Pope Urges Fraternal Unity Of World]

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 13

Pope Urges Fraternal Unity Of World]

(Rec. 8 p.m.) VATICAN CITY, July 3. Ignorance of the truth, contempt for it and deliberate turning away from it were the source of all evils affecting the nations, Pope John said today in the first encyclical of his reign. ,

The 11,000-word letter, issued eight months after die Pope’s election as spiritual head of the world’s 450 million Roman said that once men have reached the truth, which has its source in the Gospel, and have grasped it in its fullness the idea of unity ought to permeate them. “For all discord, disagreement and disputes have their origin in this source,” he said. '• ' J -., ■'

“Various nations are nothing else save groups of men, that is of brothers. These are linked by that fraternal bond and ought to Strive each after his proper end and also after the common prosperity of the whole human race." ' He said that if this teaching were taken away from men’s minds, "the olive branch of peace is no guiding light In our minds but the fifes ofdiscord are set ablaze. Our condition is almost on a par with .that of the beasts —devoid of reason: nay, it is worse, since though we are endowed with the power of reasoning, by abusing it, we can produce and fall into worse states.”

The Pope said that if nations do not aim at this fraternal unity resting on justice and nourished by charity, "all prudent men can claim that it seems uncertain whether we are slipping in com-

plete blindness towards a new frightful warlike conflagration. “We say in complete blindness: for if, which God prevent, a new war breaks out, nothing else will await or confront all peoples but appalling destruction and ruin, and this whether they are victor or vanquished.’* Capital And Labour

The Pope recalled the social teaching of Pope Leo XIII more than 60- years ago, that capital cannot stand without labour, nor labour without capital. “Individual citizens, indeed, and various classes of citizens, can protect their own rights provided this is done by legal means and not by violence.’’ But, the Pope said, “since there continue to exist too many differences in material possessions there are too many causes of enmity between various groups on account of the theory—sometimes defective, sometimes completely unjust concerning the right of property—among those who selfishly desire their own advantage and convenience." All must do what they could to bring it about “that all men,' even of the lowest class, may be able to earn by their toil and the sweat of their brow the necessities of life Employers should provide In some suitable way for the workers to share more and more in the fruits of their labour and feel themselves partners in the whole enterprise.” Speaking of the forthcoming Ecumenical Council, the Pope said its chief business “will concern the increase of the Catholic faith, renewal along the right lines of I the habits of Christian people and

the adapting of ecclesiastical discipline to the needs and conditions of the present time. That event will surely be a wonderful manifestation of truth, unity and charity."

The Pope said there were many signs recently that separated Christians were “experiencing a strong desire to reach at last some kind of unity. We have already learned that quite recently, In not a few communities separated from the Chair of Blessed Peter, there has been aroused a certain sympathy of mind towards the faith and Catholic teaching and considerable respect for this Apostolic See has arisen and daily increased, as the study of truth destroys prejudices once held." He urged priests to show obedience and submission at all * times to their bishops and to remember “that they are not only public officials but before all else ministers of sacred things. So. let them never think there Is a fixed maximum for their labours, in the expenditure of their time and possessions, of outlay, and finally, of personal inconvenience when it is a question of enlightening minds with the divine light, reforming wills that had turned to evil, promoting and ex- ' tending the reign of peace of Jesus Christ” The Pope added: “We embrace in deep sorrow each one of those whose practice of religion is impeded and restricted within narrow limits, and who frequentlv are suffering for justice sake and for the kingdom of God. we m-ay surpliantly to God in Heaven that for them the first light of better days may at long last shine forth.” Many of the highest Christian virtues belonged particularly to the members of "the church of silence. |