From Our Vaults 44 Years Ago: July 24, 1977

Priest on political trial

Fr Dominic Scholten OP, secretary-general of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of having owned and/or distributed publications banned by the apartheid government. In cross-examination, Fr Scholten noted that the banned publications found during a security police raid were all from Christian institutes, and discussed South Africa as a police state which tortures political opponents. He defended the Church’s duty to be involved in politics when politicians violate its moral codes.

Protest against priest’s banning

The SACBC’s Justice & Reconciliation Department has called for protests against the banning of Fr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa. The banning, writes Fr Finbar Synnot OP, shows “the ruthlessness and inhumanity of the suppression of conscience and speech under which we live”.

Catholics hail English queen

In a loyal address to Queen Elizabeth II on her silver jubilee of coronation, the bishops of England & Wales pronounce themselves “heartened and edified” by her “example of highest Christian ideals” in her family life, and her service to “your people at home and throughout the Commonwealth”.

Editorial: Know social teachings

In his editorial, Fr Donald de Beer writes that every Catholic “should know and make known” the social teachings of the Church, as “an integral part of Christian doctrine”.

From our vaults was published in the July, 2021 issue of The Southern Cross magazine

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