Religion: Priest in Politics

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Father Coughlin countered by issuing a series of verbose statements in which he called Al Smith "the outstanding lay Catholic in the country." Declaring "I am not hedging at all," he hedged a little, toned down his story, hung it on one bishop, unnamed. He also said his own Bishop stood by him.

This Bishop Gallagher indeed did. Genuinely fond of Father Coughlin who caused his Bishop's rugged features to be perpetuated in a figure of the Arch angel Michael on his "Charity Crucifixion Tower" which radio receipts made possible, the Bishop has declined to interfere even when he disagrees with Father Coughlin's notions. Last week, disagreeing again, he nevertheless said: "No heresy has been preached. Father Coughlin in his addresses is advocating the principles set down by Leo XIII and Pius XI."

One of Father Coughlin's favorite pronouncements, which he has uttered in his throbbing brogue in many a Sunday broadcast, is that of Statesman Leo XIII: "Every minister of holy religion must throw into the conflict all the energy of his mind and all the strength of his endurance." Last week Father Coughlin also reminded the Press of Pius XI's strictures against "those few who . . . hold and control money ... govern credit . . . grasp, as it were, in their hands the very soul of production so that no one dares breathe against their will."

It was all very well for Father Coughlin to justify himself by papal quotation, thought many a devout Catholic last week, but the fact remained that popes clothe their crusades for social justice in solemn, stately Latin, not in hoarse words through a microphone. Most outraged of the Catholic clergy was plump, garrulous Monsignor John L. Belford of Brooklyn who stormed at Father Coughlin: "The man is an infernal nuisance. He has gone mad with popularity. . . . Members of his Church despise him. . . . His Bishop is even worse than he is. The Bishop has it in his power to stop him and he has not done so, although appeals have been made to him by the most outstanding ecclesiastics in this country. I believe that the time has come when the Apostolic Delegate should step in and stop this wild ranting that is disgracing religion."

Later in the week, with the storm still beating around his ears. Monsignor Belford had a change of heart, telegraphed Father Coughlin: "Regret uncharitable interview. Will broadcast apology today. Extremely sorry." Monsignor Belford on the radio: "I desire to broadcast a very humble and sincere apology to all whom I offended. ... It was uncharitable and I deeply regret it. I am not explaining, extenuating or excusing. . . . No Christian, and certainly no clergyman, should express such uncharitable views."

In his own Sunday broadcast Father Coughlin stuck by his Smith story, denounced the "Morgan interests," excoriated the "Tory Press," declared the U. S. must choose between "Roosevelt or Ruin." Speaking later of Monsignor Belford's apology he boasted: "John Raskob will be next and Al Smith after him."