POPE ASKS FOR UNITY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25996, 27 December 1949, Page 5

POPE ASKS FOR UNITY

MESSAGE ON EVE OF HOLY YEAR CHRISTIAN OPPOSITION TO ATHEISM ROME, December 23. The Pope, in a Christmas message on the eve of the Holy Year, pleaded for union of all Christians to oppose the advance of militant atheism and for brotherhood among the peoples in the present world crisis. He said: “Men are anxious about the effrontery with which the united front of militant atheism advances, and are asking why there are still separations. To-morrow, in opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s, we shall be conscious of performing no mere traditional act, but a symbolic rite of high import, not only for Christians, but for the whole human race.” The Pope, in describing the Holy Year as an occasion for a powerful call for brotherhood between the peoples, said: “If ever an occasion has been propitious for us to propagate peace this is one.” Appealing for a return to the principles of human liberty, he said: “The individualistic order which social greed and irresponsibility towards one’s fellows have produced, is almost everywhere in a state of crisis to-day. The Holy Year is a period of spiritual stocktaking. In consequence of the disaster caused by mankind, there are everywhere orphans, widows, and mothers awaiting an opportunity to return to their homes which will probably never come.” The Pope continued: “The Holy Year is a call to destroy guilt and establish new joy and opportunity for pardon between man and man. Come to Rome where our arms are open to welcome you, to Rome, the Fatherland of Christianity and of every Christian. “May it be God’s wish that the Holy Year will inspire that peaceful councils be not disturbed or violated by insane intentions, not only between nations, but between various classes of the same country. May this jubilee mark the return of all humanity to God. May 1950 be a year of peace and justice, and not of national egoism.” The Pope asked the Governments of all nations to implement the spirit of the Holy Year by repealing their laws for the punishment of war criminals and political criminals.