Priest Warns of 'New Indifferentism'

The Rev. John Courtney Murray S.J., who yesterday morning delivered the first Sunday sermon by a Catholic minister in Memorial Church, last night cautioned the ecumenical movement about a "new indifferentism."

"Unlike the 'old indifferentism' -- a neglect of religion itself -- this new brand grows out of the ecumenical movement's effort to be profoundly Christian. Prevalent particularly among youth, it shows complete disinterest in denominationalism, emphasizing simply the importance of being a good Christian," he said.

Speaking to an audience in Emerson Hall, the Rev. Murray warned that, if extended to matters of doctrine, this denominational indifference could be unhealthy.

"To remain faithful to the very spirit of ecumenism, we must go down to the very depths of our own traditions and beliefs, for only in the very depths will we meet one another," he said.

The Rev. Murray, a professor of theology at Woodstock College, also saw a danger in the tendency of the ecumenical dialogue to be come detached and insulated from the world.

"I can have lots of fun with a Lutheran minister discussing matters of theology, but that's not good enough. The ecumenical movement must be formed into a united Church witness to the world; we must reach some common understanding on the Church's mission in the temporal order," he said.

Draft Changes

A member of the Presidential panel now considering possible reforms in the Selective Service system, Murray cited the question of conscientious objectors as the kind of issue the Church must involve itself in.

"The present draft law regarding conscientious objectors," "should be changed to incorporate the concept of just and unjust wars," he said. "I think this would be both morally and judicially wise."