Evening star., 1941-10-30
Aid for Soviet Held
No Issue in Plus XI's
Attack on Communism
Encyelieul Interpretation
Given Priests and Luity
By Archbishop p.McNichoIos

BY the Associated Press.
CINCINNATI, Oct 30.-Arch-
bishop John T. McNicholas, writing
to priests and laity of his Catholic
archdiocese, said today the late
Pope Plus XI'S denunciation OF
Communism twas not given as
moral direction to governments re-
garding aid or refusal, of aid to
Russia in case of war Of defense.
The same must be said regarding
relations with Russia"
After quoting from the Pope's
encyclical on atheistic Communism,
the archbishop declared:
IF we keep in mind the clear
distinction that Pope Plus made be-
tween the system of athei5tic Com
which he condemned, and
the Russian people, whom he loved,
we shall be able to rid ourselves OF
much perplexity regarding the Rus
sian question.
The sanity Pope made the same
distinction between the system OF
Nazi-ism and the German people"
Horrified at Persecution.
The Archbishop said that "our
country is rightly concerned not
only about the total war of many
nations but also about the total loss
of freedom under two systems that
seek world dominance-Nazl-lsm
and Sovietism."
I'VE are Mortified at the religious
persecution and at the brutal muir
der of unnumbered persons because
they would not give up their per-
sonal, their family, and their re-
ligiouS freedom" he added. The
disease that will spread from war
zones and from the starving peoples
of occupied countries will become in
all probability a world epidemic,
taking a greater toll of lives than
the war itself.
This consideration naturally
gives us grave concern. Let us be
constant in our prayers that these
davs of darkness, when the powers
of evil seem to be triumphant, will
be shortened - ."
Objective Interpretation.
Declaring he was speaking only
as a Catholic bishop and did not
wish to enter the arena Of politics,
the Drelate said
From both priests and people
we learn of their perplexity regard
ing the Russian situation. The
words of our late beloved father
are quoted and interpreted in a
sense which would determine the
course of action that our Catholic
people. and even our Government,
must follow it they are to be guided
by moral principles.
"In the interest Of souls, of truth
and of the unity of our people, we
wish to give an objective lnterpre-
tation which we base on a study OF
the document. Atheistic Commu-
nism, and of the mind of the late
Pontif. 1t is necessary that we
again recall that Pope Plus X1 kept
clearly before his mind the distinc-
ton between the system of Soviet
ism and the Russian people"
Pointing out that the Holy Father
I condemned. without qualification
atheistic Communism. Archbishop
I McNicholaS commented:
In the light Of the context it Il
clear that the Supreme Pontiff ad'
monished the faithful that in thell
localities there can be no co-opera'
tied with Communists, not even II
affairs that we're apparently initial
ed to promote humanitarian inter
ests or to advance laudable move
ments which are in perfect har'
mony with the Christian spirit anc
the doctrine of the church, because
the Communists would take ad'
vantage of this collaboration t
make known their Bolshevist pro-
gram and to gain a victory fol
+ it.
I Language Clear.
/ However strongly we condemn
Sovietism and all the satanic crimes
that can be charged to it, we mus
not, from the words Of Pope Plus XI
= say that the great and cour'
ageouS Pope was laying down
course of action governing our coun'
try and all other countries regarding
every future circumstance whatso'