Miscellaneous.

Just before Christmas, Human Life International (HLI) appointed Father Thomas Eutenuer, 38, as its new president.

Until the Catechism of the Catholic Church appeared, the most accessible summary of Catholic doctrine was The Catholic Catechism (1975), by Father John Hardon, S.J. In all his many writings on Church teaching, Father Hardon showed a remarkable ability to provide explanations in intelligible terms. Since he was on the side of the Vatican and the Magisterium, he was not always in sympathy with many of his Jesuit confreres. He died on December 30, 2000, at the age of 86. Only one Jesuit attended his funeral.

The diocese of Pittsburgh decided not to give teachers an educational credit for attending the forthcoming convention of the National Catholic Education Association in Milwaukee in April. Its keynote speaker is Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister of Erie, a promoter of women's ordination and other feminist causes.

At the request of the Holy See's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine is preparing a statement on the Enneagram. The preliminary text advises the bishops that "the theory and practice of the Enneagram raises serious doctrinal concerns when employed as a methodology of spiritual growth" (Wanderer, Nov. 2, 2000).

In Canada the Enneagram, together with other New-Age-related devices, is promoted by many retreat houses, especially those conducted by nuns.