New Concordat Reduces Church's Privileges in Italy Science
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Diocesan/world news Pittsburgh Catholic. Friday, February 24, 1984 — Page 3 New concordat reduces Church’s privileges in Italy (Continued from page 1) relations with the state. It is "an L'Osservatore Romano, had Religious Liberty." at the same time it's a good they accommodate tourists at set ideal inspiration for the generous The Vatican II declaration agreement.” prices. Concordat from 45 articles to 14. earlier given a reserved and creative contribution that the stressed the civil rights of all During the negotiations to The treaty replaces the endorsement of the new treaty. Italian cinemas, hospitals and church community is called to religions, as distinct from revise the treaty, Italian law Concordat signed by the Vatican In a front-page editorial by Vice nursing homes are often church- give toward the moral good and privileges enjoyed by a Catholic began reflecting the growing and Italian dictator Benito run, too. civic progress of the nation," the Director Gianfranco Svidercos- majority. secular nature of society. Italy Mussolini in 1929. The new, chi, the newspaper expressed its The treaty gives the church the pope added. legalized divorce and abortion shorter version is the result of 15 “ sense of hope" over the Cardinal Casaroli, at the signing despite strong opposition from the right to perform its pastoral years of difficult negotiations, and The treaty will take effect after Concordat, but said it noted a ceremony, called the new Vatican and the Italian bishops. mission, the right to oversee reflects changes in the way Italy it is ratified by the Italian “ sense of dissatisfaction" that Concordat “an instrument of Church-backed referendum* to dioceses, priests and other and the Church view religious Parliament. Little opposition to many Catholics feel because of the agreement, not of privilege repeal the divorce and the institutions, freedom to establish freedom. the accord is expected in reduction of privileges under the According to one Vatican source abortion laws failed. schools, and the right to minister Pope John Paul 11 noted the Parliament, which in January new treaty. who is well informed about the in public institutions such as "historic importance” of the voted overwhelmingly to support The text of the revised Concordat negotiations, many of The tax-exempt status of hospitals and the armed forces. the government's negotiating the privileges dropped in the new Concordat Feb. 19, the day after it Concordat was read by Craxi at existing church organizations It recognizes Sundays as treaty w ere outdated ones that the was signed by Vatican Secretary position. the signing ceremony at Villa outside the Vatican is not expected holidays, along with Catholic Before the ratification vote, Vatican no longer wanted to of State Cardinal Agostino Madama, an Italian government to change after the negotiations religious feast days to be agreed however, the treaty stipulates that protect. Casaroli and Italian Prime guest house on the outskirts of between the Italian bishops and upon later. It protects church a joint commission of Italian He described the treaty as a fair Minister Bettino Craxi. Rome that was the 16th-century the government. But government buildings, and calls on church and bishops and civil authorities must one that stresses mutual respect “ This was a treaty that Paul VI residence of Pope Clement VII. officials have indicated that such state to work together to protect agree on the thorny issue of the tax by church and state and which had foreseen and encouraged, as a Article 1 speaks of the "process organizations may be subject to the country's historical and status of church organizations in recognizes the growing secular sign of renewed agreement of political and social transforma closer scrutiny by Italian finance artistic treasures. between the Church and the Italy. tion" in Italy since 1929. It adds nature of Italian society. authorities to make sure that their Italian state,” the pope said The Italian bishops were that the revisions will bring "T here is a new perspective activities are strictly religious. Priests, deacons and members during his Sunday Angelus advised of the treaty's contents church-state relations into here. It is a call for the local One traditional gray area has of religious orders continue to be blessing in St. Peter's Square. before the signing, but did not take conformity with the Italian church, and not only the Holy See, been religious guest houses, which exempt from military service, but The treaty, he said, is a part in the negotiations. Constitution and with the Second to take responsibility,” he said. have been criticized as will be required to perform a civil significant legal basis for The Vatican newspaper, Vatican Council's "Declaration on “ W e’re not chanting victory, but commercial operations because service instead. Science, mathematics top ici of congressional hearing By STEPHEN KARLINCHAK House of Representatives and still inherent in teaching and by the awaits action by the U.S. Senate. respect the community offers a A diocesan educator told a U.S. The subcommittee heard teacher. Today there is little Congressional subcommittee testimony from panels of reason for a young man or woman looking into the status of science elementary and secon dary to enter the teaching profession. If and mathematics education in science and mathematics we are to attract quality people to American elemenary and teachers; from school admini education, we must enable our secondary schools that student s tra to rs and school board y o u n g people to see that motivation and student goals are members; and representatives achievements are possible to the keys, not more programming. from industry and community them not only financially but " I think it is necessary to say in colleges. personally.” the beginning that the course Many of the teachers giving As for the concerns that offerings do not seem to be a testimony made suggestions to American students are not of the problem,” Fr. Hugh Lang, improve science and mathema same quality or achievement superintendent of diocesan tics education in the United States. levels as Japanese, West German schools, told those attending the Among the suggestions were: or Soviet students, Fr. Lang said Feb. 10 hearing in Pittsburgh. advanced in-service courses in the that the observation is probably “ Schools everywhere are offering sciences for teachers, more valid but added that American A id in g the blind courses in educational methodo education has a different calculus, physics, computer St. Lucy’s Auxiliary to the Greater Pittsburgh are Roy J. Zoog, vice president of the Bridgeville logy, increased teachers' salaries, objective. literacy and other programs that Trust Co., Louise Vuono, Alfred D, Fulton, improved college-level courses “In the United States, we have Guild for the Blind in Bridgeville recently give young people insight into the president of the Guild’s board of directors; and for teacher education, standard compulsory education,” Fr. Lang presented a check for $61,420 to the guild, enabling areas of mathematics and science it to pay off all of its bank loans. The major portion Gloria Ley. Mrs. Vuono and Mrs. Ley were ized science and mathematics said. “ Young men and women are intended to prepare them for of the auxiliary’s gift came from the annual chairmen for this year’s Medallion Ball. curriculums, more parental required to attend school until college and university training." Medallion Ball it sponsors each winter. From left The hearing was conducted by a discipline, a public relations they are 15 or 16 years of age. The subcommittee of the House of campaign on behalf of science and purpose of our educational necessary for the manufacturing Representatives’ Science and mathematics education, increas program is not only to create process. loements Now Havo Technology Committee to see if ed money for science education, scientists, but our philosophy of Reminding those in attendance Been Made lor You to Travel American elementary and etc. life and political structure that education is prim arily for the Nearly Two Thousand Years secondary school students were Saying that there is a shortage demands a broad based fulfillment and development of the educational program as a means In Only Twelve Oaya to the falling behind Japanese, Russian of mathematics and science individual, Fr. Lang said that H E L P STILL and West German students in teachers, Fr. Lang noted that of improving the quality of life for science and mathematics are but achievement in the areas of there is an universal shortage of our citizens. In a democratic a small part of an education. He WANTED society, it necessary that HOLY LAND mathematics and science. good teachers. He added that the is we said to make life meaningful, a with the Bible et your guide teaching profession requires more have an informed citizenry and book, under spiritual direction of U.S. Rep. Doug Walgren (D- person must be able to appreciate Father Miroslaus A. I I N L E B A N O N Mount Lebanon), a member of the than people who would teach compulsory education, although art, music, literature and history. science and technology commit content; it requires people who there are many drawbacks He said that economic and connected with it. It is intended to Ml HOLY FATHER'S MISSION AID TO THE OMENTAL CHURCH tee, presided over the hearing. are prepared to give time and national security education should provide a level of education that Also in attendence was U.S. Rep. effort that would challenge and not be indentified with competen will result in a good and informed Herbert Bateman (R-Va.), a inspire students. cy in scientific areas. citizenry along with growth in The news from Lebanon tells ol science and technology commit “ True, education creates “Expectation is a critical part of WAR'S scientific expertise.