The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-23
No. 2-COnt;nued From
Page One.

charities, we look with confidence to
our Catholic organizations. They have
given innumerable proofs of their real
zeal by defending the rights of the
church, by protecting young men and
women against moral dangers, and by
uniting their efforts for the promotion
Of worthy causes. They will now, in
the same Catholic spirit. put forth
their energies in spreading sound
ideas of social and industrial reform.
For these are urgently needed, not
only for the guidance of our immi-
grants, but also for the checking and
correction of tendencies which are
stirring up discord among our native
born citizens.
As life and its relations have their
origin in the home. whatever strength
4ans the family tie Will rebound TO the
good of society. On the contrary, all
those influences and tendencies which
weaken the bond established by mar
riage are pernicious. They destroy
home and corrupt our social relations
at the source.
The Catholic church does not and
will not sanction divorce in the abso-
lutte sense which permits either of
the separated parties TO remarry dur
ing the lifetime of the other. The
ease and frequency with which divorce
OF this kind is granted, make it a ma
tionaI scandal The. bond, which ought
to he most sacred, is regarded by too
many as a trivial circumstance, as
something of less Importance than an
ordinary business agreement. SO far
as safeguard of decency and purity
in the sex relation. In a permanent
union. that relation possesses human
character; in a temporary arrange
ment, It falls othe level of animal
impulse.
This degradation of marriage leads
to more intense selfishness by max
ing individual pleasure or within the
one decisive factor. 1t consequently
tends to deaden the spirit of charity
just where, naturally, love should be
strongest.
The sense of justice also will be
dulled. If the obligations assumed
through marriage can be so lightly
cancelled, it is hard to see what value
shall attach to other covenants when
these are not enforo BILE by law.
We went into the war and ended
it, In any material sense, we had
nothing 10 gain. We fought to make
the world n better place for all man
kind. In proclaiming our purpose,
we held up our country and it's insti-
tutions as the hope OF humanity. The
pledges I'VE gave must be redeemed.
AS our Holy Father. Pope Benedict
XIV, declares, the American people,
retaining a firm hold on the princi-
pies of reasonable liberty "A of Chris
tian civilization, are destined to have
the chief role in the restoration Of
peace and order on the basis of those
same principles, when the violence of
these tempestuous days shall have
passed.
Catholics will do their full share
toward the complete restoration of
peace. Withone mind and heart they
will labor for our country's advantage.
AS their patriotic efforts We're united
to such good effect through the ma
tiOnaI Catholic war council, we have
determined, for the ends of peace. to
maintain the spirit of union and CO.
ordination through the national
Catholic welfare council. Under
its direction our needs and prob
lens in the several fields of
tiOn on all matters affecting the church
and Catholic life. The work of our or
ganizations will be developed and di-
rccted toward the fuller attainment of
Catholic aims.