The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-01-29
As Matters Stand
Joe Breig Says.
None So Blind AS.

is saying that those who work
against, or will not work for, a
world community ruled by law, are
going against Gods will, and are
opposing something demanded by
the very nature of men and women.
Yet the fact remains that not a
few Catholics continue to be mar
rowly nationalistic, jealous, Suspic-
ious of other countries and other
peoples, and antsgonistic TO every
move in the direction of a world
order. What is most distressing is
that among these rt-Sighted
people can be found Catholic writ
ers and Catholic editors of consid-
cradle influence.
These men turn every which
way in search of justifications for
their un-Catholic position. They
will tell you that the Pope is in
fallible only when he speaks ex
cathedra; as if the Church had no
teaching authority at any other
time. They will allege that the
Pope is talking. about an ideal or
ganization impossible in our time:
although he spoke plainly of "a
community of peoples which today
has been partially realized"
These opponents will argue that
one nation or another won't 90
along; ignoring the fact that the
Holy Father recognizes that prob
ability, but appeals to us neverthe-
less TO go ahead with the business
Of world law and world organiza-
tion. Or they will say that Amer
lea (f they be Americans must
not surrender jot or title of her
sovereignty, although Pope Plus has
said clearly that no nation can be
sovereign in the sense Of complete
ly unlimited, and has warned that
sovereignty is not divinization
of the state, or omnipotence of the
state
None so blind !" II is
years now since the Holy Father
laid down the spiritual and psyche
logical requirements for peace
an end to hatred, an end TO suspic-
ion, an end to distrust, an end TO
the small-mindedness and the nurs-
ing of old grudges and prejudices
which keep nations apart when
they are not at one another's
throats. But none so blind" as they
who will not see humanity for what
1t is, one family, and will not stop
snlplng at every effort to heal its
quarrels and divisions.
What in the world do these peo.
pie want the Pope to do before they
Will consent at least to give ser
ious consideration to his guidance? /
Is there anything possible to him
that he has not done, over and
over?
There is no subject, ] am sure
on which he has spoken out more
often or with more force than on
world organization. He blessed and
encouraged, in 1851, the members
OF the World Movement for World
Federal Government. He carefully /
defined the form which such GOV.
ernment should take.
Last October, addressing the In
ternational Congress of Penal Law,
he said that there must be estab-
lished world criminal code, with
provisions for enforcement, and
court with jurisdiction reaching
into individual nations. in order that
aggression and war atrocities may
be punished. and future interna-
tional criminals deferred.
Then, in December, he spoke TO
delegates OF the Union of Italian
Catholic Jurists, and urged that
there be created a world commun .
ity under lava community willed /
by the Creator and demanded .
by the nature of man; a c0mmm-
ity, furthermore, which already has
been partially realized"
Finally, the Holy Father, in nest |
urgent terms, called for immediate |
establishment of European Union,
and emphasized that the time for
hesitation is long since past
But none so blind. none so
deaf