The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-10-28

ticular concern of the Guild apostiep Because he in special way has dedicated himself to the service of the Church, and today he may give that special service in an hour of special need. We live in the most critical hour of Christian history The most decisive factor in the crisis will be the social teachings of the Church. Why preach dogma and pass by the conditions that make 1t impossible for men to live in accord with the dogma2 Today the salva- ton of the millions depends on their opportunity to live aS decent human beings, to live like men made Co the Image and likeness of God. Today the social apostolate is the great and pressing need of the Church, If we will not betray the trust of Christ's social teachings in the hour of decision we must harness oil our forces to move powerfully in the right direction.
 Our second point is the practical means by which the Guild program can serve the social apostolate of the Church in general, and the la- Dor movement aS the first step in that apostolate. That 1t should become Q more important part of the Guild program I am convinced but 1t would be presumptious of me to suggest to this group the techniques of their service to that apostolate.
 "The effective Guild program as you know must be Q flexible one. It must be able to adjust. itself to the point of greatest service to the Church. Fifty years ago the Guild program would have been directed almost exclusively against heresy, against those who did believe in the funda- mentals but whose faith was dis- torted by error. Today in Q grow ing degree that program must be concerned with those who do not admit even the fundamentals of the faith. Tomorrow that program must be one that will serve the Church that will stand alone to de- fend the rights of God against un- beliefs It is my conviction - and perhaps 1t is a prejudiced conviction that in Q social crisis like the present the Guild program should be concerned not in Q mild, casual or accidental manner with the teachings of the Church on labor and social reform, but this subject should be Q very special chapter and not o minor chapter in that pro- gram.
 It seems that the Guild lecturer has opportunities for this work that are given to no other organization in the Church. He rubs shoulders on the street corners with the rank and file. He meets the men and wo- men who do not meet the Church. He talks to the people who are most deeply cut by economic injustice. His audience is one most concerned with the need of social reform and therefore one which should be most interested in this special phase of the Churchs teaching. The work ing man, the unemployed of the past, and there promises to be very many of them in the future; the many, many millions in America who have not, and have never had, economic security, will be attracted by that religion and the Church which proves that 1t has Q special and sincere interest in their ma terial welfare.
 Tn summary we may state that according to the best authorities of the Church we live in the most seri- GUS crisis of Christian history. In our disjointed world where many philosophieS are making Q bid for the soul of mankind we have a program laid down @ half @ century ago aS the one program of freedom, security and salvation for the work ingman and the poor. A few years ago Plus XI tragically confessed that the masses had been lost to the Church. If we would bring back the masses to the Church and to God we must in this hour of crisis and decision prove to them that the Church, now aS ever, is their friend and protector. The Guild program should be geared to that need.