The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1953-07-24
: As Matters Stand
Joe Breig Says:
When Pastors Say No

gives scandal, encourages dissen-
sion, does harm to religion, and
displeases God.
On the other hand, it is hardly
within a pastors province to for
bid Catholics to study and pray to-
gether in order to advance in grace
and wisdom.
No pastor would ever dream of
Intentionally forbidding that. He
might look down his nose at the
study club idea; but he certainly
would not take the position that
you must not study your Faith,
whether alone or in company.
In the final analysis, therefore,
| think that every good Catholic
can presume that he has his pas
tors permission to be a study club
member, even though the permiS-
sion is not expressed and even
though the pastor doesn't particu-
larly care for such clubs.
! have before me a copy of a
dispatch which appeared in Cath
Ollie papers in February 1851. The
first paragraph reads:
Pope Plus XII this week urged
pastors to encourage discussion
clubs in the homes of layfolk and
asked that such groups be allowed
to develop freely, whether within
the limits of the parish or extend
ing beyond and whether linked
with organized Catholic Action or
not.
Surely, in view of that, we can
take for granted that pastor
would not wish to forbid q study
club-unless, indeed, the people
planning it are notorious trouble
makers.
| am assuming that they are
loyal, kindly Catholics that they
have the right motives, and that
they will use good Catholic books
and pamphlets.
The dispatch quotes Plus XII
further:
in any case this movement
(the discussion club movemenD is
always the apostolate of the laity
in itself, and of the finest kind"
The Holy Father further said
that he praises this apostolic la
Dor of the laity with all his heart" !"
He remarked that study clubs al
ready have brought surprising
number of conversions And he re-
quests priests everywhere to pro
vide the competent guidance need
ed.
But suppose that pastor just
won't go along? Maybe he can't
spare the time: and maybe he
has some other reason for staying
out.
Nevertheless, ! think the dilem-
ma can be solved. A discussion
club needn't be parish activity,
any more than q social gathering
in somebody's home need be.
We are all free to invite friends
to our homes. We are free to pray
together, to read the Gospels to-
gether, TO study the catechism, or
a Life of Christ, or the lives of the
saints.
The Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine, at 1912 Massachusetts
Ave, NV, Washington, DC, is
anxious to help. Why not appeal
TO the confraternity for guidance?
| can't imagine a pastor standing
in the way if you go to him with
the confraternity's program, and if
you are a trustworthy, intelligent
Catholic. But can certainly imag
inc q pastor wanting some evi-
dence that you're not crackpot,
and that you're not just trying TO
start flash-in-the-pan thing.
| have seen pastors, cool at first,
waxing enthusiastic once discus
sion club had proved itself. Don't
argue with your pastor But if
you're the right kind of Catholic,
I'm sure you can find kindly way
Of getting your study club start
ed, even if he doesn't throw his
hat in the air at your first men
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