Evening star., 1939-10-27
Summary of Pope's EncycIicoI
Pontiffs First Letter Of Reign
Makes Appeal for Peace
BY the Associated Press.

rope PluS XII mas addressed the
Catholic world his first encyclical
letter, which he placed under the
seal of Christ the King.
1t begins by observing that this
40th anniversary of the consecra-
ton of the human race to the sacred
heart of Jesus is date which CO.
incides with the 40th anniversary of
the Pope's ordination to the priest
hood, and the pontiff takes occa-
sion to make devotion to the King
of Kings in an opening prayer so as
to speak of his pontificate, the
Alpha and Omega of his apostolic
activity.
His holiness rejoices to perceive
the splendid croWning of the spread
and deepening of devotion to the
divine heart of peace in the Feast
of Christ the King from which an
immense good has sprung.
1t is expected, however, that the
Feast of Christ the King may mark
day of great profound revival
in the spirit of the Kingdom of
Christ.
Marks of Homage
From Rulers Noted.
With singular gratitude the august
pontiff points cut the marks of
reverent homage which come to him
from sovereigns, the heads of states
and public authorities.
uovjnu not in, t1,ic b0,,r a
reawakening of sentiment of the
community of the Catholic family
his holiness takes pleasure in the
consoling proof which he received
of this in plebiscite of filial at
tachment to the church and vicar
of Christ on the occasion of his
election and coronation-a pleb-
iscite of unbreakable Catholic unity
throughout the world which COM
forted him greatly amid tolls
activities and trials, and for which
he addresses to all the world o,
deepening faithfulness thanks which
he extends also to those who are
without the body of the Catholic
church, but who have not forgotten
those things which in Christ and
God still united them with the uni
versal shepherd.
He has particular reference to
Italy, which now by virtue of the
Lateran pacts. occupies a post OF
honor among the states represented
at the apostolic feast.
He expresses the wish that the
peace of Christ sprung from those
pactS may animate the Italian peo-
piles so that they may ever remain
faithful to their glorious traditions
Efforts for Peace
Are Pointed Out.
To dare testimony to truth with
apostolic flrmneSs will be. in the
present hour, a fundamental duty of
the apostolic Office and that with
out being influenced by earthly con-
siderations, by fear of distrust and
opposition of rebuff and a lack OF
comprehension. of disregard and
false pretation-always how
ever, in a spirit of charity-for the
purpose of bringing about a recog-
milton of the royal rights of Christ
and return of individuals and So
ciety to the laws of truth and love
While he writes, the Pope is prey
to indescribable anguish because OF
the outbreak of terrible hurricanes
of war"-war which he sought to
avert by every means in his power
He therefore invites al Ito raise
their eyes and hearts to the One
only from whom comes salvation, sc
that this hour of greatest need may
be one Of change of thought and
of sentiment for many, since it is
true that hours of such painful de-
lusion may become hours of grace
a passage of the Lord.
Reservlng to more opportune
moment the taking of a complete
doctrinal position against the er-
rors of the present time the Pontiff
limits himself now ito some funda-
mental observations.
Disregard, Forgetfulness
OF Natural Law.
The profound and ultimate root
of present evils is the refusal tc
accept form of universal moral.
lty, both for life of the individual
and for social life and internationa
relations; that is to say. disregard
and forgetfulness of the natural law
whose foundation is in God, fol-
after denial of God comes denia
of law and that because of separa
tion from the doctrines of Christ
and from the chair of Peter, which
is the depositary and teacher OF
that doctrine. From this separation
has come the subversion of the cen.
tral dogma of Christianity. the di-
vinity of the Saviour Naturally
lalclzlng Of society has brought
about reinsurance of ever clearer
more distinct, more distressing
signs of corrupt and corrupting pa.
ganism. Thus progress was in reality
retrogression, elevation, degradation
arrival at mans estate, STOPPING tt
servility.
Undermined therefore was the sole
lrreplaceable foundation of that
stability and tranquility, of that
order internal and external private
and public, which alone can en-
gender and safeguard the prosperity
of states.
From religious and moral agnos-
ticism the august Pontiff notes, have
sprung pernicious errors. In the
first place, forgetfullness of the Law
of human solidarity and charity
dictated and imposed by common
origins by equality of rational nature
and by redeeming sacrifice of Christ
United in Harmonious
Mutual Relations.
The Pope develops Biblical con-
cepts recalling the Biblical narrative
on the origin of man and insisting
particularly on the thought of st
Paul in which shines forth the
unity of human nature of its pur.
poses and its means of subsistence
within natural supernatural order
He touches upon the unity of ran.
som paid by the Son of God ane
underlines the precept of charity.
Individuals and peoples are not
therefore disjoined from one an