g work, to forward the great
cause of the Church and realize its Catholic aspirations, to present a
united front to common dangers, the union and co-operation of all the
parishes and all the dioceses are an absolute necessity.

Never has the Church in Canada felt so keenly the necessity of this
union and co-operation. An acute sense of uneasiness has spread, far
and broad, apathy and lethargy. Instinctively eyes turn to the heights
from whence they have a right to expect direction and help. The
necessity of some INTER-DIOCESAN ORGANIZATION, along the lines of the
National Catholic Welfare Council of the United States, is the
outspoken conviction of many and the unexpressed desire of all. We are
weak in our divided strength. The criticism of both clergy and laity
in this matter is widespread and very often justifiable. We could
willingly endorse what Cardinal Newman wrote to a friend: "Instead of
aiming at being a world-wide power, we are shrinking into ourselves,
narrowing the lines of communion, trembling at freedom of thought, and
using the language of dismay and despair at the prospect before us,
instead of the high spirit of the warrior going out conquering and to
conquer."--(Life, by Ward II, p. 127.)

"_Ut sint unum!_" "That they may be one!" This is the supreme
solution of the weighty problems now facing the Church at this crucial
period of readjustment and reconstruction. A general Congress would
crystallize, we believe, our desires for unity into a concrete fact.
It would help to group the various thoughts and workable schemes around
a definite plan and stimulate activities in view of its realization.
Some may find it rather presumptuous on our part to formulate such a
proposal. Our sincerity and loyalty to the great Cause in view is our
only excuse.

_What is a Catholic Congress_?

A Catholic Congress--be it provincial, regional, national or simply
diocesan--is the meeting of Catholic clergy and laity under the
guidance of the Hierarchy, for the _study_ of various problems, the
_development and coordination of energies_, the _unification and
concentration_ of purpose.

The members of the Congress are delegates from the various parishes,
from social, mutual and diocesan organizations. It is of absolute
necessity that the laity be well represented, for the Congress is the
great school of "social action," the great medium of educating the
Catholic body and developing the sense of Catholic socia