THE Holy Father's decision to appoint Mgr. Godfrey as Apostolic Delegate to Great 13ritain is yet another sign of his intense interest in our country.
Our privilege as Britishers is to criticise ourselves, and no one knows better than we ourselves do the failings of our country in both the international and social fields, but it cannot either be denied that in contrast with the present political incompetence of France, the hysterical self-assertiveness of Germany, the uncertain position of Italy, and the ignorance of European affairs in the United States, Great Britain does still stand before the world as a comparatively sane, balanced and secure country whose weight both in counsel and action is of the utmost importance to peace and stability. It is scarcely surprising therefore that there should be a desire on both sides for a close understanding between the world's great spiritual Power and an England still enjoying the material and moral fruits of her long period of ascendancy.
Apart from this the Holy Father on the spiritual plane has never omitted to refer to our glorious religious history and our martyrs. The British Catholics of today are the inheritors of that great tradition, and with this yet closer linking to the Holy See their opportunities of proving effective leaders in spiritual, political and social life will be greater. May these opportunities, with God's grace, be fully grasped!