The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1958-02-14
Remarks of Archbishop Alter

attitude is a perfectly normal
consequence which flows out Of
past experience. AT the time our
forefathers came TO America
and settled in Ohio, they found
an established political and SO
cial structure with a pattern of
living which had been establish.
ed largely in conformity with
the Protestant tradition. The
first challenge which Catholics
had TO meet was that Of bccom.
ing assimilated and integrated
into the political, economic, and
social life of the community,
this has been effectively done.
We have been obliged, it is true,
to concentrate on the develop
ment Of our own educational.
charitable, and social institu-
tons; but, without neglecting
these in any sense, we must be-
gin to think also in terms Of the
common good of the total com.
munity. This is a development
which we must foster in the
days ahead if he are to exercise
an influence in proportion to
ournumbers. Our laws, social in
situations, and public policy
must be more and more impreg-
mated with Christian truth and
morals. II this is to be done we
must enter more fully into pub
lie life. This, | take it, is our
challenge for the immediate fu-
ture.
The problems which we face
in the near future are not only
those of the material order. but
also those of the intellectual
order. VIZ face. it is true, a new
brick-and-mortar era, especially
in respect to our schools. How
ever, it is not only a vast build
ing program that must be fin
anced; the problem of stating
our schools is also particularly
acute. The number of our relig.
ious vocations has not been less
than in the past; nevertheless,
the number is utterly unequal
to the needs of the present. The
problem of providing an auxil'
larry lay staff of proper qualifi.
cations is one which sfaggers
the competence of all our lead.
ers in the educational field.
The problems of the intellec-
tual order, however, are equal.
ly serious. We are living in what
has been called a religiously
pluralistic society. Recently re
ligious sociologists, such as Viii
Herberg and others, hive point
ed out that we are rapidly be
ginning to accept a condition oil
religious fixation. In other
words, religion is no longer re
garded as a matter of free in
quiry, but is being accepted b.
the American people as a socia
fact, like race. or color, or Ian
guage. It is presumed that PEG
pie must accept the situation be
/ cause they cannot do anything
!, about it. In consequence, relig
, ion is one of those social condi
tions which is not to be tamper
ed with. in difference to famil,
tradition and class loyalty. Sucl
RIA situation cannot be accepts
by Catholics.
AS members of the one tru'
! Church, we have been charge'
by OuS Lord Himself to engag
e in an apostolate whereby Hi
kingdom is to be expanded Int,
= the whole world, and to inchd
: all people. We have an inescaI
] able duty of turning the mind
land hearts of all our fellowmel
toward the one true Churcl
which was established by Chris
as a unique medium of tn
| worlds salvation. Our approacI
to the problem must not be on
. of seeking greater influence O
power; it must not be one Q
counting heads; but it must b
one of honestly wishing to shar
, with others the benefits whic
!. we ourselves enjoy.
0 From a concrete viewpoIr
there are two things which her
f in the State of Ohio seem t
need special emphasis. We mus
enlarge the interest not only c
all our priests, but of all GU
c people, in a most significant il
y stitution of Catholic action. | RI
S lfer to the Ohio Catholic We