The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-11-27

$3$%$ M %
with the communist regimes,
we must never forget that
their system and ours are as
basically different as slavery
and freedom. To palliate the
difference is to Subvert the
cause of freedom and peace.
Recently the communists
have been cleVerly yelling the
sharp differences between the
systems, as witnessed by the
statement of a member of the
Russian press group, "Our sys-
TENS are different but there
is not a single obstacle which
would deny us peace of friend
ship or cooperation" In other
words, Red slavery is only diff
ferent, not opposed to our sys-
TEN of peace and freedom I'M
der God.
Ultimately, the problem of
communism as a threat to
peace and freedom will be
met only when we %exemplify
the principles that we pro.
claim as Christian members
of a nation dedicated to Gods
law. There must be a search
ing reappraisal Of our de-
votlon to the principles we
proclaim. We cannot live as
materialists and expect to
convert others to our system
of freedom and peace under
God.
INSTEAD OF UNFOLDING
boldly the principles of peace
and freedom under God we
have emphasized the material
fruits of our freedom, mater
ial wealth from industrializa-
ton and education. Instead of
proclaiming freedom under
God as we did in a more ro-
bust time in our history, we
have so praised a program
of supplying machines and
calories and pleasure that
these fruits of freedom and
peace are made its substitutes.
Today throughout the world,
too often it is thought that
when we speak of our Ameri-
can way of life we are speak
ing of a high standard of
living.
We have often acted in our
international relations as if
the products of industry and
methods of production were
our only contribution to the
welfare of our neighbors.
We have given the impress
sion that material progress 10
W sovereign il not our ex-
elusive concern. In particular,
we have fostered industriaIiza.
fion and education rs the ends
and not the means of eIevat-
ing nations. Insofar as we
have done this. we have facility
accepted the maferiaIistic
philosophy of communism as
our way of life. We have aim
ed our efforts at satisfying
the body, and, paradoxically,
have allowed the communists
TO capture the minds of men.
WE MUST CONVINCE the
world that our industry, our
education, our technology are
made not only to serve the
body but the free spirit of
man, that the grandeur of
our heritage and extent of
our contribution to the world
is not measured in dollars
and machines, but in the spirit
of Gods freedom and the dig
nifty Of the human person.
Our motive in gladly pouring
out our resources is not sim
ply a natural pity for the
misery of our fellow man or
a damper to conflict, but
recognition of his dignity as
an equal son of God endowed
with freedom.
TO THIS we
must be totally dedicated to
our beliefs in God, the source
OF freedom and peace. We
must be ready to give our
c%ountry's principles the same
unlimited measure of devotion
that led to the birth of our
nation. Mankind will follow
only those who give it a high
er cause and the leadership
Of their dedication. 1t is up
to us TO give that leadership
to mankind in the cause of
Gods freedom and peace.
Signed by the Administra-
tive Board, National Catholic
Welfare Conference, in the
name of the Bishops of the
United States.