January 8, 2016

What was in the news on Jan. 7, 1966?

First black bishop for the U.S. in the 20th century is ordained, and Race-Religion group moves to Indiana

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 Jan. 7, 1966, issue of The Criterion:
 

  • Pope Paul escalates his efforts for peace
  • From Kentucky: Religion-Race body will move to Indiana
    • “The executive board of the National Institute on Religion and Race met recently in Indianapolis and authorized the group’s officers to incorporate in Indiana as a not-for-profit corporation. Headquarters of the Institute is being transferred to Indianapolis from South Union, Ky., where it was organized in 1962. The new organization will service area Councils on Religion and Race throughout the United States, and develop an educational program in Indianapolis. Cooperation will be sought to coordinate activities with the National Council of Churches, the National Catholic Welfare Council and Synagogue Council of America.”
  • Bp. Perry consecrated by Delegate
    • “NEW ORLEANS—A bishop here characterized as a ‘source of wonderment’ the consecration of the first Negro to be raised to the U.S. hierarchy in this century. Bishop Robert E. Tracy of Baton Rouge, La., preaching at the consecration [on Jan. 6] of Auxiliary Bishop Harold R. Perry, S.V.D., of New Orleans, in the Basilica of St. Louis here, said the ceremony occasioned ‘two principal sources of wonderment.’ … ‘First, that today we are witnessing the episcopal consecration of the first Negro ever to be raised to the high office of bishop in order to serve in a diocese of the United States of America in this century. And, second, the fact that this bishop-elect has come through to the public—both here in the South as well as across the nation—as a highly cultivated person; a Churchman with an impressive record of dedication and leadership in the works of religion; a true “man of God” in the modern tradition, fully in touch with the world around him, sensitive to such mundane things as public relations—an attractive, winning personality endowed with all the graces one would expect to find in one of his position.’ ”
  • Record set in donations to missions
  • Four Indianapolis men in ordination class
  • Spain to follow Church teaching, Franco says
  • Recollection set for non-Catholics
  • The Catholic college in crisis
  • Native of New Alsace: Cowboy turned friar dies at age of 89
  • Abbey Press gets publishing rights
  • Theresians plan new headquarters
  • Family Clinic: Two suitors put girl in marital dilemma
  • Fr. Merton denies he has left abbey
  • Ban council texts in Red Hungary
  • Common ‘Our Father’ in French
  • Teachers’ union posts pickets at St. John’s
  • Former Rhodesian editor to speak at Marian College
  • Fr. De Pauw permitted to accept Italy post
  • Graduate of Marian works in Colombia
  • In Christmas message: Pope cites Church role as ‘peace messenger’
  • Plans ‘grass roots’ talks on council

(Read all of these stories from our Jan. 7, 1966, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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