CATHOLIC COURIER DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER, N.Y. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 1997 PAGE 11 FEATURE Book compiles priest's 'radical' views By Patricia Bartos 1985 at age 74 in an auto accident, remains learn to see them as a lesser good, as pass Catholic News Service a "seminal figure" in the American church, ing things ...," Father Ou said. particularly with his pacifist views. "We were taught in theology that Chris PITTSBURGH - Father John Hugo "The chufch still doesn't have a handle tian life was a matter of being good, of touched many lives during his 49 years as on the violence issue," said Scott, who keeping the commandments," he added. a priest of the Pittsburgh Diocese, not the added that Father Hugo wrote extensively "But Father Hugo said this is not what least of whom was the Catholic social ac about it. Christ came to'teach. Rather th'at vou must tivist Dorothy Day. Sqme found Father Hugo's teachings love God, and that was the real com Twelve years after his death his writings too challenging and demanding. mandment." have been compiled in a book called "Rigorist" was a charge often lodged-'*1 Father Hugo proclaimed a way of sim Weapons of the Spirit: Living a Holy Life in against him, according to his longtime plicity, prayer, pacifism and dedication to Unholy Times. friend, Msgr. Joseph Meenan. Scripture. It could be described as a "rad Published by Our Sunday Visitor in Fadier Hugo did not preach sin, but im-. ical" Christianity that he defined as re Huntington, Ind., it is in essence a manu perfection, Msgr. Meenan told the Pitts turning to the roots and basic beliefs of al for Christian living. burgh Catholic. He did not see possessions faith. Day had always credited Father Hugo's and attachments as sinful but felt they im ~ Aquilina said of Father Hugo, "He was writings and his weeklong retreats as in paired a life of grace, the monsignor ex die master of sudden illumination. He pro strumental in reviving her lagging faith af plained. vides the point of spiritual life, and you can ter her conversion to Catholicism. Misunderstanding and false charges see what you need for your own soul." She forever after referred to those re dogged Father Hugo to the point that Bish The idea of sacrifice doesn't come nat treats as "the bread of the strong" and at op Hugh Boyle exiled him to a rural parish urally to people today, and they can choose tended many throughout her life.' and forbade him to preach*. not to suffer, Fadier Hugo taught. But, he Father Hugo's writings were edited for Bishop John Dearden lifted the prohi asked, "At what price?" die book by David Scott, editor of Our Sun bition. His successor, Bishop John Wright, day Visitor weekly newspaper, and Mike chaplain and retreat master. who revered Father Hugo, made the priest Aquilina, editor of the Visitor's monthly The overriding theme of his priesthood a key figure in adopting liujrgical changes magazine New Covenant. They worked with was his belief that a committed life of called for by the Second Vatican Council. die keeper of Father Hugo's papers, his sis prayer and a dedication to the Gospels are Bishop Wright also commissioned Fadier rs ter Cecilia. absolute requirements for living a life of Hugo to write a book on St. Augustine. Scott first encountered references to Fa- faith. Such acts "sow the seeds" of faith, he Fadier Francis Ott, another colleague of exblmre issues dier Hugo while completing his master's often said. Father Hugo, said the writer-priest did not ,, The Christophers have published degree on Day's spirituality, and Aquilina Fadier Hugo taught that each person — "renounce the world" but urged detach a News Note examining issues sur is former editor of the Pittsburgh Catholic, not just priests and sisters -r- was called ,to ment. • • " $ , rounding retirement. diocesan newspaper. a life of holiness. His concept is easily ac "What Christians must do if they would Z\ "Retirement: A Time to Renew," Fadier Hugo was founding pastor of St. cepted today in an era of involved lay peo work for God is to grow in love," Father .explores such topics as easing into Germaine Parish in Bethel Park. He was ple, but it was considered revolutionary Hugo wrote. "And every growth in love ^JEetirement without a crisis; dealing also first director of the diocese's liturgi when he first defined it presupposes a further detachment from "twith th$ new lifestyle; getting fulfill- cal commission and was the diocese'*? Scott said Father Hugo, who died in creatures." . menti and exrjeriencing spiritual His view was that "all things created by l^owth'; '•>-•--'"''/';i " God are beautiful and good, but you must y. The brochure includescomments % i- and practical xecojasiendations from individuals who have dealt Vfc ^Slyre at Gulverton j^sdth these various issues. toggle copies^a^fee of charge. (For Age 50 and Older) - Bulk copies are available at $5 per 100, plus $2 forshipping, or $40 per ADULT HOME • Studio: $29 Admissions and Tours available 7 days a week ROCHESTER NURSES' 1177 E Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623 REGISTRY, INC. 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Book Compiles Priest's 'Radical' Views
