Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-27
CARDINAL 'SNEPHEW
!. SHOWS OPTIMISM
Praises Pope in Historical
( Paper for ConCordat
/. With Italy.

An optimistic view of the gradual
elimination of any friction between
church and state over interpretations
of the recent lateran concordat with
Italy was taken by Right Rev. Philip
Bernardini Of Catholic University, a
nephew of Cardinal Gasparri, papal
secretary of state, in paper read this
morning at the opening of the tenth
annual session of the American Cath
ole Historical Association in Mcmahon
Hall.
Referring to the concordat as per
hapS the best among the concordats
made by the popes in recent years."
the Right Rev. Bernardini stated in his
paper that "it is so good that if there
were not thousand other reasons to
contracting parties, it would almost
appear Suspicious !,
the paper was read, in the absence
of its author, by Rev. DR.. John K. Cart
wright, assistant pastor of st. Patrick's
Church and a lecturer in church history
at Sulpician Seminary. Right Rev. C.
F. Thomas presided.
Little by little" the paper set forth,
''aS those who were once political enc
will become rarer and more abundant
and apparent will be the results of this
providential collaboration of the church
and the Italian State"
As regards the subject matter of the
concordat, it was stated that nothing,
or almost nothing, at all in 1t will be
the occasion for serious conflict between
the two authorities"
During the months of experiment
within the new concordat, it was point
ed out, the only point that has given
place to any lively discussion has been
the application of article 43. Under
this article the Italian state recognizes
the auxiliary organizations of Azione
Cattolica Italiana, inaSmuch as these,
according to the regulations of the
Holy See. carry on their activities indie
pendently of all political parties and
under the immediate direction of the
hierarchy of the church for the teach
ing and practice of Catholic principles.
The cause of this friction, Right Rev.
Bernardini explained in his paper, was
due to the fear of the Fascist party
that the organizations would prove a
menace If they engaged in politics,
many of their leaders having been adj
herents of the former Popular or Cen
trail party in Italy.
"These are exaggerated fears, with
little or no serious foundation, but
which explain in some way the sus-
picion with which the government re-
CARDS these organizations, and how it
is possible for the overZealouS to cross
their limits or provoke unpleasant in
cidents," he said. But here, too, time
will furnish the remedy"
DR.. Edwin j. Ryan of Catholic Uni
versity, who discussed "Papal Con-
cordatS in Modern Times" declared
that the new concordat is not to be
treated like a scrap Of paper" and
that the Vatican recognizes its solemn
obligations under it.
"Old VincenneS-A Chapter in the
Ecclesiastical History of the Middle
West" was subject of paper read by
Rev. Gilbert j. Garraghan, S. j., of St.
Louis University. Clarence E. Martin
of MartinSburg, w. Va, discussed THE
Legal Aspects Of the English Penal
Laws" =
Members Of the historical association
had luncheon at the university with
the members Of The American Catholic
Philosophical Association, which is also
holding its annual session today.
At a business meeting following the
Historical Association elected DR.. Fran
els j. TSehan of Chicago, president to
succeed DR.. Leo Francis Stock, whose
term as president expires with the close
OF the sessions tomorrow. DR.. Tschan
Is professor OF history at the PennSyl-
vania State College.
DR.. Carlton j. H. Hayes of Columbia
University and Right Rev. M. j. Splain
of Brookline, Mass, were chosen first
and second vice presidents, respectively.
other officers were elected as follows:
Right Rev, C. F. Thomas of Washing
ton, treasurer: Rev. DR.. Peter Guilday
of Catholic University, secretary; Rev.
George B. Stratemeier of Catholic Uni
versity, assistant secretary, and Miss
Josephine Lyon Of Washington, archivist.
DR.. Guilday was reelected.
The following. executive council also
was elected: Rev. Augustine F. Hickey
of Cambridge, Mass; Rev. Robert How
ard Lord OF Boston. Mass; DR.. Leo
Francis Stock of Washington, James
j. Phelan of Brookline, Mass, and DR..
James j. Walsh of New York.
Earlier in the day the former execu-
tive council voted to begin a series of
annual volumes devoted to sources in
church history. The first volume will
be by DR.. Stock, entitled, Diplomatic
Correspondence Between the Vatican
and the United States Government"
dealing with the period between 1S47
and 1869.