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SIX
THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
FEBRUARY 27, 1943
THE BULLETIN
The Official Organ of the Catholic Laymen’s
Association of Georgia. Incorporated.
HUGH KINCHLEY, Editor
216-217 Southern Finance Building, Augusta, Ga.
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS FOR 1942-1943
BERNARD J. KANE, Atlanta President
MARTIN J. CALLAGHAN, Macon, 1st Vice-Pres.
J. B. McCALLUM, Atlanta Secretary
HUGH GRADY. Savannah Treasurer
HUGH KINCHLEY, Augusta..Executive Secretary
MISS CECILE FERRY, Augusta, Asst. Exec. Secty.
A. M, McAULIFFE. Augusta Auditor
Vol. XXIV February 27, 1943 No. 2
Entered as second class matter June 15. 1921. at the Post
Office at Augusta. Ga_ under act of March, 1879 Ac
cepted for mailing at special rate of postage provided for
in Section 1103. Act of October 3. 1917. authorized Sept.
1. 1921
Member of N C W C. News Service the Catholic Press
Association of the United States, the Georgia Press Asso-
ciation and the National Editorial Association.
Published monthly by the Publicity Department with the
Approbation of the Most Reverend Bishops of Raleigh,
Charleston, and Savannah-Atlanta, and of the Right Rev
erend Abbot Ordinary of Belmont.
The Conference in Atlanta
O NE of the most notable gatherings held in this
section in years was the recent Catholic Con
ference on Industrial Problems which brought
leaders in the fields of religion, education, labor
and industry together in Atlanta for a discussion
of present and post-war industrial and agricultural
problems in the light of the Social Encyclicals of
Pope Leo XIII and Pope Pius XI.
Nothing that could be written for these columns
in regard to the Conference would hold for the
readers of The Bulletin a fraction of the interest
and significance which would be held by the. ad
dress on “The Challenge of the Encyclicals,” which
was delivered by His Excellency the Most Reverend
Gerald P. O’Hara, Bishop of Savannah-Atlanta, at
the dinner meeting which closed the Conference.
For the benefit of those who were not fortunate
enough to be present on that occasion, Bishop
O’Hara remarks are quoted in part here:
“We, of the Catholic Church, have reason to be
proud of those who in the providence of God have
been called upon in our day to rule the Church.
These saintly men, conscious of the command given
to the Church to teach all nations have faithfully
and with supreme courage fulfilled this sublime
office.
“Oue of the best known means by which the
Roman Pontiffs have exercised their teaching office
is the Encyclical Letter, as it is called. An En
cyclical Letter means a circular letter addressed
primarily to the Bishops of the world in communion
with the Holy See, but they are intended for the
whole world. An Encylical is issued only on occa
sions of the greatest importance. Before they are
given to the world their subject matter is given long
and close study, not only by the Pope himself but
by other experts in the particular field with which
the Encyclical is concerned. Every word is weigh
ed not only because the Pontiff wishes to be ab
solutely certain that there is nothing in them that
would be even slightly at variance with the teach
ings of the Gospel and with the principles of sound
logic and reason, but also because he is well aware
of the fact that such a document will be subjected
to intense scrutiny all over the world. Not to be
forgotten is this other fact: a Pope spends long
hours in prayer before he even begins to pen an
Encylclical Letter, for he knows very well that
without God’s help and the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, he will be merely writing in the persuasive
words of human eloquence. When, therefore, such
a document is given to the world, we can be sure
that it contains the purest doctrine and the sound
est reasoning. We can be sure also that it breathes
the spirit of God. which is a spirit of charity that
knows no limits of race or nation or group. For
these and other reasons they deserve to receive the
most respectful attention and study. If they point
out a solution to existing evils, this solution should
be applied with every assurance that the results
will be universally salutary.
“Since several of these Encyclicals, pAticularly
those of Leo XIII and Pius XI, have dealt with
some of the gravest problems in our social order,
and since it has been precisely these pioblems that
have engaged our attention during the past two
days, I trust that it will not be out of place if I
were to sum up the principle points of the Papal
teaching in this respect.
“The pre-occupation of the Church with social
and economic problems is inspired by human inter
est and a keen concern for the safeguarding of
spiritual and moral values in the realm of industrial
life. Wherever man enters into a situation some
thing vastly superior to material issues is at stake,
and it comes within the purview of religion to
stress these higher aspects of life and to make sure
that they are not set aside. Thus, while the im
mediate purpose of industry is to produce material
goods, it must at the same time contribute toward
the more abundant spiritual and moral develop
ment of all concerned and help man to attain to
the full stature of manhood. And industry which
turned out an abundance of commercial goods but
in the process brought about the degradation and
stunting of men would fall infinitely short of its
most essential purpose. It is against an industry
conducted in this manner that Pius XI pens this
terrible indictment, ‘And so bodily labor, which
was decreed by Providence for the good of man’s
body and soul even after original sin, has every
where been changed into an instrument of strange
perversion: for- dead matter leaves the factory
ennobled and transformed, where men are corrupt
ed and degraded’, (Quadragesimo Anno.) Not things,
sot goods, not wealth are central in the economic
order but man is the center around which industry
must revolve. The way in which an economic sys
tem affects the entire well being physical, spiritual,
moral, cultural of man constitutes the measure by
which it must be judged.
“The Church stands unflinchingly for the age-
old and time-honored institution of private property,
for neither the freedom of man nor his dignity can
be adequately protected if private ownership is
abolished. This right is deeply rooted in human
nature and is in accord with man’s profoundest
aspirations, but for this very reason, normally,
every individual should be in possession of private
property. Excessive inequalities in the possession
of earthly goods deny the fundamental equality of
men, rob many of the opportunities for full human
development and undermine the stability of the so
cial order. The concentration of wealth in the hands
of a few is a menace because if confers on these
few a power which is certain to be abused. Hardly
anyone would venture to defend as just and socially
useful the present actual distribution of property.’
A System which produces a vast propertyless class
in reality frustrates ownership as far as this par
ticular class is concerned. To fulfill its purpose
private property must be widely diffused. Owner
ship carries with it social duties and is subject to
inherent limitations. It is incumbent on the state
to adjust ownership to meet the needs of the public
good.
“Under the w’age contract, it falls to the capitalist
to distribute the final product and to allot to those
who have taken part in the production their re
spective share. For the sake of simplicity, we
designate the portion which goes to capital as di
vidends and profits and the award made to labor as
wages. This distribution must be governed by so
cial justice. It is apparent that the claim of labor
is invested with a special urgency that brooks no
denial and no delay since the laborer depends for
his very existence on the proper compensation for
his work. The wage, being the one means of a
livelihood for the laborer, is to be determined
precisely with regard to this essential purpose. The
formula which fully covers the matter may be ex
pressed tersely in the following terms: The laborer
is entitled to a living wage. This title rests on the
natural law and is a basic as the right to life it
self.
“The living wage which is the indisputable right
of the laborer and demanded by his status as a
spiritual personality cannot be conceived of mere
ly as sufficient to maintain his productive efficiency
but must enable him to live in a fashion consonant
with human dignity. It must make possible the
decent support of a family, the satisfaction of
spiritual and cultural needs, proper provision for
old age and sickness and protection against the
ordinary insecurities of life. Since, as Leo XII
says, ‘it is only by the labor of workingmen that
states grow rich’, it is befitting that wages reflect
the general condition of prosperity prevailing in a
community and that they bear a rightful proportion
to the prevalent standards of living.
“Most vital for the proper regulation of the capi
tal-labor relation is that labor never be treated as
a mere commodity to be bought at the cheapest
price. Labor cannot be detached from the person
of the laborer and as a consequence wages may not
be determined by ruthless bargaining but must al
ways take into account the needs of a human per
sonality . On the other hand, it would be folly on
the part of labor to demand wages that prove
ruinous to an industry; such a procedure would
bring distress to the workers themselves, and hard
ship to the public.
“Sound social theory recognizes the right of
association for all legitimate purposes and the gov
ernment is bound to protect this right. If denied
the right to form representative unions, labor would
not be in a position to give weight to its just de
mands. It is only by collective bargaining that la
bor can secure favorable contracts and meet the
employer on a footing of equality. The fair em
ployer will not refuse to deal with the responsible
representatives of unionized labor, nor attempt to
abridge the right of collective bargaining.
“It would be wrong to forget the rights of the em
ployer and to make him alone responsible for all
our economic woes. After all, employers are not de
void of a sense of fairness nor unaware of their so
cial responsibilities. The attitude of the capitalist
both toward labor and the public has undergone a
change for the better. Capitalistic imperialism is
passing together with the traditional economic
liberalism, and the one-time economic royalist will
soon be extinct. A period of teamwork between
capital and labor is dawning. Both are beginning
to realize that they have duties toward each other
as well as to society. Industry and business see
with increasing clarity that their right to existence
must be predicated on service and social usefulness.
“Experience has demonstrated the superiority of
private enterprise. In the best interests of society,
private enterprise must survive though it calls for
a measure of social control and governmental regu
lation. As long as we have private business there
will also be competition. In itself competition is
not an evil, it becomes such only when it degen
erates into an unrestrained struggle for existence,
unleashing the vilest instincts in the breast of man.
“The Church is directly interested only in the
moral aspects of economic life, but she confidently
asserts, and recent experiences bear out her con
tention, that the observance of the moral law is the
first condition of human wellbeing. When society
flouts the law, of the Creator, it heads for disaster.
The economic order must be built around the
cornerstone of justice if it is to enjoy stability.
Economic salvation will be effected by morality and
religion; all other means will prove futile and can
not stave off the threatening catastrophic collapse.
The remedy for our social and economic is not of
a technological but of a religious nature. What our
age needs is a moral renewal and a spiritual re
birth; in the wake of these better days and happier
times will be ushered ia.’*
Dixie Musings
Recently, The Pee Dee Advocate,
published in Benncttsville, South
Carolina, published a letter from
one of its readers, which was a
wonderful expression*of good will,
and for the benefit of the readers
of The Bulletin, the anonymous
writer’s letter is quoted in its en
tirety:
"Sunday was much a beautiful
day, that this war we are in seem
ed very far away. I was spend
ing the day with an old friend of
mine, a short distance from my na
tive Bennettsville, and as we walk
ed in the God-given sunshine, our
thoughts and speech turned to re
ligion and the wonders of the
world.
“My friend is a Catholic. I, as
many other Southerners, know lit
tle about this religion, as it has
not had a large following in this
section of the country. I was very
much surprised, therefore, to hear
that Bennettsville was to have a
new Catholic Church. We did not
discuss the matter in detail, but I
have been pondering and thinking
about it a lot since then.
"I know of only two Catholic
families in our town. I realize the
Airbase has a few Catholic officers
and cadets, and it is for this rea
son that the WPB has granted ma
terial and permission for the erec
tion of the church, but I wondered
just how these few people, most
of them non-residents, would ever
be able to help financially to the
extent that these plans may be car
ried out.
“The point I am leading up to
is that we Protestants who make
up the population of Bennettsville
should help in any small or great
way that we can.
“We are all children of God,
we all worship the same God, and
above all, we are all Americans
fighting a war to keep freedom
of speech and freedom of worship
as we have always had it in this
country. We ara a united people
with no room for narrow thoughts
or intolerant attitudes. These are
the very things that started the war
in Europe.
“A more selfish outlook is that
this new edifice will beautify our
town, and we will, all be justly
proud of it.
“Let us think about these facts a
little bit, and no matter how small
our remittance to this cause is,
remember that anything given to
God is returned to us a hundred
fold.
“I would- like to sign my name
to this, because then I am sure
that what I have said., would be
listened to more readily by the
readers of your paper. I feel,
however, that this would limit the
number of people that my
thoughts would affect, as the mem
bers of my own church would be
likely to take my advice and mem
bers of other sects ignore it. In
this way I feel that I have gener
alized enough to reach more peo
ple. I have been a constant read
er of The Pee Dee Advocate, and
I thought you may find a place for
this short article. Thank you very
much.
“READER.”
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Sul
livan of Waterloo, Iowa, whose
five sons were reported lost when
the cruiser Juneau was sunk in
the Solomon Islands area last
November, occupied a front pew
at Solemn Mass in New York's
St. Patrick's Cathedral two Sun
days ago, and were greeted from
the pulpit by the Very Rev.
Msgr. Joseph F. Flannery, ad
ministrator, as “an inspiration to
the entire nation.”
“Millions of married persons in
America should be inspired by
the example of this man and
woman,” he said. “Mr. and Mrs.
Sullivan have son-owed, it is true.
But through their tears they have
looked to God. I have welcomed
kings and queens and premiers to
this church but no one has been
more welcome here than Mr. and
Mrs. Sullivan.”
The Most Rev. Francis J. Spell
man, Archbishop of New York,
received Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan
after the Mass. He presented them
with a rosary and a silver medal
which had come to him from Pope
Pius XII.
This is, as I have nicknamed it,
■“a small world, after ail.”
Some days ago, Sergeant Patrick
Mclnnes, of the United States
Army, who is stationed presently
at Camp Gordon, in Augusta,
entered St. Patrick's Church here,
and found in the vestibule of the
church, Father Angel Pengson,
who came to Augusta a short while
ago to serve as assistant pastor to
Father Leo Keenan, the pastor of
St. Patrick’s.
As he paused to exchange a
word of greeting with the priest
in the vestibule, Sergeant Mclnnes
thought that there was something
familiar about Father Pangson’s
appearance. A gleam of recogni
tion appeared also in Father Peng-
son’s eyes, as he said: “It seems
to me that I have met you before,
somewhere.”
It did not take long for them
to discover that they had become
acquainted some years ago, in the
Philippines, before Father Peng
son had been ordained, and when
Sergeant Mclnnes was stationed at
Manila with the Army, in which
he had enlisted in 1932.
Father Pengson is one of the
young Filipino priests who were
studying in Rome when the war
broke out, and who was given
refuge in the Diocese of Savannah-
Atlanta by Bishop O’Hara, when
he had to leave Italy and found it
impossible ot return to his home
land.
An Associated Press dispatch,
published in The Atlanta Jour
nal, relates that Albert Penny, a
British petty officer, who escaped
from an Italian prison camp, took
refuge in Vatican City, where he
had an audience with His Holiness
Pope Pius XII and was allowed to
go about Vatican City as he liked
during the three months of his
internment.
Penny, who -vas repatriated as
a result of Vatican negotiations
for his exchange for an Italian
prisoner of equal rank, said he
“saw the Pope in the small throne
room for a few minutes.
“Hs asked me about my wife
and family and whether I was
pleased to be going home. He gave
hri_ blessing to my wife and my
self and presented me with a ros
ary, with a silver crucifix for each
of us, and a photograph of him
self.”
Richard Reid, former editor of
The Bulletin, recently addressed
j a young people’s conference at the
First Presbyterian Church in New
Rochelle, N. Y. His subject wai
Catholic Teaching and Practice,
and the address was followed by a
question and answer period.
Two new- pamphlets, issued by
St. Anthony Guild Press, Paterson,
New Jersey, are well worthy of
notice. One of them, “Teaching
Honesty in the Home”, is the
fourth in the new “Parent-Edu
cator’’ series. This is priced at
twenty cents, plus postage.
The other pamphlet, priced at
only five cents, is “The Last Sup
per Party Every Day,” an essay on
the Mass, by the Rev. Valentine
Long, O. F. M.
For the third time, in more than
one hundred years of its history,
the Hibernian Society of Charles
ton will not hold its customary
banquet on St. Patrick’s Day this
year.
Santo Sottile, chairman of the
managing committee, has announc
ed that the members have decided
to dispense with some of the ceie-
tjlNition in connection with the
142nd annual meeting of the So
ciety because of food shortages
and rationing restrictions. The
usual business meeting will be
held at noon on March 17, and
later in the day there will be a
cocktail party and a buffet supper.
The annual election of officers
will be held at the noon session,
and James A. McAlister has been
nominated to succeed J. Sinclair
Smith as president. Other nomin
ations are: C. Fletcher Carter, Sr.,
vice president; Jack J. Scott, treas
urer; Gerald P. Carter, secretary,
and Joseph P. Riley, chairman of
the managing committee. —H. K.