Rome Explains Calendar Reform

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31985, 12 May 1969, Page 13

Rome Explains Calendar Reform

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

VATICAN CITY, May 11.

The Vatican today hastened to calm the anxieties of millions of Roman Catholics who fear that some of their favourite saints may no longer be venerated because they have been dropped from the Church’s calendar.

An authoritative editorial in the Vatican newspaper, “L’Osservatore Romano” said reports in the press had given rise to “unfounded alarm.” Local veneration of such saints as Christopher and Barbara,' whose historical existence was in doubt, had not been put in question by the reform, the editorial said, and went on:

“We do not know whether through an incredible misunderstanding or facetiousness in bad taste, but various newspapers report the press conference on the new liturgical calendar as if about 30 saints

had been removed from the calendar, from the cult, and from devotion because they may never have existed.” The editorial said the reform of the universal calendar, which involved the removal of about 200 saints, including about 50 of whom virtually nothing is known, had been made because the calendar could not remain “purely European” any longer. “The reality is that of the Church adapting itself to the new world dimensions of its role, but without repudiating the values of a just devotion and healthy cult of local saints,” the newspaper said.