The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-08

Most Rev. John T. McNicholas, ID. F. s. T. M,, Archbishop of Cin- cinnAE has Issued 6 public state- ment through the National Legion of Decency protesting against the exhibition of sex hygiene films !A motion picture theaters. Represent- ing the Episcopal or Bishops coIn- mlttee the archhish0p in his state- ment points out several dangerous features of the present practice and aSiss the cooperation of the motion picture industry In eliminating the objectionable parts. The motion picture theater is not Q clinic, nor Q doctors consultation room or 2 classroom; it Is not the sanctum or the minister of religion nor the sanctuary of the home, declares Archbishop McNicholas. His state- Snent follows:
 The Catholic Bishops committee, which constitutes the governing body of the National Legion of De- cency, views with grave alarm the exhibits, past and present, or so- called sex hygiene films in enter- tainment motion picture theaters.
 Normal people bufdened with the cares and troubles of life frequent the motion picture theater primar- ily to relax and to be entertained. They are In search of legitimate pleasure and they anticipate whoie- some enjoyment.
 The motion picture theater Is not 6 clinic: nor Is 1t Q doctors con sultation room or Q classroom. " is not the sancturn of the minister of religion: nor is 1t the sanctuary of the home.
 aex instruction does not come within the function Of the motion picture theater. On the contrary, to assume this grave responsibility would be Q peyversion of the prin- cipal function of the theater. 1n- stead of rendering any real service to the public welfare, the influence thus exercised must be progressively degsneratine in the moral oroer'
 E Paeent6 Duty
 Necessary sex information and in- struction are primarily the respon. sibility of the parents, who should consult physicians of the soul and body. about the prudent and timely instruction of their children in matters. pertaining to the Inyster- sous facts of life. In the discharge of this very important duty there should he real team work between parents, sound moralists who ap' preciate spiritual values, and physi. clans. True psychology and sound morality, taking into consideration the best interests of each individ- ual, will insist on due and common sense precautions. Sex information and instruction should be given to the individual and never to groups, especially not to mixed groups of young people.
 The private instruction by parents or by those delegated by parents, If it be sound, should inculcate c proper appreciation of values, namely, that reverential apprecia" ton ok sexual actions which regards them as subject to the laws of God. All actions are subject to Gods laws. Sex actions do not concern merely the individuals of the do- mestIc society of the home. They primarily regard the entire social body. The general failure to accept and to ba guided by this law of no. tllre and of God Is accountable, III large measure, for the loose sex morals of the home and for the lex mania of society today.
 A technical or clinico -story treat- Tnent Of the fundamental and ger- mai1o considerations of sex life enc trusted to us as c sacred heritage by the Almighty Creator iS out Of place in the theater, where there is an atmosphere rather of entertain. naent than of reverence.
 Quotes Pope Plus
 ', Relative to sex instruction, the late Plus xi, of happy memory, in hiS E:ncyclical on the Christian Education of Youth" wrote as fol. lows:
 Another very grave danger Is
 that naturaiism which nowadays
 invadeS the field of education in
 that most delicate matter of pur.
 ity of morals. Far too common
 ig the error of those who with