Chapter 6
by John Gavin Nolan
Then came Father Walsh’s complaint to Cardinal Hayes on 5 November 1926 that Father von Galen’s collections, which would take him nearly into the middle of January, would be worthless to CNEWA, and, even worse, interfere with CNEWA’s national collection on the third Sunday of January. “I firmly believe,” the Jesuit informed His Eminence, “that not one penny of these funds [collected by Father von Galen] will ever reach this organization.”39
Reluctantly, Cardinal Hayes capitulated. He told Father von Galen that CNEWA would have no specialized departments, and that there would be no Religious Welfare Department for the Benedictine to direct. Therefore, said the cardinal, Father von Galen should finish his work in the United States by Christmas.40
Joseph Moore, meanwhile, under Father Walsh’s direction, was making every effort to guarantee the success of the 23 January 1927 collection. Articles were sent to diocesan newspapers explaining the goals of the new association, and every bishop was asked to authorize one of his chancery officials to receive communications from CNEWA and to act in the bishop’s name. The campaign was then scheduled week–by–week. Four weeks prior to 23 January the bishop’s representative would receive large posters for distribution throughout his diocese as well as explanatory leaflets for schools, academies and colleges. One week later the bishop would be requested to issue a letter to pastors and the faithful with the official pronouncement of the Holy See regarding Russia and the Near East. Two weeks before the collection every priest would receive a message from the Holy Father and the outline of a sermon explaining the scope and meaning of CNEWA. On 23 January the sermon would be preached at every Mass in every church and the people would be urged to join this new pontifical society at a membership offering of one dollar per year.41 By the second week of November Father Walsh could inform Cardinal Sincero and the bishops that 71 dioceses had endorsed the appeal and others were expected to do so.42
The important archdiocese of Chicago, over which George Cardinal Mundelein presided, was, however, reason for concern. On 11 November 1926, updating the list of dioceses which had agreed to the collection, Father Walsh informed Cardinal Hayes, “Naturally I am not including in this the Archdiocese of Chicago, as Your Eminence may wish to take any other personal action which you deem advisable. We have heard nothing from Chicago.” In this same letter Father Walsh reminded Cardinal Hayes that he would soon be embarking on a promotion tour throughout the United States.43