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It is the fixed teaching of our Church that Christians must stand
for justice -- civic, racial and economic. They must profess and practice it.
They must sacrifice for it too.
A demonstration of racial justice is a moral issue; its political
and economic factors are secondary, although important. Christianity has
vitalized and graced nearly twenty centuries of our history, but it is no
credit to many Christians that they came lately to brand slavery, and now
segregation and discrimination for what they are - unjust and therefore evil.
It is because non-violent demonstrations can be acts of virtue that this
archdiocese of Atlanta has approved our people taking part in them. If the
cause is righteous and the result it vital, Catholics may take part. This is
consistent with our standing practice of total integration in our schools,
hospitals and institutions.
The facts of our participation at Selma are these, despite
headlines and newspaper comments: No priest or layman was sent; they asked to
go with approval -- and it was given. No money of the archdiocese was ever
used; those who went defrayed the small expenses out of their salaries. My
early hesitation in giving approval was due solely to the risk they incurred.
Twenty-four hours, -- thinking, discussing, praying, -- the hesitation turned
to action.
The Church will probably take part in demonstrations again. If the
cause is right and the necessity is urgent. If they are non-violent, and if
those who go, whether priests or laymen, are neglecting their first
responsibilities to their daily role in the Church.
I add the following excerpts from letters I have received (2 to 1
in favor of the archdiocesan stand). Each is important. You and I should read
them and think about them.
Excerpts (Favorable)
“...I am not among your flock, but I wholeheartedly endorse
your stand on allowing your priests and nuns to go to Selma, and be witnesses
to the injustices found there... I felt that out of Christian brotherhood, I
should write you and let you know that there are many, not Catholic, who are
behind you 100%.”
---Man, Atlanta
“...It is vital for the Church to remind us by word and deed
that we have a responsibility to exercise a Christian conscience in this
matter. As the Apostles ventured forth into foreign lands to bring the Word to
all people, so His priests today must be in the vanguard of the march to
freedom.”
“...There has been much controversy, pro and con, in relation
to our priests and nuns taking part. It is our hope that their presence and
participation therein will serve to awaken and renew in the hearts of all
Christians love and complete unity in Christ... If our clergy fails to speak up
and set an example of Christ’s likeness, to whom can we look?”
---Couple, Atlanta
“...I am not in the habit of writing letters... To deny a
human being his moral and civil rights as a man is to deny his humanity.
Certainly moral issues are involved, and I think the Catholic Church should and
must assume a position of leadership in the struggle to resolve this problem...
I do not want sermons about charity, brotherly love and other meaningless
abstractions. I want the leadership of the Church to relate these concepts to
our daily lives, and take an ‘open stand’ on the racial problem... I
think this sort of thing is precisely what ‘God’s Work’ is all
about.”
--Couple, Atlanta
“... It has been my belief for a long time that the duty of
the Church is to lead its people on moral issue, and not just to follow the
wishes of its parishioners... I am proud I am Catholic and a member of the
archdiocese.”
--Man, Atlanta
“...Christ Himself never won a popularity contest. We need
just look at the scene on Calvary, and the events leading up to it. If He was
present today, He would most assuredly be rejected again as an agitator.”
--Man, Atlanta
“...I strongly feel that besides the Christian issue, our
Constitution is at stake, and all Americans should take a part in this vital
concern of our nation.”
--Woman, Atlanta
Excerpts (Unfavorable)
“...When these self-professed civil disobedience
demonstrations are dignified by the presence of Catholic priests and nuns --
whose life is dedicated to obedience to authority, -- I am appalled. When
priests and nuns are sent in from other dioceses, over the expressed opposition
of the local bishop, I am seriously concerned about our newly revised Catholic
Church. If some members of the hierarchy feel that the Church must enter this
political controversy on the grounds of morality, I am convinced that the
greater good will be achieved by priests and nuns celebrating and attending
public Masses -- dedicated to the alleviation of these political ills -- in
their home parishes. I pray God will guide you in any future such
situation.”
--Man, Atlanta
“...My family and I have decided to withhold all
contributions to the Catholic Church as long as members of the Holy Orders make
ridiculous public spectacles of themselves in cheap ‘n-----
politics.’ I was ashamed I was a member of a church that allowed its
leaders to be mesmerized by a protestant, common rabble-rouser. We are giving
all of our contributions for church and charitable organizations to the white
Police Fund in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama.”
--Woman, Atlanta
“...Your article in the paper made me sick. When I saw those
nuns, in the parade as well as our priests, I was ashamed to be a Catholic. The
day you came to Georgia was a sad day for many, as we now realize.”
--”Disgusted”(unsigned)
“...The term love connotes protection... I do not see how you
can justify your action in exposing our gentle nuns to possible physical harm,
and to words and actions that they could not comprehend, and had never heard or
seen before... (Note: No sisters have engaged in demonstrations outside the
archdiocese as yet.)
“I cannot see how you can justify sending priests into Selma
either (Note: None were sent; they asked for approval which was given.) Were
they previously given that special training to protect themselves, or how to
inflict unobserved punishment on those upholding law and order, or were their
Roman collars sufficient protection (Note: (1) No; (2) No; (3) Apparently.)
“Can you justify the expenditures incurred by sending these
priests and nuns to Selma, were these expenses borne by the archdiocese, or the
parishes involved, or were they subsidized by the NAACP or some foundation?
(Note: No -- the small expense came from their own pockets and they reported
the hospitality of the Selma priests and sisters was truly Christian.)
--Man, Atlanta
“...I did not go to Mass last Sunday. For the first time in
nearly 50 years, I intentionally stayed home in silent protest over the public
display and conduct of priests and nuns in the Selma racial strife.”
--Man, Florida
“...Your action leaves me utterly dismayed and totally
disgusted. That disgusting demigod, M. L. King, has been identified as a man to
whom the Communist Party can look for aid in accomplishing its avowed purpose
of annihilation of our country. He is aided in his unholy activities by a
totally amoral opportunist who unfortunately is President of the United
States.” --Man, Atlanta
Comment
My personal reaction to these excerpts is gratitude for those who
endorse the stand of the Church, and prayer for those who don’t. Although
the excerpts are 7 to 5 in favor, the odds of all letters received was better
than 2 to 1 in endorsement. I am glad they all wrote, but a bishop can only
regret sadly that generations of teaching and justice has affected some of our
people so little. The brightest note of the week was a clipping of a news photo
of rioting between whites and Negroes in a high school in my town of Cleveland.
Across it was written the delightful title of Wolfe’s novel,
Look Homeward, Angel! The sender evidently overlooked that
in the picture, white youths were chasing and attacking Negro youths!
Paul J. Hallinan
Archbishop of Atlanta
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