Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-03

ACCORD REPORTED
Catholic Church to Be Allowed
to Garry on Religious Work
In Soviet Domain.
BY CARROLL BINDER.
By Radio s V r; os sssr ssa ssAe.i' D.

By Rsdio e The star end CheaEe Daily
ROME, April 3.--The Vatican n
scoring fresh diplomatic success
which, In the years to come. may rival
In Importance the recently concluded
concordat with italy.
This correspondent Is able to an.
nounce authoritatively today that the
Holy See and the Soviet government
have reached an agreement for the free
function Of the Roman Catholic re-
ligion In Russia. Barring unforeseen
impediments, q formal accord VIII
presently be drawn up by which the
Vatican viii recognize the Soviet gov
eminent and the church win embark on
an extensive religious campaign in Rus
sia with the full consent Of the gov.
eminent.
It is expected that the 1olsheviks.
despite their oficial prediction for
Atheism, will send an ambassador TO
the Holy See. Conlmissar o. Education
Lunacharsky Ia being mentioned for
that post.
Russia Would Benefit.
Russia derives benefits from the &C.
cord In the way OF the coveted recog-
milton Of the Soviet government by the
HOLY See and. secondly, in the under.
taking by the Vatican to keep Catholic
activities In Russia strictly non.politi-
cal. In other words the Roman hier.
archy viii exercise Its influence TO see
that the Soviet regime q not embar.
raised by hostile propaganda from the
Catholic clergy and laity.
If the present auspicious negotiations
are contaminated Rome will be able to
crafty o long standing desire TO ex-
tend its influence in Russia, and, OF
course, to ameliorate the position OF
Roman communicates dwelling In the
confines Of Russia-both being prof.
ects especially Cherished. by Pope Plus
XXI. But the deepest significance II In
the possibility Of Q reconciliation Of the
orthodox church with Rome, as q. re-
suit of the large penetration Of Roman
ism In Russia. The schism between
these great branches Of Catholicism has
always worried Rene, which has sought
o reconciliation, but invariably on the
grounds Of the orthodox church SUBJ
Knitting TO the Pope's~ spiritual author
ity.
So long as the csars lived and d.
rected the orthodox church, the recon-
Citation movements made no headway
and Roman propaganda In Russia was
under difficulties. The orthodox church
lost is leadership with the abolition of
carbon and suffered severely under
the relentless Bolshevist anti-religious
campaign during the early years Of the
Russian revolution. The Vatican sought
to convert the leaderless orthodox
church, but its efforts also were handi-
capped by Bolshevist antipathy to
clericalism Of any shape.
Protestants Take Steps.
Meanwhile leaders Of the Protestant
religion, especially among the Episco-
paiians, sought reconciliation with
the orthodox church--this, Of course,
giving no little worry 70 the Vatican.
The Baptists and other Protestant sects
which was apparently well financed.
Pope Plus never lost sight Of the Rus
sian field for Romanism. Besides re-
peated declarations o. Il -~~sonai In
terest in the Russian, II. psntiff de-
veloped O college In Rome for training
Russian priests In preparation for the
day when work would be possible in
Russia. Catholicism has another coll
lege for Russian priests at Lille, France,
and school for Russian monks con-
Quoted by the Benedictines in Asia
Minor. Only monks are eligible for
bishroprics and higher ecclesiastic posts
in Russia. Students in these schools
are obliged to leave Russia stealthily,
as the government has frowned on their
going abroad for religious purposes.
Under the new tentative agreement
students viii be free to leave Russia for
the Roman colleges.