The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-16
TO RELIEVE SMYRNA VICTIMS
Near East Work Is Approved by
Pope Piux XI,

q
In communication Just received
by william A. Biby, Kansas director
for Near East relief. from Gordon L.
Berry, European and league of nations
representative at Geneva of the Near
East relief, with whom Mr.. Biby re-
Gently travelled in Russia, Syria and
the Holy Land, Mr.. Berry informs
him that he has just spent an entire
week in visiting the Vatican in Rome
and had received very cordial recep-
ton and cooperation during the en-
tire period from His Holiness Pope
Plus XXI, Cardinal Gaspari, papal sec
rotary of state, by Catholic Patriarch
Herzian, and from Monsignor Bour-
gungini and MOnsignor OHern, rector
of the North American college in
Rome.
Mr.. Berry's communication also ad-
vises that Pope Plus has appropriated
$50 900 lire for relief of the Smyrna
victims. and that the pontiff evidenced
the keenest interest in and apprecia-
ton of photographs and detailed de-
scriptions of the Near East relief or
phanage and refugee work which Mr..
Berry showed him, extending in addi-
ton his blessings to the relief workers
| in this country and overseas. He
prayed that wisdom and strength may
! be granted them abundantly during
| these critical days, and expressed to
| Berry his sincere hope and conf
/ dence that Christian America and the
world would continue their support
| while needed.
The pontiff also dictated the fol-
| lowing meSSag e:
Speaking as a representative of
the Divine Redempter, who said,
| Whatsoever We shall do unto one of
these little ones is done unto me- it
| is with truest sincerity and with
| heartiest gratitude that His Holiness
| b1esses the work of Near East relief
| in the confidence that with their ma
iterial food the children will likewise
! be given the spiritual food for hearts
and souls, namely that they will be
fed with truth and above all religious
truth, and that they. be clothed not
| solely with material garments but
/ that their rairnent shall likewise be
| virtue, modesty, and obedience, the
| first being ever essential, the second
| making for dignity of the person and
of life. and the third being the prep
| aration for righteousness and all other
attributes Of life"
Monsignor O'Hern, referred to in
Mr.. Berry's communication, is for
mer Lawrence, Kan. BOY, who as a
child was well known to Father F. NJ
| Hayden of Topeka.
Mr.. Billy on his recent visit to
Rome made special visit to the
| country estate of the faculty and stu
dents of the North American college
for theS~principa1 purpose of inter-
viewing Monsignor O'Hern, whose
achievements as a Kansas. boy places
him among the foremost sons of the
| state Sent TO this great Institution by
the bishop of his diocese many years
ago as a student for the priesthood,
he has never left the college since that
time but has gradually assembled thru
his student period to the office of
vice-rector and now for some year 5
past rector of this great educational
institution.
On the occasion of Mr.. Bibys visit
to the country place Of the college, the
| summer period being spent by both
the faculty and the students on a
beautiful old estate located sixteen
| miles from Rome on the Appian road.
/ he was much disappointed to find that
Monsignor O'Hern was at that time
in France. Mr.. Biby later called upon
His Eoliness the Pope, where he re-
ceived from His Holiness and the
other officials of the Vatican the same
cordial reception mentioned by Mr..
Berry.