The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-17
Catholic Thought And Opinion
By REV. JOSEPH F. DONNELLY

outside.
 Then he is startled to see coming down the aisle in 8 wheelchair the crippled figure of Pastor Niemoller. It is a moment of suspense, a mom- ment in which one would expect that Neimoller might say: You must answer to God for the crimes you have wrought upon His people, and may God have mercy on your soul" In life we are sure that these words have been the words of this martyr of Germany. But not so the author of the radio sketch. Here Niemoller cries out in a raucous voice: Father, do not forgive him for he knew. what he was doing"
 Presumably -uch p grams are in- tended to sustain our morale or raise our fighting spirit, but it is difficult to reconcile such hate with the high ideals for which we are sup posed to be fighting. A Christian gentleman like Niemoller would never be guilty of such hate. And how could anyone other than a hypocrite pray God to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," if he has such hatred buried in his heart. THE PRINCE PARDONS
 Hearing the program sent us searching for a story we clipped from the New York Sun about ten years ago on the occasion of the death of beloved Albert, King of the Belgians. A French soldier sent the story to the newspaper as a first-hand account of one of the noble acts which do not make the headlines even in time of war.
 It was early in 1918. The soldier wrote that he was standing one eve- ming looking upon the desolate spot that had once been the village street of Furnes in Belgium No one was about but Belgian officer standing in the doorway of one of the few standing buildings. Then he saw a group of children mothered by a girl who was hardly more than child creeping from a cellar in which they had taken refuge. A stray bomb burst nearby and the little group clung to one another in terror. Then the little mother led them to way side shrine that had escaped the ravages and with closed eyes and folded hands they began to recite the Lords prayer.
 They recited it together until they came to the phrase forgive us our trespasses as. .' and there they stopped. The older girl looked re- proachfully at the children. q know" she said, but we must say it." And again they started. They came again to the phrases forgive us our trespasses as -" and again they stopped. Then a voice behind them took up the prayer and said solemnly," as we forgive those who trespass against us." The children turned to see who had finished the prayer, but they could zee no one. The soldier turned to the officer in the doorway md he looked into the eyes of Albert, King of the Belgians.
 God knows if any one had reason to hesitate it was Albert. His coun- try had been invaded and laid waste His people were even then starving and homeless. But Albert was king in name and in spirit. He had a soul great enough to stand in the midst of the destruction of his country and raise his eyes to God and forgive.
 IN THE SAME SPIRIT
 Bishop Francis Clement Kelly tells the following in "The Bishop Jots It Down." On his desk the Apostolic Delegate to Mexico has on a home made stand picture of Plutarco Elias Gales, bushy mus tache and all.
 What do you want that picture for?" he was asked.
 That man was the cause of all my troubles, of all our troubles, he answered with a smile.
 Are you going to work an in- cantation on him?" the Bishop ask ed jokingly.
 But the Archbishop replied, Every day, many times day, pray for him."