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SEVENTY-THIRD YEAR.
Pope Appeals to the Conscience of Humanity for the Children Millions Menaced by
Starvation, Disease and Vice . . . Special Duty of Christians to Pray and to Give Money With millions of children in war -torn countries threatened by death from starvation, disease and exposure, His Holiness Pope Pius XII. has issued a new Encyclical Letter appealing to the whole Catholic world to come to their assistance. Picturing in vivid terms the sufferings of Europe's homeless, stricken children, the Pope reminds all that they will be the pillars of the next generation; that peace and progress are impossible if they grow up infected with sickness and vice. Responsibility, he says, touches all citizens, "but it belongs in a special sense to Christians, who should see stamped on those poor, destitute, little brothers the Image of the Divine Child; who are bound to heed these words: 'As long as you do it to one of these, My least brethren. you do it to Me." His Holiness directs that in every diocese a day of public prayer be assigned to appease God's anger, and that on this day the people be exhorted to support by prayers, good wJrks and offerings every movement that is directing its forces truly and effectively to the succour of needy and abandoned children. No Problem So Wounds Our Paternal
Heart The Encyclical was issued on the Feast of the Epiphany. "While the terrible war was raging," the Holy Father says, "We used all Our powers of persuasion and appeal to bring a speedy end to the conflict, which had lasted all too long, and to !
secure an agreement guaranteeing justire, equity and right. "Now the fighting has ceased. But peace is not yet restored, and in virtue of Our Apostolic Office, We are provide leaving nothing undone to timely relief for so many ills, and all misaccumulated for possible comfort ery which plagues not a few nations. "Of the almost countless ills born of this dire struggle, none so wounds Our
paternal heart as that which involves the host of innocent children of whom millions are estimated in many countries to be without the necessities of life; suffering cold, hunger and disease. "Often, too, in their utter dereliction, they feel the want, not only of food
and clothes and shelter, but the affection their tender years so need. "As you know, Venerable Brethren, We have done all we could to salve this problem, and We gladly take this occasion to express Our sincerest gratitude to those through whose liberality We are able to alleviate somewhat the need of these infants and children, "We know many individually, or as members of societies, have undertaken They are to help these little ones. worthy of all praise, and we pay them
this tribute, praying God to bless their activity. "But since help of this kind is entirely inadequate for the immense task, We have deemed it Our duty to turn to you paternally, and urge you to take to heart the extremely grave plight of these needy children, leaving nothing undone that may contribute to relieve their lot. The Church's Diligent Care of the Young. "This is a problem which toucheg all citizens. whatever their views, if only their hearts respond to the appeals of nature and religion. "But it belongs in a special sense to Lhristians who should see stamped on those poor, destitute little brothers, the image of the Divine Child; who are bound to heed these words: 'Amen, I say to you, as long as you do it to one of these, My least brethren, you do it to Me.' "Let all remember and reflect that these children will be the pillars of the next generation, and it is essential that they grow up healthy in mind and body if we are to avoid a race infected with sickness and vice. "Nobody should hesitate, then, to ontribute time and money to a cause opportune and essential. "Those who are themselves less wealthy should give what they can with open hands and willing hearts. "Those who live in luxury should reflect, and remember that the indigence, hunger and nakedness of these children will constitute a grave and severe indictment on them before God, the Father of Mercies, if they harden their hearts, and do not contribute generously. "Finally, all should be convinced that their liberality will not be lost, but gained. For We can easily say he who gives from his means to the poor is lending to God, Who, in His own time, will repay his generosity with abundant interest. "As in Apostolic times, when the Christian population of Jerusalem was subjected to poverty and persecution, the rest of the faithful contributed prayers and material aids, so now, too, all will be inspired and animated by the same charity, and will help as much as they can. "They should do this, as we have said, especially by fervent prayer to our most merciful Redeemer. For, as you know, fervent prayer carries with it a
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tristic power, calling down God's assistance, and, through His grace, enkindling brotherly love in men's hearts. "Let us recall that the Church always exercises the most diligent care for the young, and has rightly deemed this her special mission. "And as she did this, and continues to do it, she is but folloWing in the footsteps and obeying the injunction of her Divine Founder Who, gently gathering little children around Him, said to the Apostles who had rebuked their mothers, 'Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come to Mee for the Kingdom of Heaven is for such.' -For, as Our predecessor, of immortal memory, Leo the Great, said: 'Christ loved childhood which He first assumed in mind and body. Christ love chilhood, the school of humility, the norm of innocence, the model of meekness. And those whom He calls to His eternal kingdom above, He inspires to follow His example' "In the light of such words and sentiments, Venerable Brethren, you see with what love and diligence the Church should look after the welfare f children, following the example of her Founder. "While she exercises all possible care to see they are provided with food, shelter and clothing for their bodies, she does not ignore nor neglect their souls,
"Her first care and endeavour, then, their innocence from stain, and to care for their eternal salvation." The Holy Father then pictures the distress of modern war and the plight of many children. Radio reception for this point onwards was poor, and a paraphrase only is available. The Pope sees children wandering aimlessly through towns and villages, forsaken, forgotten and exposed to. many dangers. He implores authorities and individuals alike to come to, their aid. This will not only be an act to promote Christian faith, but is necessary in the interests of human society as a is to preserve
whole. The Pope says he wished to make this matter everybody's concern in the form of an Encyclical, because of its
overriding urgency.
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