Interdict

Last week that rare and awful punishment, an interdict, brooded like a judgment over a Roman Catholic parish in Cleveland. Closed was Holy Redeemer Church. Cut off from the sacraments of marriage, of Holy Communion, of penance, of ordination, were its 1,100 Italian families: no baptisms, no confirmations, no parochial school. Only one sacrament was left in Holy Redeemer parish: Extreme Unction, which the Church gives to all its children--good, bad, or indifferent--who are about to die.

The interdict, first in Cleveland's history,* was imposed by able Archbishop Joseph Schrembs. Reason: the people of Holy Redeemer parish had caused "public scandal," made "a holy show" of themselves. Latins, like Polish Catholics, sometimes love the minor authority of the priest more than the major authority of the Church. The parish seethed with resentment last month when it learned that it was to have a new priest, Father Vincent Caruso. It wanted Father Louis Loi-Zed-da, who had been assistant in the church for seven years. Two Sundays ago, when Archbishop Schrembs attempted to have Father Caruso installed as pastor, the parishioners massed, booing and yelling, in front of the church. Sixty policemen could not break through the crowd. Even the small boys of Holy Redeemer joined in the holy show, pelting fore-&-aft-hatted Knights of St. John with snowballs.

Last week Archbishop Schrembs decreed that his interdict should stand indefinitely. But "innocent people of the parish, and those who repent of their crime," could go to neighboring churches, if they made certain acts of submission. Said the Archbishop: "The purpose of this decree is not revenge, since revenge is unknown to the Church of Christ; its purpose is to lead erring children . . . lovingly back to their Father's House."

Archbishop Schrembs blamed the revolt on a minority of 50 families. But no great throng of erring children hastened to make their submissions. Last Sunday, many a parishioner worshiped before a gaudy statue in his home. Said Nick Gambatese, as his daughters prayed to the Holy Mother: "I stay home until I find out more about it." Nicola Scricca fixed up a big altar, told reporters: "Every day we pray here--my wife and four children. Today it was our 'Mass.' I read and they are the congregation. It is the best we can do. . . . We will make things right as quick as we can. . . . You watch, it will be okay."

* Interdicts may be placed upon units of the Church, even upon nations. A famed one: Pope Innocent Ill's on England, which brought King John to heel.

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