Evening star., 1936-11-19
Msgr. Corrigun Inaugurated
Sixth Rector of Catholic u.
Delivers Inaugural address Before 5000
Prelates, Diplomats and Coz.
ernrnent Officials.

With impressive ceremonies that
brought together leaders Of the Cath
olic hierarchy from throughout the
United States, Right Rev. Joseph Mo-
ran Corrigan, D. D., was inaugurated
sixth rector of Catholic University
yesterday afternoon.
Msgr Corrigan. delivering his inau-
-gural address before approximately
5000 persons, including prelates. uni
versity professors, diplomats. Govern
ment officials and representatives OF
300 educational institutions, sounded a
note of progress when he said "our
theme must be the destined contribu-
ton of this university to Americas to-
morrow. This is no hour for looking
backward"
The decree issued by Pope Plus
March Is of this year, naming Msgr.
Corrigan rector of the university for
a term of five years, was read to the
gathering in the university gymna-
SUM by Most Rev. Michael j. Curley,
D. D., Archbishop Of Baltimore and
chancellor OF the university. Msgr.
Corrigan succeeds Most Rev. James
Hugh Ryan, who was appointed Bish-
op of Omaha. The new rector comes
from ST. Charles Borromeo Semi
nary, Overlook, Pa, where he was
rector for II years.
The inaugural exercises in the
gymnasium followed a long procession
of cardinals, archbishops. bishops,
priests, faculty members and repre-
sentatives of other institutions Of
higher education that formed in front
of Mcmahon Hall.
Two Cardinals Participate.
Two cardinals participated In the
program, Patrick Cardinal Hayes of
New York, who delivered the invoca-
ton, and Dennis Cardinal Dougherty
of Boston. who addressed the gath
ering on behalf of the Board Of Trus-
tees. Most Rev. Amieto Cicognani,
apostolic delegate to the United States,
headed the visiting prelates.
Honorary degrees Of doctor Of laws
were conferred by Right Rev. Patrick
]. Mccormick, Phi. D., vice rector OF
the university, upon Associate Justice
Pierce Butler of the United States
Supreme Court, and the Right Rev.
Michael j. Lavelle, vicar general Of
the archdiocese of New York.
Msgr. Corrigan sounded a note OF
opposition to communism in his inau-
gural address.
I'VE are witnesses Of rapidly
changing conditions in our country.
he said. "Only one of those changes
must we really fear; that is the new
alignment under the two banners OF
society. On one is emblazoned the
words, With God; on the other
Against Cod The most momentous
decision for the individual. for the
family. for the school, for the state
to make is, Am I with God or against
God?' Units are multiplying on al
sides, fanaticaI in their enthusiasm tc
win recruits against belief In God
Reason alone can prove by its owr
native power that God exists.
Those who deny the existence oi
a personal God are logical in reject
ing all sanctions of our present civili-
alton and in insisting that physical
force alone can restrain. There Il
little wonder that communism Is in
creasing its force.
This Catholic University" declared
Msgr. Corrigan. bears aloft the ban.
ner With God reasons proof ol
Gods existence, belief In God, tht
science of God and of mans tending
toward God who created him. ant
Christ, who is at once God and mar
the very heart and soul of this uni
versity.
THE Catholic University, Of course
is concerned primarily with knowledge
and scientific truth. As q Catholic
university, it cannot overlook the fact
that for various reasons, immigration
for example, disproportionate num-
ber of the working population and Of
the poor in the United States ART
Catholic. They have a right, there
fore, to have the Catholic doctrines
Of social justice applied to American
society and it would seem that the
Catholic University has the CORE
spending obligation to make Catholic
doctrine a part of American life, Il
the benefit of Catholics, indeed, but
also to the entire people"
Bishop Ryan, rector emeritus, wa,
greeted with wide applause when h,