The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-06-01

Azione Cattolica temporarily. The orders issued from Rome authorized such action If the situation war rants.
 | In Venice it was reported that all Catholic clubs and some Italian Protestant religious cities had closed their doors. which have been sealed and locked. All church documents are under police protection. In Naples it was reported that a few branches of Azione Cattoliea had been closed.
 i It was considered noteworthy that the Faseists' Ballila yesterday partie- ipated in the annual religious festival at Mount Carmel. Another pro- eession of lesser nature was post poned, allegedly because the road the procession was to traverse was under repair.
 Reports from Milan said police had closed major branches of Azione l Cattolica there.
 H None of the clubs had been closed at Genoa, it was reported.
 Closing of the branches in ali districts was effected without dis order.
 Rome headquarters of the Italian Y. M. C. A. and Y. w. C. A. said none of their activities had been cur tailed. Reports could not be con- firmed concerning rumored closing of Protestant clubs, similar to the Catholic ones, in some districts. not ably at Venice.
 Vatican City. June 1.-UP)-The Roman Catholic church, challenged by the fascist regime of Benito Mus solini called on its highest leaders to-day to fight for its freedom. Pope Plus, aroused by fascist re- strictions against Catholic clubs and other lay organizations, called an ex- traordinary meeting of the college of Cardinals. The Italian govern ment was virtually accused of bad faith by the pontiff, who apparently felt the terms of the 1929 lateran treaty were jeopardized.
 H The Cardinals met in the Consis- torial hall, some 24 leaders gather ing to hear the Pope outline the present situation and decide on ac- tion. The summons was regarded as particularly significant, inasmuch as the Pope rarely calls special ses- sions of this nature.
 The call for the meeting came as a climax to week of growing ten- sion between the Vatican and the fascist administration in Rome. The Italian government on Saturday closed branches of the Azione Catto- lica in Rome and gave provincial perfects discretion to disband rural branches. The Pope's protests were futile, although one club in Rome. St Crisognus. was permitted to re- open.
 Four Knights of Columbus play grounds in Rome were summarily closed. The playground at St Pe- ter's within Vatican territory, how ever, remained open. Edward l.. Hearn of Boston, director of the Knights of Columbus in Europe. will protest through the United States embassy, against the closing of the other piaygrounds.
 II Fascists and Catholics, clashed frequently during the last week. The Pope was denounced during the riots and his picture publicly de- faced by fascists. The government's action against Catholic lay organ izations Saturday followed, resulting in futile protests by the Pope and the calling of the Cardinals into
 Pope Plus, who celebrated his 74th birthday yesterday. was bitter about the fascist attitude.
 "One can exact life but cannot silence us." he said. ''I am sorry because of what has happened be- cause that which we held dearest both in Rome and throughout Italy namely the Azione cattoiica-prin' cIpaiiy it's young mems Christian bra nches--has been stricken" Tn his protest against the attacks on tho Catholic organization tho '':r "Ths ' storm broke yss.erda, against Catholic associations throughout Italy. lt waa q workable storm of legal raids. oonflhehtions seizures and violations. Yet. Just tht night before our Nuneio tto Italy was Informed that thefe was nt communication for him" III It was recalled that the f'epe'I first eneyeiieaI expressed . wish fgI pence and reconciliation with ftai, | aHa later his eneyeilenj on Christian marriage praised both Italy ant the fascist government, Hilii later lhe peps's letter Co Cardinal sehus ter ln connection Wiil ehArAel eaainsi the Aslens cnssei'eh at M'