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3d. PERTH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1941.
NO. 2,989.
SIXTY-EIGHTH YEAR.
The Restoration of Australia to Christ" copal Chairman of the Rural
Bishops' Statement on Catholic Action Specialisation an Essential Principle The Episcopal Committee on Catholic Action, following its fourth meeting, has authorised the publication of the following state-
ment:-
the general meeting of the Bishops of Australia and New Zealand, which was held in Sydney on September 13, 1937, an Episcopal Committee was appointed to undertake the work of stimulating and directing the work of Catholic Action throughout Australia and New Zealand for a period of five years. At the first meeting of the committee, which was held in Melbourne on November 3, 1937, it was decided to set up a National Secretariat of Catholic Action, which would accept the direction of the Episcopal Committee in co-ordinating existing organisations of Catholic Action and assisting each diocese to form the necessary diocesan groups as units of a National Movement of Catholic AcFollowing its fourth meeting, tion. the Episcopal Committee wishes to indicate to the Hierarchy the main lines upon which the national work has been undertaken, and to suggest some general directions in which the national body should be guided to function. It was realised, from the beginning that progress in the early stages would be slow and that spectacular results could not be expected. The leaders of Catholic Action have wisely refused to set up extensive and grand organisaThey tions within a short time. have preferred to concentrate on the arduous work of training leaders in every walk of life, so that the new movement would be imbued from the start with the right spirit and would use the soundest methods, tested and proved in other countries and carefully adapted to our own needs. They have realised that the layman must be, formed in the spirit of Christ, must study well the means he is to employ, and know thoroughly the environment he is to penetrate and transform before he can act effectively on it. AT
Obstacles Which Had to be Overcome. The task of the lay movement in Australia is made particularly difficult by the huge distances which separate our main centres of life. It is not as easy here, as it is in more densely populated lands, to organise conferences or
communicate ideas; nor, in a country which has just passed from the missionary stage, are there always to spare for this new work those priests whose inspiration and guidance are so essen-
of one's own kind, in a particular country, at a particular level of the social hierarchy. That is one of the golden rules traced by the ever-lamented Pontiff who was the great promoter of Oa-
tholic Action, and who remains now its invisible inspirer." Thus the principle is itself beyond doubt or argument though the exact limits and scope of specialised bodies tial. has to be worked out in Australia and The coming of the war itself, which has taken off so many men for military New Zealand, according to our condiservice, and patriotic has further held tions. It is gratifying to see the progress up development. Nevertheless, no one who has seen the work of the last that has been already made along those lines and how organisations of farmers, three years can fail to be deeply gratiuniversity students, school children, fied at what has been accomplished We rejoice at the great, though almost married women, professional men and imperceptible changes which have come women have already developed in Thus each section of the over the Catholic life of this country, this way. at the vigorous and self-sacrificing community addresses itself to people spirit being manifested everywhere and of its own kind. This policy-by among all-particularly among our which trained apostles within different sections of the community dedicate young men and girls. themselves to the transformation of Systematic Formation of Leaders. their own particular environment-is In the beginning it was not possible the one which promises most for the to do more than organise discussion restoration of Australia to Christ. groups for people who were ready to meet together with the intention of Rise of National Organisations. deepening their own spiritual lives Catholic Action is not a mere aggreand informing themselves on the Ca- gation of individual activities, but a tholic attitude to the main questions single organisation which comes into Gradually these groups existence and operates under the direcof the day. are being changed into grottos of lead- tion of the Bishop. Those who wish ers, who are prepared to go out and to join in this grand apostolate must gather the mass of people of their own therefore become members of diocesan kind into strong and comprehensive organisations established directly by movements. Much excellent literature the Bishop and must play their part achas now been compiled for their use in cording to plans designed by him. It the form of handbooks and pro- is obvious that unless the labours of individuals are consolidated by being grammes, pamphlets and special books which set out the practical means for linked up in diocesan, and, finally, creating and maintaining these move- national movements, they will achieve To be commended are the little. The conditions of Australian ments. life to which we have referred require courage and patience of those who have pioneered in these groups, who that local organisations should receive have been prepared to experiment and the aid and advice that only a national thus discover the most efficient met- office can provide, that they should have available the programmes drawn hods. up by experienced persons, and that Specialisation an Essential Principle. We approve also the line which has they should join in the great cambeen followed by the National Secre- paigns of the National Movement. This of confidence, a tariat in the development of the Ca- will provide a feelingconquering spirit namely, concerted force, a tholic Action Movements services that a series of beneficial and that of specialisation. This policyrepeatedly insisted on by the late Holy are quite essential for success. Episcopal Approval to Rural MoveFather-was confirmed by his succesment. sor, the present Pontiff, Pius XII, in on CaConsequently, we have given our his first public pronouncement approval to the National Catholic tholic Action. "For the Apostle, to be listened to, Rural Movement as the official specialmust speak not to representatives of ised organisation for the Catholic rural His Lordship the Bissome abstract humanity which would community. belong to all countries, to all times, and hop of Wagga Wagga (Most Rev. F. A. Henschke) has 'been appointed Epic all conditions, but to a particular group -
-
retariat. The Social Apostolate of Catholic Action. This co-ordination is all the more desirable because of the very nature of the problem which Catholic Action is It is nothing less designed to meet. than the complete rebuilding and reform of modern society: not a mere tinkering with details, not the filling in of occasional gaps. It includes in its scope almost all modern issues except those pertaining to purely economic or purely political affairs. It involves, as the late Holy Father said, not only a change of individuals but a change of the whole environment in which individuals live-in effect, the making of a new world whose traditions and (Continued on Back Cover.)
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Move-
ment, signalising the incorporation of this Movement of Catholic Action with the official apostolic mission of the Church in Australia. We urge the formation as soon as possible of a national movement for Catholic girls. We hope that similar procedure will be followed in due time for young workers, for adult workers, for students, for married women and for groupings of professional men and women. The National Plan. The adoption of these principles will enable our organisations to grow according to a clear and well -considered plan. Such a plan has been already drawn up by the National Secretariat of Catholic Action. Its adoption will prevent duplication, unnecessary competition and waste of effort. It is based on the very sound principle that, in order to prevent many evils and to give that strength and unity which are so necessary today, there should be only one large organisation for the mass of Catholics in any milieu. We recommend all Catholic organisations which desire to be associated with Catholic Action to take this plan into serious consideration and to consult the Diocesan authorities when preparing new developments within their own ranks. It is most desirable also that the Diocesan authorities in turn should not commit themselves to policies which may have a bearing on national issues without first taking counsel with the National Seeretariat-the administrative organ of the Episcopal Committee -which is in a position to know the mind of the Episcopal Committee. The national unity and strength which we all desire can only be attained if all agree loyally to co-operate in the national plan, the preparation and supervision of which is one of the most valuable functions of the National Sec-
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