SPAIN'S WAY TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
C.H.' REPORTER
THERE is a good deal of "social uneasiness" among Catholics in Spain today according to Mgr. Antonio Anoveros Ataun, Coadjutor Bishop of Cadiz-Ceuta, now on his first visit to Britain.
The slow, patient preaching of bishops and priests, and their reiteration of what the popes teach on social justice, will have their effect on the consciences of the rich. "There will be a new generation," adds the bishop confidently.
INVITED
He himself, along with Bishop Herren of Malaga, the Archbishop of Valencia and Zaragoza, and other outstanding prelates of Spain, is continually urging people to undertake their Christian duty towards employees and the less fortunate, and he does' this by word of mouth and in writing.
'But," he 'warns, "their Catholic sooial formation is as yet deficient."
Invited here by the British Council, Bishop Anoveros is studying the organisation of the Catholic Church in England, its parochial system, Catholic schools, parochial finances, social work and charitable organisations, "I may be able to adapt something hack home," he comments.
Things that impress him here include the fact that parochial clergy wisely live in community in a presbytery; in Spain, the parish priest apart, assistants live where they can.
He likes the magnificent structure of newer Catholic schools and the fact that Catholics manage to get the State to pay a good deal towards their buildings and upkeep; in Spain the State pays only the salary of the teacher in a parochial primary school. Nothing at all is paid where secondary edu
GENEROUS
He likes the businesslike methods of bishops and priests in raising funds by and large Catholics in Spain are not good givers to church funds, but the very rich are very generous.
He is impressed by the good table manners of "children of working people" at school meals; in Spain they do not always eat so genteelly. He is impressed by the numbers at weekday Mass and Communion; their "recollection?' In Spain numbers have equally increased, and their "recollection" improves as the result of the new liturgical reforms.
"In my diocese we have Masses that are either dialogada or melodiada the latter with suitable singing in Spanish," says the bishop. "On Sundays I personally act as commentator dialogue at Mass in a parish church. Where
priests are scarce, I get laymen to be readers."
The Bishop, who holds a social science diploma, specialises in social preaching, the training of priests, lecturing and writing.
On Tuesday this week he was received by Archbishop Grimsha,w at Birmingham Cathedral, and by the Lord Mayor at the Council House.
During his visit to Birmingham (Tuesday/Thursday) he visited the Oratory. Birmingham University Chaplaincy, Oscott College, Fr. Hudson's Homes at Coleshill, and St. Vincent's Hostel for boys of 15 and over.
Grimsby school's Papal honour
St. Mary's school, Grimsby, received on Monday a special Papal blessing following the ordination of four former pupils. This had been brought from Rome by Mr. Leo Chattertori, father of one of the four newly-ordained priests. The four are: Fr. Michael Eastwood, Fr. William McCormack, Fr. John Winship, and Fr. Adrian Chattertora