MALTESE CATHOLIC ACTION Dangers of Misuse

have just returned to Rome from Malta, where I was received with equal courtesy by His Grace the Archbishop, by Lord Strickland and by various other highly placed members of Maltese society representative, I believe, of greatly differing shades of opinion on matters of Maltese interest.
At the back of Mr Olivieri Munroe's mind there probably lurks a suspicion that the most ardent
defenders of the use of the Maltese language in island affairs, including, unfortunately, a little clique firmly entrenched in the ranks of local Catholic Action, are dubious in their loyalty to the British flag. I regret to have to add that I found this suspicion widespread and ly no means confined to the set that Mr Olivier' Munroe represents.
The mere shadow of a suspicion that an attempt has been made to divert Catholic Action from the purpose for which it was created by the Holy See and to make use of it as a spearhead to foster anti-British feeling in the island is, to say the least of it, most uned ifying.
Why do not the leaders of Catholic Action in Malta dear themselves once and for all of this accusation by making use of English, as well as Italian, in all matters connected with the Church? Such a line of action would be highly appreciated in Government circles and would enhance the prestige of the clergy amongst the educated classes all over the island.
H. B. L. HUGHES (Rev.). English Editor of Fide a Service, Rome.
Demand for English-Speaking Priests
From Lady Winifred Mules.
Sie,—On my return from a recent visit to Malta I have just read the letters to the Editor in your correspondence columns. May I, therefore, submit to you some of my personal impressions?
I feel that there is a real demand in the island for the ministrations of more English-speaking priests, as the naval and military chaplains are not, as a rule, in a position to do more than attend to the needs of service people.
Your correspondent suggests that the Use Of Italian is only transitory. Surely, however, it would be a matter of common courtesy on the part of the Maltese clergy to make some effort to meet the wishes of the Government by employing English, as well as Maltese and Italian, in church notices and circulars?
It seems also rather ill-placed that when the Government has decided to adopt a definite orthography in Maltese the local Catholic newspaper should go out of its way to employ a different Itahanised version.
The fact that certain elements among the clergy warn their flocks against the English as a godless race is surely playing directly into the hands of Italian political propagandists eager to disseminate the mistaken notion that Catholic culture and Italian culture art synonymous terms.
WINIFRED ELWES.
Rome.