Evening star., 1946-03-18
SpeIlnlan Given
Degree, Speaks
AtGeorgetown
American Cardinal
Worms Of Plague Of
Militant Atheism


Militant Atheism
The world Is sick unto death"
with its 'blood-stream poisoned by
the plague Of militant atheism" )"
Francis Cardinal Spellman, Arch
bishop of New York, told an audi
ence yesterday afternoon at the
96th graduation of the GEORGETOWN
University School of Medicine.
The newly created cardinal, on his
first visit to Washington since his
recent return from Rome, received
an honorary degree of doctor of
laws from the Very Rev. Lawrence
G. German, s. j., university pres
ident. An overfiowing audience in
the uniyersitys CASTOR Hall at
tended the ceremonies. All but
eight Of the 81 graduates were
awarded commissions in the Army
or Navy Medical Corps.
The fever of hate runs high, the
pulse of mankind is irregular, the
heart of the world Is sundered."
Cardinal Spellman said. ITO hu-
manity struggling with its passion
and its destiny, the chaos of wretch
edness threatening the life of the
world today is challenge and an
opportunity for the young priest and
young physician who begin their
lives of service in this world sick
unto DEATH"
Cites Duty Of Doctors.
Cardinal Spellman drew from his
own experience as military vicar of
the Holy See for the American
armed forces and his trips to war
wasted countries to picture postwar
Europe.
Doctors, as well as priests, he told
the class, have duty to "shun the
cruel and crooked courses that COM
promise with truth" In this respect,
he declared, they differ from the
Goddess, lawless leaders who
drunken with delusions, have formed
and followed the profane pattern of
pride, persecution and power i'm
periling our peace"
The exercises were reminiscent of |
more informal scene a decade ago
when Pope Plus XII, then Eugenio
Cardinal Pacelli, papal secretary of
state, received honors of this oldest
of Catholic universities in the coun-
try, from the same stage. Cardinal
Spellman arranged Cardinal Pacel-
lis tour of the United States and
accompanied him on his. visit to
Georgetown.
Yesterday cabinet members, diplo-
mats, Government officials and high
ranking military officers were among
the audience and guests at recep-
ton later.
Citation in Latin.
The Rev. Stephen F. McNamee,
s. j., dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences, read the universitys
ancient charter and the Rev. Hunter
Guthrie, S. j., dean of the graduate
school, translated the Latin text of
the citation conferred on Cardinal
Spellman. /,
In honoring you today, George
town University honors ITSELF" it
said in part. Exemplary in personal
life, tireless in patience and pastoral
zeal. accomplished in administration,
prudent in intellect and indomitable
in will, by your spoken and written
word, you have labored fruitfully for
God, for His church and for our be-
loved country" +
When the Rev. David v. McCauley,
S. j., regent and dean of the medical
kchool presented the graduating
classes, the cardinal was able to con-
'gratulate nephew, Robert Martin
Spellman, of Chestnut Hill, Mass. He
was one of 18 graduates commits
stoned as lieutenant q. g. in the
Naval Reserves and will serve his
internship at the United States
Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Mass.
Cardinal Spellman also met an old
ffiend and former teacher, the Rev.
John j. O'Connor, S. j., professor of
Greek at Georgetown. Father O'Con-
nor then was young member of the
;Fordham University faculty.
Civilian Graduates.
The eight civilians among the
graduates we're Ralph w. Altman,
William F. T. Kellow, William H.
Kessenich, Dominic A. Miraldi, Ed
ward L. Prunier, Gordon S. Rosen-
berger, Donald G. Sharbaugh and
Edward A. Stapleton, jr.
President German announced the
graduation ended both the Army
military training program at the uni
versity and the wartime accelerated
program in the medical school.
In addition to receiving academic
degrees, the following were COM
missioned first lieutenants in the .
Army Medical Corp:
Adams, John Mostrota, r. M
A!varez' E., McCarran, s. p.