The advocates of distributism Quinn noted, contrary to the assertions of critics, were not dreamers or failures, but were successful, smart, and even cynical. The distributists' pleas for ownership, small industry, local control, family rights, were, said Quinn, very popular with the people of England in the period between the World Wars. Chesterton, said Fr. John Saward, professor of theology at St. Charles' Seminary in Philadelphia, and an internationally recognized authority on von Balthasar, spoke on the similarities between the two giants of 20th-century Catholicism. These two men hold the seeds of spring.
Good humor is the expression of the humility of hope.
Saward showed how both Chesterton and von Balthasar are united by their war against pessimism. Powerful Carthage, consumed by money worship, consummate traders, dedicated child-sacrificers, was hated by Rome, which set out to destroy it. If we are to declare our intent to destroy Carthage and all its works, we must do it in the language of the Scipios. Jenkins' talk was not received warmly by the conference participants, and a spirited debate followed. The Cardinal's Homily The Chesterton conference concluded on Sunday with Mass at St. Basil's Church, presided over by G. Emmett Cardinal Carter.