rm plan_ and an _authoritative leadership_. A Congress will give
us these two elements of a much desired unity.

Too long, we believe, have Catholic social activities been directed
along purely parochial and diocesan lines. The isolated action of
parishes, especially in our cities, is no longer able to grapple with
and solve our modern complex problems. Parochialism is conducive to
the enjoyment of the Church's beneficial influences, but often leads us
to forget our responsibilities to the Church Universal. "Parochialism
is the clog on the wheel of united Catholic Action in Canada."
(Canadian Freeman, Nov. 13, 1919.) And even on a broader field have we
not seen conflicting directions and abstinence of necessary
interference, precisely because the issues were seen in different
quarters from different angles. So, a united plan of action which is
so absolutely necessary for efficient work cannot be obtained without
consultation and exchange of ideas.

This unity of plan will bring the Catholic consciousness to a focus.
It will create an intelligent interest in Catholic social work, and
lead to the gradual formation of various specific social organizations.
When luminous rays are brought to a focus their light and heat are most
intense.

The best concerted plans, the greatest enthusiasm to execute them, will
be of no avail without leadership. For the secret of the success and
usefulness of an organization is to be found in the ability, character
and ideals of its leader. Never perhaps in Canada, has the absence of
authoritative leadership, especially among the Catholic laity, been
felt so keenly as at the present trying period. Let us hear an
authoritative writer on the matter:

"When the great buzz and stir of rebuilding comes and the interchange
and counterchange of ideas begin, the newly awakened folk will begin to
enquire what the Church has to say and to suggest on every ethical and
religious problem that comes up in the course of planning and
discussion. But they will wish to know, not in the terms in which
great minds of the past have formulated Catholic teaching, but in the
speech and with the illustrations of contemporary life. What we need
is Catholic intellectual leadership to interpret in a way they can
understand, the deep ethical truths of Catholic ethics, dogmas, which
are a guide to the reconstructive activities of all time. Without
changing a jot of the unchangeable truth, new series of inter