Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan said the Society for the Propagation of the Faith should consider changing its name to one more theologically and biblically accurate.

In an address Tuesday to a meeting of the Society’s ten southern directors, the archbishop said, “I urge strongly a change in its name. Since it has done yeoman service, it is time for retirement. The tendency for church terms to outlive their usefulness (Sacred Penitentiary, Extreme Unction, the titles of Immaculate Conception and Assumption for our Blessed Mother) has blurred our preaching efforts.”

Msgr. Edward T. O’Meara, director of the society, was present during the archbishop’s remarks. He said he agreed with them and may poll directors on a change in name.

Archbishop Hallinan said, “We continue to use a word—propagation—that, at least in the U.S. has an unpleasant, almost an un-American tone. Why don’t we adopt a name more theologically and biblically accurate and more appealingly modern?”

He told the directors the whole concept of missions must be widened. “Your men (directors of the society) must be a personalization of this enlarged idea. To preach the gospel is the prime task entrusted to the bishops, and you are the first vice presidents in charge of this burden.

“You have dimensions, then, that transcend your manhood, your ordinary priesthood. First is your own focus, that concern must go beyond your parishes, your diocese, your nation. The world itself, as the Methodists say, is your parish.”