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

TO peace. first, that of mill
tary aggression of which the
more recent instances con-
tinue to exemplify both ruth
lessness and perfidy; second
ly, the widespread sowing of
the seed of hatred within ma
tions and among nations. To
meet this constant threat to
peace is the free worlds
greatest problem.
A second obstacle to peace
and freedom, personal and ma
tional, is the spirit Of excess
siye nationalism. The world
wide movement toward indie
pendence is in itself good
and laudable, and we rejoice
that many nations formerly
subjected to external control
now guide their own destinies.
But all too often a morbid
preoccupation with past griev-
ances arouses a spirit of re-
venge that defrauds certain
minorities of freedom and OBJ
structs the clear vision of the
constructive and peaceful
paths that lead to national
greatness.
A THIRD OBSTACLE to
freedom and peace is found
in the inhuman conditions
that prevail among so many
millions of the worlds popu-
lation. Poverty, hunger, dis
ease and the bitterness en-.
gendered by social injustice
Is their common lot. Embltter-
ed by the contrast between
their own wretchedness and
the wealth of the rich and
powerful in their own lands,
and between the nations, they
are ripe for exploitation by
both the communists and the
extreme nationalists.
Nor can we be unmindful
of the plight of the millions
of refugees whose present
status is a challenge to all
who believe in freedom and
peace. Victims of totalitarian
tyranny, deprived of family,
Of homeland, of liberty itself,
they pose no threat to the
peace and security of any
land that may be their haven.
But continued apathy to the
problem of their resettlement
is a reproach to the conscience
of the free world.
We must also recognize that
conditions at home which
threaten our moral integrity
seriously threaten the cause
of freedom and peace.
OUR ATTENTION is direct.
ed to the subversive and evil
forces that may undermine
the moral strength of the ma
ton. Chief among these cur
rently are racial injustice,
laxity in home life and discip-
line, preoccupation with the
sensual, selfishness and self
seeking in economic life, and
the excessive desire for
wealth and ease.
THE FORCES of religion in
this country face no problem
more pressing than the re-
storatlon within our people of
respect for the moral law as
Gods law, and the incubation
of those virtues on which the
soundness of family and civic
life depends. Reverence for
Gods law, the keeping of His
Commandments, the practice
of self-reStraint, of justice and
charity will contribute beyond
measure to the strength and
unity Of our country, which
are so essential for effective
leadership in the cause of
freedom and of peace.
Although communism is the
overriding danger 10 peace
and freedom, our prsoceupa-
ton with communism should
not deter US from seeking TO
solve other problems that may
endanser peace and freedom.
The social and economic prob
lens of the world, and par
fieulsrIy those of Asia, Africa.
and some areas in Latin
America pose a fwofold ehaI.
Ienge that can be met.
In the first place, our Chris
tan sense of justice and
mercy impels us to do all
that we can to help those
who suffer from avoidable
poverty, ignorance, and dis
ease. Secondly, we know that
tensions engendered by these