The Archive · 1938

Cardinal Innitzer's Disclaimer Read In Catholic Churches in Austria

Archbishop of Vienna Denies Nazi Charges of Instigating Demonstrations; Faith Asserted Vienna, Oct. 23. true that the youths sang political Catholic churches throughout Aus-trio without any special demorístrations today read Cardinal Innitzer's message disclaiming the Nazi assertions that he had precipitated the October 7 riots started by Catholics demanding religious education.

In St, Stephan's "Cathedral men circulated among the congregation prior to the reading of the statement. They whispered the advice to those present to refrain from demonstrations.

l Innitzer's message com-mei on the October 7 service said:

"The young peoples' demonstration after the service was neither foreseen nor desired by me. It is not songs.

"In the service I never spoke the words 'I have decided upon a fight and I am ready for it which have been attributed to me.

"I have not overlooked the historically significant hour in which our own homeland and the Sudetenland have been returned to the Reich, but I have thanked the Fuehrer along with other German Cardinals and ordered thanksgiving services and the ringing of church bells.

"I still believe in the conviction that all Catholics are bound in convenience to fulfill their duties to the state; however, bishops at all times must fulfill their oath to defend their rights to go to church—United Press.

Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.

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