The Denver Catholic Register
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I The Denver Catholic Register W EDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15,1976 V O L . L ll Colorado’s Largest Weekly N O . 6 15 CENTS PER COPY 24 P A G E S Tensions Must Be Cooled in White Africa WASHINGTON (NC ) — The U.S. Bishops have warned that the country’s future position in Africa hinges on resolving mounting tensions and grievances surrounding “ the white-dominated societies of Rhodesia and South Africa.” } In a statement prompted by charges being brought against Bishop h Donal R. Lamont of Umtali, Rhodesia, the executive committee of the 1 ^ National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) and the U.S. Catholic Conference (USCC) called for an examination of “ our relationship to the drama being played out in Rhodesia.” Bishop Lamont is charged by the Rhodesian government with four counts involving alleged contacts between Catholic mission personnel and anti-government guerrillas. Originally scheduled for Sept. 20, the bishop’s trial has been postponed until “ late October or early November,” according to information received by the USCC Inter national Justice and Peace Office. Text of the NCCB/USCC statement follows: We wish to call the attention of the American press and public as well as the U.S. government and the American business community to the re cent statement of Bishop Donal Lamont of Umtali, Rhodesia. Bishop Lamont, an Irish missionary for 30 years in Rhodesia and president of the Bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission, has been a strong and con sistent voice for racial, political and economic justice in Rhodesia for. many years. Bishop Lamont has patiently tried, against great odds, to encourage change within the system, using his persuasive powers of reason to call upon the white minority in Rhodesia to recognize the political and moral bankruptcy of existing laws and institutions. He has pleaded with no less force and eloquence for the Western na tions to bring their powers of political persuasion and economic influence to bear upon the Smith regime, either to evoke or to compel a change in national policy. His most recent statement of this kind was made in February, 1976, at one of the public hearings sponsored by the American bishops in the “ Liberty and Justice for A ll” programs. (Continued on Page 4) A 20th Century African Wood Carving of Christ With the Crown of Thoms I Future of Church After Mao Inscrutable (Compiled From NC News Service) For centuries, foreigners have described the Chinese as “ inscrutable.” And that description—if it was ever appropriate—seems especially true now, as most China-watchers express a great deal of uncertainty about the future of that vast country following the death of Communist party chairman Mao Tse-tung. Mao, according to many Western observers, left a gaping leadership hole at his death. Religion’s Chances But whatever emerges in China’s post-Mao era, the revival of religion will probably not be among them. As one West European diplomat at the United Nations said: “ There is nothing to revive. As far as I know, the churches as institutions have been totally eliminated under Mao’s ideology and rule.” A spokesman for Nationalist China—on Taiwan—said that “ there is ab solutely no contact with Chinese Catholics on the mainland.” Vincentian Father Frederick A. McGuire, who served in China from 1932 to 1949, visited there earlier this year and said that in the six cities outside of Peking that he visited the churches were either locked or being y used for secular purposes. I The only known church in all China in which Mass is offered is the * Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Peking—and Mass is offered i[ there only once each Sunday. !' I Catholics Under Reds 4 In 1949, when the Chinese Communist party under its chairman Mao Tse tung established the People’s Republic of China, there were more than 3.2 million Catholics in the population of about 461 million. They j;I were organized into 20 archdioceses and 93 dioceses and served by 5,700 I priests, 978 Brothers and 6,927 Sisters. A 19th Century Chinese silk screen of Christ and St. John from the Last Supper. ■ j (Continued on Page 20) • ' ■ Pag* 2 — THE DENVER CATHOLIC REQISTER, Wad., Sapt. IS, 1976 Convention Theme ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE 200 Josephine Street R Clergy for Emerging Church Denver, CO 80206 pet Sen The annual convention of the National Organization for Calif., and Father Edmond V. Worley, Cleveland, Ohio, Ass the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy, Inc., will be “ Educating Clergy for the Emerging Church.” Official nan (NOCERCC) will be held at Colorado Women’s College, Father Daniel J. Flaherty, director, Continuing Educa Denver, Feb. 14-17. tion for Priests for the Archdiocese of Denver, will be ar APPOINTMENT Approximately 138 Continuing Education directors rangements chairman for the NOCERCC convention. Reverend Philip S. Meredith, to be Assistant from various dioceses and archdioceses throughout the Pastor, St. M ary’s Church, Littleton. United States are expected to be in attendance during the NOCERCC was started four years ago by 85 clergymen ARCHBISHOP JAMES V. CASEY four-day sessions. There are 200 directors in the at a meeting at Notre Dame to act as a service organiza Friday, September 17, 11:00 a.m.—Denver, NOCERCC. tion to provide help to Continuing Education directors at a Catholic Pastoral Center, Concelebrated Mass with Basic theme of the convention, according to the presi local level, such as research, sharing of information, Archdiocesan Deans, Luncheon to follow. dent of NOCERCC, Father Daniel E. Danielson, Oakland, trends in the Church and similar activities. Friday, September 17, 6:00 p.m. — Colorado Springs, Catholic Community Services Board of Directors Meeting. Saturday, September 18, 3:30 p.m.—Denver, Carter Leads in Poll of Catholics Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Communal WASHINGTON (NC)- Democrats and had a The poll showed Carter The Harris poll showed Penance Ceremony. Catholics who support a con “ tenuous” lead among with 48 percent of the Jewish that McCarthy drew four Sunday, September 19,10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon — stitutional amendment to Catholics in the Northeast vote. Ford with 31 percent times as much support from Denver, St. Catherine’s Church, Concelebrated restrict abortion are more and among Catholics who and McCarthy with 14 per Carter as he did from Ford, Mass, Pastoral Visit. likely to support Democratic describe themselves as in cent. narrowing Carter’s lead Sunday, September 19, 4:00 p.m. — Denver, Back to presidential candidate Jim dependents, now about a According to the same over Ford in the six largest School Party for the Denver Seminarians, Seminary my Carter than Catholics third of ail Catholics. poll. Ford led Carter among states to three percent. Faculty and the Denver Serra Club. who oppose an amendment, Ford and Carter were Protestants by 45-44 per Tuesday, September 21, 11:40 a.m.—Denver, St. according to a New York described as “ neck and cent, with five percent for Thomas Seminary, Concelebrated Mass, Opening of Times-CBS poll. neck’’ among Italian- McCarthy. Ministry the School Year. The poll showed 56 per American voters, a major Democratic presidential Thursday, September 23, 4:30 p.m.—Sedalia, cent of all those surveyed op Catholic ethnic group. candidates have traditional Of Reader Sacred Heart Retreat House, Closing of the Priests' posed such an amendment, Meanwhile, a Louis Harris ly received heavy majorities Retreat. while 32 per cent supported Associates poll which in from Jewish voters, slightly Class Set BISHOP GEORGE R. EVANS one. cluded independent lower majorities from Friday, September 17, 11:00 a.m.—Denver, The poll showed that presidential candidate Catholics and less than a Registration is now open Catholic Pastoral Center, Mass for Deans. Carter led among supporters Eugene McCarthy showed majority among Protestant for the Ministry of Reader Sunday, September 19, 4:00 p.m. — Denver, Home of of an amendment by a 47-30 McCarthy drawing five per voters. Education Program. The David Little, Back to School Party for Denver per cent margin over Presi cent of the vote among McCarthy is now on the twenty-four hour program, Seminarians, Faculty & Serra Club. dent Ford. Catholics and 14 per cent of ballot in about 20 states. He sponsored cooperatively by Tuesday, September 21, 7:00—Denver, Francis His margin over Ford the Jewish vote away from hopes to be on the ballot in the Liturgical Commission Heights Board Meeting. among those who oppose an both Carter and Ford. about 40 by election day, but and St. Thomas Seminary, Wednesday, September 22, 4:00 p.m.—Denver, amendment was 45-35 per According to the Harris he has recently been kept off starts Saturday, October 16. Blue Cross Board Meeting. cent. (See related stories poll, in a three-way race, 47 the ballot in a key state, The twenty-four hours of pages 4 and 10). percent of the Catholics sur California, because he did BISHOP RICHARD C. HANIFEN training are in four areas; Thursday, September 16, 7:30 p.m. — Colorado The poll also showed that veyed favor Carter, 36 per not have enough signatures ministry, liturgy, scripture, Springs,, St. M ary Ad Building, Area Coordinating Carter led Ford by a five-to- cent favor Ford and five per on a petition seeking to place and communication. Partici Committee meeting. one margin among Catholic cent back McCarthy. him on the ballot. pants may enroll for two Friday, September 17, 6 p.m.—Colorado Springs, graduate or undergraduate Catholic Community Services Board Meeting. theology credits, or for no Saturday, September 18, 7 p.m.—Colorado Springs, credit.