Evening star., 1937-01-02
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

DI tVhAbo
Religion during 1885 <fffered botl
gains and losses throughout the world
But the year ended with hope anc
confident expectancy among the lead
ers of all religious groups, in the judg
ment of spokesmen of the Catholic
Protestant and Hebrew communitie.
of Washington
The Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J
Ready, general secretary Of the Ma.
tional Catholic Welfare Conference
speaking for the first of these three
groups yesterday, said: The Catholic
news of 1886 was marked by an un.
usual variety Of joy and sorrow. II
We consider only the church in the
United States, there is cause for re.
joicing
The holy fathers 10th birthday
was celebrated in our country on May
81 in a glad jubilee spirit. Plus Xl
has, perhaps, as no other pontiff, be-
come familiarly known to Americans
His radio broadcasts. his frequent al
locutionS and especially the famou,
encyclical letters on social subjects
have brought the beloved chief shep-
herd close to us in knowledge and dear
to us in affection.
A Season Of Devotion.
"The whole month of May. in his
honor, was designated by the bishops
as a season Of special commemoration
Of the renowned encyclicals 'Rerum
Novarum' and 'Quadragesimo Ammo.
as a practical form of manifesting 10y
atty and devotion to the holy father
and at the same time of extending the
influence of these treaties on the prin-
ciples governing true Christian So
ciety. Plus XII wrote the latter ency-
clical to reaffirm and to apply present
needs the social doctrine of Leo XIII.
The program was marked by such sue
cess that, it likely will become an an
nual celebration"
Msgr. Ready also commented on
Cardinal Pacelli's visit to America.
He was the first papal secretary OF
state to come to the United States,
he explained, land he toured the
continent from coast to coast gain
ing first-hand knowledge of the paro-
chial, educational and charitable Or
ganization of the church throughout
the country"
Catholics everywhere in the United
States. Msgr. Ready continued, were
honored by the holy fathers selection
of an American cardinal. Dennis
Dougherty. Archbishop of Philadel-
phia. to be the papal legate to the
forthcoming Thirty-third Interna-
tional Eucharistic Congress at Ma
nila--"a gracious recognition OF the
friendship of our country for the
Philippine people
Headline News.
Other developments which Msgr
Ready mentioned as signs of advance
included: Provision Of seminary
for the ecclesiastical students of the
Mexican Church. erection of the six
teenth ecclesiastical province by for
nation OF the archdiocese of Los An
geles and the establishment Of the
diocese of San Diego, and organization
for greater efficiency Of the Legion OF
Decency in behalf Of more wholesome
cinema recreation The only en-
cyeiieal letter issued during the year
was the 'Vigilanti Cura." in which
the holy father urged the bishops OF
the world to exercise painstakine
vigilance" in setting UP in all nation,
method OF procedure parallellng the
action Of the American bishops ir
combating salacious films.
These events" MSgr. Ready said
were. in sense, the headline new,
for the church In the United States
But important works OF religion were
done day by day by the rather anon
ymous forces emanating from parish
church, school. college. mission. hos
pltal. ofphanage, protectory and tina,
great variety OF organizations fol
piety, education and mercy which arr
common to Catholic life in America
and throughout the world.
Under the general direction of tn,
National Catholic Welfare Conference
programs were promoted for the bet.
ter participation Of the laity il
church work and civic corporation
Among these we're the meetings il
various cities OF the Conferences OF
Industrial Problems, Internationa
Peace, Rural Life, Family Life ant
Youth. The National Council o
Catholic Women met in national ses
sion at Galveston; the Holy Name 50
ciety and the remarkable Catechetica
Congress convened in New York.
Record of leadership.
The church rejoiced in the free
| dom Of her work for bringing tn
mind Of Christ into the busy. ever
! harassed. lives OF the citizens OF 0u
country. We gloried in the encourage
ment given TO religion and its work
by President Roosevelt, and we ar,
proud that 1885 will record the lead
ership Of our Nation in the aims an,
strivings for international peace"
Right Rev. James z. Freeman
Bishop of Washington. speaking 10
| the Protestant community. declared
1T may be difficult for the cynic u
( find in the past year any evidenc
that religion has, made substantial
/ progress. To one who is looking a
| the dark and seamy side OF things
who finds human nature incapable o
moral advance. there can be no re
/ ligious progress To one who weigh
/ consistently the course of events an,
who Justly appraises the redeenlinl
1sgood in men and women, there L