CATHOLIC WORKERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1942, Page 4

CATHOLIC WORKERS

RESISTANCE TO GERMANS IN FRANCE. “Volontaire,” a Roman Catholic organ published in London, draws attention in its second issue to the resistance of Catholic workers in France, who are not at all docile, as some would have people believe. The writei’ of the article points out that as early as November 15, 1940, a few months after the downfall, the Roman Catholic Workers’ movement joined with non-sectarian syndicalists in affirming the essential positions of French syndicalism:

“Syndicalism remains founded on the principle of liberty. It is false to pretend that the defeat of our country is due to the exercise of liberty by its citizens.” The manifest further declared: “In no case and under no pretext or form can French syndicalism admit between French persons distinctions founded on race, religion, birth, opinion or possessions. French syndicalism especially cannot admit antisemitism.”

In the concluding part of the document it was stated: “We ought not despair of the future of France. We must not consider ourselves, through the hazard of a military defeat, inferior as a nation or a people. We must not acquire a mentality of defeat.”

Roman Catholic workers in France associated themselves furthermore with the solemn declaration of the French syndicalists that: “the workers cannot recognise as genuine workers’ associations any organisations whose heads are not freely chosen by them and whose activities are carried out under the tutelage of the State.” The article in “Volontaire” shows that young Catholics in France are against the so-called National Revolution of Petain and Darlan.