worth noting...

PRIESTLESS PARISHES . . . There is a move afoot among some bishops and theologians in this country to downgrade the role of the ordained priest in the Catholic Church. They are doing this by trying to separate the Sacraments, especially the Mass and the Eucharist, from the daily worship of the Church. In this scenario the priest is reduced to a “sacramental minister”—one minister among many in a parish community. In this issue Fr. Bernard D. Green takes issue with this move and sees it as a way to eliminate the celibate priesthood from the Catholic Church. This is just one more Modernist attempt to corrupt Catholic faith and reduce the Church to one more Protestant denomination. There is food for thought here (p. 8).

NO SCIENCE WITHOUT FAITH . . . Often atheists try to prove that there is opposition between science and faith. The attempt is based on a false notion of both science and faith. In this issue Professor Donald DeMarco, who is well known to our readers, offers his views on the close connection between science and faith. True scientists admit that science itself is based on faith—faith that the world is real and is governed by consistent and predictable laws. Just as God is not capricious, so also the world is not fickle. If you like debate and sharp logic, you will enjoy this essay (p. 18).

DISSENTING THEOLOGIANS VS. PASSIVE BISHOPS . . . For thirty years now dissent from the official teachings of the Church has been running wild on all levels in the Church. Those in authority have done little or nothing to stop it. One serious consequence has been CONFUSION in the minds of the faithful. Who are they to believe—the Pope or the theologians? In this issue Mr. Kenneth D. Whitehead offers a vivid description of the outrageous dissent demonstrated by the Catholic Theological Society of America last June. Four bishops criticized them; our bishops’ conference has said nothing. It’s business as usual with dissenting theologians advising our bishops (p. 25).

PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SEMINARY . . . Today it is not easy for a young Catholic man, who feels that God is calling him to the priesthood, and who is both orthodox and heterosexual—it is not easy for him to be accepted into some of our seminaries or, if he has been accepted, to remain there. Often these young men are forced to go to psychologists who do not even share their Catholic faith. In this issue Dr. John P. Fraunces, who has had much experience counseling and testing seminarians, offers his views on the important role that members of his profession have on whether or not men will be ordained to the priesthood. (p. 48).—K.B.

IRELAND, AUGUST 10 to 23 . . . I will be chaplain for a pilgrimage to Ireland this summer. For details contact Guadalupe Travel, 137 E. Downs Ave., St. Paul, MN 55117; tel. 612/488-8468.—K.B.

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