Women’s role paramount

100 years ago: April 1900

Canadian Churchman reported that we may smile at some of the forms taken by the movement on behalf of the rights of women; but two things are quite certain, first, that women have not had their proper place conceded to them, and secondly, that their influence in society is paramount. The subject is often discussed, sometimes wisely, sometimes otherwise …

Whatever we may think of the Roman Communion, the papal authority is a fact which has to be reckoned with by all the powers of the earth. All that adds to our knowledge of this mysterious Power is of interest and importance. The Pilot, the paper set up over against The Guardian, contains the first of a series of articles on the Roman Curia that promise to be of remarkable interest. The Pope, like many other monarchs, rules, but does not govern. The real governing body is this administration of dignified priests, nearly all old, and nearly all of Latin race, whose characteristic is ?a conservatism to which that of the most conservative courts of Europe is a vacillating feebleness.? The system is marvellous, its survival perhaps even more so. There is little promise of change or of development. The Spectator, however, is of the opinion that survival in the past is no guarantee for the weathering of the rising storm. The Curia is, it says, in danger of losing its hold over its English, its German, and its American devotees.

50 years ago: April 1950

Canadian Churchman reported that there is a steadily growing concern lest the co-operation between the churches which has made such marked progress nationally and internationally in recent years should not be matched by a corresponding growth of mutual understanding and common action between local congregations of Christian people. It has become almost a cliche to speak of the importance of interpreting the ecumenical movement to the ?grass roots.? None the less the task remains and becomes the more urgent with every advance that is made in joint action by Church leaders.

25 years ago: April 1975

Canadian Churchman reported that Church groups told the annual shareholders? meeting of Alcan Aluminium they are ?very encouraged? by the progress the company has made in its treatment of black employees in South Africa, but warned they expected even more progress in the future. Alcan must oppose apartheid policies more effectively, the groups said. In particular, they asked the company to press for government recognition of black trade unions, to stop supplying materials for the South Africa defence industry, and to exert pressure for social change.”