One of the encouraging signs of the renewal is that our priests and people, with a deep spirit of faith, are also making changes with a refreshing spirit of humor. There are areas of reverence and taste where no Catholic would think of using a light touch. There are other areas too.

A sort of “Nelson Rating” is making the rounds:

(a) In what category do you put yourself, liturgy-wise?

1 - Old Breed ( )

2 - New Breed ( )

3 - Half-Breed ( )

4 - Ugh! ( )

(b) Discuss the advantage and disadvantages of these steps:

1 - Distribution of ashes facing the people

2 - Christmas Crib facing the people

3 - Distribution of Palms facing the people

Mr. Average

The liturgy, the projects of our expansion, our schools -- keep my desk piled high with interesting letters. Since I cannot answer them all (especially those signed Mr. Average), I sometimes refer to them in this column.

Mr. Average likes all the changes except one: the use of a lector or commentator. It seem that one of them in his parish says “Please stand” and “Please kneel” with the tone of a drill sergeant, or even “a business executive of 30 years’ experience who gives lots of orders, hires and fires, etc.” In fact, Mr. Average tells it, that is what his lector is in daily life. He does not request, he commands.

I think Mr. Average has a good point -- priests and lay leaders should speak with dignity, courtesy and clearness. The lector should read the Epistle, and, until the people or choir are ready to do it, also the four Antiphons. His is a true role. The commentator, on the other hand, is part of our transition, and the day will come when his work will no longer be needed.

Now he can be of great help, if with reverence and a pleasing but natural voice, he announces the orations and introduces the hymns. By now, our people know when to sit, kneel, stand. If not, they can follow the commentator’s position. There does not seem to be anything churchly in the “hut-two-three-four” approach.

But Mr. Average, you’re swimming against the tide when you a want a “priest only” Mass. The Church has studied and promulgated the laity’s role in the Mass. The majority of priests and people want it. In ten years, we’ll wonder how we did it the old way.

Meanwhile until your commentator sees the error of his ways, remember it’s Lent. What a fine opportunity for penance -- listening to him every Sunday.

Commentary on Selma

The people of Alabama, especially Selma, are in our thoughts and prayers daily. The tragedy is not caused by Negroes or “outsiders.” Negroes have the right to vote, and in the United States, no one is an outsider.

The tragedy there is caused by state and local officials who refuse to live up to their office, and by the voters who let them get away with it.

Georgia has made tragic mistakes in the past, and even today full racial justice is a long road we must travel. But the climate here is not just “law and order.” Rather our objective is law and order through justice.

In this atmosphere, the Catholic Church has integrated her schools, hospitals and institutions -- no tokenism, no gestures, no quotas. The time was ripe in 1962 and 1963 for the implementation of her teaching. Segregation was never regarded as anything but tolerated. The “Negro mission” and “Negro school,” were planned, not to segregate, but to reach and teach the Negro.

The Church has borne a Christian witness here, and we pray for strength that it will continue.

We also pray for the clergymen of all faiths who went to Selma to show their concern for justice. A number of our priests asked my approval for this. I have spoken with most of them as I tried to sect the right answer. My reason for not approving their requests was neither ecclesiastical protocol, public opinion nor the lack of time to consider the circumstances.

It was simply the decision of a bishop responsible for the safety of his priests in a place where (as of Monday night and Tuesday morning) all semblance of the law seemed to have vanished. I acted as honestly judged best. I hope it was the right decision.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop of Atlanta