INSTRUCTIONS TO CATHOLICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 29 August 1945, Page 5

INSTRUCTIONS TO CATHOLICS

VOTING IN ITALIAN ELECTIONS (Rec. 11.0 a.fn.) London, Aug. 28. The Sacred Consistorial Congregation has circularised all Italian bishops telling them to impart instructions to electors in the coming electoral struggle in Italy, reports Reuter's Rome correspondent. The circular stated: (1) In view of the perils menacing religion and public welfare all entitled to vote should exercise their right. (2) Catholics should vote only for lists which would respect the observance of the divine law and the Church’s rights. (3) To the extent to which the practical behaviour of candidates guarantees -such expectation Catholics may vote for them. The correspondent adds that according to the Vatican the circular was issued by the Consistorial Congregation which has authority in matters political over all bishops. It represents the first exercise by the Catholic Church of liberty of action Italy gained in the Lateran Treaty between Pope Pius XI and Mussolini in 1929. The Church previously did not recognise the legitimacy of the Italian State. There were no electons during the Fascist regime and therefore no occasion was offered for guidance of this nature. The Congregation’s circular illustrates the intense efforts Catholics are making to obtain leadership in the new democratic Italy. The circular did not order all Catholics to vote for Christian Democrats heaped by Signor Degasperi but represented strong support for his party. FOUR CONDITIONS NECESSARY Rome, Aug. 27 Signor Parri, Prime Minister, addressing ihe foreign press, promised that elections would be held as early as possible, subject to four conditions: (1) A peace treaty in which Italy would '’ease to be controlled under the armistice. (21 The completion of the technical task involving provisional polling booths for 30.000.000 voters. <3) Public order must be ensured. (4> All part es must guarantee the peaceful conduct of the elections. He added that he cc old not guarantee elections in any case before the end of the year.