The death today of George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, recalls his attack on Chancellor Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Government and many instances of his friendly attitude towards the Jews.
In May, 1937, the Cardinal called Hitler “an Austrian paperhanger and a poor one at that” at a diocesan conference in Chicago. He accused Nazi officials of fostering “malicious propaganda against the Church.” This earned him nationwide praise, and a few weeks later Pope Pius XI called him a defender of the Church.
In December, 1938, he rebuked “radio priest” Charles E. Coughlin for his radio talks, saying that, “Father Coughlin….does not speak for the Catholic church.”
On another occasion, he paid tribute to the United States as “a great democracy which insures religious liberty.” “During my 22 years as head of the Archdiocese of Chicago,” the Cardinal said on one occasion, “I have never had any difficulty with any other religious group. I am glad of that record and want it to continue as a real demonstration of what a great country America really is.”
Only three months ago, he sent a plea to the Cuban government in behalf of the “St. Louis” refugees who were not allowed to land in Cuba.
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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.
