• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Courier-Journal Thursday, ©ctbber 29; 1987 15 Political Advertisement Political Advertisement Leaving tiresome debates behind By Father Richard P. McBrien Some of the greatest figures in the history Irondequoit Voters of the Church have been theologians: St. irenaeus, St. Augustine, St. Athanasius, St. Essays in Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas, Cardinal Newman, Karl Rahi.er and so many others. Re-elect Their work has expanded and deepened the Church's understanding of the great mysteries Theology of Christian faith. Councilman By contrast, modern theologians are per­ *k ceived by many, as polemicists — combatants patronized the arts and letters during the in an ever-raging battle between the hierarchy Renaissance, energized the baroque culture of Richard J. and the Church's scholarly community. The­ the Counter-Reformation, and in the 19th arid ologians seem to spend most of their time 20th centuries fostered both the Thomistic re­ defending their turf against what they see as vival and the liturgical movement. uninformed interference from Church "Cannot Rome today help to identify the key Barone bureaucrats and other non-theologians. issues and foster appropriate styles of thought An outstanding American Catholic the­ and expression, while allowing for suitable ologian, Jesuit Father Avery Dulles, addresses adaptations?" Dulles asks the pope in his im­ this problem in a short piece he wrote for the aginary five-minute conversation. September 19 issue of America magazine, "If He suggests that the greatest service the I Had Five Minutes with the Pope...!' Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Father. Dulles would tell the pope that he could perform for the Church would be to take St. John Fisher College Graduate he converted to Catholicism as a young man be­ the positive role of stimulating the intellectual cause he was attracted to its strong intellectual search for a comprehensive vision of reality, Aquinas Institute Graduate and cultural heritage. He had admired its reli­ one that would attract and delight the human giously inspired art, poetry, music and phi­ spirit. St. Ambrose School Graduate losophy. If /had five minutes with the pope, I would St. Cecilia Parish Council, past member But the present scene, he would complain give him Father Dulles' article and urge him to the pope, leaves much to be desired. The to ponder it. The Church needs iheotogy, not Church is no longer seen as an inspirer of wis­ legalistic jousting, I would say. And I would dom and creativity. Not only do-contemporary encourage the pope to take the late Jesuit Fa­ art and literature owe little to Christian faith, ther Karl Rahner's advice about preserving the Experienced but Catholic philosophy — if the term be per­ purity of faith. mitted at all — is in disarray. Rahner insisted that the most effective way 20 years in Business Management "Theologians" he continues, "find them­ to defend against error is by proclaiming the selves caught up in legalistic battles about the truth more compellingly, not by threats and 14 years as Elected Representative binding force of this or that doctrine. Few are censures. If the pastors of the Church were to boldly addressing the new problems presented follow that method of defending the faith Business Manager, Aquinas Institute by modern civilization, or lack of civilization^ rather than current methods, theologians The kind of critical mediation once accom­ would respond in kind. They would feel secure plished by Clement and Origen, Augustine and enough to effectively isolate colleagues whose Aquinas is scarcely being attempted any work is inferior or whose manner is ir­ Councilman Barone's 20 years experience in Busi­ longer!' responsible. ness Management is an important asset in oversee­ Recalling that the Church was for many cen­ In a less adversarial atmosphere, theologians ing the 10 million dollar town budget and over 300 turies the primary meeting place of art, could begin to do theology once again the way scholarship and philosophy, he would ask: Irenaeus, Gregory of Nyssa and Aquinas did town employees. Councilman Barone is the only Could not Rome and the papacy once again it. And no one would be happier to leave be­ candidate for town council who has both 20 years sponsor a renewal of Christian humanism? hind those tiresome debates about dissent, in­ experiencejn Business Management and 144?eaj:s_. In .the high Middle Ages, it was Rome that fallible or iron-infallible teachings, magisteriurn sponsored the universities and mendicant ord­ and academic freedom than the theologians experience^ as an elected representative. ers that produced the great summas. Rome themselves. Regretting failure to "Do it NOW" No Town Tax Increase in 3 of last 4 years By Father Paul J. Cuddy No Town Tax Increase for 1988! Most of us have occasions of great regret, Town Taxes 18% Lower Than County Taxes and I am suffering one now. The newspapers tfV^ Town Taxes 65% Lower Than Irondequoit carried the obituary notice of Basilian Father Anthony Lococo, who died at the Basilian On the School Taxes Fathers' residence in Toronto August 29. He was a priest I have kept in memory for 40 years, Paid for by Committee to Re-elect Councilman Barone and I always intended to get to see him. But Right Side I never did! Had I followed the adage: "Do POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT ~~ POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT it NOW? this awful regret would not hang over me like a brooding spirit. retirement in 1971. I like most priests, admire several, reverence He had several years of debilitating health some and endure a few. But Father Lococo was in Toronto, and even though it is only three o£ CHRIS ENO? YOUR special. hours away, I never did get to visit him despite In 1946, when I was discharged from the great intentions. Now I am saddened by this. Army, Bishop Kearney sent me to Sampson, Some years ago I wrote a column entitled, "Do ** COUNTY LEGISLATOR 15 miles south of Geneva. The old Navy base, it NOW!' I present it to you again for your which is now Sampson Air Base, was then to meditation: become a two-year state college. The diocesan Make your will or update the one you have. A Proven Leader chancellor, Monsignor James McAniff told Visit the sick or a house-bound person. me: "We don't know much about it, so do what Pay debts or bills. It is strange the number Best Oualif iedy you can!' of people who do hot repay loans. Sampson College) was one of four two-year Make a needed appointment with the doc­ • Has Kept Town Taxes Down, colleges established during Governor Dewey's tor or dentist. Rebuilt sewers, streets & administration in an effort to accommodate Return borrowed' books, whether on loan the deluge of GIs who had returned home with from individuals or the public library. I knew Sidewalks. the ending of World War II. a family who kept library books so long they Expanded Town Library as By the second year, our Catholic students accumulated Ones of more than S80. Member of irondequoit Town and faculty had so increased that we needed Invite some friends for luncheon or an eve­ three Masses. Saturday-night vigil was not ning you have intended for ages. Board. dreamed of in 1947, and celebrating more than Get the plumbing or windows or electricity • Former Chairperson committee two Masses was verboten. So I wrote Father or whatever in the house fixed. John O'Loane, the austere superior of the Write a letter you've neglected. on Elderly. Basilians at Aquinas Institute, asking for a Make that telephone call that can lighten a St. Thomas More Lawyers' priest to help us on Sundays. He sent Father heart or mend a fence. Guild. Lococo, a special prize. Go to confession. He was in his mid-30s, handsome in an olive- Make a retreat, which is important to the "Good government • LifeLong Irondequoiter. skinned, Latin manner. He had black curly spiritual life. doesn't just happen, we • Bishop Kearney & St. John hair and beautiful teeth that sparkled from his Acknowledge with thanks a gift or hospi­ must give of ourselves Fisher Graduate. frequent smile. He was admired by our stu­ tality. dents. He preached well. He adapted to the un­ Go to Sunday Mass regularly, or daily Mass to make it work." • Lector, Song Leader. LifeLong predictability of our setup. When Sampson if possible. Member St. Ambrose Parish closed in 1949, Father Lococo left us with great Quiz the children or grandchildren on their memories. religious knowledge An excellent book for first • Family Man Occasionally the Aquinas Basilians would confession or first Communion is Jesus and CHRIS ENOS FOR tell me of him. He spent 1938-58 at Aquinas, I by Father Heeg, SJ ($1). Our CCD teachers where his students reported he was strict, ex­ find it the best of all. pecting much of them and getting results. Write to your bishop about things you ap­ Later, he was superior of St. Charfes College preciate or do not, saying why you commend in Ontario, Canada, then master of novices for or why you regret. He welcomes the input of Republican - conservative - independent the Basilians in Canada. Finally, he went to the people. Michael Power High School, where he taught If. you DO IT NOW, you will have fewer r PAID FOR BY COMMITTEE TO ELECT CHRIS ENOS - C Enos Treas. 1 Latin and did guidance work, even after his regrets and many satisfactions. .

Load more

  1

Copy Link