Evening star., 1928-03-28
ITALIANS ANSWER
PAPAL CRITICISM
National Catholic Party Calls
for Explanation of Charges
of Sighting Church.
~ the Associated Press.

ROME. March 2s.-The National
Catholic Center party replying 70 the
address Of Pope Plus before the diocesan
board Of Rome declares in q conmu-
nioue that the PontiGs judgments
sSadden the consciences Of Catholics
sincerely and profoundly devoted 20 the
church and Pope
The pope criticized the party for
alleged sighting Of its religious charac-
ter in favor of closer cooperation with
the Fascist government.
b His criticisms. the communicate con-
tinues. "neceSSitate prompt and need
f,Il explanations II adds that news
oaoer reports Of the meetings in the
CAPITAL we're hastily prepared and neccs-
Sarily incomplete.
Defines Membership.
The party defines its makeup as
can association Of Italians processing
Catholic principles but developing their
political activity under their own in
eiividusl responsibility, clearly distinct
therefore from associations OF 1tahan
Catholics in the action Of which. never
theleSS, many members Of the NauohsI
Italian Center are active as well as
many other Catholics Of diverse political
thought and attitude"
Among the latter, the communicate
saws there are q number Of regularly
enrolled Fascist. Therefore. II con-
ttnues. in view Of the political charac-
ter of the SSociation-wherefore en-
rollrnent Of members of the clergy
therein is prohibited--it was believed
TO be- an act Of dutiful Difference as
well as in conformity with well known
precedents not TO solicit upon the oc-
casion Of the recent meeting the high
honor Of being received by the Holy
Father"
The communioue likewise protests re-
spectfully against criticism OF their
holding the convention in Rome, where
in past years there have been frequent
political manifestations by Italian
Catholics.
AS to the incriminsted speeches and
manifesto tons Of the conventions, the
eon1munioue SAYS that it seems OPP
perfume 70 recall that the three reports
read. after taking note Of the benefits
resulting bv Premier MuSSolini's effort
and the work Of his regime. were all
concluded by the respective orators
with a reference as TO what remains
70 be done for the church, They
also referred. il continues. 10 difficulties
vet 70 be surmounted, and with the ap-
peal 70 ali men or gooQ VIII 10 CO.
operate for q realization of a program
''of full application of the principles
that Catholics have al heart"
Explains Church State Stand.
'Tf. apropos Of the Roman question"
the communicate says. the church and
state we're spoken Of together it was
because-after our absolute incompe-
eence TO discuss and decide that most
delicate problem-the eventual solution
ought 10 be left 10 the sole and su-
prenne Judgment Of the Pope. That is
our view as Catholics, and as Italians
ne invoked the wisdom and the new
spirit aninating the action OF the
states directors"
This stand was taken. the communi-
cue resumes, because it vas wanted TO
make clear that practically the solu-
ton In question could result only from
an agreement directly concluded be-
tween both the church and the state
"as has been often authoriatiyely de-
clarec"
The communique concludes. The
National Catholic Center. in fun IN
cisputsble homage 70 the supreme
religious authority. reaflrms its own
loyal and active adhesion IN the
Fsscist regime In its effort to renoyate
italian life convinced that its own ac-
ton may prove useful for the defense
Of religious principles and the welfare
Of the fafherland"