NEWS FROM PAGES PAST
50 years ago — Dec. 4, 1964
A cartoon by artist Jean Charlot (who lived in Hawaii from 1949 to his death in 1979) titled “Immaculate Conception Gospel.”
25 years ago — Dec. 1, 1989
Vatican does not approve St. Augustine proposal; bishop discusses plans for general diocesan appeal
After review and study, the Vatican Congregation of the Sacred Clergy did not approve of the Diocese of Honolulu’s proposed sale and relocation of Waikiki’s St. Augustine Church. The diocese had planned to significantly increase its permanent charitable and educational endowments through the sale and relocation, as well as centralize and improve the Catholic presence in Waikiki. Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario said that he will be seeking other ways to fulfill the diocese’s continuing commitment to Hawaii’s Catholic schools, its social ministries and its ongoing diocesan programs.
The bishop is presently discussing with his clergy and diocesan advisors the idea of a general diocesan appeal for the 1990 Lenten Season.
10 years ago — Dec. 3, 2004
Pope urges U.S. bishops to address decline in priestly vocations
The decline in priestly vocations in the United States presents a “stark challenge” that American church leadership needs to address now, Pope John Paul II told U.S. bishops meeting at the Vatican.
Bishops should also give particular attention to seminary training and the formation of priests who are capable of “prudent leadership,” the pope told some 20 bishops from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska who came to Rome for their “ad limina” visits, required of heads of dioceses every five years.
In his Nov. 26 audience with the bishops, the pope did not make direct reference to the scandal revolving around priestly sexual abuse of children and young people that has rocked the U.S. church for the past three years.