All over the Christian world there are stirrings toward the unity of Christ. Here and there these reach the point of steps or even programs. To a Catholic or Protestant long concerned with the four-century frustration of Our Lord’s will, this seems incredible.

It seems no time since each church ran its own tight ship. Was our attitude toward the Protestantism of the 16th century “defensive,” “aggressive,” “hostile” or just indifferent? It’s hard to remember. In those days we knew many of them personally, and respected and loved them. But we saw the faith, not as a torrent of light to be shown into all corners but as a lump, a block, a rock. We forgot that Jesus did not say His Church was a rock; he said it was built on a rock. The image He used was a city set upon a mountain.

Thank God, in His providence for Pope John and the calling of the Council for Pope Paul and what he has accomplished in the Council. Now we look anew at ourselves, and rid ourselves of some of the complacency. Now the Holy Father begs the forgiveness of the world for Catholicism’s weakness and sins. The new statements on the Church and Ecumenism are mighty strokes in Catholic history. They indicate some of the things to come.

In our Archdiocese of Atlanta, our Commission on Unity has been keeping abreast of all ecumenical developments, with speakers available for non-Catholic groups. Now it will step up its work. Members are meeting as observers with the Georgia Council of Churches. Catholics, short of the present prohibition against active part in other services, are encouraged to attend other types of services, especially of an ecumenical nature. “Operation Understanding” was very successful, and was based, not on “Return,” but on “Mutual Understanding.” More steps will be taken, whether proposed (as we used to say) by “us” or by “them.” May God prosper them!

An Italian woman, Chiara Lubich, leaves us three thoughts that cannot help but stir our souls during this annual Week of Unity: “If we are united to God, in His Will, we are also united among ourselves.” (What a staggering thought!)

“Before all things ... mutual and constant charity.” (That’s simply the third part of the old axiom; in essentials, unity; in others, variety -- but do we really understand before all things?)

“When unity with our brethren becomes difficult, let us not break, but bend...until love works the miracle of one heart and one mind” (No comment needed)

Genuine Surprise

To obtain two million dollars for four worthy projects in the archdiocese is no small feat. But what we all seem to be sharing now is a special bonus of confidence. Not over-confidence. Nor, on the other hand, propped-up trust that all will turn out well.

Laymen and priests who have been preparing the program and campaign for more than a year are thoroughly surprised. For a successful completion of something this extensive, you need:

a) worthwhile projects (we’ve got them)

b) spirited priests and lay leadership (same)

c) real professional handling (same)

d) a tremendous union of effort, understanding, prayer and sacrifice by all.

It’s the growing evidence of this wide and deep confidence in all the parishes that has already, in two weeks, marked this campaign as unique. Of course, if ever the question, “Is there a good time for a drive?” can be answered with a resounding “Yes” -- “it is right now. We are at the peak of our economy -- and Catholics are sharing in the prosperity with all Americans. We can all afford to give now what we couldn’t quite afford five years ago. And we can all give sacrificially now in amounts that would have been impossible then.

No, the surprise and the widespread confidence go deeper than the boom. In the Catholic heart of Georgia there is a steady beat for the needs of the Church. In the expansion of 1965, we are taking some giant steps to meet those needs.

The heartbeat, I know, will be more than adequate.

Nice Notices On Our Schools

Have you noticed how much fine coverage our schools receive through the daily newspapers?

Fine news stories, with generous photographs, have shown dozens of new facets of academic life. You have seen a fine display of imaginative class work at St. John the Evangelist School in Hapeville. Marist Civil War students look very authentic in another spread. On the same page, Pius X is announced as the winner of another journalism award for Golden Lines.

Our daily papers, not only cover big religious news, and often with good local reference. They dig deeper, and give our parents an inside view of the Catholic School. Our continued appreciation!

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop of Atlanta