FATE OF CHILDREN

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 April 1946, Page 8

FATE OF CHILDREN

THE POPE EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN

CONDITIONS IN EUROPE

VATICAN CITY. April 20

Deep anxiety for the spiritual and material welfare of the world’s children was expressed by the Pope when he addressed 200 members of the Catholic Action. Alter referring to Iho millions of children now in danger of starvation, the Pope said: “God mows how deeply we arc concerned •iih their fate. Nevertheless the deplorable famine threatening infancy ■nd youth is but a pale reflection of he incomparably more dismal misery of their souls —a misery which is . Dreading wider and wider. ‘ “History teaches that ali great eaI astrophies, not only economic and ■oolitical, but spiritual and religious, follow those harbingers of decay—a deterioration in public morality, and corrupt habits which affect the "ounger generation particularly. “We shall not falter denouncing at ■very opportunity at least the three ■ cost dangerous forms which cause so many" victims —divorce, schools vithout God, and the licence of improper books and public performances.

“An insidious influence more dangerous than any violent action is working to uproot Christian civilisation in Italy, None of you is under my delusion about the implications and repercussions of certain events we are witnessing at present.”

The Pope emphasised three points: First, the need for assistance to the destitute.

Second, the duty of Catholics in ihe public life of the nation. Third, the importance of disseminating and defending the doctrines jf the Church.