The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-06-24
Reactions Are Widespread
Continued from Page u


volt will be employed as an ex-
cuse to take even harsher meas
ures against Catholicism.
Neighboring Brazil accelerated
preparations for the International
EuchariStic Congress to be held in
Rio de Janeiro, July II to "a. 1t
wants to make the great demon
stration of faith as impressive as
possible, to counter the perSecu-
tion in Argentina. The Brazilian
Chamber of Deputies adopted
unanimously resolution express
ing sympathy by the democratic
conscience of the Americas for the
Catholic Church in Argentina.
Within 4s hours after they
had been forcibIy expelled by
airpIana from their homeland.
Auxiliary Bishop Manuel Tsto OF
sveHos Aires and his Pro Vicar
General. Mssr. Ramon Novoa,
were received in q privsts audi
enee by His Holiness Pope Plus
XII Of the Vatican. The Holy "a.
ther made il known in advance
that he wanted particularly TO
see and greet the sxiled prelatex
at the very earliest opportunity.
The Bishop and monsignor from
Buenos Aires were given a rousing
reception upon their arrival in
Rome, despite the fact that it was
past midnight when their airplane
touched ground.
Interviewed by the N.C.W.C.
News Service during a brief stop
in Lisbon, Portugal, enroute to
Rome, Bishop Tato said there was
mo logical reason for the present
anti-Catholic campaign in Argen-
tina" He said the Argentine eccles-
iastical authorities have demanded
proof of the charges Peron has
hurled against the Church, but that
no proof has been forthcoming.
Meanwhile, "csssrvafors Ro-
msno," Vatican City newspaper,
thoroughly refuted the assertion
IN some secular papers that the
struggle in Argentina was a po-
lificsl one between a Catholic
Action party" supported by ~.
raj people, and the Psron re-
sime, supported by city workers.
"osservatore" said that what
goes on in Argentina Is IAN at
tack which, for a still mysterious
reason, the regime believed
II necessary 10 unleash against
the Church and her teachings"
Secular newspapers in the Unit.
ed States vigorously condemned
editorially the Peron regimes per-
seeution of the Church. In many
quarters it was noted that the trail
being followed by Peron today is
one which Hitler trod before him.
Albert ]. Sattler OF New York,
president of the National Council
of Catholic Men, revealed that he
had sent to President Peron a let
ter appealing in the name of 7,000,-
600 Catholic men in the United
States for an immediate cessation
of the Argentine regimes perse-
nntfnp Of tho Tbswah
Martin H. Work, Executive Di-
rector of NCCM. noted that, since
Mr.. Sattler's letter was written,
"Peron has taken the next step
that all dictators take in the per-
secution of religion; namely, re-
sorting TO violence, intimidation
and lying propaganda" Mr.. Work
also added: where are the voices
of the great American liberals who
so loudly and bitterly attacked
Peron's restrictions on the free
dom of the press few years ago?
Their silence today in the face of
the persecution of the Church and
the violations of freedom of relig-
ion leaves their liberalism suspect
in the minds of honest men"
Because the Constitution OF
Argentina requires that the Pres.
ident and Vice President of the
country be Catholics, ths ques-
tion WAS asked whether Peron is
still q Catholic in view Of fhs
statement made sf fhe Vatican
regarding possible exeommuni.
cation. Canon Law authorities