Evening star., 1935-12-24
POPE IS GR|EvED
AS PEACE WAITS
Admits Hope for Christmas
Harmony Impossible
of Realization.
BY the Associated Press.

| VATICAN CITY, December a.
Pope Plus sadly admitted today that
his hope for Christmas Of peace
would not be fulfilled.
He told "a cardinals who brought
him Christmas greetings that I'VE
have not abandoned hope" but that
these are moments darkened by
melancholy, menacing clouds and hu-
man bloodshed."
His holiness told his prelates:
These are days of the gravest pre-
occupation, holding the world in
painful and tormenting suspense. We
truly wish to find and to make a
beneficial contribution to all these
sad and complex problems.
Until now, we had hoped to bring
today, in this beautiful hour serene.
reassuring word.
"Our hope has not been fulfilled.
"This is not to say that we have
abandoned hope. We cannot. and
that is a happy situation for hope
maintained even in the worst hy-
pothesis, because for us hope is duty
and is deeply embedded in Christian
life.
Future Held Menacing
"We have come to Christmas IN
moments darkened by melancholy,
menacing clouds and human blood
shed The way has become so bitter,
difficult, and even menacing, that one
might say in mountaineering Ian
guage it is full of dangerous steps.
I'VE have travelled this road with
truly heavy and painful thoughts un-
til finally We are preoccupied with the
peace that is endangered and the
menace of war. May God dissipate
these visions!"
His holiness said he regretted to
hear voices from immense regions of
great peoples continuing to cry with
out God" He was understood to be
referring to Russia, Mexico and Ger
many.
In an unannounced encyclical on
priesthood" the Pope also counseled
the clergy to be "healthily modern. u
The Pontiff's letter was dated Decem-
Der 20. the day after he completed
elevation of 20 new cardinals. 1t was
the 56th anniversary Of the Pope 5
ordination.
Practical Advice Given.
The encyclical dealt in detail with
the priests mental equipment, duty
and education, and concluded with
practical advice"
The priest, the encyclical said, is
another Christ" and must have a
thorough grasp of sacred learning, but
also must be graced by no less knowl-
edge and culture than is usual among
the well-bred, well-educated people OF
his day
The Pope added that the priest
must be as healthily modern as is
the church, which is at home In all
times and all places, and welcomes
all; which blesses and furthers
healthy initiative and has no fear OF
progress, even the most daring prog
ress of science, so only that it be true
science"
The encyclical said priest should
maintain close cooperation with the
laity.
Pope Plus exhorted the priesthood
to godliness of solid conviction and
real well doing, instead of shallow,
superficial piety which attracts, but
does not nourish, which is busy, but
does no solid good"
Terms Are General.
The encyclical dealt in the most
general terms with the present world
turmoil.
Truths preached" wrote the Pope
cannot but make for moral educa-
ton, for social concord, and for the
peaceful development Of the peoples. y
His holiness added: "In the clash
OF selfish interests, unleashed hates
and dark plans of revenge, nothing
could more powerfully heal than to
proclaim loudly the new command
ment' Of Christ.
That commandment enjoins love
which extends to all and knows nc
barriers or national boundaries, ex-
cludes no race and excepts not even
its own enemies"
The encyclical also held note oi
optimism.
Together with much corruption
and diabolical malice" it said, there
is everywhere felt the powerful re-
ligious and spiritual awakening breath
Of the Holy Spirit"
The letter justified the celibacy Of
clergy as having proved its desirable
ity and utility" yet the practice toi
marriage) of the clergy of the Eastern
churches was declared legitimate anc
any intention to disapprove their Gus.
tom was disclaimed.
| The encvclical was the pnne,s mes.