The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-06-14

10 secure a sympathetic hearing from
our separated brethren by articles
calculated to inform the mont Catholic
public on Catholic teaching, practices
and endeavors? The world outside
the Church is not maliciously antagon.
lstic to us. It's opposition is due to
misconceptions of the Church and her
ambitions. We need to reach the non
| catholic world, and the most effective
means by which it can be reached is
the secular press.
8. The Catholic Press,
The children of the world are wiser
IN their way than the children of
nght. Certainly, there is no compari-
son between the secular and the re-
nslous press, as regards the interest
OF the reading matter which each pro-
Vldes. The Catholic press has begun
10 initiate the secular press with its
central news associations and bureaus
1or syndicated articles. Such associa-
lions and bureaus could raisest tone
and helghten the interest of our week
~ HhS III C0CllJ llluS, lHG
hierarchy has taken no concerted ac-
ton on behalf of the Catholic press.
In view of the immense influence for
good which popular press could
have on our people, it is worthy of in
quiry whether we cannot come to its
aid.
9. Legislation.
There are many signs of increasing
hostility to the Church and of a de-
sire to translate this hostility into
legislation, whether national or state
we have hardly had any policy at all
IN regard to such matters and fire.
quently have only realized the inten-
lions OF our enemies when the hostile
laws were already enacted. The very
success and growing success of the
Church will make our enemies double
their hatred and their cunning. Most
OF the legislation hurtful to us, how
ever, is passed without any thought of
lnJurlng us. What means should we
take to know proposed measures of
legislation and to prevent, if possible,
what is harmful? If we take anv
step in this direction, although all
Protestant churches have representa-
tlves in Washington as all interests
have, except ourselves, the cry will be
raised that the Church is in politics:
but that cry has been heard all our
lives and in all generations back to
the Sanhedrin that condemned Christ,
1t is matter, however, which we
must carefully consider and upon
which the Hierarchy will desire a re-
port.
10. Catholic Bureau.
1t is evident, at any rate, that the
General Committee on Catholic Inter
ests and Affairs will need headquar-
tiers and clerical assistance; other
wise it would be unable to realize the
purpose of it's creation. Steps should
be taken before long to establish such
bureau.
II. Finances.
Evidently, too, the plan of action
which | have outlined postulates a
generous financial support. Our ex-
penses, however, in the campaign fer
funds during the last two years should
make us realize, as we have never
done before, our possibilities. | am
bound to say, however, that | have
not yet attained the confidence of
some members of the Hierarchy in
obi 70
meeting one distinguished Archbishop
suggested raising a million dollars for
the Holy Father. Another Bishop
suggests four millions annually for all
Catholic purposes, and still another
would set the mark at five millions
| am sure at any rate, dear Bishops,
that the Hierarchy would welcome the
judgment which your own experience
in the United War Work campaign
would lead you to form.
The foregoing plan, | must admit,
is very comprehensive one and fur
nishes almost enough matter of
thought for Plenary Council 1t is a
plan that perhaps cannot soon be
realized in all it's scope, yet | have
thought it worth while to sketch the
outline in full. Some of the ideas
may be realized soon and others may
be seed soWn now which will sprout
and bear fruit only after many years.
rely on your excellent practical
judgment to select for our program
the most urgent matters and the most
nr0miSinp ideas and 7 trI1ct that when
the Hierarchy meets next, our Gen
eral Committee on Catholic Interests
and Affairs will be able to present
workable plan of important things
that ought soon to be accomplished.
I remain, my dear Bishops,
Faithfully yours in Christ,
CARDINAL GIRRONS