Evening star., 1937-11-21
Churchlnen
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UScoA OyAAS SoAlilueIlCt III tIlclE TeQRlOuS
leaders.
Produced Opposite Effect.
The attempt to vilify priests ane
to destroy their regulations in inde.
cent and frequently unjustified trial.
has produced in our country just thu
contrary effect. 1t has shown us anc
the world the degradation of govern.
mental agencies in Germany TODAY
Charging that all privileges, ever
the most fundamental natural right.
OF liberty, of work, advancement ano
legitimate protection of family ano
individual interests are denied tc
those who remain steadfast to Christ
and to the church. the bishops de.
clared that, in spite of the pres
ent inhuman struggle, systematic and
cruel as it is the faith still lives
and will ever live and will finally
triumph over its prosecutors"
The letter was signed by His Emf
nence Dennis Cardinal Dougherty
Archbishop OF Philadelphia. who pre-
sided over the general meeting of
the bishops here, and by the Most
Rev. Emmet NJ Walsh, Bishop OF
Charleston, the secretary of the meet
ing. -
The letter to the hierarchy OF
Spain expressed sorrow over the suf-
fering inflicted upon the church in
Spain and praised the recent pastoral
letter of the Spanish hierarchy as
presenting to the world the facts Of
the present persecution in that coun-
try. Declaring that irreligion and
atheism, whatever be their changing
cloak, are things with which bishops
may not temporize, the letter of the
American bishops says:
Real Facts BecIouded.
''Pitiable indeed is the fact that
many men, right-minded and hon.
est, have fallen victims to the mis-
shapen news which has been given
the world about the church in Spain
Worse still, some Christian leaders
unwlttingly have allowed themselves
to be the sponsors of principles which,
If given wide sway, would destroy the
very last vestige OF western civiliza-
tion.'
The letter said that "clever propa-
ganda, maliciously used by those who
would promote atheism and chaos, has
beclouded the real facts in the con-
temporary life OF the church in
SPAIN"
Tragic are the true facts of the
religious persecution in Spain by men
who before the world sought to appear
In the role Of indicators of human
rights it said. Recalling the Span,
ish bishops account of the slaughter
Of 10 bishops, thousands of the clergy
and tens of thousands of the laity, the
letter added: Your words horrify us,
who are wont to accept liberty of con-
science and freedom Of speech as an
AXIOM" -,
U. S. Anusements Hit.
Declaring that the bishops Of the
United States Yield to none in loyal
adherence to the great Democratic
principles on which our Government
is founded" the letter said: I'VE know
fun well that your eminences and your
excellencies with your truly admirable
clergy, religious and courageous laity
are laboring with q disinterestedness.
which compels the sympathy and sup
port Of all informed men, to inculcate
tho principles of social justice and
charity so fully and so clearly enun-
ciated in the social encyclicals Of our
holy father"
In their statement concerning the
use OF intoxicants, immoral movies
ana unclean floor shows in drinking
places, the bishops said:
The bishops Of the United States.
In annual meeting assembled, voice
their deep concern over the evils aris-
ing from the all-too-prevalent, promis-
cuous and, unwise use of intoxicating
liquors. They feel that the dangers
inherent to such intoxicants, under
the present-day customs, critically
threaten our growing youth, particu-
larry girls. With the same fervor with
which they condemn immoral and un-
clean movies, the bishops condemn the
suggestive, sensuous and unclean door
shows connected with. many drinking
places and urge all clean-minded peo-
p's to cooperate in their suppression.
tcoDsftsht 1922. BY New York