Evening star., 1951-06-16
Papal EneycIicaI Says
Missionary Converts
Number Is Million
BY the Asseeiated Press

BY the Asseeicfed Press
VATICAN CITY, June To-
Pope Plus announced in an en-
cyclical released today that the
number of Roman Catholics in
mission lands has nearly doubled
in Is years.
Catholics in these areas did not
exceed Is million in 1926. Today,
the Pope said, they total almost
% million.
The encyclical, On the Promot-
ing of Catholic Missions, is dated
June 2, 1851, feast day of st. Eu-
gene, when the pontiff consecrated
a new Roman basilica to his
namesake.
While underlining the progress
made by Catholic missionaries
during the quarter century. the
pontif said his heart was "over-'
whelmed with grief at the
thought of hardships and suffer-
ing OF those spreading the Gospel.
Refers to Far East.
There are countries in the Far
East" he wrote, which are being
purpled with martyrs blood in
the same cause"
He said the number of the
worlds people who sit in darkness
and shadow form an immense
multitude that can be reckoned att
about l billion.
For this missionary task, the
Pope added, native clergy must
be educated and trained. The
pontiff mentioned Korea and
China, whose people. he said, now
are reduced to the direst straits.
The encyclical, addressed to the
whole Catholic world, is titled from
its opening Latin words. Evan
geli Praecones"-heralds of the
gospel.
1926 Encyclical Recalled.
It opened by recalling the pass
ing of the 25th year since Pope
Plus XI-the present Pope'sI
predecessor-in 1926 published his
missionary encyclical. "RerumI
Ecclesiae"-concerning things of
the church.
In 1926, the new encyclical said,
Catholic missions numbered 400;
today there are 600. The numberj
Of native and foreign priests in
the missions was about 14.800 I'M
1926: today they total more than
>26,800. Then, the encyclical said, /,
"All shops in the missions were
foreigners; during the past 25I
years, SO missions have been en-!
trusted to native clergy" Native
bishops. the Pope said, have been
appointed "in quite a few places. ;"
The Pope said at is a consola-
ton" to know that missionary
vocations are increasing. But. he
added, "still very much remains
to be done" The Pope then
turned his attention to the grim
n1er aspects of mission activity.
Expresses Hope for China.
I'm our own time there are
countries in the Far East which
are being purpled with martyrs
blood. We have learned that
many of the faithful and also
nuns, missionaries, native priests
and even bishops have been driven
from their homes. despoiled of
their possessions, and languish In !
want as exiles, or have been ar
rested. thrown into prison or into
concentration camps, or some- |,
times cruelty done to death, be-
cause they were devoutly attached
to the faith"
The Pope expressed hope that
the people of Korea and China
may be freed "as soon as possible,
not only from turbulent factions
of war, but from the inimical doc
trine which seeks only the things
of earth and scornS the things of
heaven" this being a clear refer
ence to communism.
The Pope also exhorted Catholic
laymen to collaborate with mis-
sionarieS in the ranks of Catholic
action with great heart and
a willing mind" /
Once again-in one of his few
such public references-the pom
tiff mentioned communism by
name. |.
Quotes Book of Mark.
whilst the propaganda of |.
communism, today so widespread.
is readily deceiving the minds of
the simple and untutored, we seem
to hear an echo of those words of |,
the Divine Saviour:
"I have compassion on the
multitude mark, viii.2). It isl
imperative to put into practice
with zeal and diligence the right
principles taught by the church,,
in this matter /
"It is imperative" the Pope de-
clared, ito keep all nations free
from those pernicious errors, or,
in case they are already tainted
with them, to set them free from
these inimical doctrines which
represent the enjoyment of this
world as the unique goal to be
attained by men in this mortal
life.
"At the same time, by subject
ing everything to state ownership /
i