Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-12
God and Un-God

Almost simultaneously with Premier
KhruShchev's message of coincidence ex-
tolling Pope John XIII, Pravda has
published an article calling for an all
out campaign to put an end to the
remnants" of religion in the Soviet
Union.
Such calls, of course, are VIGOROUSLY
recurrent over there, making clear in
their own way that great numbers Of
the countrys population still cling stub
bornly to faith in God. But this latest
appeal for the obliteration of that faith
IAN appeal voiced by a relatively high
official of the Soviet Communist Party
seems Singularly ill-timed. Certainly,
nothing could be more out of key with
the sentiments Mr.. KhruShchev has adj
dressed to the Vatican.
This is the more true because of
the late Pope Johns apparent desire to
explore the possibility of establishing
some kind of moduS vivendi between
Rome and Moscow. An indication of his
feeling in that respect was the prece-
dent-Setting audience he granted to Mr..
Khrushchev'S Son-in-law and daughter.
Indeed, prior to the pontiff's last illness,
there was growing speculation to- the
effect that Mr.. Khrushchev himself
might visit Rome and be received by
the Holy Father-an event that would
have endowed communism with a
degree of responsibility it has never
enjoyed
Pope John, had he lived, might well
have decided-deSpite dissenting views
in the highest circles around him and
elSewhere-in favor of such a meeting
with the Soviet Premier. In any case,
he was not man to close doors against
anybody, although he doubtless was we'll
aware Of the old adage that one should
use long-handled spoon when supping
with the devil. AS to that, there is good
reason to quote the following, once
again, from his last encyclical, Pacem in
ferris, Peace on Earth:
one must never confuse error and the
person who errs. The person who errs
is always and above all human being, and
ne retains in every case his dignity as a hui
man person; and he must be always regarded
dignity.
Meetings and agreements in the various
sectors of daily life. between believers and
those who do not believe, or believe insuffi-
GENTLY because they adhere to error can be
occasion for discovering truth and paying
homage to it. -.
1t can happen, then, that a drawing
nearer together or a meeting for the attain
ment OF some practical end which was for
merly deemed inopportune or unproductive
might now or in the future be considered
opportune and useful.
AS far as the Kremlin is concerned.
the Pope's death seems definitely TO
have reduced the chances of such a rap
prochement between the goddess and the
God-fearing in the months Immediately
ahead. Still, 1t is not improbable that
John XXIII'S successor will emulate him
in striving to achieve that implausible
goal. Meanwhile, regardless of what Mr..
khrushchev may think, whether he
favors 1t or not, there is to be another
drive designed to make atheism supreme
in every nook and Granny Of the USSR.
A safe prediction is that this drive
will fail, as usual, and that countless
Soviet citizens will continue to have
more faith in God than in the Kremlin's
fallible men with feet Of clay. But
because the party-line demands it, Mos
COW presumably will keep on screaming
about the glorieS Of atheism prospect
hardly conducive to Khrushchev Rome
visit.