very soon.”
  • New state Conference will meet
    • “The first general session of the newly-formed state-wide bishops’ conference will meet Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Indianapolis, Archbishop [Paul C.] Schulte announced this week. Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House will host the Indiana Catholic Conference in its organizational meeting. Some 50 delegates from the state’s five dioceses will attend the meeting, in addition to Archbishop Schulte and the bishops of the four suffragan sees. The delegates represent the seven departments to be formed within the Conference, designed to finalize its organization, aims and objectives.”

(Read all of these stories from our September 16, 1966, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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