The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-02

belief. Invartaply they laughed and said that their culture was modern, that they had no need of God. But when I knew them better discov- cred that many of them were bluff fling for fear of being discovered as believers. One brilliant student at a Moscow University who gave me on our first encounter an able defense of atheism I last saw at Mass in one of the few Moscow churches still open.
 'There are some devils which are exercised only through suffering. It may be that Gods providence and the sufferings of war will restore to the Russian leaders and people the Christian inheritance which was once their proud possession. There was room for reform in Russian Christianity and perhaps after wanderings in the desert they w:ll build in Russia a cleaner and newer tabernacle"
 For us Catholics 1t is indeed an opportune time to recall that the prayers offered after every low Mass in the Latin rite throughout the world are offered for the conversion of Russia. With that purpose alive in our minds and with greater fer vor let us pray with more earnest ness that God will alleviate Russia from the curse of BolshNyisr11 and bring these unhappy people back to the unity of the Church.
 COVENANT WITH HELL"
 The unretracted, official attitude of the Soviet government was ex" pressed horribly but clearly years ago by Lunacharsky as head of the educational system. We hate Chris- tianity and Christians" he said, "even the best ot them must be con- sidered our worst enemies. They preach love of ones netghbor which Is contrary to our principles. Chris tan love is an obstacle to the des velopment of world revolution, Down with the love of ones neigh Dor. What we need is hate. Only thus will we conquer the world.
 Do we wonder that Father Qilltt called any alliance with Russia g covenant with Hell?" Today oGI doughty champions of Christian, civilization plan to save Christian civilization with the help of Q mar and a movement sworn to destroy 1t In the words of the Holy Fathers condemnation of communism, Com. munisln is intrinstcally wrong and no one who would save Christian civilization may collaborate with Il in any undertaking whatsoever"
 The editorial in the Catholic World states that, the Gospel deals precisely with the problem of fight. ing the devil with the help of the devil. He casteth out devils bS Beelzebub the prince of devils saic the Pharisees. Jesus turned upor them with 8 scorching rebuke, If by Beelzebub cast out devils, bS whom do your children cast then out? Can Satan stand against Sa- tan?' And He goes on to declare that the way to cast out Satan t by the Finger of God. The lessor seems to be lost upon the cham pions of Christian civilization. Btu pshawl who wants Jesus, or 1salas the Old Testament or the New, N be lugged into the present situa' ton? The job at hand is to get Tis of Hitler and what does 1t matte, how we do 1t. When we get the jol done we can return to the gospel and the prophets"
 Evidently ethics and Ideals anl the law of God are to be used orll. at the convenience of men. Strang champions of Christian civilization are these.
 THE PROPHECY
 A last and perhaps hopeful wort for Russia. In the most recently-ar rived issue of the Catholic Heralt of London the Herald's PruSsiai correspondent, discussing the possi bility of religious regeneration il Russia, writes of "a curious proph ecy whose author is unknown bu which Is circulated and believed b, Russian people.
 For twenty-five years, 50 thi prophecy says, Russia is to expiat in blood, tears and unheard of sui fering, for the crimes committed b, her during the revolution, especial ly the crime of regicide; the twenty five years passed, she will be for given and re.insatted in her for mer power"
 It is now twenty-four years an, six months since February, 1917. |