Evening star., 1941-11-22

emergency.
What the statement does is to in
dlcate the principles which should
be followed in connection with cur
rent events. But no specific applica-
tions of these principles are given,
and the individual Catholic is left to
make his own interpretations in ac-
cordance with the best dictates Of
his conscience.
This is precisely the position taken
by the hierarchy during the last war.
Then, as now, the bishops studiously
avoided the political field.
The hierarchy's avoidance Of the
political is indicated in several parts
of the statement. but most clearly in
their treatment of Communism and
Naziism. While condemning both
systems they assert that distinc-
ton must be made between the two
systems and the people who live
under them. This distinction, &C
cording to Catholic leaders. allows
the faithful to make their own deci-
sions in regard to aid to Russia.
The bishops treatment of the
present labor difficulties is similar
in purpose. They repeated Leo
Kills condemnation of unrestrained
capitalism, but warned that the
Popes approval of unions was con-
ditioned upon labor's recognition OF
its own duties to employers and to
society and on the necessity OF
avoiding violence.
The bishops emphasis on princi-
piles is even more notable in their
discussion Of peace aims. Here they
stressed the appeal Of the present
Pope for establishment Of the right
kind of new order in the world"
an order which, the Pope said, must
be based upon a five-point triumph
over hate mistrust, ruthless selfish
ness, economic greed and the false
principle that might makes right.
For the first time, the bishops as
a body came out in support of "ade-
Quate defense for our country" but
again they made no mention of what
form this defense should take. Some
Catholic observers attached signifi-
canoe, however. to the following Sec
ton of the statement which con-
demned ''disrespect for authority,
both ecclesiastical and civil" On
this point the bishops said:
Recognizing the liberty OF discus
sion and even of criticism which our
Government guarantees. We urge and
command respect and reverence for
the authority Of our civil officials,
which has its source in God ..
In this solemn hour. when fateful
decisions are to be made, it is evi-
dent that a spirit of exemplary
restraint should characterize our
priests and people"
The bishops further deplored "the
presumption of those who, lacking
in authority. strive to determine the
course of action that the church
should take within her clearly de-
fined field"
Confraternity Meets.
The Seventh National Congress Of
the Confraternity of Christian Doc
trine, held in Philadelphia this
week, high-lighted the fact that the
Roman Catholic Church in America
has moved from a defensive to a
positive attitude, according to OBJ
servers.
Dominating all the sessions was
the conviction that the religious ap-
proach to social problems is para
mount, and that great number OF
outlets are now available for the
activities of both clergy and laymen.
Speakers emphasized the need for
mass instruction in and populariza-
ton of religion by carrying religious
instruction to every corner Of the
country and extending and deepen
ing religious knowledge.
The importance of home missions
and the apostolate to the Negro
were constantly stressed.
Several speakers. while expressing
support of foreign missions. urged
that the churchs home missions
cease to be what one bishop de-
scribed as the cinderella or red
headed stepchild of the church"
1t was indicated that the most
leIGllc 1lcIu VI dCClVlGy III CUllIlcCtlNl
with home missions Is among the
Negro people. A great deal of dis
cussion centered around solutions Of
the Negro's social and economic
problems. and the congress adopted
a resolution protesting discrimina-
tion against Negro workers In de-
fense industries.
Concern with the Negro under
scored a trend which has been
growing In the Catholic church
generally. This month. for example,
Catholic Action. official organ of
the National Catholic Welfare Con-
ference, recommended discussion of
the Negro problem to Catholic study
clubs.
G. O.s Distributed.
The plan announced from Wash
ington this week to send small
groups of conscientious objectors to
Latin America, China and Britain,
is the beginning of movement to
distribute c. o.s in various projects
Back of the distribution plan is
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