Suburbia is no longer classified as a geographical place. It is now reckoned as an attitude, a posture, a way of life. Sociologists and psychologists have dissected it, and it is the great target of crusaders with an itch, and novelists in need of a handy stereotype.

How did this come about? Why is the “good guy” of the American tradition who worked hard, loved his wife, imparted some degree of knowledge and moral values to his children, and kept his lawn neat now the evil genius of society?

Meanwhile, the crusader and disadvantaged share the fine title of “good guy.”

Stereos, But Not Hi-Fi

A basic cause is that America today is living on stereotypes. Too many white men peg ‘the Negro-dissolute. Some Negroes type “whitey”—the proud, callous, greedy exploiter. In our university life, students find the “Establishment,” those who teach and research and manage, the enemy. And the response, in spite of evidence that many students today are brighter, and more compassionate, is to call them “rebels, communists, beatniks.”

Stereotypes are evident in the Church. Many who want an undisciplined community refer with contempt to the “institution.” Pastors and bishops have a ministry of service in the work of Christ. This makes them an institution. But what about the earnest layman seeking his rightful place in the Church? If he asks the wrong questions, he may find himself classed as a “Kook.” What a tragic stratification.

Back At The Ranch-House

Few Catholics are wealthy. More are becoming affluent. Most are upper middle-class today, a questionable advance from their grandparents’ immigrant status.

Just as we know the poor, the sick, the deprived, the alcoholics, unemployed, handicapped and the narcotic-victims, we know this middle-class too.

There is a ministry to them, a very important mission. The Church is of the poor, but there is poverty of soul in suburbia to match the agony of the poverty of body in the inner city. If we turn our back on the poor, we stand cold and unprotected before God who loves them. If we turn our back on the upper middle-class, we need to go back, and read carefully Jesus’ sympathy for Zaccheus, for Nicodemus, for Mary, Martha and many others.

A woman can be poor in spirit although full of earthly things. A man can be poor in physical things. Yet live independently in joy.

The New Encyclical

Pope Paul has spelled out in a splendid essay the development of human society. It is an urgently-needed challenge both to the “haves” and the “have-nots.” As you read it, apply it to Atlanta.

There is plenty more to write about the Church’s service to the poor. And occasionally, the suburban Catholic will be mentioned.

We’d hate to let either rich or poor remain stereotypes.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop Of Atlanta