‘Osservatore' shocked by 'Pravda interview

T N a strongly warded front
-1page article the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano calls the current Peace " Congress " at Helsinki " a poorly concealed attempt to further their own ends."
It also criticises the Mayor of Florence. the Catholic Prof. La Pira. for an interview he gave to Pravda, the Moscow daily newspaper.
The International Congress on Peace and Christian Civilisation, organised by Prof. La Pira, met in Florence at the same time as the Helsinki Congress.
The Osservatore Romano says it regrets the interview granted by Prof. La Pira for the misunderstanding it will create. It declares that Catholics have the right and duty to express shocked feelings. Honest action for peace, says the Osservatore, must presuppose respect for moral forces. This cannot he had as long as religious liberty is called " servitude and exploitation of prejudices."
The' Vatican newspaper corn pares Christian. teachings and the national longing for peace—as expressed by the Holy Father in his Christmas message for co-existence in truth—with the Communist programme taken from the Milan Communist daily paper 10 years ago which asserted that real peace is possible only when the masses-workers. farmers and intellectuals —gain full control of economic production.
The aim is unchanged, sa■ s the 0.sservatore: only the conditions are more serious after the oppression of moral and religious forces in many countries.
Commenting on the Osservatore's criticism. Prof. La Piro said that in talking with the Russians he had merely compared two eras.
" One era is in the past, when, according to my view, all Communist peace manifestations were entirely negative," he said.
" Then there is the present era when—because of international distinctions wished by the Holy Father and recognized as a fact by all responsible Governments—the peace initiatives, provided they are honestly meant. have positive value."