The Irish standard., 1915-06-26
Father, the Pope. The world needs

Father, the Pope. The world needs
him.
He has spoken words of peace, gent
ly appealing as father, pleading for
his children, and, even in the fierce
din and turmoil of battle, his voice
has been heard and respected. For
US Catholics this interpretation of the
Holy See, on behalf of the wounded
and the calm and lofty attitude of
strict impartiality, with which it has
been exercised, is very grateful and
leads US to hope that these movements
towards return to the true fold may
grow, and lead to great extension of
Gods Kingdom upon earth.
Humanity speaking, there will be
much to favor them in the inevitable
consequences of this disastrous war.
In the deep and universal sorrow, in
which all Europe will be plunged, men
may see and feel the Christening hand
of Gods judgments; the very necessi-
ties of life will cut off much of the
luxury, and almost Pagan self-indul-
gence, which had grown to such a
height of Righteousness; a simpler
and more sober style of living will be
congenial, to religious thought which,
by Gods grace, may raise men above
the gross materialism into which they
had fallen.
In these, and thousand other ways,
OF which we have no conception, God
may gather from this dreadful war
unexpected fruits Of bIessedness for
men.
His Wisdom and Power and Love
are over all our human existence, and,
in the darkest hour, the thought of
His Providence should fill us with
hope and courage.
But we must take the lessons which
He sends us, and read them in the
light of our holy faith.
We must see in this devastating war
the punishment Of sin, and the ret
rtbution which irreIigious principles
have brought upon the world.
Men had turned away from God, and
had grown insolent in the conscious
ness of their prosperity. Already they
are in different frame of mind, and,
before the war is over, they will look
at life and it's duties in a humber and
wiser spirit.
The enormous destruction of wealth
that is going on daily will probably
compel the different nations Of Europe,
for years to come, to forego much Of
their warlike ardor, and turn from
the luxury and corruption for which
they are now paying 80 dearly.
1t will be our privilege to pray to
God to strengthen these feelings and
to further, according to the purposes
of His Providence, all movements that
make for peace and for the extension
of His Kingdom upon earth.
But as we approach the throne of
Mercy, we must be careful lest any
spirit Of pride or pharisaical self-com-
placency enter into our thoughts. If
we have been saved from the irrelig-
ion and corresponding decay of morals
that have worked such havoc in other
countries, we owe it not to ourselves,
but to the protection of Gods grace.
And for that very reason when we ask
God to turn away the scourges of His
anger, we should remember with true
humility, that we. too, have sinned;
that we, too, by our unfaithfulness in
many ways, have a share in the guilt
which is now being punished.
We have much to repent Of and
correct it we are to approach our
Father in heaven with proper dispo.
sitions.
1t should be our duty to look into
our consciences and see our offences
against God; to humble ourselves in
His Sacred Presence and seek His
Pardon, and thus to commend our
prayers for peace to His Divine Mercy.
Assuredly God will hear us. His
Church, which He has sanctified in
His Blood, now pleads with Him and
we may be confident that her petitions
will not be sent up in vain.
We ask for peace. It was the Sacred
gift of Christ, Our Lord, to men
Peace I leave unto you; My peace l
give to you, not as the world gives, do
I give unto you" John, XIV, ~.
1t has been broken by the sins of
men; pride, ambition, lust of power,
hatred and jealousy have brought, in
its stead, this terrible war.
We beg Of you, Blessed Lord and
Savior, to touch the sinful minds OF
men and to breathe into them the
spirit Of His peace-peace between
the nations and between man and his
God.
In particular, we pray for all our
fellow.countrymen and fellow-citizens
who are engaged in this war.
And we pray with all our hearts, for
our own country that God, in this
crisis of the worlds history, would
bless and save her, and unite all her
children in the bonds of peace and
charity, for the common good.