CATHOLIC HERALD, Friday. May 14, 1943 3

TWO WEEKS AGO WE ANNOUNCED THAT THE CATHOLIC YOUTH OF WESTMINSTER WOULD PROCLAIM A CHARTER IN JUNE. AS A DEVELOPMENT OF' THIS IDEA FR. DEVANE, S.J., SUGGESTS A SIMILAR ACTION ON THE PART OF WORLD CATHOLIC YOUTH IN THIS COUNTRY WITH THEIR EYES ON AN INTER -NATIONAL FIELD. SAYS FR. DEVANE:
Catholic Youth Can Remake Europe
by Fr. R. S. Devane, S.J.
THE CATHOLIC HERALD recently 'published a lengthy review of Challenge From Youth. In this book I described the modern youth movements in U.S.S.R., Germany, Italy, Portugal, France (a/so Britain) in order to demonstrate the extrantdinary driving power of a weltanschauung or ideology. We cannot, I pleaded, expect striking results from a Catholic youth movement unless it has the chin-anise!) of something ekin to a
modern ' ideology " behind it. Space prevents the further development of this idea; it has been the burden or iel rain of the book referred to.
In an article in the Ness, Statesman (February 12), Julien eltudey discussed the problem of post-war education in Europe and put forward a programme. 1 his suggested to me a postwar plan for Catholic Youth which I shall develop further on.
Professor Huxley set down the followi,ng essentials:
II). An Internationtl &location Office, on the lines of the International Labour Office, to otganise world education on a regional basis. naturally Europe would be one " region."
(2). The preparation of a series of text-hooks by a group of international experts.
(3). The interchange of teachers, school children, university professors and students.
(4). An International Youth Service Corps.
He' admits that " the difficulties are real and considerable," but he adds " there are certain basic principles common to all anti-Fascist countries. On that basis there is a real chance of an International Education Office making a solid and substantial contribution towards the development of a European system of education, and so towards that of a culturally and politically MOM unified Europe."
Fantastic but Stimulating
It is unnecessary to point out to Catholics that much confused thinking has arisen from the terms " Fascism " and " anti-Fascism," as used by those of the Left. It is now proposed that and-Fascism be the basis of a new and unique system of education in Europe which will include Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Atheistic Communists, who will use the same common text-hooks, exchange teachers and pupils, etc. But why proceed further? Professor Huxley's plan is in itself fantastic, but it is nevertheless suggestive for us Catholics.
Nobody can hope to understand Europe to-day who does not understand the modern youth movements. This basic idea has now been grasped by the political and intellectual leaders of Britain. Hence the recent spate of speeches and articles on the need for the " democratic " education of the " Fascist Youth of the Continent after the war. Tlee key to the future of Europe is in the hands of Youth.
Catholics in general are not at all sufficiently convinced of this, nor of the leading part that Catholic Youth can play in the reshaping of Europe. Outside U.S.S.R. (which is largely Asiatic) and the small Scandinavian States, Catholic Youth bolds a place of immeasurable importance in Europe—if properly organised in each country and if linked up in a great European Federation of Catholic Youth Organisations.
We Catholics have the unique, unifying principle of the common and deeply-held Faith, which stands ill striking contrast with that of an elusive and nebulous. and-Fascism. The thne is ripe for action, and British Catholics have now a splendid opportunity and a corresponding grai.e responsibility.
On a National Basis
'English Catholic Youth is for the first time being organised on a national basis under the " National Catholic Youth Association," which has behind it the highest ecclesiastical sanction. Almost providentially, one may say, there are gathered together in Britain to-day leaders of many of the Catholic Youth Organisations from all over the Continent, Poles, Czechs, Old , Austrians, Germans, Belgians, Dutch, French, possibly Italians and others; besides, there are -those of Canada and the United States.
May an interested outsidelrespectfully suggest that the N.C.Y.A. should get at once in touch with foreign Catholic Youth leaders ins Britain, invite them to a series of conferenix's for the purpose of (a) Mottling is basic "ideology " (I must apologise for the expression) for Catholic Youth Organisations, (b) determining the best means of future Conjoint action. (c) of establishing a European Federation of Catholic Youth.
Reporte of the proceedings of these conferences should be published periodically in the Catholic press so as to enlist the interest and support of those not privileged to be present. In this way, while the war drags its weary length along, Catholics would be preparing their youth to take their rightful place ill Shhriing the destiny of postwar Europe.
American Manifesto Recently in the U.S.A. a gtoup of doonewsned Catholic reeves drew ‘..tpa teenuesto—" in the Face of the World-Crisis "--stating the essentials for esiacuisiung a New Order based on Christian principles—it appeared in the Dispirit Review of last October. This was directed to the educated classes and was tar above the heads of the masses.
Lan the international group of Catholic youth leaders referred to above, with tee help ot some meolugiarts and pnuosoptiees, simplify and bring wit= we range of the intelligence of our young folk the great fundamental principles of Catholic social teaching, show now they can be applied in /Hectic:e in the daily lives of ooys and girls, leaven the whole with something that will stir the imagination and appeal to tile romanticism, the crusading spirit and generous self-sacrifice of the adolescent, and incorporate all into a handbook ae a bests tor union and action? Each national organisation or individual unit would retain its autonomy, but would be integrated into the uriiiying philosophy or youth ideology rooteas in a common Faith held very dear by all, and would be linked up into the European Federation.
The site of the international headquarters, the provision of post-war exchange of youth groups, the publication of further handbooks, ,and other such matters, would all be subjects for discussion and arrangement at the pro
posed conferences. A unique opportunity, big with possibility for the future of Europe, presents itself today; let us hope that it may not pass by unnoticed.
History of False Philosophy
Joeisin affords a striking example of the simplification ot Catholic social 'teaching and its application to youth organisation; from it much tight and guidance will be forthcoming.
A !Lathet essential will be a history of the growth and development of the false philosophy that has led to the social chaos of to-day the ,following is the barest outline:
The Reformation, fall or Feudalism, suppression of the " man's loss M " status,the isolation of " the individual." Religious Inchvidu;slism Protestantism, Luther, Calvin, Social and Political Individualism—the Social Contract (HobbesReusseau). Economic Individualism, Capitalism, Industrialism, Laissezfaire, Propertyless Proletariat, ClassWarfare. Liberalism and the secularisation of society ; undermining of society by emphasis on the " individual " rather than on the family and the community: disruption of family by divorce; godless education; " liberty " of the press, the theatre, the cinema, etc. Licence and licentiousnese. Spread of Liberalism throughout Europe and the Americas, with fatal results. The Syllabus of Pius FIX. Reaction against Individualism through Socialism, Communism, Fascism, Nazism, etc. Men disillusioned about " Progress " and the Promised Land—thus a way is being prepared for a " Back to Christ " movement. We face one of the greatest crises in history — the opportunity and need of a Great Cettsade to restore Gad to Society and Christ to Man—" to restore all things in Christ." The Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, the Mystical Body of Christ, the Kingdom. of Christ, Christ the Leader, The Great Crusade.
Both the philosophy and history should be specially addressed to the imagination and spirit of romantic chivalry of Youth and in such a way as that they will be thrilled to action with the same dynamic intensity as the Youth of the Modern States are fired with their ideologies. Can this be done? Is it not well worth while trying? More than Youth will read such a handbook with interest and profit.