By a Staff Reporter
One of the main functions of Hinsley House will be an international News-Service, ,especially from a Catholic point of view, and for this, there would In a permanent staff.
This ambitious plan for the memorial to Cardinal Hinsley was revealed by Mgr. Griffin, Archbishop of Westminster, at a Press conference last week in Which he gave details of the objects and anticipated functions of Hinsley House.
Cardino, Hinsley, argued the Archbishop, was an internatonal figure in his outlook, in his broadcasts, and by his work for the African Missions, and S0 his memorial MGM be an international One.
Mgr, Griffin said the International News Centre would gather Catholic news from all over the world, and give Catholic news to the world. " There are plenty of Catholic News agencies in other countries who will be willing to help in this service. We want to know what is happening in other countries and they want to know what is happening in ours. It will be a centre of information for all matters connected with the Faith and a watch will be kept on non-Catholic papers," said the Archbishop.
It is hoped that International Catholic Societies will make their headquarters at the House, Societies such as the Y.C.W., Scouts, Pax Rornana and others.
HOSPITALITY CENTRE
When there is an International Congress or other function of that kind Hinsley House would be a place where the Delegates could meet for conferences; it could eventually become a centre for hospitality for the Commonwealth and other countries, The Archbishop emphasised how essential it is that Catholics get together, pool their ideas, and " Think Catholic." There will be a library with books in various languages, and, if facilities permit, a Chapel.
When asked about the size of the house that was to hold so much Mgr. Griffin said that it will have to be a fairly large one and will need to have small rooms for committees, etc., and large rooms for conferences. It is hoped to have it in a central position in London, but no particular house has been decided upon—yet.
150,000 TARGET FIGURE
The target now aimed at is E50,000, and this includes fitting up thc house. It is hoped that it will be self-supporting from rents paid by Societies who have rooms. The Archbishop said that he had already had requests for office accommodation from Catholic Societies. What is the interest of non-Catholics in Hinsley House 7—it will be a place where they call meet Catholics for discussions and debates on Social problems, tee. In time the House will develop into a place where Catholics can meet socially—it may have a restaurant OT canteen.
A Broadcast Appeal for funds will be made on December 30 and it is very much hoped that the target of £50,000 might be reached 1 Last December the total was over £6.000; over £12,000 has been received this year and there is now a sum of £18,486 in hand. "The memory of the Cardinal moat be kept alive," said the Archbishop, "—it must not be allowed to fade as has only too quickly the fame of some of our great war leaders."
Petrusblatt, organ of the Catholic Bishopric of Berlin, resumed publication on December 2, having been banned by the Gestapo in 1938 because of its " hostile attitude towards the State." The first number carried an address of welcome by Count Freysing, Bishop of Berlin