Evening star., 1948-03-08

Protestants Answer
Archbishop's S Denial
OF Political Activity
The organization OF Protestants
and Other Americans United for
Separation Of Church and State to-
day charged the Roman Catholic
hierarchy with entering the politi-
cal arena ito secure, If it can, sup
port for its parochial schools from
the public treasury"
The statement was issued as an
open letter in reply to a pronounce
ment. on January rs by the Most
Rev. John T. McNicholas, Arch
bishop of Cincinnati and chairman
of the National Catholic Welfare
Conference administrative board.
Archbishop McNicholas, answering
a previous manifesto of Protestants
and Other Americans United, had
declared the Catholic Church was
wholly devoted to the maintenance
of our Constitution in all its pro-
visions" and branded as "an un-
truth any intimation that the hier-
archy 'is seeking for its own church
advantages and privileges"
The open letter today reiterated
the charge that "the Roman Cath
olic hierarchy has entered the po-
litical arena to secure for its church
a union with the state at the public
treasury" and declared Protestants
and Other Americans United "have
accepted the hierarchys challenge"
Political Issue Seen.
THE situation thus resolves itself
into political contest" it went on
The issue is not a religious one,
In the sense that religious differ
ences are involved 1t is a political
issue.
Whether this contest can be kept
within the bounds of reason and
the proprieties of the democratic
process will depend primarily upon
the manner in which the Catholic
Church conducts its political CAM
paign. But If Government author
ities-Federal, State, local-continue
to yield to the pressure of the
Roman church for a union of their
church with the State at the public
ty1
public feeling will surely ensue.
THE American people still cherish
the religious liberty guaranteed by
the constitutional separation of
church and State. They will not
allow 1t to be taken from them
without resistance"
The open letter called on Catholic
spokesmen to bring the controversy
down from lofty generalities to
the concrete activities of the Catholic
Church which has brought the issue
into the open."
Decision Is Opposed.
"It declared the church has Sc
cured legislation in 1s States open
ing the way for the parochial schools
to have access to public funds. The
Supreme Court has approved some
of its legislation. Despite this ap-
proval, and backed by the opinion
of four dissenting justices in the
bus transportation case, we hold
that this legislation is in fact con-
trary to the Constitution. Protes-
tants and Other Americans United
are determined to bring to bear
whatever strength they can rally
to secure the repeal of this legisla-
ton in those 18 States, and also by
appropriate constitutional means to
secure a reconsideration by the Su-
pre1ne Court"
The statement discussed two bills
brought before Congress for the
appropriation of about $400, ,000, 900
annually to the States in aid Of
public education. Two bills had
been introduced. One of these pro-
vided that Catholic parochial
schools should enjoy parity with
public schools. This bill died IN
committee.
Cases Are Cited.
However, another bill is before
Congress, the so-called Taft bill.
This has been reported out OF
committee. 1t proposed to let each
State decide for itself whether nom
public schools shall share In the
funds. Protestants and Other
Americans United are opposed to
such an abdication of responsibility
by Congress, because such an act
would be, in effect, an invitation
to all States to violate the man
date of the First Amendment"
The open letter also charged
that in 20 New Mexico districts
parochial schools are entirely sup
ported by public taxation while in
North Dakota IA nuns are en-
ployed as teachers in public schools.
1t further charged the taking
over of the public school system at
North College Hill, a suburb of Gin
cinnati' as an example of specific
Catholic action. "A Catholic ma
jority was secured in the board OF
education. The board incorporated
q parochial school into the public
school system. = There was a
school strike The affairs of the
school had to be taken over by local
court. : The judge terminated
the contract with the archbishop
for rental of the parochial school.
In November, 1947, the community
voted a clean sweep in the school
board. The result was complete
overthrow of church control"
McNicholas is Criticized.
Pointing out that the community
was within the Catholic jurisdiction
of Archbishop McNicholas, the
statement asserted "the fact recited
here would seem to disqualify
Archbishop McNicholas as spokes-
man for the separation of church
and state in public education"
Msgr. Frederick G. Hochwalt, di-
rector of the NCWC department
of education, today declared the
NCWC has neither inspired" nor
supported" the Taft bill for Fed
II h,,& hoe y.rnYoced