Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-17
Spiritual Manifesto

The prevailing war differs in its
essential character from the conflicts
OF the past. Millions of people, it
safely may be assumed, have realized
as much from the start. Civilized
men and women instinctiyely revolt
against the shocking greed and ruth
less violence of the Axis dictatorS.
The opportunism of Hitler and his
associates Is repugnant to any indi-
vidual possessed of even the least
modicum Of social idealism. Both the
detectives and the policies of the
Fascist partnership are abhorrent to
an honorable person. These aff1rma-
tons have been made again and
again by the spokesman of the demo-
cratic societies of the world and by
private citizens of every humani-
tartan school of thought.
But the high ethical position of the
United Nations now further has been
affirmed by religious authorities
whose corporate judgment is impress
sive beyond any conceivable chal-
lenge. Ten delegated representatives
of the 1902 members III the Cath
olic hierarchy of America have
signed and promulgated statement
which for its clear reasoning and
persuasive augmentation deserves to
stand with the very greatest declara-
tions of the church in modern times.
Our country" these ecclesiastical
leaders solemnly assert, has been
forced into the most devastating war
OF all time. This war - involves
unquestionably the most important
moral issue of today Some nations
are united in waging war to bring
about slave World-a world that
would deprive man of his divinely
conferred dignity, reject human free
dom and permit no religious liberty.
We are associated with other powers
in a deadly conflict against these
nations to maintain free world.
This conflict of principles makes
compromise impossible. While war
is the last means to which a nation
should resort, circumstances arise
when it is impossible to avoid it. At
times ut is the positive duty of a
nation to wage war in defense of
light and right. Our country now
finds itself in such circumstances.
The words thus brought together
would signify much if they were the
utterance of thinkers representing
only themselves. When they come
as they do from archbishops and
bishops who speak in the name of the
members of the highest ecclesiastical
body Of its kind on earth, they have
connotations which must be recog-
nized even-and most particularly
in the Axis countries. The authors
OF the Catholic manifesto specifically
give the weight of their assurance
to the communications sent to the
heads of several different states
by President Roosevelt at the mo-
ment Of the opening of the new
African front. When he promised
that our aim is to guarantee
to countries under temporary occu-
patton as well as to our own the
right to live in security and peace"
they say, I'VE are confident
that the pledge OF our Chief Execu-
tive, not lightly made, faithfully mir
rors the mind and conscience of the
American people"
A strong and most compelling por-
ton of the statement of the HER
archy sets forth the obvious but not
invariably comprehended fact that
secularism, exploitation and totali-
tarianism cannot write a real and
lasting peace Only "the spirit of
Christianity can write real and last
Ing peace in justice and charity to all
nations, even to those not Christian"
The signers of the pronouncement
then courageously discuss the prob
lens OF industry and of racial and
religious minorities, applying to them
the same doctrine of creative Chris
tian philosophy. In conclusion, they
plead: Let us all unite in praying for
a victory and for a peace acceptable
to God"
Americans Of all denominations
and OF none are privileged to accept
the sacred invitation thus phrased.
The Catholic archbishops and bishops
nave served the whole afflicted hu-
man family by their formulation of
as inspiring an Interpretation of the
teaching OF Jesus as has come from
any source in many years.
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