The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1962-01-26
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The meeting brought to-
gether some $50 presidents of
diocesan mems councils and
national mems organizations
for three days Of study and
discussion of the theme: "The
Crisis in Lay leadership"
All the close Of the meeting
(Jan. 21) the NCCM general
assembly adopted a resolution
protesting communist persecu-
ton of religion. particularly
the recent trial of two Lith-
uanian priests.
The resolution noted that
the charges against the priests
of criminal currency opera
tons and speculation" have
been branded as false. II spec
ulated that the trial "may
mean a final program to elm
mate the priesthood in Lith-
uania.
The resolution put the
NCCM assembly on record in
protest against all religious
persecution by the Soviet and
Chinese communists. It call
ed on us. Catholic laymen
'fnever to forget in prayers
and sacrifices our fellow Cath
olics in the Church of Sill
ence."
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE
prepared a series of recon-
mendations for diocesan pres
idents of mems councils.
These included continuing
efforts to achieve profession
al standards of work" in each
council; giving "high priority"
to programs for training fu-
ture council leaders; the use
of a Parish Leaders Course
prepared by the NCCM for
parish groups; and stress on
the personal spiritual devel-
opment" Of council leaders
and members.
The profile" of the ideal
Catholic lay leader noted that
us. Catholic leadership to-
day Is ain critical transition"
IT SAID THE LAY leader
will recognize that such prob
lens as crime and juvenile de"
linquency result in large part
from "the breakdown of fam
lily life" The lay leader will
meet this challenge both by
living up TO his duties as head
of his own family and by CO.
operating in family-oriented
Church and community pro-
grams. it said.
The lay leader will also seek
the solution of such problems
as unemployment resulting
from automation and the chal-
lenge represented by the grow
ing number Of aged persons,
II added.
He will oppose tax support
ed programs of artificial birth
control as improper subject
matter for governmental con
Germ" He will seek the an
swer to population problems
in "more enlightened" immi-
grafton policies, better land
distribution and improved
production and distribution
of food and fiber.
THE PROFILE SAID the
Catholic lay leader will vote
intelligently in all local, state
and national primary and gen.
eraI elections. He will not
avoid holding public office
himself Or campaigning for
the candidates of his choice.
He will encourage efforts to
fight indecency In the mass
media, but will recognize that
such efforts must meet the
twin requirements of the law
and prudence.
He will recognize the grow
ing role of the laymen in the
Church. And although the
lay leader realizes that the
laity generally may not yet be
ready to assume all these
new responsibilities, he dis
plays a salutary impatlence TO
accelerate the new trend"
The profile was prepared
by a committee composed oil
John Cornelius Hayes of Chi
cage. a past president of the
NCCM; Louis Maher of Dallas.
Tex; William Syring, To.
ledo, Ohio; Or. Eugene Perry.
Houston, Tex; and Edward