The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-10
WOMEN AWAIT
POPE'S SANCTION
OF THEIR CAUSE
announcement of Benedict XIV,
on Feminism, Awaited
With Interest
EXPECTED TO SHED NEW
LIGHT ON QUESTION
Italy Essentially Reactionary on
Subject of Woman's
Rights
Ry ALICE ROBE.

ROME, Nov. l5.-(By mail toEAew
York. Catholic women the world
over are awaiting with interest the
announcement OF the policy OF Pope
Benedict XIV in regard 10 the so-called
woman Question-feminism.
| The attitude OF the late holy father.
Pope Plus X, is well known, and in,
asmuch as Benedict XIV lis deyiating
from the simple and somewhat hong
/ ly policy OF the peasant pope" in re
gard TO ceremonials, Catholic women
are wondering whether the rigor OF
conventions VIII give them less or
the mastery OF diplomacy will give
them greater freedom.
At the heads of the 'Unione dele
dome Italiene" whose branch IN
America is the Catholic Woman's
league is Donna Cristinl Randini. I'm
der the papacy OF Pope Plus, Donna
Bandini enjoyed the greatest favor
and now that her presidency has
been sanctioned by Pope Benedict
who will soon grant her private
audience. the women OF Italy are an
/ ticipating an outline Of the holy
fathers policy at that time. Then
Pope Benedict will indicate TO the
head OF the "Unione dele dome Cath
oliche Italiene" his attitude. his de-
sire in regard To so-called feminism.
Feminism among the Catholic wom-
en- OF Italy is. however, a tar different
thing than feminism in America.
Pope Plus X who encouraged the
work OF Dome Bandini, looked with
disapproval upon the trend OF femin-
ism in OTIS accepted sense. While in
America where women have acquired
| so much in their convention. we are
accustomed TO hear the cry that they
have no place on politics, here In
Rome where the church regards WON
ANS place as the home exclusively her
mission in the "feminilt' movement Is
essentially political. Indeed, Pope
Plus X intimated TO the Catholic
women OF the unione that their In
terests outside the home should be
confined 10 the church. But strange
TO say In direct contrast TO the broad
charitable work OF Catholic women IN
America, the mission OF the unione in
Italy is purely political So far their
efforts have been mainly directed to-
ward establishing religious instruc-
ton in the schools and the gaining OF
permission for religious professions.
| Whether Pope Benedict XIV will
broaden the field of endeayor is a
much discussed question.
AS will be remembered. Pope Bene-
dict XIV when archbishop OF Bologna,
/ placed the ban upon the tango. But
quite naturally taHgeism- and femin-
ism have nothing in common so that
rather urgent message OF disapproyal
sent 10 his people has not been re-
garded as an indication OF an anti
| liberal policy.
| As a diplomat OF splendid attain
ments and finesse the present pontiff
is expected to bring new light upon
the field OF feminism which, outside
| OF Italy, is considered one OF the
| greatest questions OF the hour
| Italy, however. is essentially reac-
tionary In regard TO "woman's eyolu-
ton"
Ask an intelligent Italian woman
one who speaks three or four Ian
guages-what is the the status OF
feminism In Italy, and she does not
know nor understand the significance
OF the question. She will give you the
names, provided she is one who reads
the daily papers. of certain women
Iwho are agitating the evolution or
their own particular class-their
emancipation from certain restric-
Itions, but as a great wave OF sex eyo-
,lution-emancipation the issue Is un-
lderstood among mere handful OF
thinkers.
In a recent interview, Prof. Anita
Hagliari. educator and writer, spoke
without restriction in regard to what
she called the political puppetism OF
the Catholic Women's union. That
they are separated from the broader
feminism is her plant. Quite natur'
ally the Catholic women look with
ldisfavor upon the alien camp while
lthey await anxiously word from the
holy father as to just how far they
may be permitted TO enter into the
woman's work in its newer interpreta-
ton.
Pope Benedict XIV realizing the I'm
lmense power which may be welded
lby woman In social and political work
is expected to broaden the field OF
possibilities OF the "nnione," such
noted writer's as Dora Melegari dem
,onstrated strong reactionary tendency
I-deploring the actions OF radical fem
inists-as they apparently regard suf
fragettes.
The discussion. however, OF femin
lists and femminile concern not the
Catholic women who are awaiting the
audience granted Donna Cristini Ban
DIM. Then Benedict XIV who, despite
the great problem besetting the be
ginning OF his papal reign. has ever
an eye upon the work OF the Catholic
women-will decide whether or not
they shall enjoy greater or less free
dom than In the days OF the peasant
pope"