The Bishops Move

At first glance, the locale -- an ultramodern motel complex between the Astrodome and Houston's 57-acre amusement park -- seemed strangely at odds with the ecclesiastical nature of the discussions. On second glance, it seemed rather appropriate. In both their deliberations and their decisions, more than 210 of the nation's Roman Catholic bishops last week showed more than ever before that they are deeply concerned with the clamor for change within their church.

For the first time in its three-year his tory, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops allowed reporters to at tend its business sessions. The newsmen were treated to nothing more exciting than, for example, a brief statement of principles by the presiding officer, Cardinal-designate John Dearden of Detroit. Yet even that brief exposure to once se cret proceedings underscored the hierarchy's attempt to establish a more open and democratic style. Some of the bishops visited the Houston Space Center, and on the eve of the conference, a dozen of them made an even more extraordinary gesture toward modernity. Journeying across town to Hous ton's All Saints Church, they met for two hours with 200 Catholic priests, nuns and laymen, many of them identified with dissident causes.

Taking Guff. The give and take was so informal at times that some of the participants were actually shouting at the bishops. The prelates, in turn, took their knocks with considerable grace. When he was asked how Catholics could communicate better with their bishops, the Most Rev. Peter L. Gerety of Portland, Me., replied: "Just yell." One priest complained angrily that he had just been "slandered across the diocese by my bishop." Boise's Bishop Sylvester W. Treinen, for his part, said: "I've taken more guff from priests than I've given."

At the conference itself the bishops not only reaffirmed their deep concern with such social problems as poverty and race but took an important step toward reforming procedures for the annulment of Catholic marriages: for one thing, the marriage court no longer need apply the principle of "moral certitude," or the absence of any doubt. And the churchmen announced that they are considering an almost revolutionary new policy on the most sensitive of issues: money. Many bishops, reported Cardinal-designate Terence Cooke of New York City, head of the nation's wealthiest diocese, approve in principle the idea of making an annual public report to their people on church finances.

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