Evening star., 1949-02-14

of Hungary who are doing all they
can, though faced with serious OBJ
stacles and difficulties, to defeno
their age-old religion and to keep
alive and fresh the glorious tradi-
ton of their ancestors. Solace
comes to us from the unf1inching
confidence we cherish in our pa
ternal heart that the Hungarian
Episcopate, acting always in COM
ple1e harmony of principle and
practice, will labor with every
resource at their com m and tc
strengthen the unity of the faithful
and buoy them up with that hope
which can neither be extinguished
nor dimmed by sad or unjust hap
peningS of this life, because it has
its source in Heaven and is fed by
a Grace Divine.
Heartened by Messages.
From you. venerable brethern
similar heavenly solace has come to
us. For We have seen you gathered
close about us in this crisis, to share
our sorrow and unite your prayers
to ours. We have been heartened
likewise by the other cardinals
archbishops and bishops of the
whole Catholic world, who along
with their clergy and people have
expressed by fervid letter and tele-
grams their reprobation for the out
rage offered to the church, and
promised us their public and private
prayers.
We earnestly desire that these
prayers should continue to rise be-
fore the throne of God. For as often
as the church is tossed bv such
tempests as cannot be quelled by
with confidence to the Divine Re-
deemer, who alone can calm the
swelling waves and restore them to
peace and tranquility. Through the
most powerful intercession of the
virgin mother OF God, let us all pray
God fervently that those who suffer
persecution, Imprisonment and hard
ship, may be consoled with the
necessary help of divine grace and
fortified with the strength of Chris
tian virtue; that those who rashly
dare to trample upon the liberty of
the church and the rights of human
conscience, may at length under
stand that no civil society can en-
dure when religion has been sup
pressed and God, as it were, driven
into exile. 1t is only the sacred
principles of religion that can mod
crate within the limits of reason
the duties and rights of citizens
can consolidate the foundations OF
the state, and make mems lives
conform to the salutary norms OF
morality, restoring them to order
and virtue.
Roman Words Recalled.
The words of the greatest Roman
orator: High priests, you defend
the city more securely by religion
than by its surrounding walls" Ode
Nat Deor. III, 4O, when applied
to Christian precepts and faith, is
infinitely more true and certain
Let all those into whose hands pub.
lie government has been entrusted
recognize this truth; and let due
liberty be everywhere restored tc
the church that untrammeled she
may be able to enlighten the minds
of men with her salutary doctrine
rightly instruct youth and lead them
to virtue. restore to families theil
sacred character, and permeate with
her influence the whole life of men
Civil society has nothing at all tt
fear from this activity but rather
will reap the greatest advantages
1t is then, venerable brethren, thai
social questions will be solved with
justice and equity; the condition!
of the poor will be ameliorated, a!
is but just, and they will be restored
to a state befitting the dignity o.
man; finally discord will be ap.
peased, fraternal charity will bring
peace to mems minds and better
days, as we fondly hope and humbly
pray. will happily ensue for al
peoples and races.
These are the words we wished
to speak in this illustrious assembly
to you who are so closely associated
with us in the government Of tht
universal church and assist us with
your zeal, your prudence and you
wisdom