The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-11-16

cestors of modern Europe out of barbarian, and taught them to use the pen and the blow instead of the sword and lance; was he not the representative of that institu- tion which Strikingly exemplifies in its international organization the basic principles of true peace, yes indeed, but nevertheless the most powerful of all existing moral forces on earth, Leo XIII Vicar of Christ, was designedly kept from actively participating in this conference for greater justice and equity among nations.
 Already upon us now is the year 1914, and on the not too distant horizon we perceive those ominous and forboding portents which grow gradually in stature until at length they assume the gigantic and ugly proportions of the monstrosity of war. Oh, we had known, my dear friends, for some time now that na- tionalism, imperialism and militar- ism had been the so-called shib- boleths of the European powers and that war was but the natural con- sequence. The Saintly Plus x did all in his power to avert it. When the ambassador of the Emperor Francis Joseph came to ask his blessing on the necessary" enter prise, the Pope, indignant that such a request should be made, simply replied: T bless peace, not war" But soon, finding himself sur rounded on all sides by reverses and disappointments, Plus x, it is said, died of a broker heart.
 The Pontificate of Benedict XIV who succeeded, was one which well mertted for him the title, "Beredict the Peace-maker." Yet, in the knowledge of this, my dear friends, 1t is indeed a sad commentary on human affairs but nevertheless a fact, that the same international jealousy, the same self-in terest which excluded Leo XIII from par ticipation in the Hague Conference was to persist until the end of the first World War, only to close the doors of the Versailles Conference to Benedict XIV.
 "The Peace of Christ in the Reign of Christ" was the motto of Bene- diets successor, the late Plus XI. From the very day of his election to the Chair of Peter, he too had done his utmost to heal the wounds of war and to placate the nations Of the world Most of all the set tlement of the Roman question in the year 1929 added unusual bril- lance and lustre to the escutcheon of his already renowned diplomacy and won for him the plaudits of the Church as well as the admiration Of the world. But, like Plus x, un- able to translate the language of Peace for a world unwilling to learn. his heart a little too heavy with sorrow, Pope Plus XI died.
 Today, thanks be to God, we have another Pope, another heir of Apostolic succession in the person of Pope Plus XII. Like so many
 Of his illustrious predecessors, he too is fighting even at this very moment for a just Peace or in the words of the Most Reverend Arch bishop of New York, fighting for the cause of Christ, the cause of right, the cause of civilization" Whether he too must be nailed to the cross, a victim of hatred and persecution, God alone knows. To De sure, bigotry and prejudice have already exiled him from the coun- clls Of his bleeding children. Brutal lty and blocdshed have crushed his heart. The rear of mechanized warfare has literally drowned his voice. Yet, despite all this-yes. despite even restraints of dictatorial coercion and suppression, champion that he is, towering head and shoulders far above the statesmen Of the world. Plus XII, Vicar of Chris on earth today, still speaks and always will speak, please God, the language of the Master whom he represents.
 Ad Majo-em Del Gloriam
 CFor the greater glory of God)
 REV. GEORGE F Y pErrrv