From Our Vaults 45 Years Ago: August 20, 1978

by Admin · August 31, 2023

Previous “From The Vaults” articles. See larger images from the issue

Who will be the new pope?

As the world mourns Pope Paul VI, who died on August 5 at the age of 80, the cardinals prepare to elect his successor. Among the favourites are Italian Cardinals Benelli, Felici, Pignedoli, Baggio and Pirinio. Outside Italy, König of Austria, Willebrands of the Netherlands, and Hume of England are mentioned. African possibilities are Gantin of Benin and Zoungrana of Upper Volta [now Burkina Faso]. Not mentioned: Luciani of Venice or Wojtyla of Poland.

Tribute from detention cell

Among the many tributes to Pope Paul VI, there was a poignant one from detention in an apartheid jail by Young Christian Students activist Joyce Mokhesi, who in a message wrote that Pope Paul’s “concern was human life, his perseverance a sight to the people”.

New Bloemfontein archbishop

About 8000 people witnessed the installation of Archbishop Peter Butelezi as metropolitan of Bloemfontein. Among the honoured guests gathered at Christian Brothers’ College was the archbishop’s mother, Christine. Archbishop Butelezi had previously been bishop of Umtata [now Mthatha] and auxiliary in Johannesburg.

Editorial: Paul VI, the teacher

In his editorial, Mgr Donald de Beer notes that above all Pope Paul VI “knew how to teach: gently, patiently, persuasively, yet clearly; with fidelity to the while of apostolic tradition, yet in a way that bridged a gap between revealed truth and contemporary thought”.

Previous “From The Vaults” articles at www.scross.co.za/vaults