White backlash is a convenient term to cover the negative, non-Negro response to the civil rights movement. Recently a syndicated columnist, whom we Atlantans all know, had an assortum of sharp comments on the white reaction in Chicago and Cleveland.

Does it affect Catholics? “The most important facet of this white backlash is that the participants are, in the main, Catholics of immigrant stock. First and second generation Polish, German, Italian, Lithuanian and Irish Americans are losing Christ because of a little color.”

Outside agitators? “If Martin Luther King, Jr., if priests and nuns who demonstrate with him, if the laymen who join him are “outside agitators,” then they are in good company. Christ was the greatest “Outside Agitator” of them all. He traveled where the people needed him.” Are we still in Jerusalem? “If this be considered harsh criticism, let the critics, whoever they may be, take a look at the New Testament. All the fine preachments, and money spent on education has not solved the basic problem -- man’s inhumanity to man. Christ must be weeping over this other Jerusalem of our times.”

The protest, the style, the anger? From “Reapings at Random” by Gerard E. Sherry, editor of the Georgia Bulletin, 1963-1966. Who else?

Secret Line To Vatican?

Recently, a priest, a monsignor and an archbishop were patients at St. Joseph Infirmary. We will not identify which one but he does not wear an Episcopal ring and under duress does wear a miter.

Sunday, Sept. 4, wanting to get some rest, he asked the nurse to put a sign on his door. She did. It read: NO VISITORS, EXCEPT WIFE.

Tensions Of Ecumenism

My attendance at the Mass of the Orthodox Archbishop and the dinner of their Greek Orthodox Youth Association was memorable, and Archbishop Iakavos was a friendly, priestly visitor to our city. But as every Christian knows, ecumenism is much more than cooperation. The roads, for example, that led the Church of Rome and the dissident Eastern Churches apart a thousand years ago, will not suddenly merge.

A reminder of this came from a Chicago Orthodox priest, Father John Hondras, while in Atlanta. He spoke of the “tremendous, if not impossible, barriers that exist on the road to unity.”

The Second Vatican Council was not a true ecumenical council, because (in such a council) all Christian bishops are present as participants not as observers, he pointed out.

Inter-communion between the Orthodox and other Churches is just not done. “A great many of our own priests have been duped into believing that inter-communion has been accomplished. Roman Catholic priests have been even more confused,” Father Hondras said.

There is not “instant ecumenism.” If Father Hondras reads, as every Christian should read, the Vatican decree on the subject he will find agreement on his thesis: a few dialogues here and there, a few theological discussions in the future will not bring us together.

What Vatican II said, and Father could have said, was that we must start in charity and continue in charity. Our Lord, who prayed “that they all will be one,” will not leave us to our own puny efforts.

Sure Hope So, Tony!

From the quiet, secluded area where Father Burtenshaw and I now live, we are moving next month to West Wesley Road, two blocks off Peachtree Road, near the cathedral. Reports are that with Episcopalians holding the hill, the Baptists next door to our cathedral, that is where the action is. It is a real Salvation Strip.

The nicest greeting I have had so far is from the nine-year-old son of a prominent Atlanta lawyer. On hearing that I was moving two doors away, he said warmly:

“Good. Now I’ve got another guy to play with.”