Nazi-inspired Press Attack on Belgian Clergy

By PETER I. O'GRADY (Our Correspondent formerly in Belgium)
So far the German occupying power in Belgium has not been so clumsy and brutal in its handling of the Belgian population as in 1914-1918. The Nazi is showing remarkably keener psychological insight and tact than did the Imperial German Authority in 1914.
There has been no clash between the Nazi authority and Cardinai van Roey, Primate of Belgium, as there was in 1914 between the imperial Governor von Biasing and Cardinal Mercier.
Although Cardinal an Roey has spoken his mind firmly in his October pastoral letter, the German authorities have not reproved hint. But now the Resist kader, Leon Degrelle, it would appear, has been chosen by his Nazi master to open the attack against the Cardinal
SERMONS " INCITE" Degrelle's daily newspaper, Le Pays Reel bases its attack on the bold Christian defiant passage in Cardinal van Roey's pastoral, which is worth repeating. '' No doubt it is necessary to recognise and obey the Occupying Power as a de facto Power ' within the limits of international conventions: but the Belgian Fatherland continues to exist and all her children owe her fidelity and assistance. Observe, therefore, in every occurrence a line of conduct both dignified and correct lest your conscience cause you remorse, and one day make you blush?'
Le Pays Reel is now fulminating against the clergy of Belgium, alleging that their sermons incite the population to revolt against the German authority.
" Sortie parish priests." it stares in a recent number. " In their Sunday morning sermons are far more interested in Churchill's pronouncements than in the text of the day's Gospel. Such unrestrained sermons, such persistent concern in political problems, such affronts to Hitler and Germany (which cannot but culminate in embarrassing Belgium), such provocative. use of religious freedom — in an atmosphere of rebellion engendered by a number of priests and monks—are decidedly intolerable."
This is in the true Degrelle style of vituperation. The ecclesiastical condemnation of Rexism by the Cardinal Archbishop of Malines still rankles. Hirevenge—andspartywithereodf after it. Leon now seeks course reward—from Adolf Hitler.
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