The Washington herald., 1914-03-08
Important Feature Added to
Roman Catholic Program

Not the least important feature of the
social service propaganda now being ac-
lively promoted by the Catholics of
America is the Catholic theater move
ment. inaugurated in New York City one
year ago by Mgr. NJ. J. Lavelle, vica gen.
eral, at the instance of Cardinal Farley.
and which has now advocated its first
practical measure-inviting people>to send
on cards issued for the purpose, to the
officials pledges to refrain from patroniz-
ing indecent and immoral plays. In con-
nection with this action the officials have
compiled a list of plays which they deem
suitable of patronage. and to which ad-
ditions will be made constantly. This is
known as the white list" Those In
charge Of the movement have wisely de-
cided not to nave a black list" for the
reason. as they point out. that rather
than answer a good purpose, il would
serve as an excellent advertisement for
the plays they deem bad. Copies of the
bulletin containing the list with pledges
are being sent broadcast throughout the
country, and they hope that the move
ment will ere long be national in scope.
One Of its purposes is to assist the pub
lie officials in their efforts to carry out
the laws regulating public amusements.
The movement began in New York City
because it is considered the greatest the
atrical center in America After IL is in
full operation there it will be inaugu-
rated, II Is expected in every other city
under local civic leaders. For the pur-
pose of forwarding the work the Catholic
press and the parish calendars will be
utilized, and an effort will be made to
secure the cooperation of the secular
journals. The promoters aim to formu-
late civic and national opinion by de-
grees so that t will voice a demand to the
State authorities for permanent and
Christian regulation of the stage. In the
headquarters of the officials, IS East Six
ty-fifth street, is being compiled a card
catalogue classifying the output of an the
theaters In the "ity, and eventually those
of the entire country will be included in
the list.
II the cardinal named in petto and not
yet proclaimed be counted. the very un-
usual situation obtains of exactly the
same number OF foreigners as Italians In
the membership of the Sacred College of
the Roman Catholic Church. Such situ-
alton has not happened before in a GEN.
tury at least, possibly far longer period.
It comes about through the death of
Cardinal Gennari, just announced. Were
a conclave to be held now the italian
balance of power, allowing that there is
such a thing in the college, would be
cent Catholic Church history.
To complicate matters at the vatican II
is essential, because of the concordats
with various nations, to create and pro-
claim by the approaching consistory four
new foreign cardinals, and at least six
new foreign ones are expected. Such step
makes necessary the creation of a most
unusual number of new Italian cardinals
The foreign ones include the archbishops
of Toledo in Spain. Vienna in Austria,
Cologne in Germany and the cardinal
primate of Hungary. There is now but
one living German cardinal, SO that more
than one new one may be looked for at
this consistory. Fortunately for the
Italian balance there are large numbers
OF Italian prelates in line.
Whatever may be the situation in the
college it may be reckoned as final that
the next Pope. whenever a conclavc
comes, will not be other than Italian.
This can be set down on the highest sIl-
thority. AL reports to the. contrary are
idle, and are not credited BIZ wel-in-