860F.00/12–1047
Memorandum by Foreign Service Officer J. Graham Parsons of a Conversation With the Vatican Under Secretary of State (Tardini)1
Discussing the Catholic Populist Party, Monsignor Tardini emphatically agreed that its leadership was regrettably weak. Monsignor Sramek was too old and Monsignor Hala was too weak and too prone to make concessions. Given the importance of Catholic interests in Czechoslovakia and of the country itself, he expressed considerable concern. However, he was glad that I understood and wished I would explain to all comers that Catholic political parties were independent of the Vatican and had full liberty of action. In fact, here in Italy I could see the propaganda use made of any alleged entrance of the Church into political questions or on the other hand of domination of political parties by the Church. He then illustrated his point with several stories.
A month ago a diplomat here had asked if he, Tardini, would like to talk with Monsignor Hala in Rome. When Tardini replied that he was indifferent whether Hala came or not, he was then asked if he would see him if he came. Tardini then replied that yes, of course, he would receive him; but when further queried as to whether he would wish to see him, he answered frankly no. He then said that Monsignor Hala had not come here and from his tone it seemed that there was little likelihood of his coming.
Reminiscing, he said that in Monsignor Tiso’s time the situation was unsatisfactory to the Vatican and as often was the case with political prelates, he paid no attention to “suggestions” and thoughts expressed from Rome. In fact, the situation was such that in his Christmas cable the Pope never once addressed him as “The Right Reverend Monsignor Tiso”, but only with his lay title as President. Finally, as a further indication of the independence, often embarrassing independence, of Catholic parties in countries where the participation of priests in politics was sanctioned by tradition, he mentioned the long standing disputes between the Catholic Party of Slovakia and the Czech Catholic Party. The two were frequently at odds and in a manner which the Vatican could never approve.
At the close of this phase of the conversation we reverted to Monsignor Hala for a moment and I suggested that persons in his position might be influenced to return to religious life and clerical duties. Tardini said that that would be a good thing, without indicating whether such a suggestion could or would be made to him.
- This memorandum was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to despatch 652, December 10, from Vatican City. Parsons was Assistant to the Personal Representative of the President to Pope Pius XII.↩