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PERTH,WTDNESDAY ,APRIL 26, 1946.
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_ Reconstruction of Germany. Will Depend on Catholic Co-Operation Only Healthy Cells i n Sickening body of Reich National Socialism' sStrongest Opponent . . . The Church Terrible Dilemma of Desiring Defeat for One's Country— German Catholics are the only healthy cells in the sickening body of Germany. The regeneration of that country lies in their hands,for they alone possess the Faith through which all things can be made new. By 1RENE MARINOFF. The position of Catholics in Germany is amatter of serious concern to all who have the future of Europe at heart. For the reconstruction of Germany within a European framework will depend largely on their co-operation. What are they really thinking? What proportion are in secret opposition? What proportion are proud of Hitler? These are questions which may well be asked. Yet so scanty is the news which reaches us from Catholic Germany that it would be an idle attempt to elicit definite figures from it. However, careful study of the available evidence combined with some knowledge of pre. Nazi Germany will enable us to estab• fish a few facts. which may lead to a truer appreciation of the situation. At the outset two points must be made quite clear. The first of these, the psychological effect of the defeat in 1015 and of the subsequent humiliations, is too well known to require further leaboration. Wherever the war guilt may have lain, the fact remains that the defeat was most bitterly rettnted by many Germans. Thus the National Socialist programme of cindi• eating national honour and restoring Gcri:n:my to her " place in the sun" contained an appeal to Catholics as well as Protestants. The second point, which is more frequently overlooked, is this. The Weiint.r Republic was not in a position to restore a spiritually sickening nalioo to health. It could only oiler palliatives, not remedies. Even we11-meant efforts at reconstruction, and there were many, were doomed to failure, because they lacked the principles of a strong faith. 1he liberty the Republic gave. which it is true, greatly benefited the Catholic se tions of the nation, only tou easily became licence. Everywhere economical and spiritual insecurity were rife. Germany was not only suffering from the aftermath of a world war; within her borders during those fateful years the age, which had begun with the proud emancipation of man and a challenge to all authority, was
lying in agony, and its convulsions shook the country. Emancipation had led men close to the abyss, and the question was whether he would harden his heart in a frenzy of self-sufficiency, or bow down before his Creator and learn to observe His laws. Dangerous Corner, Catholics could not fail to appreci. ate the seriousness of the situation. They knew that their countrymen around them were leading lives in defiance of the Divine precepts. The levelling of all values in the so-called "Kulturbolschewismus" was condemned by all who thought for themselves. Catholic literature was full of warnings. Soon after the last war as penetrating a thinker as Romano Guardini wrote: "The worst may be yet to come." The majority, however, were not sensitive enough to realise that the situation could only be met by spiritual means. They fell a prey to that energetic new party, which professed to aim at the regeneration of the nation. When they awoke to the reality of what had happened it was too late. The question which most persistentl• baffles the foreign observer is this: flow could German Catholics, who af ter all corvtitute one-third of the population, allow the National Socialist party to gain such cuntplete control over the country? The following considerations may help to supply an answer. We have seen that National Socialism made a strong appeal
patriotism.
a " risorgl-
Novelty and Versatility. Moreover, the very conclusion of a Concordat between the IIoly See and the Government of the Third Reich cn July 20, 1933, made it virtually im possible for members of the hierarchy to give a strong lead against the new State and its terrorist methods. It Ryas left to the parish priest and the laity to bear the brunt of an attar'
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niento" movement it could not fail to attract those idealists, who felt the need for reform and, in their ignorance of spiritual realities, were prepared to follow an energetic leader.
They have raised their voices in protest. deifying all efforts to terrorise them. That the laity have responded to the call may be gathered from the words of a South German Bishop: 'You are my glory and my crown:' Many, it is true, have lapsed. Many nave been forced to deny the Faith, because economic pressure was too great, and theirs was not the spirit of martyrs. But many also have re• mained steadfast in a situation an out-' sider can hardly envisage in all its grimness. To be forced to witness an antiJChristian Government perverting one's own people, brutalising its youth, and blaspheming Christ and His Church without being able to raise a hand in defence of the highest values is indeed spiritual martyrdom. More Complicated in War. The position of German Catholics has been even more complicated since the outbreak of this war. Though many may have thought that a (war might provide an opportunity of get, ting rid of their oppressors, they were equally aware of the unifying effect which war is bound to have. In a fight for their existence, the mem• hers of a nation will inevitably stand together. They have done in Ger. manv. Though the propaganda of a Goebbels may not have met with X much credulity—as early as 1936 his speeches were dismissed as Clubfoot's CARDINAL FAULHABER, Fairy Tales—the language of Allied fearlessly condemned all heretical bombs is unmistakable. teaching. Thus the sincere Catholic is to-day in a terrible dilemma. As enlightened the insidiousness of which only gradumen and women did in the last war, :illy became apparent. he, too, niust wish for the defeat of his The world is now acquainted with country. This in itself requires no National Socialist methods. But in sinall measure of moral courage and the early clays of the revolution their insight. If the Allied Governments very versatility and novelty made it i,eld out only the slightest hope of extremely_ difficult to meet them effecreasonable peace terms. he may even tively. It was only when all legitim6e prepared to accept " liberation" at ate means of opposition had been elithe hands of his former enemies. This minated that the anti-Christian nature tyould indeed provide a way into the of the new State was fully revealed. future, in the writer's opinion. the only A %yell-documented book such as "The way. But placed as he is between Persecution of the Catholic Church in the "unconditional surrender" of the the Third Reich" ( Burns and Oates, Allies and the reckless policy of haftled 10101 conveys an idea both of the inFlitlerism, he has no choice but to foltensity of the struggle and the odds low his people into destruction. against which it was fought. Yet Europe stands in need of these There can be no doubt that National German Catholics, They are the only Socialism met a strong opposition front healthy cells in the sickening body of the ranks of Catholics. Catholic as• Germany. The regeneration of that sociatiots such as teachers' guilds, country lies in their hands, for they workers unions, and youth organisa• alone possess the Faith, through which tiring, retained their independence at all things can be made new. If they a time when other organisations had are given a chance (Catholics in this long been co-ordinated. country should make it a matter of The Advent Sermons of Cardinal earnest prayer that they may) , they Faulhaher in 1033 emphatically repuwill be able to teach their fellow-coundiated the current anti-Semitism. In trymen as no foreigner can. They will later years the Bishop's Pastorals did then hasten the day when the pre. not cease to uphold the dignity- of man indices of false and exclusive nationin aState which made man subservient alism will be overcome and Europe to its own ends. They have fearlesswill be united. ly condemned all heretical teaching.
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