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The article offers information on the celebration of the 1975 Holy Year at the Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City. As part of the celebration, a largest group ordination was held on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul presided by Pope Paul VI. The attendance of 150,000 pilgrims and the throngs at other events were proof of the continuing strength of Catholic piety . This article also accounts several challenges of the Holy Year including political problems. Moreover, it relates a brief history of the celebration since it started in 1300.

The article profiles Monsignor Agostino Casaroli. It states that Casaroli's achievements, which include the release of Czechoslovakia's Josef Cardinal Beran and a treaty in Tunisia regulating the rights of the Catholic minority in their Moslem country, has earned him the Roman nickname of a divine diplomat. It adds that Casaroli can speak six languages, is considered to be compassionate leader, and has the potential to be elected Pope.

The article focuses on the aspects of Vatican II or the second Vatican Council that abandoned the universal Latin liturgy. It states that one document in the Council that has already changed the spiritual life of the church is the establishment of the liturgy that resulted in the widespread introduction of common languages in the Mass. Furthermore, it notes that the 16 promulgated decrees, constitutions, and declarations are aimed at the internal reform of Catholicism.

The article focuses on the visit of Archbishop of Canterbury F. Donald Coggan in Rome, Italy to discuss with Pope Paul VI the Anglican and Roman Catholic intercommunion. It states that Coggan announced his aspiration among the Roman Catholic congregation and Anglican clergy for a joint communion in relation to reconciliation of both churches. It mentions that in 1960, Pope John XXIII invited Archbishop of Canterbury Geoffrey Fisher in Rome for a reunion of Anglicans and Catholics. Meanwhile, it tells that despite Coggan and Pope Paul's desire for an eventual reunion, the issue on women ordination as priests at the Episcopal Church in the U.S is still unsettled.

The article focuses on the argument between the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church regarding the decision of Pope Paul VI to reject women entering priesthood. It states that the decision was formally declared on February 1977 in a form of a papally endorsed decree issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It mentions that the decision relied on tradition that priests must have natural resemblance to Christ; however, missionary priest to Asia criticized the reasoning that priests must be men. It adds that female ordination represents an ecumenical problem and could cause pain. Meanwhile, Sister Margaret Ellen Traxler from the National Coalition of American Nun comments on the decision of the Vatican.

The article focuses on the controversies faced by Dutch Cardinal Johannes Gerardus Maria Willebrands regarding his appointment. It says that with the incoming retirement of Bernard Cardinal Alfrink, Pope Paul VI needs to decide who will replace him. It mentions several candidates including Alfrink's assistant Anton Vermeulen, conservatives Adrianus Simonis and Johannes Gijsen, who were chosen by the Dutch hierarchy, and Johannes Gerardus Maria Willebrands, of Vatican's ecumenism staff. It states that the nomination of the two conservatives resulted to the wrath of the liberals and rumors of a schism. Moreover, it states that Willebrands was the one chosen by Pope Paul VI to be the new archbishop of Utrecht, Netherlands and the primate of the troubled Dutch Catholic church.

The article focuses on the celebration of the Holy Year of 1975 headed by Pope Paul VI at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. It says that Pope Paul stood before the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and tapped it three times with a silver hammer before midnight on Christmas evening, and prelates washed the doorposts and threshold. The workmen lowered the door on pulleys and chunks of broken masonry fell after the move of Pope Paul. It adds that Paul walked through the doorway into the Basilica as cardinals, bishops, priests, and lay people streamed in behind him, starting the holy year with the theme of renewal and reconciliation. Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church started its tradition of Holy Years in 1300 and the custom of jubilee years dates back to ancient Judaism.

The article presents the 1974 Synod of Bishops met in Rome, Italy, where Pope Paul VI sat silently throughout the plenary session as Roman Catholic bishops around the world criticized their church, making bold suggestions for improving it. After the final session, the pope then reminded the bishops about his role as "the successor of St. Peter" and pointedly quoting a major Vatican II document which define the scope of his role. It is said several bishops were not happy with Paul's criticism about their pet theological theses. It is said that the synod fathers have turned down major portion of a final summary document on evangelization due to vague generalities.

The article reports on the emergence of reasonable rumors on the plan of the Roman Catholic Church to alter its mind about birth control seize in Vatican City in 1974. A proposal in the Italian weekly "Panorama" that Pope Paul VI may be planning an alteration of his 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, condemning all artificial contraception. One source of the supposition was a letter from the Vatican to the conferences of the bishops round the world recommending responses to the current United Nations population year. One section of the 5,000-word document included a suggestion that couples should take into account the common welfare's demand in deciding the size of their families.

The article focuses on the issues concerning the Roman Catholic Church's stand on contraception. Pope Paul VI states that he demands more time to examine the issue on contraception before he could establish a decision. It says that the recommendations of the pontifical commission on birth control were refused by the Pope. It adds that under the recommendations, couples would be permitted to employ any contraception method if the couples would have a good reason for practicing birth control.

The article focuses on the two major forces in the world, Christianity and Communism, which are cited in the book "From Anathema to Dialogue," by Roger Garaudy. It states that the book answers in a fraternal manner the appeal addressed to all by Roman Catholicism. It notes that the fundamental difference between Christianity and Communism does not lie in their objectives but in their point of departure, and both must work together to prevent the destruction of mankind.

The article focuses on a decision made by Pope Paul VI to revive the movement of worker-priests in France. It states that the movement, which started in 1944 under the direction of Cardinal Emmanuel Suhard, was restrained by Pope Pius XII after the failure of the movement established in Rome to serve the goals of the Church. However, Pope Paul VI agreed for the reestablishment of the movement for three years in Paris to be led by Archbishop Coadjutor Pierre Veuillot.

The article reports on the new religious ceremony of Pope Paul VI in creating a Roman Catholic Cardinals in Rome. It states that Paul VI simplifies the ceremony of the 27 clerics and cut the number of consistories from four to two including the quaint little ceremony that symbolizes the duty of cardinals to advise the Pope and the obligation to keep secret. Francisco Franco, head of state of Spain conducted the ceremony for Archbishop Angel Herrera Y Oria of Malaga as part of the tradition.

The article reports on the letter of apology sent by Reverend Pedro Arrupe of the Society of Jesus to Archbishop Giovanni Benelli, a ranking member of the Papal Curia of the Catholic Church. It states that the letter conveys Arrupe's expression of regret for the article appeared in the "London Observer" journal by priest Peter Hebblethwaite that attacks Benelli. Moreover, it notes that Bernelli is known as one of the closest advisers of Pope Paul VI.

The article offers information related to Catholic Church in the U.S. The findings of the 17-member study committee indicate the possibility of U.S. Roman Catholic Church to join the National Council of Churches (NCC) that will the help NCC in terms of financial matters as well as stand as a bridge for conservative Protestants. It states the urge of Reverend Pedro Arrupe from the Jesuits to show respect and stop its attack against Pope John Paul VI who is already suffering from great damage.

The article reports on the request made by Pope Paul VI during a special Sunday of prayer held in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City concerning the need of people who would serve Catholic churches worldwide. The Pope's request has been made following the press conference of cardinals highlighting the shortage of priests in various churches. Moreover, Cardinal Gabriel Garrone of the Congregation for Catholic Education asserts that there is no need to hide the church's profound concern.