Vol. XXXI, No. 1 January, 1949

"SATAN REVISES HIS POLICY"

HEALTH CARE

N.C. C. W. ORGANIZATIO NEWS DETROIT RADIO STOR

Holy Fath r gain ~eala to the World

A NATIONAL MONTHLY PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE CONFERENCE

Priee: 30e NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE CONFERENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS "Over a manifold activity of the laity, can·ied on in various localities according to the neP.ds of the times, is placed the National Oatholic Welfare Oonfet·ence, an organization which supplies a ready and well-adapted instrument for your episcopal ministry."-Pope Pius XII. JANUARY, 1949 The National Catholic Welfare Conference was organized in SE"ptt.>mber, 1919. TheN. C. W. C. is a common agency acting under the authority of the bishops to promote the welfare of the Catholics of the country. It has for its incorporat d purposes "unifying, coordinating and organizing the atho1ic people of the United tates in works of education, social welfare, immigrant aid and other activities." The onference is conducted by an administrative board composed of ten arch­ Holy Father Again Speaks to the bishop · and bishops aided by seven assistant bishops. Each department of the N. C. W. C. is administered by an episcopal chairman. World ...... 3 Through the general secretary, chief executive officer of the Conference, the re­ ports of the departments and information on the general work of the headquarters The Text of the Address of His staff are s nt regularly to the members of the administrative hoard. Holiness Pope Pius XII broadcast The administrative bishops of the Conference report annually upon their work to the World December 23,1948 to the Holy See. Annually at the general meeting of the bishops, detailed reports are submitted by the administrative bishops of the Conference and authorization secured for the work No official action is taken by any N. C. W. C. department without authorization "Satan Revises His Policy" ...... 4 of the coming year. of its episcopal chairman. No official action is taken in the name of the whole Conference without authoriza- tion and approval of the administrative board. Catholic Thoughts on Health Care: It is not the policy of theN. C. W. C. to create new organizations. (v of N.C.W.C. Forum Series It helps, unifies, and leaves to their own fields those that already exist. It aims to defend and advance the welfare both of the Catholic Church and of 1948-49-Religion in Life).. . .. 6 our b loved Country. It seeks to inform the life of America of right fundamental principles of religion By Rev. Donald A. McGowan and morality. It is a central clearing house of information regarding activities of Catholic men and women. N. . W. C. is comprised of the following departments and bureaus: National Council Catholic Women 9 ExE UTIVE--Bureaus maintained: Immigration, National Genter Oonfraternity of Ohristian Doctrine, Information, Publications, Business and Auditing, and CATH· Marqttette Organizes 78th Diocesa11 OLIC ACTION, monthly publication, N. C. W. C. Council 100 Per Cent-Lafayette, YouTH-Facilitates exchange of information regarding the philosophy, organization, La., D.C.C.W. Opens Wider Ho­ LAY ORGANIZATIONs-Includes the National Council of Catholic Men and the National rizons-D.C.C.W. Conventions atholic Youth Council, the federating agency for all existing, approved Catholic youth group , contacts and evaluates national governmental and non-govern­ Stress Living for Christ m ntal youth organizations and youth servicing organizations. Eou ATION-Divisions: Statistics and Information, Teacher Placement, Research Oatholic Bducation, Library Service, and Inter-American Oollaboration. PRESS- Serves the Catholic press in the United States and abroad with regular news, National Council Catholic Men . . . . . 12 features, editorial and pictorial services. The Detroit Radio Story- Radio ocr L A TION- over the fields of Industrial Relations, International .Affairs, Oivio Educfltion, ocial Welfare, Family Life, and Rural Life. Schedule for January LEGAir-Serves as a clearing hou e of information on federal, state and local legislation. LAY ORGANIZATIONS-Includes the National Council of Catholic Men and the National Council of Catholic Women, which maintain at N. C. W. C. headquarters perma­ n nt repre E"ntations in the interests of the Catholic laity. These councils function Calendar of Scheduled Catholic through some ,000 affiliated societies-national, state, dioce an, district, local and Meetings and Events ...... 14 parish ; also through units of the councils in many of the dioceses. The N. C. C. M. maintain at its national headquarters a Catholic Evidence Bur a.u, sponsors three weekly nationwide radio programs-the Catholic Hour over the National Broadcastin.g Company's Network, and the Hour of Faith over th American Broadcasting Company's Network.:... and the Catholic program in A New Diocese and Three New Bish­ the "Faith in Our Time" eries on the Mutual J:Sroadcasting System-and con­ ops for United States ...... 17 duct,; a atholic Radio Bureau. The N. C. C. W. through its National Committee System maintains an adult education s rvic , transmitting to its affiliates information and suggestions in all fields covered by the N. C. W. C., and conducting Institutes and Regional Con­ ferences for leadership training; it cooperates with War Relief Services­ N. C. W. C. in a continuing clothing project for children; from 1921 to 1947 it pon ored th National Catholic School of Social Service. CATHOLIC ACTION TUDY-Devoted to research and reports as to pronouncements, methods, programs and achievements in the work of Catholic Action at home and abroad. All that are h lped may play their part in promoting the good work and in main­ The contents of CATHOLIC AcTION are taining the common agency, the National Catholic Welfare Conference. CATHOLIC ACTION records monthly the work of the Conference and its affili­ indexed in the Catholic Periodical Index. ated organizations. It presents our common needs and opportunities. Its special articles are helpful to every Catholic organization and individual.

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[ 2 1 CATHOLIC ACTION CATHOLIC ACTION

Vol XXXI, No.1 January, 1949

The Text of the Address of His Holiness Pope Pius XII on December 23, 1948, his tenth annual Christmas Message broadcast to the World.

RAVE yet tender, like the testa­ began so hopefully, Our paternal voice Ctl have prayed for you" (Luke 22, G ment and last farewell of a again invites you, the upright and 3 2) , \Ve know full well that when most loving father, were the words thoughtful, the sincere Christians, to the fight against the powers of dark­ of the Divine Redeemer to His first ponder over the present state of hu­ ness is most arduous and enters phases Vicar on earth: Confirma fratres tuos manity and of Christendom, and to that are decisive and, humanly speak­ (Luke 22, 3 2), Strengthen thy breth­ consider what plan should be adopted ing, alarming, it is then that the Lord ren! These words have not ceased to to advance sincerely and securely is all the closer to His Church and to echo in Our mind and heart since the along the path pointed out by the ex­ His faithful. Fully convinced and day He willed, in His inscrutable de­ acting necessities of the times and by aware of this Divine assistance, We sign, to confide to Our weak hands your own conscience. remind all those who glory in the the helm of Peter's Barque. Any clear-sighted person who has name of Catholic Christians of a two­ Although these immortal words are the moral strength and courage to fold sacred duty indispensable for the deeply engraven in the depths of Our look truth squarely in the face, even bettering of the present condition of mind, they are impressed still more if it be painful and humiliating, must human society: upon Us whenever, exercising the fully recognize that this year of 1948, ( 1) Unshakeable fidelity to the her­ Apostolic Ministry, We communicate which dawned full of high and well­ itage of truth brought to the world by to the Hierarchy and Faithful of the founded expectations, appears now at the Redeemer. world the teaching, directives and ex­ its close to have arrived at one of ( 2) Conscientious fulfillment of hortations which are needed for the those crucial points, where the path the precept of justice and love, neces­ complete fulfillment of the Church's which previously disclosed pleasant sary presupposition for the triumph saving mission and which must be vistas seems to open instead on the on earth of a social order worthy of suitably adapted to the ever-changing brink of a precipice where pitfalls and the Divine King of Peace. circumstances of time and place, while dangers fill good and generous people We would fail in gratitude to the their substantial immutability is kept with increasing anxiety. Almighty, Giver of all grace and Fur­ unchanged. Neverthele s, or rather for this very nisher of every good, if We did not It is with singular and deep emotion reason, beloved sons and daughters, recognize that the year now coming that We experience the force of that while faint-heartedness begins to over­ to a close, despite all its anxieties and Divine Command at the present mo­ come the minds even of the coura­ sufferings, was also rich in spiritual ment when, beloved sons and daugh­ geous, and doubts assail the most en­ consolations, in happy experiences and ters of the world, We are addressing lightened and determined men, We encouraging success. It was a year for the tenth time Our Christmas feel ourselves more than ever obliged in which the Church among all peo­ Message to you at the end of a decade to answer the Divine Command: ples, and in every country and conti­ which, for eventful happenings, op­ ''Confirma fratres tuos." nent, has given unmistakable and pressive anxiety and bitter woes, has To all of you, even those at the ex­ splendid proofs of life and vigor, of not its equal in the course of human tremities of the earth, We send as Our activity and resistance, and of rapid history. Christmas greeting the words by which progress. And those not only justify Last Christmas, when We asked the Prophet announced the work of the brightest hopes in the spiritual your prayers and cooperation on this redemption and the decisive victory of field, but have also produced tangible same feast day, We expressed the hope the reign of Christ: ((Strengthen ye results in the titanic debate in which that the year 1948, then about to the feeble hands, and confirm the weak the human race finds it elf involved begin, might be for Europe and for knees. Say to the faint-hearted: Take while struggling for its healing and its the whole society of nations tormented courage and fear not; behold your peace. by so much disunion, a year of earnest God ... will come and will save A glorious series of religious func­ reconstruction and the beginning of a you." (Is. 35, 3-4.) tions, of Eucharistic and Marian con­ rapid advance toward true peace. As the successor of Him to Whom gresses, of important centenary cele- Today, at the end of a year which the Divine Promise was addressed: (~urn to page 18)

January, 1949 [ 3] ''SATA REVIS s HI POL CY''

""-x THAT follows is not, of course, a play in the sense that it is devised for acting on the stage. V V Likening the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Darkness to hun1an beings, we have tried to pre­ sent an imaginative reconstruction of a conference they might have held to devise ways and means of countering the growth of the lay apostolate. The place names are used simply as a matter of convenience and have no reference to events that have taken place in those places.

SCENE I MINISTERS OF STATE; in front, ~it­ The scene opens in the Office of His ting in rows, the commanders in the SATANIC MAJESTY who is seated be­ :field. hind his desk. His PRIME MINISTER stands before him. The year is 1927. P. M.: Gentlemen, this Conference has been The time 9 A. M. called by His Majesty on my suggestion to discuss the threat to our kingdom which has taken the SATAN: You seem worried this morning, form in the world above of Catholic Action, or Premier. the lay apostolate. The idea seems to be that every P.M.: I am, Your Majesty. There is bad news member of the Church is to be made to acquit from up above. The Pope is continually demand­ himself of hi duty as an apostle. So far, we have ing that all members of the Church throw them­ been able to keep that idea out of the minds of selves into what he calls Catholic Action. our respective proteges; we have-very skilfully, SATAN: But what effects follow his words? I think-kept them arguing about abstruse theo­ P. M.: Our latest despatches are gloomy in the logical questions; we distracted them by the Great extreme. The idea seems to be catching on; the War, and o on. But now the position threatens laity are talking about getting active. Meetinf7 to become alarming. At last the humans seem are being held; plans are being made. They to be getting down on things in real earnest. I threaten to overthrow us altogether. want you to remember the purpose of this Con­ SATAN: Not much to worry about so far, ference and to avoid the error the humans always then! Meetings seldom get anywhere, and plans make of wandering from the point. We are not rarely mature. Let them talk away, but ee that here to discuss Communism or the work of any they never translate their talks to action. Our other of our departments; the purpose of this dis­ technique mu t be to keep them talking and plan­ cussion is simply how we can best prevent the ning. spread of an effective lay apostolate. Speak, gen­ P. M.: All the same, Your Majesty, I think it t1enlen. would be as well to call a conference of all our AMERICA: It is obviously impossible for us commanders in the field. We could d i cuss the to deny the principle that all members of the whole affai and each will benefit from the poolin Church are meant to be apostles. The humans of ideas. Obviously, if this idea of the lay aposto­ would see through that immediately. But we can late, as they are calling it, ever really gets going, utilize all our usual impediments to good-apathy, it will be a bad day for us. inertia, sloth, selfi,hness, love of pleasure, and the SATAN: There is something in what you say. I ike. In any case, a conference cannot do any harm. SATAN: e take it for granted that all of you Let it be summoned for this afternoon. will apply those old weapons with all the vigor at your command. But the trouble is that the SCENE II humans realize that those are our weapons. They A Conference Chamber in the midst call them vices. \Ve do succeed with them; we of hell. SATAN is seated on the fiery must continue to use them; but we must have throne; on either side of him are his something more subtle.

[ 4] CATHOLIC ACTION FRANCE: I have an idea. Let us tell them to ing her is taking away from the honor due to pray. Jesus Christ. I may say that I saw this particular SEVERAL IN UNISON: To pray? danger years ago; that was why I arranged for the FRANCE: Yes, you heard me-to pray, I said. copy of a treatise by that Grignion de Montfort You look surprised. You are not subtle enough. to be lost. What I mean is that we mu t convince people that P. M.: Y , you did w 11 th n, ranee. I think prayer alone is enough; we must try to make them we can trust your experience in this matter. What think they are doing their full duty by praying. it boils down to is this: we cannot tell these humans You know what will happen. Most of them will that devotion to Christ's Mother is a bad thing, not pray at all, and those who do will spend so but we can give them the idea that it is dangerous little time at it that it will be negligible. There­ to go too far with it; at all costs, we must stop fore, my brothers, let us put all the stress on prayer them from giving themselves to her as servants, as so that action will be forgotten. that de Montfort of your suggests. I know that, SPAIN: I second that. The suggestion is well if any of these Catholic Action movements builds worthy of our French representative. Let us take itself up on this idea of a devotion to Mary pro­ it seriously and work on it with all the cunning portionate to the place the Supreme Being has at our disposal. Convince folk that they have given her in His plans, it is bound to succeed, and only to pray, and they will neither pray nor work. that will be a sorry day for us. So, I think we can SATAN: I agree. We can consider the pro­ call that agreed. Any further suggestions? posal accepted. Now let us hear more. AUSTRALIA: As a comparative newcomer to IRELAND: In my field of operations they your Councils-! have held my present position seem to put great stress on devotion to her whom a mere couple of hundred years-may I suggest a they call the Mother of God. It seems to work, plan likely to succeed? The Pope's program is too. being called the uLay Apostolate." Is there not SATAN: I knou; it works. I wouldn't be here a chance of playing on the word uLay," and set­ only for her! We all have to thank her for our ting up some kind of opposition to the cleray? present unhappy abode. Nothing would give me SATAN: Well spoken for a junior! greater pleasure than to get even with her. But AMERICA: Hear, hear! In the En~li5h-speak­ we must be careful. As the humans have it, ushe ing world they are beginning to call the priest, is terrible as an army in battle array." ((ecclesiastical assistant." I suggest that we play IRELAND: Yet the matter seems simple on the word ((assistant," and try to get the clergy enough at the moment. The theologians are simply -who are notoriously proud of their office-to playing into our hands by disputing about her. resent the idea of being subjected to the laity. The result is confusion for the ordinary mortal. P. M. That mean a twofold action: working \Ve must encourage them as much as we can. on the laity to get them to have an exaggerated SATAN: There is a lot in what you say. We idea of their position and workin< on the clergy all know that Mary is the channel by which all to make them resent any lay interference at all. graces pass from God to the human race, and that AUSTRALIA: Exactly. I think we ought to therefore real devotion to her must be proportion­ try to get the clergy excluded from the movement ate to her position. But we must prevent the as far as possible. It will not be h·ud to convince humans practising that devotion and, as far as I the laity that all executive derisions hould be can see, the best way to do that at the moment is taken by them, and that the priest should be there to concentrate in setting confusion abroad. more as a consultant on spiritual matter". IRELAND: Yes, that is true. From bitter ex­ AMERICA: As a spiritual watch-dog? perience we know that Mary always repays devo­ AUSTRALIA: Yes, something like that. \Ve tion to her. If these humans start consecrating must softpedal the idea that the priest is t 1e e to themselves to her, or putting this lay apo tolate train the laity too, or inspire them. In fact, I under her patronage, our position will become think we have here the makings of a grand ide, . hopeless. It must be stopped at all costs. It will certainly prevent the movement coming to FRA CE: Therefore, we must prompt the anything. Without the clergy we know it cannot theologians to keep on crying udanger," ((excess," ucceed; and the clergy won't be in it if they feel ((heresy," and so on. Devotion to Mary must be they are being demoted to the rank of assistant I ~ ept down. But we cannot attack it directly; to the laity. therefore, the only way is to keep it low and thin AMERICA: And why not, also, foment and poor, a shadow of what it ought to be. Tell trouble between the clergy themselve ? For in­ people to pray to her, encourage them to be enti­ stance between parochial and diocesan authority? mental about her, but fill them with the fear of The more confusion we cause, the better. In orne going too far, teach them to say what we got the places we must whisper that this Cathol' c Action Protestants to say with such success-that honor- (Continued on j1agc 15)

January, 1949 [51 CATHOLIC THOUGHTS ON HEALTH CARE Rev. Donald A. ·McGowan ~.irL ~fl. Article V HE subject of hospitals and health is just Unconsciously or consciously we are bound to put about as complex as sickness itself. In this more emphasis on the latter query since we know T brief article, therefore, we do not propose to instinctively that moral strength is superior to discuss all the intricate and oft-:times baffling physical well-being under all but the most brutal­ phases of the field. Furthermore, let us say at the izing circumstances, and yes, even then. outset that one very important facet of the whole But what has this to do with our theme-Cath­ health care problem will receive scant attention olic thoughts on health care? The answer is as here. That problem is, of course, how best to sat­ simple as time, as profound as eternity. isfy the health needs of our nation as a whole. Our body is the problem child of our soul and What type of overall plan, if any, would be most the sometimes unfriendly relationship dates back consistent with the democratic process? Can we to our first parents. But by the same token the escape the danger of ucollectivism" or usocialism" possibility of peaceful living, despite this seeming and yet fashion a solution to the total problem? disharmony, is brilliantly apparent in the life of We would all agree, I am sure, that we seldom the God-man Jesus Christ. think of our health until we have lost it. Except To ignore our dual nature would be unchristian. for practicing the virtue of constant gratitude and To think of our body alone would be sinfully moderate living this forgetfulness is probably a pagan-to think of ourselves as pure spirits would good thing. By the same token we rarely theorize be stupidly heretical. The whole beautiful tapes­ about hospitals. They enter our thoughts only in try of Catholic health care at every level has this terms of their service to ourselves or our friends. double thread of silver and gold, of body and soul, In one breath we express appreciation for good running through it and it gives the fabric color, hospital care and in the next wonderment at the strength and beauty. cost thereof. It may be interesting to note that Perhaps one graphic way of pointing up the im­ 3 per cent of our national income is spent for hos­ portance of this basic philosophy of life could be pital care. And this totals up to the amazing fig­ to look through the other end of the telescope. ure of four billion odd dollars. Granted we will get a small image but what we are Let us for a moment look beyond our local hos­ looking at is very tiny. pital and think of it as an integral part of the life Before the warm sunshine of Christ's charity of the Church. shone upon the earth, before the Beatitudes With characteristic realism, the Catholic switched the thinking of mankind, physical fitness Church has faced from the very beginning the dis­ alone was of paramount importance. A broken agreeable fact of human suffering and has done body was a total liability. something about it! Indeed, the suffering Christ We admire the ancient Greek civilization, and gave us a mandate when He said: uHeal the sick" rightly so, but here is what they thought of the and that command rings loud and clear through great mysteries of birth and death, of sickness, every page of the Church's history. and suffering: Properly to understand our solicitude for the A frightful inconsistency marred the hospitality sick, we must remind ourselves of a few basic con­ of the ancient Greeks. Only curable patients were cepts. Each of us is made up of a strange and received in their hospitals and the incurable were wonderful combination-a body and a soul. The left to die upon the streets. It was considered that conflicts, the joys, the sorrows and the ecstasies of birth and death polluted a locality, and these two life stem from this providential wedding of flesh events were not allowed to happen in the sacred and spirit. Every day of our lives we acknowledge precincts of the temple of Aesculapius (the god this phenomenon when we use the casual greeting: of medicine). At Epidaurus (their best hospital), uHow are you feeling?" We mean by implication women approaching confinement and patients to ask two very important questions: uHow is about to die were carried outside the gates and left. your health and how is your spiritual courage?" Even such an unrelenting classicist as Walter

[ 6 1 CATHOLIC ACTION Pater would deplore this grim and bitter misan­ 1948 1949 Forum Series thropy. HE N.C.W.C. Forum Committee, representative Then what happened-Jesus Christ, the Son of Tof the departments of the Notional Catholic the Blessed Virgin Mary, was born into the world. Welfare Conference, offers its 1948-49 series of eight The curtain was raised on the view-window of articles, month by month, under the general title spiritual values. No longer was physical weakness "Religion in Life." These have been prepared for general use and should be especially helpful to organi­ or even deformity to be despised or neglected. A zation and educational leaders. man might well be too weak to carry a water pail Use the articles: in the tough physical business of living, but Christ For your own information made it possible for him to carry his own ·weight As texts for discussion clubs, forums, round tables, and save his soul. We were given the true touch­ radio talks stone of Christianity-we received the badge by As aids for organization and school programs which we would be known as creatures of God For informal discussion at home and abroad when we read and took to heart in the Gospel Use the questions at the end as guides for reading story the qualifications of a Christian. and discussion. uBy this shall all men know that you are my dis­ ciples-that you have love one for another." The Spirito Hospital was still treating patients with new rules were set down-the new values defined. modern methods in ancient structures; and the Then began the long parade of progress in the amazing part of it all was the large number of field of health care that lengthens with every com­ 20th-century hospital architects who came to ing generation. Following immediately the ban­ study this 12th-century building as a model. ner borne by Christ Himself, marches St. Luke, The story of Catholic hospitals has its monu­ the physician, and then Marcellus, and Paula and ment in our own land- and a beautiful Phoebe (a co-worker of St. Paul's and officially tribute it is with more than 1,000 Catholic hos­ known as the :first visiting nurse), then Fabiola, a pitals and allied agencies in the United States Roman matron, who gave her worldly goods and united under the auspices of the Catholic Hospital her personal energies to the care of the sick. Association. The 22,000 Sisters and Brothers who The very name uhospital" is derived from the run these institutions are the captains of a great hospices established by these noble women at the team of 22 5,000 doctors, nurses and other profes­ dawn of the Christian era. The care they gave sional and non-professional workers who carry on was necessarily limited by the available knowledge the bright tradition of Catholic health care. of the time but the spirit that fired their efforts We would, indeed, be remiss in our duty if we might well be remembered and imitated today. did not mention two relatively new but strong The ranks thin out for a time but the line is members of the Christian army that devotes its unbroken. We see St. Catherine of Sienna, St. time talents and its very life to combat diseases. Odile, the great military nursing orders of the By ~arne tl~ey are the National Federation of Crusades, the Beguines in Belgium, the whole beau­ Catholic Physicians Guilds and the National Coun­ tifully effective system set up under the inspira­ cil of Catholic Nurses. Representing thousands tion of St. Vincent de Paul and his Daughters of of Catholic doctors and nurses throughout the Charity (and, incidentally,_ he is known in the land, these groups borrov: none of ~he .rightful textbooks as the first social worker) . Hero and prestige of existing professional organtzattons, nor heroine tread on each other's heels in the proud are they set up in opposition to them. They p~o­ march of the Church's program in health care. pose to give the same whole-hearted cooperat10n Then there are the great hospitals that were in­ to the latest technical methods and treatments spired and built by charity in one of its most beau­ that they have in the past, reservi~g simply t~e tiful garbs-the love for the sick. right to be in tune with the teachtngs. of C~nst We speak of hospitals first only because in them and to live their personal and professiOnal hves and through them the best in medical care and re­ according to His example. Sound techniques do search has been practiced down through the ages. not necessarily mean sound motives. uSeek ye The Hospice of Fabiola, the great hospital of St. :first the kingdom of heaven" applies in the clinic Basil known as the Basilius and studied by every as in the kitchen. schoiar of health care, are only two examplies of No article on hospitals would be either topical the Catholic influence in this great field of Cath­ or complete without a word on the National olic social action. Gradual development led to Health Act of Great Britain. This plan for the the building by Pope Innocent III of the world total health care of the people of England and amous Holy Ghost Hospital in Rome in 1198, Wales became effective July 5 of this year (1948). almost 800 years ago. The foresight of those who An approach to its fai~ evaluation. is. su~med planned this glorious institution has been richly up in the following quotatiOn from a dtsttngutshed rewarded for when I left Rome in 1934, the Santo American surgeon:

January, 1949 [7] ((First of all, as the plan has only been in oper­ In speaking of the President's approach, men­ ation since July 5, no one, however expert, is privi­ tion must be made of the now famous Ewing Re­ leged to criticize, either favorably or unfavorably, port which is noted in the appended bibliography. its actual operation. Judgments that one hears at This document should occupy the time and atten­ this time, or perhaps for several years to come, tion of anyone even remotely interested in the may be written off as reflections of the a priori health field. This report to the President by the position of the person who is so incautious as to Federal Security Administrator, the Hon. Oscar render them. One sees what one looks for, and R. Ewing, is a brilliant and thorough piece of partisans on this side of the Atlantic are already work. It is truly a treasure house of national hailing its great success, or its dismal .failure, ac­ health care statistics. Some of Mr. Ewing's con­ cording to the position they had taken months or clusions are debatable, and he frankly admits this, years ago. The structure of our society is so dif­ but the significance of the job he has done is quite ferent from the structure of the society of Britain apparent. It merits much thoughtful study. that I doubt if there is much to be gained in draw­ In conclusion may we state that the participa­ ing direct analogies between what has happened tion of the Catholic hospitals of our nation in the there and what might happen here." life of the Church is beyond question. In few The fact of the matter is that the British people areas will we find a more graphic expression of have been prepared for national health coverage the Church in action. If charity is the key-note since 1912 when 50 per cent of the population was of our Catholic symphony, the sisterhoods who bound to a compulsory health insurance program. manage our hospitals most certainly belong in the Thirty-six years later they find themselves spend­ section assigned to the first violins. ing $20.00 per citizen for total coverage and do­ QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION nating $60.00 a year per employed person for benefits which are offered but not always attain­ 1. What is your personal experience with hospitals m general? able. The following quote from Mr. Bevan him­ 2. What is your personal experience with Catholic hos­ self is significant: pitals? ((Because things are free is no reason why peo­ 3. What observations or suggestions would you make in ple should abuse their opportunities. This is a view of your relationships with hospitals? very great test of the maturity of the British peo­ 4. Did you think your hospital bill too exhorbitant? ple, in so far as they have all the resources of the 5. Are you acquainted with the operations of any com- medical profession at their disposal without charge. munity hospital? The general practitioner has a very great responsi­ 6. What are the deficiencies of health care in your area? bility. Over-prescribing can be as bad as under­ 7. How would you solve these difficulties? prescribing. Some general practitioners are very 8. Has the voluntary system of health insurance been conscious of the impressiveness of long lists of successful in your area? drugs in their prescriptions on the psychplogy of 9. Does compulsory health insurance seem to you the answer? their patients. We want the general practitioner 10. Great Britain has adopted a system of total health to prescribe what he believes is necessary, and put care under government control. What do you thinl of nothing in his way. But we want to impress him this? that it is not a good thing to evoke merely a psy­ 11. Does the British Plan seem desirable or acceptable to chologic response by prescribing too expensive the American people? drugs." 12. The Catholic hospital in your community is the Catholic Church in action: Would you discuss and evaluate Whether we in this country want that type of this statement? total program remains to be seen. To many, in­ BIBLIOGRAPHY cluding the writer, it would seem that some modi­ The Hospital in Modern Society, by Bachmeyer and Hart­ fication or broadening of our present pattern is man, Commonwealth Fund (New York). 1943. both necessary and desirable. The ((status quo" vs. Hospital Care in U. S. Commonwealth Fund, 41 E. 57th state medicine, dominated and controled by gov­ St., New York 22, N. Y. 1947. ernment, may make good scare headlines. It does The Nation's Health: A Ten Year Program. Federal not, however, state the case honestly. No serious Security Agency Pub. G. P. 0. (Washington). 1948. Annual Directory Number of Hospital Progress, Catholic minded American has yet proposed a program of Hospital Association (St. Louis). October, 1948. complete domination of health care by govern­ Britain's Charter of Social Security. British Information ment control from the home through the doctors' Services, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York. 1948. office to the hospital. \Ve have the personal as­ The Journal of the American Medical Association-For­ surance of the President himself that such a con­ eign Letter Section of current issues. American Medical Association, 53 5 Dearborn St., Chicago. cept is furthest from his mind. Trends in Nursing History, by Elizabeth Marion Jamieson. Health insurance seems to be a convenient hook W. B. Saunders Co. (Phila.). 1943. on which to hang the personal and preventable Catholic Hospitals in the U. S., by Curt Pohlen. Catholic physical il]s of the nation. Hospital Association, 143 8 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Mo.

[ 8 1 CATHOLIC ACTION Marquette Organizes-·Ex­ NATIONAL COUNCIL pansion In Lafayette-D.C.­ CATHOLIC WOMEN C.W. Convention Reports

MARQUETTE ORGANIZES 78TH DIOCESAN COUNCIL 100 PER CENT! N upper Michigan the historic Diocese of Each of the seven deanery meetings was at­ Marquette lives in the hallowed traditions of tended by large and enthusiastic crowds; approxi­ Pere Marquette and saintly Bishop Baraga, first mately 100 priests and more than 3,000 women Bishop of the Diocese. On November 23, a new heard the story of the organization during these page in its history was written with the estab­ meetings. Deanery Council officers and conlmit­ lishment, at the request of Most Rev. Thomas L. tee chairmen were announced at each Deanery Noa, Bishop of Marquette, of the Marquette Council organization meeting. Presidents selected Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, the were: Sault Ste. Marie, Mrs. Mary Ripley; Esca­ seventy-eighth to be federated in the N.C.C.W. naba, Mrs. Stack Smith; Menominee, Miss Mary Despite snow-packed roads, so great were the Meinberg; Houghton, Mrs. Corbin T. Eddy; Iron­ numbers attending the organization meeting that wood, Western District, Mrs. Joseph Kangery; it overflowed the Baraga High School Auditorium Ironwood, Eastern District, Mrs. Felix Wittock; into the Cathedral of St. Peter. This m eting Marquette, Mrs. Victor Holliday. culminated a series of deanery meetings in Sault The day-long organization meeting of the Ste. Marie, Escanaba, Menominee, Houghton, Diocesan Council opened with Solemn High Mass Ironwood, Iron Mountain and Marquette to or­ at which Bishop Noa presided and delivered the ganize deanery councils and acquaint as many as sermon. His Excellency said that down through possible with the purpose of the National Council the ages the laity has labored under the direction of Catholic Women and the proposed Diocesan of bishops and priests to establish all things in Council. Bishop N oa addressed each deanery Christ. In the spirit of today's urgent need, he meeting, explaining that he had come in person asked the assembled women to dedicate themselves to repeat his invitation to the won1en to partici­ to the apostolate of Catholic Action and whole­ pate in Catholic Action. Then, Very Reverend heartedly further the program presented to them Joseph J. Dunleavy, chancellor and newly ap­ at the preliminary n1eetings. Concrete sugges­ pointed spiritual moderator of the council, out­ lined the work proposed by His Excellency. The tions for the accomplishment of the Council work women were asked to assist in the formation of were offered by the various speakers who addressed a Catholic mind through the sponsorship of re­ the organization meeting. The N.C.C.W. Di­ treats for women; to promote clean literature; to rector from the Province of Detroit, Mrs. Gerald spread religious education among public school Bennett, spoke on the ((Status of Woman Today" children and stimulate adult study clubs through on the luncheon program, broadcast over the cooperation with the Confraternity of Christian radio. Mrs. Roderick Chisholm, of Marquette, Doctrine; and to promote the Cause for Canoni­ was selected first president of the new Diocesan zation of Bishop Baraga. Miss Mary Donohoe, Council; and the auspicious organization meeting affiliations secretary, N.C.C.W., explained the closed with Solemn Benediction of the Blessed structure of the National Council and the pro­ Sacrament. The National Council warmly wel­ posed Diocesan Council and told of the committee comes its newest Diocesan Council, and looks for­ system, the channel through which the Council ward confidently to its active participation in the coordinates the work of its affiliates. N.C.C.W. LAFAYETTE, LA., D.C.C.W. OPENS WIDER HORIZONS MPHASIZING that the problems of postwar ·women joined in the establishment of four deanery days have made imperative the necessity for councils as reactivated sectors of the D.C.C.W. E a national unity and coordinated strength of Emphasis was laid on the parish as the basis for Catholic womanhood, Bishop Jules Jeanmard of truly effective lay action, and a comprehensive Lafayette, Louisiana, in a series of meetings held program was set forth in the Diocesan Council October 23-30, sounded the call for a wider affilia­ Committees covering the fields of Catholic Chari­ tion in the Lafayette D.C.C.W. and the National ties, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Family Council of Catholic Women. Several hundred and Parent Education, Social Action, Public Rela-

January, 1949 [ 9] tions, Legislation, Libraries and Literature, Youth. stimulation of more women to active participa­ The Diocesan Moderator, Right Rev. Msgr. tion, through the information and suggestions Louis H. Boudreaux, urged increased attention to made available to all N.C.C.W. affiliates, was study and action in the :field of legislation, and to stressed by Miss Margaret Kelly, :field secretary, social action through greater community partici­ N.C.C.W. Miss Grace Taylor, of Lake Charles, pation. The broadening of interests and the is president of the Lafayette D.C.C.W.

D.C.C.W. CONVENTIONS STRESS LIVING FOR CHRIST

Columbus ••• The theme of the 3rd annual con­ rectors, Mrs. Thomas F. O'Neill and Mrs. L. L. vention of the Columbus D.C.C.W., October 16- Roerkohl. 17, ((Leadership for Christ Is Living with Christ," characterized the many diocesan conventions held Springfield, Ill •••• Approximately 5 00 women at­ during October. The spirit of the work of coun­ tending the Springfield, Ill., D.C.C.W. conven­ cil women everywhere was emphasized by Most tion, October 9-1 0, heard Miss Eileen Egan, Rev. Michael J. Ready, Bishop of Columbus, when project supervisor, War Relief Services-N.C.W.C., he urged the more than 1000 delegates to develop describe the umass misery" which followed in the the marks of the Church in all their activities­ wake of the ccmass destruction" of World War II, unity, sanctity, apostolicity, and catholicity. Rt. as she appealed for their continued aid to these Rev. Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen was an unexpected needy people. Another speaker on the theme of guest speaker. Mrs. James Charles succeeds Mrs. the convention, uBy Him, and with Him, and Anna Marie Cline as president. in Hin1," was Rev. James Keller, M.M., director of The Christophers. Speakers also included Rt. Omaha ••• The 24th annual convention of the Rev. Msgr. John Franz, administrator, Diocese of Omaha A.C.C.W., October 4-5, which opened Springfield, and the past and present National with Pontifical Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Directors from the Province of Chicago, Miss Gerald T. Bergan, Archbishop of Omaha, con­ Margaret Hughes and Mrs. W. H. Harper. Mrs. sidered uThe Status of Woman Today." Mrs. John G. Nevens, president, presided at the meeting. Norman Folda, president, who presided at the sessions, is succeeded in office by Mrs. Edwin Galveston ••• At the convention of the Galves­ Cassem. ton D.C.C.W., October 9-11, the council formed in the newly-created Diocese of Austin came into Green Bay ••• Mrs. A. F. Slaney, president, and being, with Mrs. Norma Rankin as president. all other officers were reelected at the Green Bay The Galveston Council elected Miss Irene Rickert D.C.C.W. convention, October 7. In addition to succeed their president, Mrs. 0. L. Rash, who to Most Rev. Stanislaus V. Bona, Bishop of Green had presided at the meeting. Three members of Bay, speakers on the subject of the convention, the Hierarchy, Most Reverends Christopher E. uCatholic Education," included Rev. Dr. E. J. Byrne, Bishop of Galveston; Louis J. Reicher, Westenberger, diocesan director of schools; Sister Bishop of Austin; and Wendelin J. Nold, Co­ M. Florence, S.S.N.D., diocesan superintendent of adjutor Bishop of Galveston, were honored guests reading; and Very Rev. A. M. Keefe, dean, St. at the convention, attended by more than 500 Norbert College. women. Bishop N old spoke on the uDignity of St. Paul • • • The fall conference of the St. Paul Woman" and Mrs. Neal Sullivan, first vice-presi­ A.C.C.W., October 8, on the theme uThe Home­ dent, N.C.C.W., on uThe Christian Home, a The Wellspring of Spiritual Growth," gave to the Bulwark Against a Godless World." approximately 800 women in attendance a Grand Island ••• The Grand Island D.C.C.W. rounded program, with exhibits, on religious art opened their 12th annual meeting October 12 with for the home, books that should be in every Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Catholic home, and spiritual growth in the home Edward J. Hunkeler, Bishop of Grand Island. His as influenced by radio, movies, books, family dis­ Excellency also addressed the meeting. Almost cussions, and spiritual activities. Most Rev. James 400 women listened to the development of the J. Byrne, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul, asked the theme, ((Vocations: The Divine Master Is Calling encouragement of vocations within the home. A You." Mrs. B. J. McShane is the new president, forum on the N.C.C.W. to show the necessity of succeeding Mrs. George Acker. unity to accomplish the best work was followed by workshops to explain techniques. Honored by Burlington • • • At the 3rd annual convention of a reception were the retiring and newly elected the Burlington D.C.C.W., October 20, Most Rev. presidents, Mrs. M. R. Drennen and Mrs. William Edward F. Ryan, Bishop of Burlington, stressed J. Daly, and the past and present National Di- the sanctity of marriage and urged the Council

[ 101 CATHOLIC ACTION to promote activities to strengthen family life. M.M., Superior General of the Foreign Mission Practical suggestions of activities were made Society of America. Other speakers included Rev. by Rev. Edgar Schmiedeler, O.S.B., director, Leonard P. Cowley, national chaplain, Newman N.C.W.C. Family Life Bureau, to the 500 women Foundation, who spoke on ((The Secular Univer­ in attendance. Mrs. John L. Kennelly, second sity"; Rev. Russel Scheidler, Helena, diocesan re­ vice-president, N.C.C.W., was also a speaker. settlement director, speaking on the displaced per­ Resolutions were adopted on family life, educa­ sons; and Mrs. Mary W. Wirries, columnist of Ave tion, diocesan and state interests, literature, wel­ Maria at Notre Dame, Indiana, with the topic fare, social action, and international relations. ((Catholic Women in this Modern World." In her message Miss Marie A. Piesinger, the president, Charleston ••• In his sermon at the Pontifical Mass, celebrated by Most Rev. Emmet M. Walsh, urged interest in and assistance to Catholic educa­ tion. Bishop of Charleston, for the Charleston D.C.C.W. convention, October 23-24, Very Rev. Msgr. Paul Toledo ••• The Toledo D.C.C.W. convention, F. Tanner, assistant general secretary, N.C.W.C., held Qctober 27, reelected Mrs. John E. Aubry said: «

January, 1949 [ I I ] NATIONAL COUNCIL he Detroit Radio Story CATHOLIC MEN Radio Schedule for January

THE DETROIT RADIO STORY DicK HoBBS, Radio Director Detroit Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Men

AST May there appeared in Catholic Men an handle our deal. I-Iowever, the station carries L article entitled ((How to Get N .C.C.M. many other fine Catholic programs, and on special Radio Programs on Your Local Station." occasions has carried Faith in Quy Tim-e for a This account of the radio activities of the Detroit limited period as a re-broadcast. Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Men, will show The Radio Committee also decided that the how some of the suggestions offered in this article work of the radio apostolate included all Catholic were carried out and possibly illustrate how radio programs in Detroit and since there was no exist­ committees in other places can broaden their ing central office for the coordination and pro­ activities to further the work of the radio motion of other Catholic programs, we took upon apostolate. ourselves the job of promoting and publicizing In May, 1946, the Spiritual Directo~ of the such fine shows as The Sacred Heart Program, Detroit Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Men The Ave Maria Hour, The Fa1nily Theatre, etc. requested help on a committee to reestablish the In November 1947 the Archdiocesan Holy Catholic Hour on the local NBC outlet at its Name Union asked the Committee to obtain time originating time, 6:00 P. M., E.S.T., or E.D.T. for a series of broadcasts. A spot was secured The program had been carried by the station for on one of the smaller stations (WJLB) and, for a number of years but since 1942 had not been six months, with the aid of the production staff broadcast at the regular time. It was being carried of the radio committee, the Holy Name Society as a transcribed rebroadcast on the following Sun­ maintained a series, Know the Holy Name. day at 10:3 0 A. M. This, as is rather obvious, Cooperating with the Third Order of St. Fran­ was not a good spot. Our radio committee made cis, the Committee was able to maintain The Hour numerous attempts to convince the station man­ of St. Francis on the same station. In addition ager that it would be in the best interests of the we publicized the N.C.C.M. programs in the local station to carry the Hour at its originating time. Catholic press and parish weeklies. He acknowledged that the program was an excel­ With the exception of two local newscasts lent one, that it had a fine ((Hooperating." He sponsored by the Archdiocesan weekly The said the time, commercially, was too valuable to Michigan Catholic at the beginning of 1948, there give away to a sustaining program; but after many were no local Catholic radio programs in Detroit. calls he gave in to the weight of our numbers and It was decided by the radio committee in March our sales talk. He agreed to carry the program to produce a 1 5-minute program designed after on a temporary basis until something better in the Catholic HouY--even though we couldn't a commercial program came along. Nothing has hope to match the excellent music and choral shown up yet! work. The program was to feature prominent After our success with the Catholic Hour we speakers from among the clergy and laity. Our turned our attention to the Hour of Faith. In contacts with WJLB enabled us to obtain a quarter this case the program was being carried at its hour period immediately following The Hour of regular time, 11:30 A.M., Sundays, but the station St. Francis at 7:45 P. M., Sundays. Thus we had manager wanted to change the time. He offered an excellent dramatic prelude to our practical us a re-broadcast at 5:00 P. M., Sundays, which talks. It was suggested that we name the pro­ in our opinion was better than the originating gram Catholic Men because it was sponsored time, and we accepted. by Catholic men and featured Catholic men as Our efforts with Faith in Our Tim,e have not speakers; and also because a copy of Catholic Men been quite so successful. The Mutual outlet for was directly in front of us on the table when we Detroit, CKLW, has commercial commitments were trying to think up an appropriate title. which make it impossible at present for them to The problem of speakers was solved, at least

[ 12] CATHOLIC ACTION temporarily, by Father Marvin Young, professor in the Michigan Catholic with news and items of of Religion at Sacred Heart Seminary. Father interest concerning Catholic radio. Young had delivered a series of talks during Lent It has been difficult to purchase adverti ing at St. Aloysius in downtown Detroit and re-wrote space in the secular papers for Catholic programs them into a series of :five excellent radio addresses. due to our limited budget; however, we have hopes The series was inaugurated on May 9, intro­ for the future on that score. The parish weeklies duced by John W. Babcock, then president of have been found to be one of the best ways to N.C.C.M. inform Catholics of the radio apostolate. Press During the next few weeks more speakers were releases not only inform, but urge Catholics to secured for the program. Father Clement Kern, get others to listen and write letters to the station administrator of one of the oldest parishes in expressing appreciation for the broadcasts. Detroit and very active in social problems, gave The radio committee of the D.A.C.C.M. con­ a series of three talks on the ((Catholic and his sists at present mainly of professional radio men, Social Obligations to the Family, the Neighbor­ disc-jockeys, engineers, program directors and hood and the City." announcers. Thus our contacts with the local sta­ On July 4 Father Francis L. Van Hout spoke tions are very good and we have men who can on the ((Sodality of Our Lady" and on the ((Sum- talk radio to radio men. mer School of Catholic Action" which was held in Detroit in July. The following Sunday, July RADIO SCHEDULE-January, 1949 11, the program had its first nationally prominent THE CATHOLIC HOUR speaker, Father Daniel A. Lord, S.J., who was in NBC Network, 6:00-6:30 P.M., EST Detroit to direct the Summer School. Sundays The next Sunday Father Francis Filas, S.J., RT. R ·V. MsGR. FuLTON J. SHEEN spoke on ((The Cana Conference," and on July 2 5 General Subject: The Love That Waits for You Dr. William P. Chester, vice-president of the January 2-The Two Trap-doors of the Soul Catholic Physicians' Guild and a prominent De­ January 9-The Perils of a False Conscience troit physician, gave the first of three talks on January 16-What Makes Us Afraid of God? the ((Church and Medical Science." January 23-The Moral Conditions of Finding God Titles for Mon ignor Sheen's addresses from January During the month of October the rosary was 30 through April 17, will be announced later. recited every evening on a separate program at Music on the Catholic Hour is presented by (nt/- 7:15 with groups representing various schools and standing church and seminary choirs. societies participating. TU.E HOUR OF FAITH The program format for Catholic Men is ABC Network 11:30 A. M.-12:00 Noon, EST very simple. A brief transcribed organ theme is Sundays followed by the announcer, something like this: R v. WILLIAM J. CL SBY ((The Detroit Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Chaplain (Lt. Col.), U. S. Air Force Men, in cooperation with Radio Station WJLB, General Subject: Building Blocks for Peace presents its regular Sunday evening broadcast en­ January 2-Blueprint for Peace January 9-The Cornerstone of Peace titled Catholic Men. This evening Father Smith January 16-Strong Timbers of St. Mary's Church will deliver the second in a January 23-Mary's Teen-Agers series of talks entitled (name of series). I now January 30-The Voice of the Children present Father Smith." The talk lasts about 11 Music on the Hour of Faitb is jJrovided by the Male minutes, after which the announcer makes his Quartette u11der the direction of Paul Creston. acknowledgments, closing with the announce­ AITH IN OUR TIME ment that copies of the talk may be obtained by MBS Network 10:15-10:30 A.M., EST writing the Detroit Council of Catholic Men, 1234 Thursdays Washington Boulevard, Detroit 26, Michigan. The REV. R !CHARD GINDER organ theme is brought up under the announcer's Editor, THE PRIEST Magazine voice at the close of his statement and runs till the General Subject: Solving Life's Problems end of the show. January 6-Facing the Facts \Ve have endeavored with Catholic Men not January 13-It's Human Nature January 20-Paradise Lost only to present prominent speakers of the clergy January 27-Paradisc Regained and laity, but also to cooperate with Catholic Music on the program is jJrovided by baritone soloist organizations in the promotion of their activities. and organist. The publicity and promotion work for the Television other Catholic programs is carried out by the radio Sunday, January 23, 5:05 P. M., committee by the issuance of regular radio press WPIX-New York releases to the 240 parish weeklies in the Arch­ "Television Chapel." diocese and by maintaining a regular radio column

January, 1949 [ 13 1 D.C.C.W. CONVENTIONS STRESS LIVING FOR CHRIST to heed the plea of the Blessed Mother for prayer (Continued from page 11) and sacrifice. His Excellency and the other speak­ ers, Mrs. Daniel A. Doyle, past president, Brook­ Milwaukee ••• The 28th convention of the Milwau­ lyn D.C.C.W., and Dr. Alba Zizzamia, of the kee D.C.C.W., October 28, opened with Pontifical N.C.W.C. Office for UN Affairs, urged the wom­ Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Roman R. Atkielski, en to become informed and active participants in Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee. The 800 women the life of today, bringing Catholic thought to attending considered the theme, ttToday's Woman bear upon its problems. Mrs. Robert D. Donald­ in Christian Social Life." Speakers included Very son, D.C.C.W. president and national director, Rev. Comeford J. O'Malley, C.M., president, Province of Newark, who presided at the meeting, DePaul University, Chicago, and Miss Ruth is succeeded in office by Mrs. Richard Gormley. Craven, executive secretary, N.C.C.W. The meet­ ing was presided over by Mrs. Andrew S. Pfeiffer, Belleville ••• About 500 women attended the Belle­ A.C.C.W. president and national director, Prov­ ville D.C.C.W. convention, November 10, which ince of Milwaukee. reelected Mrs. Paul Bier president. Most Rev. Al­ Chicago ••• Under the able leadership of Miss bert R. Z uroweste, Bishop of Belleville; Rev. Helen M. Ganey, president, the annual fall lunch­ Joseph E. Schieder, director, N.C.W.C. Youth De­ eon of the Chicago A.C.C.W. was held on October partment; and Mrs. W. H. Harper, national di­ 3 0, attracting the membership in great numbers. rector, Province of Chicago, addressed the con­ His Eminence, Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Arch­ vention. Resolutions were passed in support of bishop of Chicago, took this opportunity to give the daily rosary, decent literature, displaced per­ the women a ((particular mandate"-to clean up sons, and war relief. the places of sale of pornographic literature. Al­ Hartford ••• Workshops on International Relations, ready the A.C.C.W. has set up a plan of operation Legislation and Parent Education were an effec­ under which 500,000 women will conduct a block­ tive information service for the more than 300 by-block combing of the city's stores and news­ women attending the 27th annual convention of stands. Letters of instructions, containing a code the Hartford D.C.C.W., November 13. The for determining the quality of a publication and a workshops followed a luncheon session which was procedure for action, have been sent to each addressed by Most Rev. Henry J. O'Brien, Bishop parish. of Hartford, who told the women that theirs is Paterson ••• On November 3, 6 50 women of the the privilege of interpreting Christ and His teach­ Paterson D.C.C.W., meeting for their fourth an­ ings to a world hungry for spiritual guidance. The nual convention, were urged by Most Rev. convention, led by the President, Mrs. Robert Thomas A. Boland, Bishop of Paterson, to have Mahoney, pledged cooperation in the work of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and National Council of Catholic Women.

CALENDAR OF SCHEDULED CATHOLIC MEETINGS AND EVENTS January, 1949 25-27-SoDALITY OF OuR LADY--eleventh annual meeting of diocesan directors, St. Louis, Mo. February, 1949 20-29-CATHOLic BooK WEEK. March, 1949 7-9-NATIONAL CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE CoNFERENCE-annual meeting, San Francisco, Calif. April, 1949 19-22-NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL AssociATION--46th annual convention, Philadelphia, Pa. 28-30-SERRA INTERNATIONAL-Seventh convention, San Francisco, Calif. May, 1949 1-N.F.C.C.S. WiscoNSIN REGIONAL CouNCIL-Holy Hour, Marquette University Stadium, Milwaukee, Wis. 1-N.F.C.C.S. Los ANGELES REGIONAL CouNCIL-Mary's Hour, The Coliseum, Los Angeles, Calif. 10-12--CATHOLIC CoMMITTEE OF THE SouTH-annual convention, Lexington, Ky. Junt, 1949 2-3--CATHOLic PREss AssociATION-39th annual convention, Denver, Colo. November, 1949 4-9-CATHOLic RuRAL LIFE CoNFERENCE-annual convention, Columbus, Ohio (Revised date).

[ 14) CATHOLIC ACTION "SATAN REVISES HIS POLICY" stop to take a course of study first. But suppose they real­ ized that they are just as qualified to talk religion? (Continued from page 5) SATAN: I see what you mean, although you are not as should be parochial, in others that it should be diocesan. All clear as our more exerienced members. The point will be the time the main object of the thing is being obscured, and noted: spread abroad an inferiority complex about talking that is just exactly what we want. religion. SATAN: Yes, I think our policy is clear on that point. P. M.: We must not forget to make them put undue Trouble must be stirred up with great subtlety between emphasis on argument. If we can get them to waste their clergy and laity, and amongst the clergy and laity them­ time arguing, we will have done a good job, because arguing selves. On the last point you are all sufficiently experienced. more often antagonizes than convinces. I think England But remember-no sledge-hammer methods. ••subtlety" is is to be congratulated on raising this point. It is likely to the watch-word. Anything further? prove very effective. If we work on the lines suggested, ENGLAND: May I add a word? I think I can boast of we will keep the number of apostles down to a handful. No a large number of creditable performances in the past. If one will ever think himself learned enough--or the few who this Catholic Action succeeds, all my good work in bringing do will get nowhere, because they will spend their time on about the Reformation will be undone. argument. SATAN: Stop boasting, then, and get on with what you SATAN: We are doing well. Can any of you suggest any want to say. other means of reducing Catholic Action to inaction? ENGLAND: I think the obvious thing is to spread abroad SPAIN: Yes, Your Majesty. I think it is clear that we amongst the humans an altogether wrong idea of the aposto­ must try to make these humans who are impudent enough late. The more definitions we can make them play with, the to try to take up arms against us by taking part in the better. apostolate waste their efforts on side issues, or what they like SATAN: Excellent. But give us some details. to call red herrings. We must get them to do anything ENGLAND: Suppose we get them to confuse, for instance, but approach souls directly. the apostolate with some of its parts, with the spread of ITALY: Our friend speaks from experience. The essen­ knowledge or the spread of social principles or-- tial thing in the apostolate, as we know, is the pouring out P. M.: All right. Let us take one point at a time. Let of its choicest possession by one soul into another. We must us discuss the possibility of making them confuse the aposto­ stop that. We must divert effort into cui-de-sacs. late with the spread of religious knowledge. What would SPAIN: Most of us are adepts at raising the cry of ((prud­ happen? ence," ucaution," and so on. Even now our efforts have ENGLAND: We all know that the real idea of the aposto­ caused the idea to be very widespread that souls cannot be late is to radiate Christ. It means imparting convictions, approached directly; that to talk religion is, as they say up passing on to another one's own picture of spiritual things, above something that is unot done," that the direct approach showing off the beauty of religion without the spirit of con­ will be resented, that each must mind his own business, that troversy or superiority. Obviously, then, we have got to charity begins at home, and the like. All we have to do is encourage the humans to think they will spread the faith to keep these ideas alive and work hard on any organization if they are learned, or by argument. Then they will get that tries to combat them. down to study, and you will all agree that study soon becomes SATAN: What all that amounts to is that we must pre­ an end in itself, and excludes action. vent personal contact. SATAN: Very cute. Even I hadn't thought of that SPAIN: Yes, principally that. I heard one of my con­ one--although doubtless I would have done so before the tacts preaching the other day. He said: uThe secret of all discussion was over. We must generate a regular fever for success with others lies in the establishment of personal con­ knowledge, but at the same time we must convince those tact." I tried hard to distract him, but I was unsuccessful. who are studying that they never know enough to be P. M.: Hard lines, old man. But do not lose heart. One apostles, and so action will stop, or rather it will never begin. set-back here and there is to be expected. If you look around ENGLAND: We must be subtle. We must insist that their world, you will see that we have already succeeded to all this is done in the name of Catholic Action. My tech­ a great extent. In some places Catholic Action has become nique will be to exalt the apostolate to superb heights and to a publishing business; in others it concentrates on the radio; dwell on the terrible responsibility of those engaged in it in others it is thought to be a matter of talking to crowds. and the awful consequences of making a mistake-maybe giving us more companions down here--- SATAN: Our work should be fairly easy in this respect, FRANCE: Satan knows we could do with them. because the mass approach is much more glamorous in its ENGLAND: True, but don't interrupt. As I was saying, appeal. Some men love to stand up and talk; we must en­ I shall tell my people in England that, if they go in for being courage the pride of that type. Others love to brag about apostles and then make mistakes, they may be responsible for the numbers of pamphlets or Catholic papers they have sold; damning souls. That will scare them all off, or at least it let them, but do your best to see that the pamphlets and will make them start studying and studying and studying, papers are not used as a means of personal contact. They and all the time I will whisper: .. You don't know enough cannot do much harm if they are delivered impersonally. yet. Study more." ENGLAND: I persuaded one of my contacts to slip P. M.: Good enough. But don't forget to impress on the around after dark putting leaflets through doors. I told rank and file that they know nothing. We know that they her it would be much better like that-much safer and less know a lot. They haven't been saying their prayers and embarrassing for herself. She swallowed it, too. listening to sermons and reading their pious books and taking P. M.: Excellent. All of you must note that at all costs lessons at school for years without knowing the heaven of a you must prevent this Catholic Action concentrating on lot. We mustn't let them think they know enough, though. personal contact. That alone can bring it real victory over AUSTRALIA: Another idea. We must not let them re­ us. I have issued orders before that house-to-house visitation member that the people they are trying to win over from us by the clergy in the parishes is to be prevented as far as pos­ know a great deal less than they do. That is not going to sible. The principle is the same. Personal contact between be hard. In my territory they talk to one another about priest and people is bad for our cause. So is it between mem­ cricket and sheep and business of every kind, and they never bers of Catholic Action and ordinary folk.

January, 1949 [ 15 1 SATAN: I think we all understand that perfectly. Are a while ago? It is important for us always to give the im­ there any other points? pression of exalting Catholic Action. That enables us to BELGIUM: As an officer of long standing, I would like insist on so many prerequisites as to exclude any large num­ to suggest that we do something about the liturgical aposto­ bers from the movement. late. SATAN: What kind of prerequisites would you suggest P. M.: Have you any detailed suggestions? that we try to make the Officers demand? BELGIUM: Yes, several. In the first place we should AMERICA: I suggest that we tempt well-meaning and bring about a general concentration on liturgical, instead sincere people to write books dwelling on all the qualities of private, prayer. Then we can use that to make them which an apostle ought to possess in such a way a to give forget the essential thing in liturgical prayer, the Mass. the impression that without these qualities one cannot be a HOLLAND: How would we do that? successful apostle. We might even get them to develop the BELGIUM: Simply by tempting them to concentrate on technique so far as to issue examinations of conscience for externals-the rubrics, vestments, chant. would-be apostles, or to devise schemes for the working out HOLLAND: What is the real point behind this? What on a percentage basis of one's apostolic quotient. has it to do with the lay apostolate? Our anti-Mass depart­ SATAN: I see. You would try to make them assess ment will surely have thought of these points. people according to their appearance, posture, neatness, voice, BELGIUM: We were talking a few moments ago about judgment, knowledge, courage, enthusiasm, sympathy, sin­ tempting the humans to waste their time on argument. The cerity, dependability, determination, persistence, and so on? obvious reason for that is to make them forget that their AMERICA: Yes, and I would go further. It is amazing most powerful weapon for good is the presentation of the how these things develop. In the course of time we might beauties of their faith to those who do not believe. And the get someone to demand a daily bath of all leaders or to draw most beautiful thing in the faith, as well as the most power­ up regulations restricting the use of make-up by the girls. ful, as we especially have reason to know, is the Mass. Not only would these things exclude large crowds who would P. M.: Then the apostle must be holy, and the source of otherwise be working against us, but they would set up bar­ holiness is the Mass. riers between the potential apostles and their contacts. BELGIUM: Quite. Therefore, the point I am trying to SATAN: Very good. Another point to be noted. Any­ make is more important than ever. The Mass is for the thing that tends to cut down the numbers active against our apostle both the chief mean of self-sanctification and his rule is to be encouraged. principal instrument for worl· ing upon others. Hence, if FRANCE: There is a further point I would like to sug­ we cunningly make him forget the real meaning of the Mass gest. It is that we encourage those keen on Catholic Action by devoting himself to the externals or trimmings, we are to boost schemes before they have been tried. hitting right at the core of his scheme. BELGIUM: V cry sound psychology. SATAN: I think it goes without saying that we who have FRANCE: Then those responsible would get large num­ been in this place so long, and have no prospect of release, bers of adherents at first, and most of them would soon fall should always concentrate against any growth of real love out; the remaining few would be both too discouraged to or appreciation of the Mass. Since it was the .first Mass that continue, and too few to form a force. took the human from our sway, anything at all that we SATAN: Good for you. We must try to prevent any can do against the Mass will be more than worth while. But movement becoming so established as to be able legitimately be cunning. Do not start campaigning directly against the to parade the results it has achieved. If we put into oper­ Mass; follow the advice of our Officer in Belgium. He ha ation all the suggestions we have heard today, that ought poken well. Cause confusion between liturgical and non­ not to b~ too hard. liturgical prayer; set up factions in support of each; make AUSTRALIA: In spite of my youth, I have yet another them concentrate on the mere externals and so on. suggestion which I consider good. BELGIUM: I have another suggestion, Your Majesty. P. M.: We will decide when we have heard it. SAT AN: Let's hear it. AUSTRALIA: Naturally. It is that we tempt thl:sc men BELGIUM: I think we ought to foment class distinction to place the means in the po ition of the end. amongst these apostles, and get them to increase it amongst SATAN: You mean that you think we could tempt them the members of the Church in general. to make the means-that is, the local organization or et-up ENGLAND: How can that be done? -an end in itself? BELGIUM: imply by tempting people to start move­ AUSTRALIA: Yes, it would be easy. We have surely ments restricted to this or that particular clas . This is enough c. pcriencc of the pride men take in children of their bound to impair efficiency. own ide s. If we can get them to set up Catholic Action GLAND: Surely it is a correct principle that "like oro-anizations in different places-based, note, on untried will always act upon like," or, as they say, "birds of a feather plans and falling into all the traps we propose to lay for flock together"? them-we can play on their pride and get them to refuse BELGIUM: Yes, true enough. But surely the very aim room to other and better (wore, from our point of view) of this Catholic Action should be to combat the divisions organizations. and antagonisms in the world, to bridge over and not sep­ S TAN: You are more cunning than I thou .~ ht. \Vhat arate the various classes of men? Its goal is to restore the you mean, for instance, is that we should encoura~c those human race to its ideal unity, modelled on the unity of the who call themselves leaders to establish systems of Catholic If Mystical Body of Christ. we make Catholic Action con­ Action in various places, all worked out in theory and never cc trate on divisions, class distinction , restricted movement put into practice; we should urge them to gain adherents, and the like, we are bound to be forwarding our cause. As and then tick to their plans through thick and thin, even for your principles, they will operate in any case. A man though some more successful system should come along from docs not cease to be, say, a worker, just because he does Catholic Action. elsewhere. SATAN: I see the point of the suggestion, and it is quite AUSTRALIA: Precisely. a good one. You must remember it and employ it as the SAT AN: Excellent. We will do it. Great success seems opportunity arises. likely because it is a cunning based on pride. AMERICA: May I return to a point that someone made P. M.: Of course, it goes without saying that we will

[ 16] CATHOLIC ACTION encourage these well-meaning mortals to make their organi­ SATAN: Very good. Now, as time 1s getting on, I think zations as complicated as possible. Few things kill action we can draw this meeting to a close. I will summarize our so quickly as over-organization. Simplicity is a virtue we decisions from the notes I have made. must not allow them to practise. 1. We must use cunning and subtlety at all times. SATAN: I agree entirely. Any further ideas? 2. We must get the humans to fall into the "prayer BELGIUM: Yes. Why not use the social chaos we have alone" heresy. created in the world as an instrument to 1 ill Catholic Action? 3. We must prevent devotion to the Mother of God, SATAN: How? esrecially such as is wholehearted and proportionate BELGIUM: By making men concentrate on it to the to her place in God's plan of Redemption. exclusion of Christ. 4. \Vf e must play on the term ulay" apostolate, and use SATAN: I see. Will you give us a little more light on it to antagonize the clergy. your phn? 5. \Vc mu t set up antagoni ms bet~ een the laity them­ BELGIUM: Yes. The obvious aim of the apostolate must selvc , and spread abroad confusion as to the diocesan be to spread abroad the spirit of our enemy, Jesus Christ. or parochial nature of Catholic Action. Hence, that aim must be obscured. We must get them to 6. \Vf e must propagate fal e notions of the apostolate, identify Catholic Action with the rebuilding of a new eco­ especially causing it to be confused with the spread nomic order in the world, so that men will come to regard of religious know ledge. the Church as just a natural thing, and a competitor with 7. We must place undue emphasis on study and argu­ all the other forces we have brought into being-Commun­ ment. ism, Nazism and the rest. 8. We must suggest that the direct apostolate i im­ SATAN: Good. The result, as I see it, will be that Cath­ possible. olic Action will become vitiated by concentrating on only 9. We must divert the minds of apostles from personal a small fraction of its object, instead of the whole. We contact, and get them to concentrate on the mass know that the only way they can rebuild the world is through approach. the intense and patient application of the religious system of 10. e must make them use a false idea of the liturgical the Catholic Church. They mu t never realize that. We apo tolate, one concentrating on P.xternals and for­ must ec that they concentrate on just wages, conditions of getting the essentials. work, Trade Unions, and other more or less material things, 11. We must prevent the Mas being used .. s an instru­ forgetting the one essential-the establi hment of the reign ment either of self-sanctification or the apostolate. of the Eucharist in the hearts of men. 12. \Vc must fom nt class-distinction in Catholic Action. FRANCE: But i it not bad for us that the social aposto­ 13. We must insinuate all kinds of prerequi ites so that late should thrive in the world? the numbers of apostles will be reduced. SATAN: Y cs, but it may be the les cr of two evils. If 14. \Vfe must tempt organizers of Catholic Action to they usc up their energy on that, they will have none left boo t plans rather than successful systems. for the more important and vital thing, the direct piritual 15. \Vf e mu t play on their pride, and so get them to apostolate to souls. make the means or system an end in itself. FRANCE: I sec, and I agree. My neighbor Belgium has 16. \Ve must cause undue emphasis to be placed on the hit on a first-rate idea. social apostolate, so that the main spiritual apostolate SATA : Before we adjourn, has anyone anything further will be over hadowed. to suggest? 17. We must suggest over-organization or e ·ce sive AFRICA: Yes. You ought to see that Catholic Action rigidity. organizations become o bound up with rules and regula­ 18. We must advise caution against asking too much of tions and local customs that they become incapable of flex­ the individual apostle. ibility or adaptability. It would be a tragedy, for example, P. ~1. · Thmk you, Your Maje ty. Now to your allotted if my contacts were to be able to import a system from, po ts in the battle again t the power of heaven. It i~ your say, Ireland, which would be so flexible in its organization duty to try out all the ideas we have discu sed this afternoon. as to be adaptable to their requirement . The more urcly you succeed in getting them applied, the SATAN: All right. Note that point too. more certain is Catholic Action to fail, and we to triumph. FRANCE: Another psychological point is this. No or- [utent omncs in a blinding flash. , ganization will succeed unles it makes worthwhile demands of its members. Ience, our pbn must be to get Catholic (Ed. Note: We thank the publisher, Joseph F. Wagner, Action to be afraid of askin~ too much lest it lose its mem­ Inc., for permission to reprint the firs+. chapter of "Souls at bers. The result will be precisely that members will be Stake," by F. J. Ripley and F. S. M1tchell-a thoroughly lost nd the worl· done will only be tri ial. fine book.) A New Diocese and Three New Bishops for United States NNOUNCEMENT has just been made through the Right Reverend Monsignor William A. O'Connor, uper­ A Apostolic Delegation in Washington of the creation of isor of Charities of the Archdioce e of Chicago, to be Bishop a new United States diocese and the naming of three new of Springfield in Illinois. Bishops by His Holiness Pope Pius XII. Right Reverend Monsignor Ma~tin D. Me~ a~nara, pa tor The Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, has been erected by the Holy of St. Franci Xavier Church, Wtlmette, Illm01 , to be the Father out of seven counties of the State of Illinois: Du Page, first Bishop of the new Diocese of Joliet. Will, Grundy and Kanl akee, which heretofore have been part The Reverend William E. Cou ins, pastor of St. Colum­ of the Archdiocese of Chicago; Ford and Iroquois, which up banus Church, Chicago, to be Titular Bishop of Forma and to now have been part of the Dioce e of Peoria; and Kendall Auxiliary to His Eminence Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Arch- County, formerly part of the Diocese of Rockford. bishop of Chicago. . St. Raymond Church, Joliet, will be the Cathedral of the Sincere cono-ratulations and prayerful good wtshes are new diocese. extended to ea~h of these newly designated members of the The three newly designated Bi hops, all of Chicago, are: Hierarchy of the United States.

January, 1949 [ 17] We witness the spiritual anguish of dlohf }.aJlwL tlrpJin, 5pJUtiuL 1JJ 1JuL ltJdlkl others whose external resistance has (Continued from page 3) given way under the excess of un­ just pressure and who outwardly ac­ brations and impressive gatherings, We cannot pass over the obligation cepted a separation which their hearts have proved to any impartial observer of mentioning those also whose abhor and their consciences reprove. that neither the war nor its after­ thoughts and sentiments bear the im­ Fidelity to the Divine patrimony of rna th, nor the tenacity of the enemies print of the spirit and difficulties truth confided to the Church does of Christ in their discordant and de­ of the times. How many have suf­ not in any way condemn the Catholic structive plans have been able to dry fered harm, and how many have been Christian-as not a few believe or up or contaminate the limpid sources shipwrecked in their faith and in their seem to believe-to an attitude of whence the Church has drawn the very belief in God. How many, car­ diffident reserve or cold indifference life-giving strength for nearly 20 cen­ ried away by a wave of secularism in the face of the grave and urgent turies. Everywhere there is a quicken­ or hostility toward the Church, duties of the present hour. ing and throbbing of life which strives have lost the freshness and the seren­ especially among Catholic youth to ity of a Faith which up till then had On the contrary: the spirit and the bring the Gospel truths and the salu­ been the support and the light of their example of Our Lord, Who came to tary force of its doctrine into all the lives. Others, violently uprooted and seek and save what was lost; the com­ spheres of human activity; its aim is torn from their native soil, wander mandment of love, and, generally to help and save even those who up to aimlessly about-exposed, particularly speaking, the special significance that radiates from the good tidings; the the present have closed their hearts to in the case of the young, to a spiritual such beneficent action with great loss and moral ruin, the danger of which history of the Church which proves to themselves. it would be impossible to over­ how she has always been the staunch The severe trials the Church has estimate. and constant support of every force undergone because of the war and its The maternal eye of the Church for good and for peace; the teaching aftermath, the painful losses and seri­ follows with watchful love and re­ and exhortations of the Roman Pon­ tiffs, especially in the course of re­ ous injury she has sustained, have doubled care the souls of those tem­ served only to give more comforting porarily lost or in danger. She is cent decades, dealing with the con­ and encouraging proof of her energy not angry. She prays, not condemns. duct of Christians toward the neigh­ and resistance. Tossed about by the She waits: She is waiting the return bor, society and the State--all this storm and waves, she has kept intact of those children of hers and is anxious serves to proclaim the believer's duty to take his share, generously, cour­ and inviolate her vital fibre. In all to find means of hastening that hour. those countries where to profess the That is why the Church shrinks from ageously and according to his station Catholic Faith really means to suffer no sacrifice, finds no trouble too bur­ and capacity, in questions that a tor­ persecution, there have been and there densome to such an end. She is ready mented and agitated world has to are still thousands of valiant men and for everything, except one thing: solve in the :field of social justice, no women who, undismayed by sacrifices, that she be not asked to gain the less than on the international plane of law and peace. proscriptions and torture, and fearless return of the children who have left in the face of prison and death, do not her-either in the distant past or re­ A convinced Christian cannot con­ bow the knee before the Baal of might cently-at the expense of any fine himself within an easy and ego­ and power ( 3 Kings, 19, 18 ) . Their diminution or tarnishing of the de­ istical "isolationism," when he wit­ names are unknown for the most part posit of Christian Faith confided to nesses the needs and the misery of his to the general public, but they are her keeping. brothers; when pleas for help come written in indelible characters in the It seems to Us that a brief clarifica­ to him from these in economic dis­ annals of the Church. tion is opportune with respect to some tress; when he knows the aspirations It is for Us a duty to honor these harsh statements against the Catholic of the working classes for more nor­ faithful valiant people, these tireless, Church and the Papacy uttered by mal and just conditions of life; when courageous chosen ones, who are certain dissidents. Our duty of he is aware of the abuses of an eco­ blessed by God. For them the hard­ charity and of love is certainly not nomic system which puts money above ships of the present time, the sorrows lessened by attacks or by insults. We social obligations; when he is not ig­ and the maternal tears of the Spouse know how to distinguish between the norant of the aberrations of an in­ of Christ are neither a stumbling people, often deprived of freedom, transigent nationalism which denies block nor foolishness, but an occa­ and the systems that rule them. We or spurns the common bonds linking sion and a stimulus to show forth­ are cognizant of the servile depend­ the separate nations together, and im­ not in words but by actions-the in­ ence that some representatives of a posing on each one of them many and tegrity and unselfishness of their pur­ religion called .. orthodox" display to­ varied duties toward the great fam­ pose, their unflinching fidelity and ward a concept of life whose ultimate ily of nations. the sublime generosity of their goal-repeatedly proclaimed-is the The Catholic doctrine on the State hearts. Words fail to pay a worthy elimination of all trace of Christian and civil society has always been tribute and extol in a fitting way the religion. b:1sed on the principle that, in keeping heroism of these most faithful among We are not unaware of the har­ with the will of God, the nations. the faithful. To each one of them rowing path that must be traveled by form together a community with a We express Our praise and Our grati­ many of Our beloved sons and common aim and common duties~ tude. The Lord, Who promised to daughters whom a public system of Even when the proclamation of this. remember before His Heavenly Father violence has driven to cut themselves principle and its practical conse­ those who confessed Him before men formally away from the Mother quences gave rise to violent reactions, (Matt. 1 0, 3 2) will be their eternal Church to which their deepest con­ the Church denied her assent to the recompense. victions united them. With pro­ erroneous concept of an absolutely If the constancy and steadfastness found emotion We admire the heroic autonomous sovereignty divested of of so many brethren in the Faith is steadfastness of some; with deep sor­ all social obligations. a source of joy and holy pride for Us, row and unfeigned paternal affection The Catholic Christian, persuaded

[ 181 CATHOLIC ACTIO that every man is his neighbor and climate of war. Who, then, can f.ul harmful situation of econom1c dis­ that every nation is a member, with to see how important it is for the na­ parity? equal rights, of the family of nations, tions to preserve and strengthen the ( 4) The genuine Christian will for cooperates wholeheartedly in those Christian way of life, and how gr.we peace mean strength, not weakne s oc generous efforts who e beginnings is their responsibility in the selection weary resignation. It is completely might be meagre and which fre­ and supervision of those to whom they one with the will for peace of quently encounter strong opposition entrust the immediate control of Eternal and Almighty God. Every and obstacles, but which aim at sav­ armaments? war of aggres ion again t these goods ing individual States from the nar­ ( 2) The Christian will for peace i · which the Divine plan for peace rowness of a self-centered mentality. easily identified. Obedient to the Di­ obliges men unconditionally to re­ This latter attitude of mind has been vine precept of peace, it will never spect and guarantee and accordingly largely responsible for the conflicts turn a question of national prestige to protect and defend, is a sin, a crime, of the past, and unless finally over­ or honor into an argument for war an outrage against the majesty of God, come or at least held in check, could or even for a threat of war. It is the Creator and Ordainer of the lead to new conflagrations that might very careful to avoid recourse to the world. mean death to human civilization. force of arms in the defense of rights A people threatened with an unjust Since the cessation of hostilities, which, however legitimate, do not off­ aggression, or already its victim, may men have never been so obsessed as set the risk of kindling a blaze with all not remain pa ·ively indifferent, if it today by the nightmare of another its tremendous spiritual and material would think and act as befits war and by anxiety for the peace. consequences. Chri tian . All the more does the They alternate between two ex­ Here, likewise, the responsibility solidarity of the family of nations tremes. Some adopt the ancient of the nations is perfectly clear with forbid others to behave as mere spec­ motto, not completely false, but respect to the paramount problems tators, in an attitude of apathetic which is easily misunderstood and of the education of youth and the neutrality. Who will ever measure has often been misused: si vis pacem moulding of public opinion, which the harm already cau ed in the past para bell1tm; if you desire peace, pre­ modern methods and instruments ren­ by such indifference to war of aggrc - pare for war. Others think to find der so sensitive and changeable today, sion, which is quite alien to the safety in the formula: peace at all in every department of a nation's life. Christian instinct? How much more costs! But this influence must be carefully keenly ha it brought home to the Both parties want peace while both exerted to support the common inter­ "great" and specially to the "small," endanger it: on one side by arous­ est of all States in the defense of the en of their in ecurity? Has it ing distrust, on the other by promot­ peace. Every violator of the law brought any advantage in recompen c? ing a security which can prepare the should be banished in di grace to soli­ On the contrary; it has only re­ way for aggression. Thus both, with­ tary confinement by civil society, as a assured and encouraged the author out wishing it, compromise the cause disturber of the peace. May the and fomenters of aggression, whil' of peace at the very time when the United Nations Organization become it obliges the several peoples, left to ' uman race, crushed under the weight the full and faultle s expression of thi them elve , to increase their arma­ of armaments and in agony at the international solidarity for peace, ment indefinitely. prospect of fresh and even worse con­ erasing from its institutions and its Resting for support on God and on flicts, shudders at the thought of a statutes every vestige of its origin the order He established, the Christian future catastrophe. Hence We should which was of necessity a solidarity will for peace is thus as strong a like to point out briefly the charac­ 1n war. steel. I s temper is quite different teristics of a real Christian will for ( 3) The Christian will for peace f ·om mere humanitarian sentiment, peace. is practical and realistic. Its immedi­ too often little more than a matter of ( 1) The Christian will for peace ate aim is to remove, or at least to pure impression, which detests war comes from God. He is the "God of mitigate the causes of tension which only because of its horrors and Peace" (Rom. 1 5, 3 3 ) ; He has cre­ aggravate the danger of war morally atroc1t1e , it destruction and it ated the world to be an abode of and materially. These causes are, aftermath, but not for the added rea- peace; He has given His command­ among others, chiefly the comparative on of its inju tice. Such a senti­ ment of peace, that "tranquillity in scantiness of national territory and ment, under a hedoni tic and utili­ order" of which St. Augustine speaks. the want of raw materials. So instead tarian di gui e, and matcri.tlistic in its The Christian will for peace has of sending foodstuffs, at enormous ex­ source, lacks the solid foundation of its weapons too. But its principal pense, to refugee groups, crowded into a strict and unqualified obligation. arms are those of prayer and love; the best place available, why not ffl­ It creates conditions which encourage constant prayer to the Father in cilitate the emigration and immigra­ the deception resulting from terile Heaven, Father of u all; brotherly tion of families, directing them to compromise, the attempt to save love among all men and all nations, countries where they will find more oneself at the expense of others, and since all are sons of the same Father readily the food they need? the success in every case of the Who is in Heaven; love which, with And instead of restricting produc­ aggressor. patience, always succeeds in being tion, often for no just reason, why This is so true that neither the sole disposed and ready to achieve under­ not allow the people to produce to consideration of the sorrows and evil standing and agreement with every­ the limit of its normal capacity and resulting from war, nor the careful one. so gain its daily bread as the reward weighing of the act against the ad­ These two arms have their source of its own labor, rather than receive vantage, avail to oetermine finally, in God, and when they are lacking, it a a gift? Finally, instead of set­ whether it is morally licit, or even in where people only know how to wield ting up barriers to prevent one an­ certain concrete circumstances obli­ r:taterial weapons, there can be no real other's access to raw materials, why gatory (provided alway there be solid will for peace. For purely material not make their usc and c.·changc free probability of ucce s) to repel an ag­ armament necessarily awakens dis­ of all unnecessary restrictions, espe­ gressor by force of arms. trust, and creates what amounts to a cially of those which created a One thing, however, is certain: the

January, 1949 [ 19] commandment of peace is a matter of His own person . . <;:oming, He an­ tection of the Most High on all peo­ Divine law. Its purpose is the pro­ nounced the good tidings of peace ples and nations, especially on those tection of the goods of humanity, in­ to you who were afar off, and of who more than others are exposed to asmuch as they are gifts of the peace to those who were ncar." (EP. the threat of war, to unrest and to Creator. Among these goods some 2.2, 14.16.17). devastation. are of such importance for society, Hence at the present hour, with all And on this Christmas Eve, why that it is perfectly lawful to defend the power at Our command, We con­ should Our thought not turn back them against unjust aggression. Their jure you, beloved sons and daughters once again to the land of Palestine, defense is even an obligation for the of the entire world: work for a peace where the Son of God made Man nations as a whole who have a duty that is in accordance with the Heart spent his earthly life; to that Pales­ not to abandon a nation that is of the Redeemer. tine where, even after the suspension attacked. Together with all upright men, of hostilities, there is still no sign The certainty that this duty will who, even though not fighting in your of a secure basis for peace? May a not go unfulfilled will serve to di - ranks, arc united with you in the happy solution be finally found which courage the aggressor and thus war community of this ideal, work strenu­ will mean help for so many thousand will be avoided or, if the worst should ously for the propagation and tri­ unhappy refugees and satisfy at the come, its sufferings will at least be umph of the Christian will for peace. same time the anxious desires of all lessened. It is, however, with special confi­ Christendom to see the Holy Places In this way, a better meaning is protected by making them freely ac­ given to the dictum: si vis pacem, pare dence that We turn to Catholic youth. The unforgettable demonstrations of cessible and safe, by means of the bellum, as also to the phrase "peace last September brought to Rome, in an establishment of an international at all costs." What really matters is unprecedented multitude, the repre­ regime. the sincere and Christian will for peace. We are compelled to it surely sentatives of Catholic youth from the We implore likewise the Divine as­ by the following considerations: The most diverse nations. They gave un­ sistance on all who are pleased to spectacle of the ruins of the last war, mistakable proof of their solidarity in dedicate themselves to safeguard and the will for peace. the silent reproach which rises from promote peace by their prayers and the great cemeteries where the tombs From the steps of Our patriarchal active cooperation: on the rulers of of the victims of war are mar­ Vatican Basilica, on that occasion we nations, on those who can exercise a shalled in endless ranks, the till un­ blessed in jHici: the house of peace, real influence on public opinion, and satisfied longing of prisoners and calculated to give to the youth of the in general on those from whom people refugee to return home, the anguish Catholic world gathered in front of are more disposed to welcome sin­ and dereliction of many political cap­ the cupola of St. Peter's a realization cere invitations to peace; on the in­ tives, worry of unjust persecution. that they belong to one great family numerable ranks of war victims and But we ought to find a still greater which embraces all its sons with equal on the many others whose unhappy incentive in the potent word of the love. lot becomes each day more painful as Divine commandment of peace-the To you, young people, who bear in the intolerable waiting continues for gently penetrating glance of the the flower of your age the responsi­ a peace that is conclusive, morally ju t Divine Child in the manger. bility of a tomorrow still so uncer­ and lasting, and immune from all Listen to the admirable words of tain, We say: Be not content with uperstition and prejudices of race the Apostle of the Gentiles ringing building the domus pacis on the Via and blood. out in the night like the bells of Aurelia. That is, only by devotion Meanwhile, counting on Divine Christmas-he too was once a slave and determination in making of the Grace to realize these ardent de ires, to petty prejudices of national and world itself a donnts pacis, over which \Vf e lovingly impart to you all, be­ racial pride, laid low with him on the the spirit and the promises of Bethle­ loved sons and daughters, who are road to Damascus: ttHe (Christ Jesus) hem may reign serenely, can affiicted united with Us in the bands of faith is our peace: He has made the two humanity find peace at long last. and love, Our paternal Apostolic Bene­ nations one ... killing all enmities in With this hope We invoke the pro- diction.

CATHOLIC ACTION-MoNTHLY PuBLICATION op THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE CONFERENCE

"Wt havt grouPttl logtlhtr, •ntltr I he Nt~liottal Ctllh­ copal chairman of the Department of Catholic Action Study; olic Welfart Ccm/trmct, the v•riolu •gmcitJ by which Most Rev. Patrick A. O'Boyle, Archbishop of Washington, epis­ the cause of religiofl is f•rthtretl. &ch of thtst, con­ copal chairman of the Department of Social Act1on; Most Rev. tinuing its own sjJtci41 work. m its chosm fieltl, 'Will now Emmet M. Walsh, Bishop of Charleston, episcopal chairman o{ tltrive t~tltlititnu~l s•I!Jxn'l lhro.gh gmnlll coofJnt~liotf." the Legal Department; and Most Rev. Michael J. Ready, Bishop -From the 1919 Pastoral Letter of the of Columbus, episcopal chairman of the Press Department. Archbishops and Bishops of the U. S. RIGHT REv. MSGa. HoYAao J. CAu.oLL, S.T.D. OFFICERS OF THE General Secretary N.C.W.C. ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD VEI.T REv. MSGa. PAUL F. TANNEJ. Most Rev. John T. McNicholas, O.P., Archbishop of Cincin­ Assistant General Secretary nati, chairman of the Administrative Board and episcop;sl chair­ man of the Executive Department; Most Rev. Francis P. Keough, VERY REv. MsGR. PAUL F. TANNER Archbishop of Baltimore, vice chairman of the Administrative Board and '!piscopal chairm:m of the Department of Education; Editor Most Rev. john Mark Gannon, Bishop of Erie, treasurer of the EDITH H. JARBOE Administrative Board; Most Rev. John F. Noll, Bishop of Fort Assistant Editor Wayne, secretary of the Admini trative Board; Most Rev. Robert E. Lucey, Archbishop of San Antonio, episcopal chairman of the Opittions expressed in articles published i1~ this magazine are to Department of L:ty Organizations; Most Rev. Rich:trd J. Cushing, be regarded as those of the respective contributors. They do not Archbishop of Bo ton, epiScopal chairman of the Youth Depart­ necessarily carry with them the formal approval of tht Adminis­ ment; Most Rev. Joseph E. Ritter, Archbishop of St. Louis, epis- trative Board, Natronal Catholic Welfare CatJference.