* * * * *

Before giving a suggestive programme for a Congress may we answer some
objections.

"The need for co-operation and co-ordination is indeed _admitted on all
hands_; it is its _feasibility_ that is doubted by so many good
Catholics. It is admitted to be an ideal; the question that is raised
is whether the difficulties are not too great to be surmounted
otherwise than by a very slow and lengthy process of evolution. That
such a gradual evolution would be in accordance with both nature and
history we should be the first to admit. But, after all, there is such
a thing as retarding or assisting the process of evolution. The
valuable maxim that 'things are what they are and their consequences
will be what they will be,' is after all but half the truth. No
Catholic believes that we are carried helpless along a stream of
circumstances. He believes that man is man, a free being whose free
action can within limits mould circumstance; and he believes that God
is God, the one free Being Who can and does overrule circumstance, and
Who, when and where He pleases, gives efficacy to the endeavour of His
free creatures to do the same." (Universe, Aug. 15th, 1919.)

Some may say that by coming together we shall awaken susceptibilities,
our motives will be suspected . . . and the final result will be more
prejudice, more bigotry. . . .

There is no reason why a Congress should be of an unfriendly
aggressiveness. We have ideas to advocate, they stand on their own
merit. They are in our belief, the only key of salvation; let us then
get together and bring them by organization and team work, into the
domain of realities. Moreover, our enemies are not so very particular
in dealing with us and with our principles. The best policy is to meet
in the open, as our Catholics are doing in England and stand on the
value of our doctrine and our works--"_Ex fructibus cognescetis illos_."

"What about the autonomy of parish and diocesan units? Are they not
supreme? Will not what we advocate interfere with these organizations?
Will it not destroy the work of our parochial societies, etc., etc.?"

"Organization which would attempt to meddle with local autonomy would
not only defeat its purpose, but would be chiselling its own epitaph."
. . . The parish and diocesan units are and must ever remain supreme,
each in its own sphere. We could never get a better working basis;
more genuine Christian charity and