The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-04-15

In the fields OF politics and ethics.
3. They found themselves in
accord with the attitude of the
Holy Sec as set forth in many re-
cent documents and particularly
in the addresses of Pope Plus XII" !"
The cardinal spoke at dinner
which closed the 18th annual con-
vention Of the Detroit Archdio-
cesan Council Of Catholic Women.
He made his remarks after Father
Hubert A. Maino, spiritual direc-
tor of the council, had commended
the delegates for having adopted
a resolution calling upon the Unit
ed States Senate to consider and
act upon the Genocide Convention
proposed by the United Nations.
THE people of the world look
to the United States for moral
leadership in international affairs, "
Father Maino said millions of hui
man beings live under totalitar-
ian regimes, and need the support
which even this admittedly weak
and imperfect Genocide treaty can
give them. Much Of the current
opposition to American accept
ance of the Genocide Convention
probably stems from persons
whose real purpose is to diseredit
the United Nations organization"
Not Widespread But Vehement
Cardinal Mooney, the principal
speaker at the concluding dinner,
said:
~ was glad to hear Father
Maino refer TO the criticism
not widespread, as far as
know, but rather vehement -
that has been made of the se-
fion al the last N.c.c.W. con-
vention in favor OF the Geno-
eide Convention.
1t is for the guidance of this
archdiocesan council that | take
this opportunity to express my
mind on this vexatious question.
Frankly, | was surprised to see
the criticism arise at this rather
late date. The same resolution, in
substance, was passed in the
meow. convention in 1850, and
again in 1882, without enjoying
any noteworthy adverse comment
"But to return to the present
resolution, | take il for granted
that our delegates voted for it, and
| want them to know that in doing
so they acted in way which, to
my mind, characterized by pru-
dence and c0mmendable Catholic
vision.
Followed Competent Guidance
"They acted prudently because
the resolution called for nothing
more than resubmission of the
Genocide Convention of 1948 to the
consideration of the u. S. Senate.
In previous consideration of this
question, the Senate Judiciary
Committee favored affirmative ac-
tion subject to four understand
ings' which actually amounted to
four reservations in the Senate's
ratification of the convention. Sew
eral of the 48 countries which have
ratified the Genocide Convention
did so with reservations which
safeguarded attitudes they wished
to maintain.
"our Detroit delegates acted
prudenflY in as much as they
followed the guidance OF the
staff OF the N.c.W.c. depart
ment which has competence In
such L.atters. They followed, as
we'll. the guidance Of the catho-
lie Association for international
Peace, which brings together for
discussion of international Af-
rairs eminent Catholic scholars
in the fields of politics and eth
les.
This is not to say that the Gen.
ocide Convention measures up to
our ideals on the question of
genocide. 1t is, in fact, weak
document that provides for no in-
ternationally enforceable sanctions.
But it is the best that could be OBJ
tanned in an admittedly confused
and imperfect world society. It is,
therefore, better than nothing.
In Accord With Holy See
aThiS last ranaark TaadS m fhe