Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-14
Text of Pope Johns Easter Appeal for Peace in World

VATICAN CITY, April 49,
AP).-FoIlotDing Is the tert OF
Pope Johns Easter address, In
an English translation released
bY the Vatican Press office:
Venerable brothers, dear chill
dren:
Pax Vobis-Peace be to you
%. This loving greeting of
Jesus rises from our heart as
we wait to celebrate in a very
short time the glory Of the
resurrection.
From the first Easter Of our
pontificate to the present day.
the Lumen Christi, of which we
spoke to you on Holy Satur-
day 1859 (2), has, in spite Of
difficulties. continued to spread
its light over the world. Of
this light. there are three ir-
radiations which we would con-
slider:
The Ecuinenical Coun Gil
and the social encyclicals.
Generous service on behalf
Of human and Chistian living
together.
Good wishes bearing en-
couragement and blessing.
THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
AND SOCIAL ENCYCLICALS
Allow US first Of all to men
ton the End Vatican 'Ecumeni-
cal Council. Its very name suf-
fices to arouse enthusiasm In
everyone who has understood
its immutable doctrinal princi-
Piles and its all-embracing pas
toral detectives which reach
reach out to the vast horizons
opened 20 centuries ago by our
divine redeemer.
Even the secular world
which seemed or was said to
be little concerned with re-
ligious questions-has felt the
Importance Of this assembly of
all the Catholic bishops, and is
expecting Of it the desired In
fluence upon the social stuc-
ture. The council is. indeed, a
beacon toward which not only
the church's children, but all
men Of good will are looking
with hope.
But the special interest of
these days is centered upon
the encyclical Pacem in Terris
Peace on Earth-which is
dedicated to the right ordering
Of society as a means Of achiev-
ing the most precious benefit
of peace. This letter expounds
the thought Of the church
upon that subject, and 1t OUT
lines, in the light Of the gospel,
a synthesis of all the elements
that conduce to true peace in
individual surroundings, IN the
surroundings of the family and
of the community. o peace!
Much more than being a bal
ance of external forces, peace
is a divine gift, q pledge of the
love Of Christ who reconciles
souls to the heavenly father
and establishes them in His
grace. The internal order
which is upheld by good will
secures q tranquil external Or
der; otherwise this order is un-
stable since it is dependent on
human prudence.
EPITOMIzES TEACHINGS
This new document, which
is linked with Mater ct Magis-
ira, on the subject Of peace
epitomizes the teachings Of our
predecessors from Leo XIII to
Plus XII. Towad preserving or
recovering this inestimable gift
there has been, throughout the
last 70 years, q mass of papal
teaching, in exhortations and
in serious warnings.
The encyclical Pacem in Ter
ris Is intended as our Easter
gift Of the year Of the Lord
1868. It is the expression Of
that ardent desire burning In
our soul as universal shepherd
Of holy church, which reflects
the heart Of Jesus. HE is our
peace. says the Apostle
Paul-"and coming he preached
peace to you that were afar
off and peace to them that
were high: For by Him we
have access both in one spirit
to the Father" (3). What a
heavenly visionI Peace with
God In the fulfilment Of His
viii; peace with man in the
respect for each ones rights,