Evening star., 1949-02-14
Text of Pope Plus Address
BY the Associated Press

ICAI VI OPc !
BY the Assoeioted Press
i VATICAN CITY, Feb. IA
7 The official English tert of Pope
Plus address to toddy'S secret
conSiStory on the arrest and
Imprisonment of Josef Cardinal
MindSsenty of Hungary:
| Venerable brethren, we have con-
voked this extraordinary consistory
today in order to unfold to you our
soul, which is crushed with most
bitter grief. You will readily under
stand the reason of this sorrow:
1t concerns a most serious outrage
which inf1icts a deep wound not
only on your distinguished college
and on the church. but also on every
upholder of the dignity and liberty
of man. AS soon as ever we
knew that our beloved son, Josef
Mindszenty, Cardinal of the Holy
Roman Church, Archbishop of Ester
gom, was cast into prison in bold
defiance of the reverence due to
religion We sent loving message
to the Hungarian hierarchy in which
We publicly and solemnly protested,
as our duty demanded, against the
injury done to the church.
At present, when things have
come to such pass that this most
worthy prelate has been reduced to
supreme indignity and condemned
like a criminal to life Imprisonment,
we cannot but repeat this solemn
protest in your presence. We are
prompted to do this primarily on
behalf of the sacred rights of re-
iigion which this valiant prelate tire
lessly propounded and defended so
Istrenuously and courageously. Be-
sides, unanimous consensus of free
peoples, expressed in speech and
writings even by leaders of nations
and by those who do not belong to
the Catholic Church, has been given
the fullest light of publicity.
Observers Barred at Trial.
But, as you are aware, the full
light of publicity did not shine over
the trial of this prelate who de-
served so we'll of all, in defending
the religion of his ancestors and in
the restoration of Christian morals.
In fact, from the beginning the
news that arrived caused alarm.
People outside Hungary who asked
permission to be present at the
trial were refused permission If
they seemed likely to judge i'm
partially or to give sincere re-
port: this led them to believe, and
all upright and honest men as well,
that those who were conducting
the trial in Budapest seemed to be
afraid 70 allow all to see what was
taking place.
Justice, which is worthy Of the
name, does not begin with preju-
dices and is not based on a de-
cision previously taken, but 1t
gladly admits of free discussion and
gives every one due facility for
thinking, believing and speaking.
But although the facts have not
been reliably made known, or re-
ported clearly and completely, we
cannot omit mentioning the judg-
ment which all civilized people have
passed on this trial. Referring
particularly to the speed with which
it was conducted, thus suggesting
ready reason for suspicion; of ac-
cusations cautiously and deceitfully
contrived; and to the physical con-
dition of the Cardinal which is in
deed inexplicable except as result
of a secret influence which may not
be publicly revealed, which sud
denly made of a man, until then
exceptionally energetic by nature
and by way of life, a feeble being
and of vacillating mind, so that
his behavior appeared an accusa-
ton not against himself but
against his very accusers and con-
demnerS.
Sees Attack on Church.
In all this matter one thing stands
out clearly: The principal object
/ of the trial was to disrupt the
Catholic Church in Hungary and
precisely for the purpose set forth
in sacred Scripture: Il shall strike
the shepherd and the sheep OF the
flock shall be dispersed" (Matt
xxvi.31.)
While with sorrow in our heart
we deplore this very sad event ane
entrust it in a sense to public
opinion and the tribunal OF history
for final judgment, we are doing
what the outraged rights OF the
church and the dignity of human
person clearly demand.
We deem it especially our duty
to brand as completely false the as
Sertion made in the course OF the
trial that the whole question al
issue was that this apostolic see, ir
furtherance of a plan for politica
domination of nations. gave in
structions to oppose the Republic oi
Hungary and its rulers: thus all re-
sponsibility would fall on the same
apostolic see.
Everybody knows that the Cath
olic Church does not act through
worldly motives, and that she ac'
cepts any and every form of civi
government provided it be not in
consistent with divine and human
rights. But when it does contradic
these rights, bishops and the faith
full themselves are bound by thei
own conscience to resist unjus
laws.
In the midst Of this grievous an
guish, however, venerable brethren
the Father of Mercies" (Cfr. I.
Cor. /, - has not left us withou
consultations from above which
have served to mitigate our sorrow
It is consoling above all to witnes!