Evening star., 1936-07-25
.COUGHL|N MATTER
HIS CONCERN, SAYS.
BISHOP GALLAGHER.
Denies Vatican Intervened,
Citing Rome's Lack of
Jurisdiction.
PLACES APPROVAL ON
ACTIVITIES OF PRIEST
Declares Public Opinion Is Be-
hind Pastor, as He Arrives
in Naples.
BY the Associated Press.


NAPLES, July 25.-Bishop Michael
Gallagher of Detroit, arriving here
today, denied absolutely his visit to
the Vatican had anything to do with
the activities of Father Charles E
Coughlin, radio priest. who recently
verbally attacked President Roosevelt
THE Vatican never intervened in
the Coughlin matter" said Bishop
Gallagher.
1T couldn't intervene inasmuch as
the head of all priests in the diocese
of Detroit-therefore, also, the su-
perior of Father Coughlin-is myself
1T must be, therefore, for myself
to make observations about Father
Coughlin, not the Vatican"
If the Pope should ask him about
Father Coughlin, Bishop Gallagher
said, II will say Father Coughlin
speaks for the people. not for the
William Lemke party.
"He said some very just things and
very acute things, and because his
prieStly mission is exactly that he is
occupying himself with the needs OF
the people.
II absolutely cannot speak con-
trary to Father Coughlin."
Bishop Gallagher declared the De-
troit priest was in accord with the
Roosevelt government at first. be
cause President Roosevelt promised
above all a realization Of some pro-
visions regarding monetary affairs and
the well-being of the people.
Instead, Roosevelt changed his
policies, not keeping faith with his
promises Therefore Father Coughlin
now is against the President"
People With Coughlin.
The bishop, standing on the deck
of the Italian liner Rex overlooking
Naples Harbor, continued:
In regard to American public
opinion, those who have studied the
social and economic problems deeply
are with Father Coughlin.
Others are those who look upon
the problems of life very specifically
They criticize the words of Father
Coughlin. who has many enemies
above all because he tries to suffocate
private speculation in order to put
all under the control of the State fol
the benefit Of the people, and because
private industry brings wealth to
few and misery to many, while con-
troll by the State guarantees the we'll
being of the people"
Explains Use of Encyclicals.
With reference to the priests use
of pspal encyclicalS, Bishop Gallagher
said Father Coughlin carries on re-
ligious action through the radio, ex-
planning the principles Of the encycli-
cal Of Pope Leo XIII called 'rerun
nomarum.'
THE principles of this encyclica
should induce the governors to occupy
themselves with the well-being of tht
people.
This is why I cannot be agains
Father Coughlin. The propaganda
which he makes most efficacious can
not but give good results"
Bishop Gallagher said he woulc
spend a month in Italy. II came Il
Italy absolutely for rest" he said
but above all because it gives me al
opportunity to visit the Pope upon th'
occasion of his celebration of hi
eightieth year Of life.
II did not wish to miss this trip II
Italy also because in my diocese o.
Detroit there is very large group o
Italians"
The bishop then said most en-
phatically. II have always sought dur.
ing my life not to engage in politics
this I will continue to do.
Even less do intend to occupy my.
self with politics on this trip"
To Italian correspondents thu
bishop remarked, nodding toward q
fotilla of submarines, these are what
made John Bull fiee."
He told the correspondents he hac
been heartily with Italy in the Italo.
Ethiopian war, strongly opposed to tht
imposition of an American petroleum
embargo, and celebrated te deum II