Call from a Sickbed

One of the frailest, most tired men in the world last week was Pope Pius XII, ailing for more than a month, unable for most of that time to take solid food. From his sickroom came a 2,200-word papal message on the danger of apathy in a world challenged by Communism.

Priests should particularly ask themselves, the Pontiff wrote, how many of their parishioners are practicing Roman Catholics. "True, all believe more or less after a fashion," he went on. "Very many have been baptized and have made their first Communion also; they have been married in the Church and they want to have, in God's good time, the last sacraments and a Church burial. But it is undeniable that outside a group, more or less numerous, of fervent Catholics, you have the simply well-disposed, the indifferent and even the hostile."

To reclaim these, the Pope advised parish priests to find help among laymen "capable of multiplying the strength and capacity" of the clergy. There is no other solution, he said, "but to build the world anew in the spirit of Christ."

Ignoring all advice that he must not overtax his strength, Pius XII had written the long message in his own hand.

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