The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-10-23

Inquiry Corner
Why Candles
At Mass?
by Fir. HenIey

tabllsh any precise rules az
circumstances and attitudes
change the moral aspect ac-
cording to time and place.
Defiance of priestly counsel
in the confessional or from
the pulpit could be sinful,
even seriously so. Otherwise a
more or less indellberate of
tense against modesty would
be injurious to good taste but
not sinful.
@. What is the policy of fhe
Diocese of Columbus with re-
spect TO racial segregation ~
parish functions e.s. dances,
festivals2
A. In accordance with the
statement of the bishops of
the United States, with the
policy of the Holy See and
with basic Christian prlnci-
Piles the diocese recognizes
no distinction of race in any
Catholic program or organiza.
ton. If individuals in one
place or another show intol.
erance that Is a matter TOR
their conscience. Private or.
CARNATIONS, clubs. family So
cial affairs, etc, may set up
restrictions of age, place of
residence - and perhaps of
race-but such policy is not
an official Catholic position.
Especially in the South years
of segregation make some
such association extr e m e ~
difficult and often illegal:
even in the North there are
many problems and patience
is required by all men of
good will. The Catholic
Church can and does state the
principle that all men are
equal before God and that all
have a right to full member
ship in Chrlst's Church, the
Sacraments, etc, regardless
of race or social position.
@. Is il necessary TO bless
oneself before dinner when
dining with a group of non-
Catholics, when grace is said
by the nome athoIie?
A. 1t is not necessary. 1t
might be prudent and char
liable to omit the Sign of the
Cross when it is likely to be
misinterpreted especially
when we are guests. The same
may be said for the Sign of
the Cross when we are eat
ing in a public place. II may
be better simply to bow our
heads and say the prayer pri.
vately and unobtrusively, On
both counts, however. the OPP
posite position can be defend
ed. The Sign Of the Cross has a..
been a symbol of the Faith
since the early days of Chris
tianlty. We should be proud
of it. 1t is not a $ecfarian geS-
ture as some of our contempt
raries may think. Perhaps we
should seize upon some occa-
slons of this sort to explain
the meaning of the sacra-
mental Just as we should
about meat on Friday. The
answer must finally hinge up
on the situation and the
amount Of good or harm we
honestly Judge will flow from
one action or the other. We
should ask advice about such
decisions in the confessional
even though they are not
matters of sin.
@. Is there any place in the
diocese of Columbus, where
an unmarried Catholic be.
tween The ages OF rs and IS
might properly become SC
quainted?
A. The Catholic Youth
Council offers a program for
unmarried Catholics allows
high school age. Father Rich
ard Dodd, Diocesan Director
Of Youth, would be happy to
hear from people who are in.
terested in such organiza-
tons. (CYC: CT. 3-8601)
There are various organiza-
tions affiliated with the Do
cesar Council of Catholic
Youth which offer activities
for unmarried adults and
such a program can be devel.
oped within any parish upon
consultation with the pastor.
Priests are not recreation di-
rectors or matrimonial
agents; young people should
take the initiative in estab-
fishing and carrying on or.
CARNATIONS for social life.
The best programs call for
activities which include use
full and charitable projects.
Send questions to Father
Edward F. Healey, Inquiry
Corner, The Catholic Times,
Box $50, Columbus is. Ohio.