Evening star., 1945-10-22
Pope Calls on Women
To Play Active Role
In Political Life
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
VATICAN CITY, Oct. 22.-Pope
Plus XII urged in Sunday radio
broadcast that Catholic women
actively participate in political
life to meet a challenge which,
he said, for long time past "has
been evolving in a manner I'M
favorable to the real welfare of
the family and women"
In concessions made to women by
some political movements, the Pom
tiff said, zone can easily see, not
respect for her dignity, or her mis-
sion, but an attempt to foster eco
nomic and military power of the
totalitarian state"
He particularly exhorted war wild
ows to answer the militant call for
their energies resulting from new
needs created by the entry of women
into civil and political life"
q THE electoral ballot in the hands
of the Catholic woman is an impor-
tant means toward the fulflllment
of her strict duty in conscience, es-
pecially at the present time" the
Pope told a general audience of
1000 women in the speech broad
cast by Vatican radio.
Vote Is for Peace.
mo wise woman favors a policy
of class struggle or war;" he de-
clared. Her vote is for peace"
The Pope foresaw a particularly
important position for women in
'fthose matters which call for the
delicacy of maternal Instinct rather
than administrative rigidity."
He emphasized that everything
really good in mankind benefits by
the results of an orderly family
life, which the young become ac-
customed to looking up to as a
"holy ideal"
Some totalitarian systems" the
Pontiff declared, 'dangle marvellous
promises before her eyes of equality
of rights with men, care during
pregnancy and childbirth, public
kitchens and other communal serv-
ices to free her from some of her
household cares, public kindergar-
tens and other institutions main
famed and administered by govern
ment which relieve her of her ma
ternal obligations towards her own
children, free schools and sick bene-
fits.
ADVANTAGES Admitted.
ut is not meant to deny the ad-
vantages that can accrue from these
social services if properly admin
istered. = . y"
At the same time, the Pope said,
-Can a woman perhaps hope for
her real well being from regime
dominated by capitalism?
1--WE do not need to describe to
you now the economic and social re-
suits that issue from it," he said.
You know it's characteristic signs,
and you yourself are bearing its bur-
den: Excessive concentration of pop
ulations in cities, the constant all
absorbing increase of big industries,
the difficult and precarious state of
others, notably those of artisan and
agricultural workers, and the dis
turbing increase of unemployment" !"
He declared the watchword of
women today must be "to restore as
far as possible the honor of wom-
ans and mothers place in the
home"
Family Life Stressed.
who better than she," he asked
"can understand what Is needed
for the dignity of woman, the integ-
rity and honor of the young girl ane
the protection and education of the
child" ..-,.
The Pope declared, that every
thing really good in mankind bene-
fits by the results of an orderly
family life which the young be-
come accustomed to looking up to
as a "holy ideal" On the other
hand, he pictured a home left un-
tidy in the absence of mother at
work or "fussing around in frivilous
occupations and futile amusements"
as an environment detrimental to
the training of a young girl.
The daughter, he said, would fol-
low her mothers example and would
want "in the words of a very tragic
phrase, to live her own life
How could she conceive desire
to become one day the true lady
that is the mother of a happy,
prosperous and worthy family?"