By Father Robert C. Berson

For the third consecutive year I attended the Southern Baptist Convention, this year in Dallas, Texas. Some 18,000 messengers from all 50 states attended, representing churches that have contributed over $1 billion this year to the furtherance of the kingdom.

I was again impressed by the prevailing happiness of the registrants and the warm welcome they extended to me, a Catholic priest.

Those among them who know me, no longer look upon me (if they ever did) as a target for evangelism. Rather they now included me, perhaps in some exceptional way, in their fellowship.

Those who attended found the convention a time of celebration, of triumphant singing and inspirational sermons, a time for recognition, meeting old friends and conducting the annual business.

I was struck this year by what seemed to be an excessive display of power – the projection of an image of success beyond the wildest dreams—and a clear call to “conquer the world.”

I confided these concerns to Dr. Elmer Gray, editor of THE CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN BAPTIST, a well-informed and learned Baptist journalist who befriended me.

Dr. Gray explained that the convention went through an extended period of self-criticism during the past decade and even beyond. This self-analysis had positive components but resulted as well in a large measure of exaggerated self-depreciation.

Now, Dr. Gray explained, there is a new sense of solidarity emerging, a new feeling of joint purpose and a realization of what great goals might now be within range.

This may signal something hopeful to us Catholics: as the spirit of God moves over the Church we, too, are coming out of a period of self-examination.

The Papal Synod of Bishops in October will dwell upon evangelization and will likely call for new commitment and new strategies. The 1975 Holy Year will focus on reconciliation.

We, like the Baptists, may well be arriving at a time in which we live with one another in Christian joy despite our differences; a time in which we come together to celebrate the mysteries of redemption and go forth with renewed vigor to evangelize the nations and reconcile men in Christ.