Catholic Assistance Proceeds,
But Needs Money
SIR,-1 strongly support Fr. Geraert's appal for Catholic Refugees from Germany in your paper of this week. I am giving temporary help to the devoted officials of the Catholic Council for International Relations who are dealing with the administration of this great work of charity.
thought I knew something of what was
meant by misery, but I did not. Heartrending letters pour daily into this office: Catholic families broken up—the father in prison, all his means confiscated, the
mother and children left penniless. And this because one or other of the parents has Jewish blood. Even if not imprisoned, their means of livelihood are taken from them.
The Jewish Community is helping its people nobly, but can do little for those who are Catholics, and these form a large proportion of the refugees. Funds therefore are urgently needed, large and small. As Fr. Geraerts has said, even pennies are welcomed.
The Catholic Refugee Committee has issued an appeal to the schools for free places for the children--perhaps saddest of all the cases—for if they remain in Germany they are ostracised, their lives made intolerable, and their parents cannot support them.
Many offers have come in, but more are badly needed, and also funds for fares, outfits, sometimes for reduced fees, while, as few schools can keep them in the holidays, hospitality is also required for these friendless little ones. The administrative officers are working early and late, but their efforts are crippled for lack of money. Every case is carefully investigated, and with the greatest sympathy. I can assure any donors to the Catholic Refugee Fund that they could not take part in a greater and more merciful work of charity.
The Treasurer, Catholic Committee for Refugees, 120, Victoria Street, S.W.1, will thankfully receive such gifts. SUSAN LIVEING.
22, Queen Alexandra Mansions, Judd Street, W.C.1.