The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-02-08
Just Among Ourselves
Passing Comment Considered or Inconsidsrste

The fuss about an American ambassador at the
Vatican was always silly and has now become tire
some. The people who spare effort to keep the
question alive and to stir up agitation upon it are
perhaps more to be pitied than censured. They are
but few in number out of great population, and
they are not its brighter elements.
Most American non Catholics realize the fact that
to Catholics Catholics the question of Vatican rep
resentative is completely indifferent We have neither
desire nor objection AS Americans we want polite
al representative at the Vatican if his presence there
would benefit government. In no sense do we
suppose expect that a Vatican representative
would benefit our Church. Why others should mag
inc that we feel that the appointment of an Amer
ican ambassador to the Holy See would enhance
the position of the Catholic religion in America is
beyond understanding.
There malicious and unpatriotic men-a few
of them--whose business ii is to foment disturb
and division These lose no opportunity of rails
ing the cry Of Church and State" Even as they
mingle the two themselves, as they enwrap
their queer politics with anti-Cathoc diatribes and
further their plans with all available political aids
they shout down the impending fusion of Church
and State. The Blanshards and Oxnams we have
always with us.
Everyone understands that the Church they
speak of in their Church and State" utterances
is the Catholic Church II is of course, all right for
their church if any to mngle in politics. 1t is
all right for n-Cathoic religious lobbies to func
ton furiousy in Washington But il is distinctly not
all right for Catholic to mention or exhibit his
religious faith in any activity that could be called
political That would be mixing Church and State
that would be mperiling the government; that would
be blow against democracy.
80
mile along a country road in tax-paid vehicle:
that would be combining Church and State, and
would forecast the ruin of the country. citizen
is therefore not full citizen If his religion does
not suit the astL of certain rabblerousers whose
religion is at best, questionable Such citizen
may be subject to discrimination; he may be freely
lied about: his motives of life and action may be
twisted and. .falsed-all this is democracy at work.
But any effort on the Catholic citizens part TO
assert his political rights is horrible projection of
Church and State into civic polity.
Surely, most Americans are little tired of this
stale and tiresome uproar, Catholics have been
around long time. They have done their full share,
and more in the building and defense of coun-
try They are still doing their share They have no
designs on the government they have no plans for
taking over the country whatever that set of silly
words might mean. They simple and loyal
citizens without the least notion or intention of
combining Church and State.
And this is true of Catholics in high places and
low. The jttery folk who hate the Catholic Church
and who discern sly possessiyeness in every Catholic
activity have been trying of late years, to tell the
Catholic layman that he is all right, he is fine
chap only his Church leaders are schemers who
want to bring America under Vatican direction.
What do these Anticipates think they achieving?
Who is being kidded? The Catholic layman knows
full we'll that however a fine chap he may be con-
e.H kte ~hs riH in htc
Our Lord said 'They shall strike the shepherd
and the sheep shall be scattered" That's the current
effort of the agitators-to strike the shepherds An
earnest drive to divide the laity from their pastors
and hierarchy is the soul of modern nti.Cathoc
action. But thank Cod the Catholic laity is not so
unntelligent as to be misled by the mouthngs of
people who oppress them as individuals even as
they assure them that as individuals they are nice
and commendahle people,
The current Readers Digest tells of minister
who plans, upon weighing the merits of one of the
declared candidates for the presidency, "'to work
up sermon" on that candidate. People will read
that article with never flutter of an eyelash But
IL the preacher in question were Catholic priest
what an uproar would be heardl Here indeed would
be the commingng of Church and State; here would
be the intolerable dragging of politics into the pull
pit. Sauce for the goose is evidently not sauce for
the gander Church and State 60 right on mixing
together in the usual American way, unless the
Church happens to be the Catholic Church.
But, as fact the Catholic Church in America
never seeks and never has sought, TO mingle in af
fairs of sheer politics or government. Only when
legislation cut across the lines of morality, only
when political activities involved manifest injustice
have Catholic leaders spoken and labored TO prevent
or remove a wrong. And surely such action |:
thoroughly American. completely democratic, sound
y patriotic. When Catholic American churchmer
take such action, they not mixing Church anc
State; they are merely performing their plair
duty as loyal and patriotic Americans