anslate into tangible facts Her
doctrines on justice and charity, and thus spread the beneficial
influence of Her teachings.

The specific end of the Congress is to develop, co-ordinate, and direct
these social activities of Catholics and bring their influence to bear
upon the community at large. _Instaurare omnia in Christo_ . . . is
the programme of such gatherings.

The Congress (1) establishes a Catholic platform and rallies our forces
around it, by creating a social solidarity, (2) enables our existing
institutions and societies to extend their activities by the
co-ordination of efforts; (3) facilitates the creation of new
organizations to meet specific needs. "We cannot," writes Father
Plater, S.J., "stand aloof from secular movements, neither may we
wholly surrender ourselves to them. We must by common study bring them
to the test of Catholic principles and we must by common action bend
them to the great issues of which the world is losing sight."

Moreover, once the Catholic laity has been lured into taking active
part in social work, once it feels that it is no more a dead unit but a
living factor, the Congress becomes a necessity, for it then serves as
the mental background that throws its work in relief and keeps the
fires of enthusiasm burning.

_Necessity of a Catholic Congress at the Present Time_.

The absolute _absence of unity and cohesion_ in our various social
activities; the momentous _period of reconstruction_ with its
far-reaching consequences in our national, political, social and
economic life; the _examples_ given to us by other _Catholic countries_
and by our own enemies; these three and potent reasons urge, in our
estimation, the calling of a Congress to get our bearings and to
discuss ways and means of action.

The deplorable lack of unity in the Church of Canada is obvious and can
be traced to many causes. Racial and language conflicts particularly,
have divided our forces, absorbed our activities, narrowed our views
and made us forget the Catholic view-point of greater problems. But
times and ideas are changing. Never, we believe has the feeling of our
divisions and dissensions been so acute; never has the demand for
united action been so imperative as now. The distressing times through
which the world is passing have forced upon us issues which will
require the united strength of Catholic forces.

United action, so much desired and so desperately needed, requires a
_unifo