Coughlin Backed

As Detroit's Rev. Charles E. Coughlin has increasingly proven that, with the possible exception of Huey P. Long, he is the ablest and most inflammatory rabble-rouser in the U. S., many a sober citizen has wondered how long his thoroughly autocratic Church would permit the radio priest to continue stirring up unchurchly controversy. Their wonder grew as Boston's outspoken old William Henry Cardinal O'Connell repeatedly flayed Father Coughlin for his "demagogic talk," "hysterical harangues," "humbugging," "pure sham'' and Father Coughlin cracked back that for 40 years the Cardinal had been notorious for his silence on social justice."

Fact is, his superiors may silence a Catholic priest only if he goes astray on matters of faith and morals. Father Coughlin is answerable only to one man. That is his good friend and immediate superior, Bishop Michael James Gallagher of Detroit. He in turn may be overruled only by direct order of the Pope. Burly, bespectacled Bishop Gallagher has in the past let it be known that he did not agree with all the radio priest's opinions but refused to interfere with their expression.

Last week a mounting flood of protests and questions impelled him to appear on Father Coughlin's regular Sunday radio hour, state his position fully.

"The first question," declared the Bishop, "is 'Who is ecclesiastically responsible for the addresses of Father Coughlin?' I am, as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Detroit.

"The second question: 'What does the imprimatur mean?' It is the right to print. It so happens that I do not only find in Father Coughlin's addresses nothing against the faith and morals but I do most heartily approve their content. It is a content based on truths which I have directed him to preach.

"Third question: 'Does Father Coughlin represent the American hierarchy?' No. Some are opposed to his doctrine, some to his methods and some to him personally.

"Question four: 'Does he represent the Catholic Church?' In the sense that he is an authorized priest of the Catholic Church, yes. . . .

"Freely I give him my imprimatur on his written word and freely I give my approval on the spoken word. . . .

'Until a lawful superior rules otherwise, I stand steadfastly behind this priest,' Father Coughlin, encouraging him to do the will of God as he sees it and I see it."

Beamed Father Coughlin: "One of the most historic addresses ever made in this nation."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.