Bishop William Philbin on Patriotism

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Pope John XXIII on Muintir na Tíre

 TO OUR BELOVED SON
MAURICE MORRISSEY,
CHAIRMAN OF MUINTIR NA TÍRE

In 1954 Our Predecessor of happy memory, Pius XII, was pleased to address a Letter to John M. Hayes, founder of Muintir na Tíre, referring in particular to the fact that ‘in order to promote the practice of justice and charity in each one’s immediate surroundings, Muintir na Tíre fosters a spirit of neighbourliness and self-reliance, and it inspires individuals to devote themselves to the good of the community even at a cost of personal sacrifice.’ On the occasion of the Rural Week which marks the Silver Jubilee of your Movement, We Ourselves wish to send a message of encouragement to all who co-operate in this praiseworthy work.

Your beloved founder, with his inspiring leadership, had traced the path; and since his death, his steadfast followers, faithful to his ideals, have continued and consolidated the enterprise which his generous zeal had shaped. Local communities are stimulated to identify their particular needs, to strive for the economic, social and cultural advancements of their parishes and to make effective use of public services. Encouragement and guidance have been derived from the study of the use of community organization abroad for the promotion of development, and sociological research into the problem of emigration had been inaugurated.

The Irish Rosary; July-August, 1955

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Pope Pius XII on Muintir na Tíre

The following message was sent by Pope Pius XII to Canon John Hayes on the occasion of the Muintir na Tíre Rural Week at Roscrea, August, 1954.

We have learned with pleasure of the praiseworthy work being accomplished by the organisation which your apostolic zeal prompted you to found 17 years ago.

Every effort to put Christian social teaching into practice is deserving of commendation and encouragement, not merely because the children of light, as Our predecessor of happy memory Pius XI pointed out, must not allow themselves to be surpassed in zeal by the children of darkness, but also because of the very real benefits that accrue to the community from the application of the Church’s social doctrine.

The organisation of which you are chairman rightly looks upon the parish as the basic unit of a Christian social order and We have noted with satisfaction that this is the subject chosen for discussion at your forthcoming rural week.