An admonition to Detroit “radio priest” Charles E. Coughlin, warning against abuse of the “marvelous invention” of radio, is contained in the encyclical letter addressed by Pope Pius Xll to the American Catholic hierarchy on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.
Although Coughlin is not referred to by name, informed circles indicated today that one passage in the encyclical, which was made public here yesterday, clearly pointed to the Detroit cleric. The passage reads:
“We have learned with not little joy that your press is a sturdy champion of Catholic principles, that the Marconi radio–whose voice is heard in an instant around the world–marvelous invention and eloquent image of the apostolic faith that embraces all mankind–is frequently and advantageously put to use in order to insure the widest possible promulgation of all that concerns the church. We commend the good accomplished. But let those who fulfill this ministry be careful to adhere to the directives of the teaching church, even when they explain and promote what pertains to the social problem; forgetful of personal gain, despising popularity, impartial, let them speak ‘as from God, before God, in Christ.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
