FROM A ROME CORRESPONDENT
PROCLAIMING St. Catherine of Siena a Doctor
of the Church on Sunday, Pope Paul cited her as an example of the obedience the modern Church requires. The only other woman ever to be similarly honoured is St. Teresa of Avila, whom the Pope declared a Doctor the previous Sunday.
St Catherine. who died in 1380 at the aged a 33 and became a saint in 1461, was praised by the Pope during the two-hour ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica for her "lucid and profound assimilation of the divine truths of scripture."
The Pope praised her sense 'of obedience even while calling for reforms in the medieval yhurch. he paid tribute to her Aspirations for justice and .teace.
TUSCAN BA N DS "What kind of reform did 'she seek?" he asked. "Cerjainly not the overthrow of essential structures. rebellion
-against Church pastors,
arbitrary innovations on workship and discipline as some would today."
'the proclamation of St. Catherine as a Doctor raised the total number of Church Doctors to 31. Among them were such figures as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine.
After Sunday's ceremony, 31 bands from the central region of Tuscany, which includes the city of Siena, marched into St. Peter's Square for a folk festival which included dancing and singing.
When the Pope appeared at noon to give his regular Sunday blessing, the costumed dancers and singers waved flags and musical instruments. The Pope waved to them and greeted them.