October 15, 2010

What was in the news on Oct. 14, 1960? The Church in Cuba, Cardinal Newman and seminarians studying atheism in Rome

By Brandon A. Evans

50 Year LogoThis 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 Oct. 14, 1960, issue of The Criterion:

  • Obstacle to Reds: Castro agents launch campaign of persecution against Church.
    • “HAVANA—Agents of Cuban Premier Fidel Castro are waging a vigorous campaign of persecution against the Church, which they see as the main obstacle to a Red Cuba. … Persecution efforts, however, have not been entirely successful. People generally support the priests and nuns who have been targets of attack, and many previously lukewarm Catholics are rallying to the defense of the Church. The regime’s attempt to isolate the Bishops and priests from the laity is being answered by a flood of Catholic pamphlets published in secret.”
  • Catholic, Orthodox link seen in love of Mary.
  • Pope said to be for cooperation with Anglicans.
  • Monsignor from England brings Newman’s message to Indiana.
    • By Paul C. Fox: “Were Cardinal John Henry Newman living today, he would stress the importance of the individual soul before God. This is the message that the 19th century scholar and churchman would have for modern Catholics, according to his most enthusiastic supporter, Msgr. H. Francis Davis, a recent visitor to Indianapolis. Msgr. Davis, vice postulator of Newman’s Cause since 1958, is perhaps the foremost authority today of Newman’s life and works. He stated in an interview that there is a great need to popularize the voluminous writings and sermons which made Newman the outstanding intellectual of his day.”
  • St. Mary’s, Richmond to observe centennial.
  • Seminarians taking course in atheism.
    • “ROME—Less than a thousand yards from St. Peter’s Basilica, a priest is teaching militant atheism to hundreds of seminarians with the Church’s blessing. For the first time in the history of Christian Rome, denial of the existence of God has been given the status of an academic subject. … Aim of the course is to equip the future priests of Africa and Asia to deal with the rapidly mounting problem of atheism in lands which once had some form of pagan religion.”
  • Jesuits chart skies for travel in space.
    • “CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy—Removed somewhat from the clamor of the cold war missile race, a team of Jesuit scientists is quietly preparing the way for man’s first venture into space. They are the astronomers and astrophysicists who staff the Vatican Observatory near the pope’s summer residence here. Their job of charting the heavens may seem a bit academic to the casual observer. But the missile experts engaged in the more practical business of space travel are relying heavily on this painstaking work.”
  • Cities need to aid modern woman to fulfill her role in life.
  • Protestant Dean: Says Church has a right to influence legislation.
  • Catholic lay head wants churches out of politics.

(Read all of these stories from our Oct. 14, 1960, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

Local site Links: