Evening star., 1943-11-14
u. 5. Catholic Bishops
Voice Dissatisfaction
With Moscow Pacts

WIFI lIVSSVW OVIS
The Catholic bishops Of the United
States last night expressed misgiv-
inss over pronouncements Of the
Moscow conference, in the first
ofncial comment Of the Catholic
hierarchy, in this country on the
declarations signed November l.
The declarations of the Moscow
conference do, indeed, open the way
to necessary international co-opera-
ton for peace as well as for war" I"
the bishops declared. I'm this they
represent definite step in the right
direction" They added significantly:
They do not, however, dispel the
fear that compromises on the ideals
of the Atlantic Charter are in pros
pect. Some things these documents
imply by statement, and more signif-
icantly still by omission, leave an
uneasiness in minds intent on peace
with justice to all"
The Atlantic Charter, signed by
President Roosevelt and Prime Min
lister Churchill in August, 194l, pro-
posed no territorial changes that
do not accord with the freely ex-
pressed wishes of the peoples con-
cerned, and called for restoration of
rights of self-government ito those
who have been forcibly deprived of
them" The Moscow declarations
omitted any reference to the eventual
fate of such countries as Finland,
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, al
though Austria was singled out and
given promise of restoration as an
independent power.
1000 Word Statement.
Their comments on Moscow were
contained in 2,000-word pro-
nouncement adopted at the Amer
lean Catholic hierarchy's annual
general meeting here last week and
was released by the National Cath
olic Welfare Conference.
Calling for good peace" once
history is won, the bishops declared
1T Is imperative that the nations
In satisfaction of their responsible
tiles unite in setting up interna-
tional institutions for the preserva-
ton Of world peace"
But basic to the right ordering of
international relations, they said, is
"the recognition of the sovereignty
Of God and of the moral law, as
treasured in the Christian tradi-
ton"
Rrotherhood StreSsed
THE ideal Of human brotherhood
must inspire international rela-
tions,' they continued only when
this ideal is accepted by men and
nations will the exploitation of the
weak cease and jungle exaltation
of might be outlawed. This does not
mean that national rights and ma
tional sovereignties, rightly inter-
preted, must be surrendered to a
world government It does mean
that every nation and every people
must recognize and satisfy its obi
cations in the family of nations"
Citing the sorry experiences of
other countries from Government
by decree under a dictator or a
party" the bishops declared "it
would be tragic mistake to for
sake our tradition of law even to
achieve a great efficiency in admin
istration.'
1T would be a greater tragedy"
they added, ito forsake our tradi-
ton Of law for currently popular
philosophy which fails to base law
on the eternal maxim of justice and
disregards the inalienable rights of
the citizen which derive from God"
Distressed at Delinquency. I
The statement also:
Expressed distress over increased
crime. particularly among youth,
and declared "a greater effort to
protect the stability and the sane
tity Of the home and to inculcate
moral discipline will contribute much
to the solution OF this problem"
Voiced "a grave warning against
the propaganda of so-called planned
parenthood which violates the
moral law, robs the family of its no.
bility and high social purpose and
weakens the physical and moral
fiber of the Nation"
Bespoke interest in the welfare of
minorities. particularly colored per-
sons and the Spanish-speaking pop
ulation. Saying colored persons
should have in fact the rights given
them by the Constitution, the bish-
ops said this means not only DO
litical equality but also fair eco
nomic and educational opportunities,
just share in public welfare prof.
ects, good housing without exploita-
ton and full chance for social ad-
vancement Of their race"
Rubber may be synthetic, but the