Evening star., 1949-02-09
u. S. Considering U. N. Action
On Mindszenty, Acheson Says;
Pope Orders Secret Consistory
Pontiff Denounces
Arrest in Letter to
Hungarian Bishops
BY the Associated Press

BY the Assoeioted Press
VATICAN CITY, Feb. 9.-Pope
Plus XII today summoned the
Sacred College Of Cardinals to 9
secret and extraordinary con.
sistory' next Monday, when he Is
expected to address the college or
the trial of Josef Cardinal Minds
zenty, primate of Hungary, anG
his sentencing yesterday to life
Imprisonment.
At the same time. the Pope
protested solemnly against "the
grave offense inflicted upon the
whole church" by Hungary's arrest
of Cardinal Mindszenty the Vati-
can announced.
His protest was contained in 8
letter to the Hungarian Bench Of
Bishops dated January 2. eight
days fter the cardinals arrest.
1t is the first utterance of the
pontiff on the treatment of the
cardinal to be made public. 1t was
sent at about the time the Vatican
announced accommodation of all
Catholics in Hungary having any
thing to do with the cardinals
arrest.
The letter exhorted Hungarian
Catholics to have courage.
Informed Vatican sources said
1t was virtually certain the holy
father will speak on the trial OF
Josef Cardinal Mindszenty" al
Mondays consistory.
un New York, a spokesman
for Francis Cardinal Spellman
said he had not been notified
to attend the consistory. The
spokesman said only the car
dinals in Rome would attend
unless the consistory call stated
otherwise.
Un Philadelphia. the secre-
tary to Dennis Cardinal Dough-
erty said the cardinal had no
plans to attend the consistory.
Likewise. it appeared doubt
full that the other American
cardinals, Samuel Cardinal
Stritch of Chicago and Edward
Cardinal Mooney of Detroit.
would be able to attend.)
The consistory call affects all
cardinals now in Rome. or those
who are able or wish to make the
trip to Rome by the time set by
the pontiff.
Hour Not Announced.
The hour at which the consistory
will be held was not announced
The secret consistory is so-calleo
because no one except the pontifi
and cardinals are present at its
deliberations.
Such consistories frequently are
opened with an address or allocu.
ton in which the Pope often re-
views the condition of the church
in general or in some particular
country. pointing out what de.
serves praise or condemnation.
Such allocutions are given Il
the public afterward in order thai
the world may know the Pope!
thoughts on these matters.
Excerpts From Letter.
The Pope's letter to the Hun
garian bishops had said: ''Th.
news that our beloved son. Cardi.
nal Josef Mindszenty with
rash daring has been arrested
and removed from his see. has
stricken us with profound grief
because we see in this . 9
serious offense against the sacred
respect due to religion and human
dignity.
Therefore conscience and duty
impel us to express publicly sor-
row and lament at what has beer
perpetrated against the rights o1
the church and to protes1
solemnly against the grave offense
inflicted upon the whole church.
1--WE desire. therefore, venerable
brothers, to take active part. witt
paternal spirit, in your sorrow ane
grief, and we also desire to addres!
to you in the name of the Lord
: our exhortation so that as alway!
you have done, this, very particu'
larly in this grave event, you will
continue to follow your pastora
: ministry with untiring vigor anc
unity of mind, heart and work
always remembering that for tht
liberty of the church and it,
sacred and holy rights. one mus
(See POPE, Page A-6D