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1976-1985: New presidents, new bishop,
new name, new editors, new approach
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May 10, 2016
Pope John Paul I (left) shakes hands with Bishop Thomas J. Drury from the Diocese of Corpus Christi, before his shortlived papacy came to a sad end.
Archived photo
The year 1976 was an important turning point; not only was it the Bicentennial Year celebrating 200 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, it was also the year the United States elected a new President, Jimmy Carter. In the Diocese of Corpus Christi, the diocesan newspaper, Texas Gulf Coast Catholic, featured stories about Operation Rice Bowl, the Church’s opposition to a proposed abortion clinic in Corpus Christi and prayers for rain.
Bishop Thomas J. Drury often penned letters in the publication asking Catholics in the diocese to respect the dignity of human life, volunteer in their church communities and pray for vocations. The newspaper hosted a television show that aired every Sunday on KRIS-TV called “The Texas Gulf Coast Catholic”.
There were articles discussing changes brought about by Vatican II, since there was still some confusion over the changes in the understanding of Church doctrine.
By 1978, Father Robert Freeman had replaced Father Hugh Clarke as editor for the T exas Gulf Coast Catholic. This year also commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Corpus Christi Cathedral Parish, which got its start as St. Patrick’s in 1853. According to a news story about the anniversary, “Catholicism in Corpus Christi dates back to 1845, eight years before the first adobe church was erected.” Several years later, a small adobe structure is considered the birth of the cathedral parish. The first recorded baptism in Corpus Christi is dated June 10, 1853. “The tiny St. Patrick’s Church of shell and mortar, accommodating 50-60 persons, has been replaced by the magnificent stone Cathedral with a seating capacity of 2,000,” the newspaper reported.
Bishop Rene H. Gracida was introduced at a press conference as Bishop Drury’s successor on May 19, 1983. He was officially installed on July 11, 1983.
Archive photo
A dedication ceremony was held on Feb. 26, 1978 for the new St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Church in Annaville.
August 1978 saw the death of Pope Paul VI and the election of Pope John Paul I, who died after only 33 days into his papacy, triggering another conclave. This second conclave of 1978 produced Pope John Paul II, one of the youngest popes in history. The new pope announced his first pilgrimage to Mexico to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Later in 1979, St. Anthony’s parish in Robstown prepared to celebrate 70 years as a parish and 25 years of “being housed in the present Gothic style structure” and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Corpus Christi celebrated 25 years with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Drury.
The Jan. 11, 1980 issue featured a brand new name for the newspaper, which was now the South Texas Catholic and the format also changed to a tabloid. The new name was “designed to describe more accurately the geographical area covered by the diocese.” The newspaper was published 50 weeks a year for an annual subscription of $5.
A change in lifestyles, norms and attitudes were ushered in at the start of 1981 with the election of President Ronald Reagan. Test tube babies challenged bioethicists and end-of-life issues began to be debated.
Bishop Drury dedicated the new St. James Church in Bishop on Feb. 26, 1981. The South Texas Catholic landed an exclusive interview with United Farmworker President Cesar Chavez, who said the Church “needs to champion the cause of the poor as Christ did on earth.”
March 3, 1981 marked the dedication and blessing of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Flour Bluff. More than 700 people gathered for the occasion, including 40 priests and Bishop Drury. At the time, the parish had 450 registered families.
On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The aftermath sent Catholics across the world to pray for the Pope’s recovery, as religious leaders from other faiths denounced the violent act.
On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The aftermath sent Catholics across the world praying for the pope’s recovery, as religious leaders from other faiths denounced the violent act.
NC photo from UPI
A significant change came to the Diocese of Corpus Christi in 1982, with the planned retirement of Bishop Drury. Before the bishop’s retirement, the diocese started construction of a 48-unit apartment complex for the elderly called Villa Maria and the diocesan communications department unveiled a new studio and made its television debut with its first series, “ Encuentros,” a Spanish language program designed to be “a voice of the Catholic Church to the Hispanic people.”
Bishop Rene H. Gracida of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was introduced at a press conference as Bishop Drury’s successor on May 24, 1982. He was officially installed on July 15, 1982.
By 1985, the Diocese of Corpus Christi was serving 314,812 Catholics across South Texas. Bishop Gracida appointed a new editor for the South Texas Catholic, Don Miehls, a laicized Dominican priest.
On May 29, 1985, the diocese unveiled the nation’s first diocesan-supported radio station, KLUX-FM 89.5.
As the second decade of the official newspaper came to a close, the diocese—serving Catholics in 18,000 square miles from Corpus Christi to Laredo to Rockport to Kingsville—officially outlined a list of services, including Apostleship of the Sea, Campus Ministry, Catholic Social Services, Catholic Telecommunications, Catholic Schools, Diaconate Program, Religious Education, Bishop Drury Retreat House, the South Texas Catholic, among others.
