Principles for Peace. Selections from Papal Documents, Leo XIII to Pius XII by Reverend Harry C. Koenig, S. T. D. (review)

Abstract

BOOK REVIEWS Principles for Peace. Selections from Papal Documents, Leo XIII to Pius XII. Edited for the Bishops’ Committee on the Pope’s Peace Points by the Reverend Harry C. Koenig, S. T. D. (Washington, D. C.: National Catholic Welfare Conference, 1943; distributed by Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee, Wis. Pp. xxv+894. $7.50.) Principles for Peace is a felicitous compilation of the papal pronounce­ ments on peace by the Pontiffs Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, and some similar pronouncements by their Cardinal Secretaries of State. Archbishop Stritch of Chicago prefaces the book with appropriate and discerning remarks, while the editor contributes a lengthy introductory explanation. The body of the text contains 47 pronouncements by Leo XIII, 12 by Pius X, 152 by Benedict XV, 102 by Pius XI, 137 by Pius XII. Each section is preceded by a short sketch on the life of the respective Pontiff. Although most of the texts have been taken from previous transla­ tions, of unequal value, almost one-third of them have been translated spe­ cifically for this book from most of the languages of Europe. In his preface Archbishop Stritch summarizes the plan of the book as follows: "Pope Pius XII on Christmas Eve offered to the nations his FivePoint Peace Plan. This plan delineates in broad outline a good peace.. . . It calls back to the many Statements of the Popes on peace for a proper inter­ pretation___ When the Pope’s Peace Plan is read and studied in the light of these Statements, it is dear that it offers to statesmen a safe guide in formulating the peace in justice and charity which we are demanding as the fruits of our victory.” The editor declares that the aim of the book is, "to harvest the accumu­ lated wisdom of these past sixty-five years during which each of the five popes was deeply concerned with the problem of peace; to make the riches of that wisdom available to the English-speaking world; to reveal to all men the incalculable help thepopes can offer in the making of a lasting peace.” He also remarks that "most of the documents are given only in part, since the complete text would require a book of unmanageable pro­ portions.” There can be no doubt that this compilation of papal pronouncements is timely and that it answers a need of all students of the peace problem. It might become a source of invaluable information for all statesmen concerned with the formation of peace plans. Therefore we must be grateful to the episcopal committee that conceived the idea of having these documents published. We owe thanks to the editor, who has given us such a thorough selection of papal peace pronouncements. He has performed a prodigious task. His elaborate index of sixty-seven pages makes reference to the texts compara­ tively easy — an important matter because the texts will be consulted as needed. The selection of texts is his own and may meet with some criticism, but the present reviewer feels that he has done complete justice to the task set. Franciscans will be pleased to find passages referring to St. Francis and his Third Order. Some might be inclined to demand even more, but they 102 BOOK REVIEWS 103 will agree with the impartiality and good judgment generally shown by the editor. This compilation can be highly recommended to all who are genuinely interested in a lasting peace, for "the reader who tempts to draw the plan of a good peace without consideration of the moral realities which are treated in this volume, has not a right understanding of the nature and sub­ stance of a good peace.” The book again proves that the Roman Pontiffs are faithful representatives of the Prince of Peace. T h eo d o re R o e m e r , O. F. M. Ca p. St. Lawrence College, Mount Calvary, Wis. The True Life, Sociology of the Supernatural. By Luigi Sturzo. (Washington, D. G : The Catholic University of America Press; Paterson, N. J.: St. Anthony Guild Press, 1943. Pp. 312. $3 00.) Don Sturzo’s latest work will not generally be accepted as of sociological...