VATICAN AND ROTARY.

Wairarapa Age, 21 March 1929, Page 5

VATICAN AND ROTARY.

ROMAN CATHOLIC POSITION UNCHANGED : STATEMENT BY FATHER ROSA I ; I United Press Association.—By Electric i Telegraph—Copyright. (Received Wednesday, 7 p.m.) I •NEW YORK, March 19. | The “New York Sun’®” Rome correspondent says that the Roman Oatho-i lie opposition to the Rotary movement] Las not been modified by Mr button’s] visit to Rome. This correspondent wa.nl so informed to-day, by Father Rosa. > editor of the “Civilta Cattolica.' ■’* Father Rosa, is especially annoyed .by > the articles saying that Mr Sutton’s; visit had averted a Vatican order for I Roman Catholic laymen to withdraw' from the Rotary movement, as the clergy were previously advised against membership. Father Rosa, in an interview with a correspondent on I\ braury 15, indicated his willingness to publish restifieations of his charges, if investigations substantiated Mr Sutton’s I claim. Father Rosa made it clear to] i the correspondent to-day that the publication of a retraction, winch Mr.! •Sutton forecasted for March 15, had I not appeared -and the publication may be a long time coming. Father Rosa said: “I am much annoyed by the excessive climax made in the Press by Mr Sutton, who had agreed to say nothing publicly of the conversations he bad with me or with a Cardinal or Other Vatican personalities. Because

of this behaviour of Mr Sutton, the “Civilita Cattolica” deemed it wise to publish nothing for the present. This does not exclude our recognition l of good faith of Roman Catholics belonging to Rotary. If we publish Mr But-' ton’s statement of Rotary principles it would be at the moment we consider :♦ opportune and not when he announced it. Nothing is more absurd than the Press allegation that Mr Sutton avoided an order for the laity to leave Rotary. Had the Vatican thought such a step desirable it would have decreed it, regardless of Mr Sutton’s actions or counsels. To sum up, the Roman Catholic position towards Rotary i« unchanged.”—(Australian Press Association.)