The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-02-29
Catholic Thought And Opinion
By REV. JOSEPH E. DONlIELLY

Communism (which always had and stiil has dealings with Moscow is also present and emerged after the fan of Fascisln. To date, however, 1t has not taken an anti-religious stand but the contrary might well be expected after Izvestia's recent attack on the Vatican.
 VATICAN AND FACIsM
 When discussing the current mis- representations of the liberal press of the attitude of the Vatican and Fascism 1t might be well for us to remember that between 1922 and 1889 there was not a government in the world, not even the MacDo Donald labor government in England, which opposed Fascism. On the contrary in America many prominent persons were returning from their Italian tours singing the praises of Musso- lini and the new Italy, where at last the trains were running on time. We might well remember, too, that 1t is the official policy of the Church to attempt to get along with the political governments of all nations as long as they do not invade the Church'S rights in spiritual affairs. In Italy this policy has sometimes been carried to extremes by iudivid- ual priests and some bishops whose triendliness towards the escapades of Mussolinis government today provide the fuel for the fire of the liberals and Leftists' attack.
 The position of the Vatican, how- ever, has been proper in all of its relations with the Fascist Govern. ment of Italy. When, after the sign ing of the Lateran Treaty the Fas- cist Government took oil its gloves and showed the true color of its hands the Popes without compro- missing the rights of the Church tried to promote a working agree- ment for the Church of Italy. That this was not done with compromise is evident from the many Vatican protests that are now matter of historical record. One of these, that which protested Mussolini's attack upon the Catholic schools and the Catholic youth groups which follow ed quickly upon his recognition of these rights in the Lateran Treaty, could not be published outside O. Vatican City so tight was the Ital- ian censorship and was flown to Paris by Archbishop Spellman, then attached to the Papal Secretariat Of State, who translated 1t on the way and published 1t in Paris on July 4 1881.
 THE POPE AND THE ITALIANS
 Don Sturzo's article tells us that the prestige of the Pope in Italy has never been higher. By refusing to accept the German proposition ot leaving Rome, by declaring that he will remain in Rome whatever tho outcome. by his readiness to sharC the griefs of siege and war with his beloved Roman children, he has proven himself a true pastor and true Italian"
 The Providence of God has sent Plus XII to the Papacy for a great mission. I am sure that we have not seen fraction of the planned work that God has laid up for him, plans that will tend greatly to the glory of God and the extension of good will among men. He foresaw the true extent of the horrors of tho war and worked and prayed un.. ceasingly to prevent 1t. A week be- fore the world went to war the Holy Father went on the Vatican radiU and spoke to the world in six differ ent languages. appealing to the mighty to stay their might lest 1t rend destruction upon the world. We know how his generous plea was heeded-a week later the worlc went to war.