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A publication of Traditional Catholics of America t Editor: Fr. Francis E. Fenton, STL t Volume X, No. 2 t March 1,
John Kenneth Weiskittel
ost readers this newsletter will undoubtedly agree ter Brian Mulroney and West German Chancellor Helmut
with the observation that we live in a world gone mad, Kohl. (Of those mentioned above it is notable that, if political
and they can readily cite examples from the fields of religion, labels are true, only the Socialist Mitterand can be seen as
politics, culture, society and so on. But the latest-and, in Gorbachev's natural ally; all the others are routinely
some ways, most striking-example is a developmentthat few perceived to be on the center-right end of the spectrum.)
would have thought possible: the emergence of the ruler of
the oldest and largest Communist state as one of the most Reagan, in dealing with his Soviet counterpart, more than
admired political figures in non-Communist countries. once used the old Russian saying, but verify." But how
trustworthy is Gorbachev? It is this question that is to be
As if to prove the adage, "fact is stranger than fiction," the examined in the following study.
West fallen in love with the Soviet Union's Mikhail
Gorbachev. A number of European public opinion polls KD!1"n1''.0, Glasnost
ranked him higher in popularity than President Ronald Strobe Talbott, Time magazine's Washington Bureau Chief
Reagan and the enthusiastic crowds greeting him during his and a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) member, in his in-
1987 visit to Washington, prompted one U.S. journalist troduction to Mikhail S. Gorbachev: An Intimate Biography,
to write of "Gorby fever." The widespread perception is that writes of Go:rbachev's transformation from "apparatchik to
he is a "different sort of Communist," one who truly cares reformer." (Time Editors, Time Books, 1988, p. 2) There are
about his people and sincerely seeks peace among nations. many who hold to Talbott's interpretation that a dramatic
change took place, moving Gorbachev from being a petty
Some traditional Catholics and other conservatives may be bureaucrat with unswerving loyalty to the Party into the cru-
inclined to write all of this off as merely the latest attempt by sading maverick who would stop little short of turning the
the trust-the-Soviets crowd to convince the rest of us that nation's institutions inside out. An inspiring picture-but is it
atheistic Communism isn't so fearsome after all. We are the correct picture?
greatly mistaken, however, to ignore the Gorbachev phenom-
enon-and we do so only at our own risk-for the next few To answer this, we need to trace Gorbachev's career before
years may be the most crudal time in our nation's history. he became General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party
The fact is we are dealing with a different sort of Communist, in March, 1985. Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was born to
at least as far as appearances go. Unlike his predecessors, farming parents in the South Russian Village of Privolnoye
Gorbachev has replaced the "we will bury you" stand with a on March 2, 1931, which makes him thefirstSovietleaderto
posture of reasonableness and conciliation. (His remarks at be born after the 1917 Revolution. His grandfather was not
the United Nations, in which he suggests that the Kremlin only a Party member but chairman of a collective farm. (ibid,
does not possess "ultimate truth," could easily be branded as p. 26) As a teenager, Gorbachev joined the Komsomol
ideological heresy in doctrinaire Marxist circles.) Besides his (Young Communists League) and was awarded the Order of
rhetorical moderation, the Soviet president has exuded what, the Red Banner of Labor "at the remarkably young age of
when contrasted with the Siberian chill of previous Kremlin 18." (ibid, pp. 43, 45) Mark Frankland, former Moscow corre-
heads, passes quite well for a friendly and personable spondent for Britain's Obseroer newspaper, has written that
manner. Komsomol membership is a "common first step towards
joining the Party apparatus." (The Sixth Continent: Russia &
Certainly Gorbachev has not been hurt by the praise he's the Making ofMikahail Gorbachev, Harper & Row, 1987, p.
received from Western leaders. In December, 1984, a few 161. Significantly, Gorbachev not only belonged to a
months before he rose to the top of the Soviet hierarchy, Komsomol branch-he led it.) (The spelling-Gorbachov
Mikhail Gorbachev visited Great Britain. After meeting with with a second "o"-is a case that points up the difficulty of
him, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher told the press: "I like rendering Russian names in English in a consistent way.Vari-
Mr. Gorbachev. We can do business together." French Presi- ants include czar/tsar, Romanov/Romanoff, Krushchev/
dent Francois Mitterand has called him the first "modem Khrushchev, Gorbachev/Gorbachov and, although some
man" to rule the USSR. When asked about Gorbachev last spellings are used more than others, all are correct in the
December, then President-elect George Bush replied, "He's examples cited.)
a warm human and people see that" Other favorable
impressions have come from Canadian Prime Minis- In 1950, Gorbachev entered Moscow State University and re-
won for
and submission to discipline, secun:~ct
bership and became a Party
upon New October
1987, p.19)
ishment-and from
ment-in the closed
lent his considerable and support to the
Gorbachev agenda); and permission for several thousand
… Already in 1945 some university teachers were Jews to emigrate to a result of all this outpour-
alarmed the thinking of their pupils and, in of "goodwill," more ties with the West have been
subsequent years, the concentration camps received a fonned.
considerable of recruits from idealistic youth
at universities. These new companion to glasnost in economic realm is pere-
accept the October Revolution some, it means a return to the
Leninists. Most of look for a 't"£>T,n.-nnon ~~ …… – Time editors in their biog-
rather than others, it means enterprise the market
Books, p. 158) Could anyone claim that the
capitalist? Listen to Establishment
In other called in correspondent Trewhitt says, while quoting
the (as Gorbachev now professes to champion) were Gorbachev's U.N. speech:
persecuted. But was not among them.
"We have (no) intention of being hemmed in by our
Rising through government ranks, became the de facto values." Goodbye, and Lenin. Hello, Adam
mayor of provincial Stavropol Free-market forces will now expanded.
he lived in the luxury a ("Responding to Gorbachev," U.S. &
Editors, p. At Stavropol Premier Alexei Kosygin December 1988, p.
Gorbachev many " and regular visitors to the spa
to whom Gorbachev has acknowledged a included in , after Gorbachev to persuade billionaire
Party 1aec11ogi1st ………u, Donald to invest in Moscow, the New York developer
suggested, "Maybe capitalism is the comer."
More often, however, is as a restruc-
of socialism decentralization of man~ien1en1t.,
force
the West
~ ….i… c,rhou first raised real doubts about glasnost
Chernobyl nuclear reactor
n"10>l!-t1,,rnntook place on
countries wc,r,,r,rlinr<
2
explained:
We do not have an opposition party. How then can we
control ourselves? Only through criticism and self-
criticism. Most important, through glasnost… (cited, Gorbachev's refrain of glasnost and perestroika also
Time Editors, p. "Self-criticism"-accusing one's raises the specter of another Russian word, peredyska,
self in front of other party members-has been a long- the old Leninist notion of seeking a "breathing space"
standing tool for discipline among Reds.) by making temporal)' accommodations so that the rev-
olution can eventually roar forward with renewed zeal.
And although Gorbachev at the United Nations said that ("The Gorbachev Challenge," December 19, 1988, p.
"free choice is mandatocy," that freedom does not apply to 20)
the Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, all of
which have heard him declare nyet to their cries of Lenin, it should be said, is held in particular reverence by
autonomy and civil liberties. (Perhaps he means the "free Gorbachev.
choice" to become or remain Communist. )
….. .,.. 'll'~,r1° Gorbachev: Snob, Actor
Similarly, perestroika has all the makings of being a ruse. Dining with Margaret and Denis Thatcher in 1984,
Lenin established a New Economic Policy in the Gorbachev put his foot in his mouth by saying that "we are
1920's that permitted small "private" farms and businesses all working class" in the USSR. "No, we are not," snapped
but the government still held the title to the land. Even so, his wife, "you are a lawyer. "Mikhail reddened (if that's
economic conditions improved somewhat when the noose of possible for someone who's already Red) and explained he
collectivization was loosened, then worsened when Josef was just using "a sociological term" (cited,Time Editors, p.
Stalin revoked the It is also worth remembering, as 191).
historian Eugene Lyons reminds us, that such economic
"'improvements' and 'reforms' do not affect the monopoly of If any fashion designer is doing a Best-Dressed Dictator list,
political power" exercised by the Soviet state. (Workers' then the Kremlin boss should top it Among his suits are
Paradise Lost, Paperback Library, 1967, p. Emphasis custom-tailored ones bought in England and Italy at 600 to
added) It takes only a bit of reading between the lines to see 700 dollars and up-several months for many Soviet
in the following Gorbachev quote that the average Soviet workers-and he sports a Rolex watch on his wrist (ibid, p.
citizen ought not to expect any marked improvement in his 188) (Rolex watches, I understand, cost a minimum of five to
standard ofliving due to perestroika: six thousand dollars.) Not to be outclassed (no ideological
pun intended), Raisa has outfits by Cardin and Yves
On this point we want to be clear: socialism has Saint Laurent and, during the couple's visit to Britain,
nothing to do with equalizing. Socialism in Union used "her American Express Gold Card (no credit limit) for
of Soviet Socialist Republics-JKW) cannot ensure purchases in London's tony Harrod's department store … "
conditions of life consumption in accordance with (ibid, p. 128) "… and spent $1,780 on a pair of diamond
the principle, "From each according to his abilities, to Cartier earrings.'' (ibid, p. 204) Who would have ever
each according to his needs." This will be under Com- dreamed that oppressing millions could be so chic!
munism. Socialism has a different criterion for distrib-
uting social benefits: "From each according to his abil-
ity, to each according to his work" (cited, Time Apologies for making this sound like a segment of Lifestyles
Editors, p. 251) of the Rich and Infamous but there is a point to be made,
namely, the Gorbachevs are the first Soviet premier
become even more centralizing in andwife to be making a major concerted effort to play up to
places. What editors call Gorbachev's "most ambitious the Western public. It's as though someone is coaching
perestroika project'' has involved replacing five agricultural them on what to say, how to dress, what body language to
ministries with "a superministery called Agroprom." (ibid, p. use, etc. Democratic national committee chairman Robert
159) And last fall Gorbachev consolidated power by assum- Strauss during Gorbachev's visit, told
ing the presidency of the Soviet Union. (Facts 1988 Jvfaclean's, the Canadian weekly magazine: "He's working
compilation, p. Perestroika, states Gorbachev, is a way this countcy like it hasn't been worked before. It's ah- of a
in which Soviet "is more fully poten- (public relations-JKW) show." (op cit, p.
" (Time Editors, p.
More ;,u;:,1Jc'-'l even than his high-fashion profile, however, is
Are these catchphrases a springboard Com- what of Time magazine refers to as Gorbachev's
THE 3 1, 1989
"penchant for religious turns of phrase," such as: "Surely God warned us false prophets who appear in the
on high has not refused to give us wisdom to find ways to bring clothing of sheep. May God help us in our fight to expose
us an improvement (in relations)." (Time Editors, p. 12. them while there is yet time! t
Talbott adds that "God" was changed to "history" in a Soviet
translation of the interview.) Before his UN speech, he told its ATTENTIONm
Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar: "God is on your
side_ at tJ:ie United Nations." (Time, December 19, 1988, p. 20) The entire cost involved in the operation of the TCA
He 1s said to have then reworded it in Marxist jargon. Accord- and in the publication of The Athanasian is approx-
ing to reports, his mother is still a churchgoing Russian Ortho- imately $4000.00 a month. For about 60 percent of
dox. He told an English audience in 1984 that his grand- that total we depend upon the financial contributions
parents hid icons behind portraits of Lenin and Stalin; once of our newsletter subscribers. Because of the forthright
they took him to church with them, but he never returned. and uncompromising stand we take on issues of the
(Time Editors, p. 39) Although his wife is the more vociferous day relating to Church and country, a publication such
atheist of the couple, "he has spoken out on at least one as The Athanasian will never have a popular appeal.
occasion on the need to combat manifestations of religious Absolutely convinced though we are of the truth and of
sentiment" (ibid, pp. 39, 204, 206) the urgency of what we write, the simple fact is that the
overwhelming majority of people are either so
Mark Frankland speaks of "Gorbachev's skill as an actor" a apathetic or so brainwashed that it is impossible to get
~lent he says is essential to survival in the Soviet system. '( op through to them. Hence, the source of whatever
cit, p. 158) A big assist in Gorbachev's present role came in financial support we need is necessarily limited to those
1983 when, on a trip to Canada, he met Soviet Ambassador who share our strong convictions and who,
Alexander Yakovlev who became "an important part of his consequently, want to do their part to guarantee the
management team." (Time Editors, p. 125) Yakovlev's time continued publication of The Athanasian. And who are
in Canada was spent "monitoring American television, read- they except those who subscribe to it? Where else, pray
ing American publications and absorbing American culture tell, can we tum for financial assistance for such a
at its most basic level. From his Canadian listening post he publication except to its subscribers?
gained an intuitive understanding of how American opinion
is formed and, of course, manipulated." (ibid) When We are not presently about to collapse, I assure you,
Gorbachev came to power two years later, Yakovlev was and we are completely free of debt Our current funds
called back to Moscow and made media advisor and propa- however, are quite meager. In order then to ensure'
ganda chief. Another valuable tool must be Soviet "journal- hopefully, a regular and sufficient income to cover ou;
ist" Vladimir Posner, a frequent guest on U.S. television and expenses henceforth, we are asking our newsletter
a man who knows our culture intimately from having grown subscribers to make a monthly pledge to the TCA. A
up in New York City and from his lectures on college self-explanatory pledge form will be found on page 7 of
campuses. Gorbachev's image makers have coached him this issue and checks should be made payable to
well, he has played his part well and Westem politicians and Traditional Catholics of America (or just TCA). Your
media people have done the rest regular monthly support of our TCA apostolate in this
way will be very much appreciated.
The Woolen Wolf Fr. F. Fenton
Mikhail Gorbachev spoke at the UN of the need for a "new
world order'' and "interdependence" among nations, the
language of the CFR and Trilateral Commission. At this mo-
ment that One World objective is advancing closer and SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS
closer to becoming a reality. The merger of the U.S. and The date on the envelope address label indicates the
USSR is the fundament upon which it would rest-and we month and year in which the recipient's subscription is
have every reason to believe that President Bush will be due for renewal. At the proper time, a subscription en-
working with Gorbachev to hasten the day. velope will be enclosed with the newsletter. One may
enter a new subscription at any time, of course, and will
When former Soviet Foreign Minister and President Andrei then receive the eight following newsletter issues. t
Gromyko nominated Gorbachev in a speech before the Cen-
tral Committee of the Communist Party in 1985, he
(Gromyko) gave a highly revealing endorsement: "This man
has a nice smile, but he has teeth of iron." We would be wise
to remember those teeth when he offers to withdraw troops
from Europe, when he speaks of the "spiritual values" found
in the French and Russian Revolutions, when his KGB pro-
poses to work with Westem intelligence to "fight terrorism"
and when he invites U.S. companies to the Kremlin.
THE ATHANASIAN 4 MARCH 1, 1989
or those who not but may wonder, I am now
years of When I was in school and high thought to the times probably
school I used to think people in age those years granted. Looking back
bracket did and do) that anyone over 40 or so was on those years though, I know now U1at they were very
old. the years pass though, one's perspective on this ones for countless individuals and families and by
matter age gradually changes-as does one's perspective comparison to them, my own parents were far less hard-
on numerous other matters as well. I now consider a person, pressed.
say, in his early 40's as a youngster and I myself feel like one
when conversing with people in their 90's! So much for And then came the seminary years, thirteen in all. While it is
those ''profound" comments. highly unlikely that most boys in their early teens have any
certain concept of what they wish to become in terms vo-
The tendency to reminisce is characteristic of people of cation or career, my father and mother were apparently de-
more or less advanced years and, not surprisingly, I termined at least to channel my thoughts desires
myself doing just that from time to time. While engrossed in towards the priesthood. They certainly gave me an early
one such reverie, the thought occurred to me that perhaps I start in that direction enrolling me in the minor seminary
could put together an article for Athanasian revolving at the ripe old age of thirteen. While the education I received
around a few recollections from the past At least such an there for six years was an excellent one, it was not until years
article would be a sort of change of pace from the usual type later that I came to realize how fine it was. As is wont to
of material which appears in these pages. Anyway, give it happen in life, we often do not appreciate the blessings we
a try. have until they are past and gone.
It was away back in the middle and late 1920's when I Seven years in the major seminary followed, which for me
attended grade school, of necessity a public school since was the Sulpician Seminary at Catholic University in
there was no Catholic one in the area. As I now recall Washington, D.C. The training of candidates for the priest-
though, that public school was far more Catholic than most hood was the primary work of the Sulpician Fathers
of the so-called Catholic schools of the present day. A they were professionals in tie performance of their duties.
number of the faculty were Roman Catholics, as was the Truly men of God, their spirituality and their dedication
principal whose son was a priest On the particular day of the could not help but make a deep and lasting impression upon
week when catechism classes were held at the parish church, the young men in their charge. The seminary rules were
we were regularly reminded of this by our teachers lest we strict and discipline was very much a part of the seminary
should conveniently forget. for discipline, there was training. In other words, the Sulpician Fathers, as we would
plenty of it for infractions of the rule, some such infractions say in current parlance, ran a tight ship.
(improper dress, chewing gum, not paying attention, etc.)
considered all but totally insignificant today in most public What a striking contrast from the "country clubs" of the
schools and in many "Catholic" schools. And if in those days Conciliar Church that are being passed off as seminaries
you were punished for whatever reason by the principal or today where, at least in a number of them, discipline is a
teacher and you were unfortunate enough that your parents farce, homosexuality is tolerated if not actually approved,
heard of it, the chances are that you were administered a the spiritual life is depreciated, the curriculum in good part
second punishment at home (usually of the corporal kind) resembles that of a secular college, etc. (It is my understand-
for the same offense. So it was in my case for sure. If I were ing that in some of these Conciliar Church seminaries dating
disciplined by anyone in authority in school or anywhere is permitted and I read some time back of one such seminary
else, it was a foregone conclusion, at least to my parents, that had a bar-frequented by homosexuals-as one of its
that I was in the wrong and deserved whatever punishment I attractions!) Well, let us at least be thankful to God that the
got-and that settled that Yes, my parents were strict and Conciliar Church and its "seminaries" are not Roman
how often over the years I have thanked God that they were. Catholic.
Since it was during the years of the Great Depression in the Most of my classes in philosophy and theology were con-
early 1930's that I was a teenager, I suppose that I and ducted at Catholic University itself which in those days
countless other boys and girls of that period would likely (1937-1944) was indeed a Catholic University. Of the many
have been labeled as "poor" and "deprived" youth according commendable professors whom I had there (all of them
to present worldly standards. My parents, along with innu- priests), I would mention but one, Father Francis J. Connell
merable others at that were victims of the depression in of the Redemptorist Fathers. If I were to single out any priest
various ways-but to make it all right even who had the greatest influence on me for whom I had a
they had very of material things which are profound admiration, it would be Father Connell. Although
today so much a part of the of multitudes of Americans. he was very well-known as an authority (perhaps author-
As for myself in those youthful years, I doubt if I ever ity) on moral theology during the 1940's and
5
this was not
on the
a1Ji1c.a1 ,:;;1,.1
functioning pretty much !:he same as Although in-
filtrators and subverters were definitely in the woodwork
long before Vatican Council it was not until the advent of
A far more famous priest on the faculty of Catholic that Council that their vile machinations began to come to
University in those days was Monsignor (later Bishop and light From that time on, the tragedy, in human terms, that
Archbishop) Fulton J. Sheen. Certainly the Roman Catholic has befallen the Church is a horror story that only a very ex-
Church in this country has never had a more articulate and ceptional individual could have foreseen and predicted years
influential spokesman against Communism. How very re- ago-unless, that is, he was one of the prime promoters of
grettable that even he became a casualty of Vatican Council the destructive plot To give credit where credit is due, Satan
II, a striking example of the effect upon an individual of the and his cohorts (Freemasons, Communists, secular
insidious indoctrination and subtle brainwashing which took humanists, etc.) have done a masterful job. Their
place during the course of that infamous Council. nefarious efforts have met with astounding success to date
and, from present indications, that success will continue.
It was in the early years of my priesthood !:hat I became
intensely interested in !:he subject of Communism and in- Since this article is already of sufficient length, I'll simply
creasingly concerned about the steady progress it was conclude it here this one "unbrilliant" observation: 'Tis
making towards its ultimate objective of world domination said that experience is the best teacher. If only we had in our
(an objective it never renounced). So concerned, in fact, younger years the and practical knowledge and com-
was I about the Communist menace even back then (early mon sense that we come to acquire through ex-
1950's) that I recall contacting Louis Budenz and arranging perience as the years pass, how very different in various ways
to have him deliver a series of ten weekly lectures on the our lives have been-and how much less of the past
"Techniques of Communism" in the parish in which I was we might have had to regret There is indeed no substitute
then stationed. (The name, Louis Budenz, would likely be for experience but only by living long enough is that lesson
familiar to some of the older readers of this article. He had learned. t
been a Communist and for some years the managing editor
of the (Communist) Worker, the best known publica-
tion of the Reds at that time. In he made a complete
break with the Communist Party and either became a
Roman Catholic or returned to the Faith which he had Statements – l
cloned in his younger days. In any case, he was a Roman
Catholic when I first made his acquaintance.) The series of Conspiracy is so essential a condition of an organiza-
lectures mentioned above proved to be a real education on tion of this kind (the Communist Party) that all other
the awful truth about Communism from a man who knew so conditions … must be made to conform with it
very thoroughly the subject whereof he spoke. How well I (Lenin)
remember-and this was some 35 years ago-Louis Budenz
saying on more than one occasion: "The New Times is Promises, like pie crusts, are made to be broken.
a transmission belt of the Communist Party." And what the (Lenin)
Times was then it remains to this day.
Good words are a mask for concealment of bad deeds.
In one of the parishes in which I was stationed while still a Sincere diplomacy is no more possible than dry water
fairly young priest there was a parishioner worth mentioning or wooden iron,
by the name of William F. Buckley, Jr. At the time I knew (Stalin)
him (the late 1950's) I really thought that he one day
become an eminent leader on the side of anti-Communism. Anyone who thinks we have forsaken Marxism-Lenin~
He certainly appeared to me then to be a staunch anti- ism deceives himself. That won't happen till shrimps
Communist and to have the potentiaJ for such leadership. learn to whistle.
With the passage of time though, my high expectations for (Khrushchev)
Buckley gradually faded. Whatever may be said on his
behalf today, he assuredly is not distinguished as an articu- Our Socialist world is definitely capitalism in
late and militant anti-Communist Indeed, he is a member of one to dig its grave more Such are
the Council on Foreign Relations, an organization in which facts of the "fruitful" competition of the two systems.
solid anti-Communists would be exceedingly difficult to (A. Solodovniko-Soviet theorist)
locate.
6
'
Just over nine
Saint Gregory
wicked and u,;;;1,…,;;;u.11u1
Roman lk'""''"'"' Exc:ommm•nuuyl-,:,rl
0
the laws
condemned his YPhll"Tit>rltO~v.,,,,,~ of Zealand,
and giving to he the honors of instead
the churches," to Roskilde Cathedral and prostrating before the
and, clad in t"\C>11'1'11't:»,n".>l crucifix. removed his royal crown laid it before Our
the Pope's winter Lord on the cross, offering "himself his kingdom to the
beseeching the King "
excommunication. •.~.~~.-~~v·.,
Having nl"n.\lU1'>(1 for the peace safety of his nation,
Canute choosing the and pious Eltha,
daughter Earl of Flanders, his The only son
born to and Eltha became as "Robert
Good."
Within his kingdom Canute sought to the abuse of
power by his nobles and to defend the of the church.
He enacted severe but just laws which were to be obeyed by
sa.me year all citizens, regardless of rank. custom of "blood
the second of Ttmrt,><::•n vengeance" was outlawed. Clergy were with honor
succeeded to and respect Canute and contributed to
worldly ambitions but the building and adornment numerous churches. How-
Church and to the ever, a number of greedy and nobles, resenting
Traditional America
Box 38335
Colorado Springs,
I 1.1,.._,,,..~.._, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a month to Catholics
of America.
send me a reminder.
one):
– – – – do not need a
I each
Name
THE 7 1, 1989
the restraints he upon them, organized a
On July 10,
learned that
Saint Alban come, of course, there will be a
approach world government, but it of a
guard defended the of the church, thereby world community in will be no
the opportunity to receive the Sacraments. at the place either for "free enterprise" or for the mono-
foot of the Canute made his confession and polies.
received Holy Communion. Then, with outstretched arms, (Solodovnikov)
he recommended soul to God. As he knelt thus in prayer,
a javelin thrown through the window of the church struck Our time will come in 20 or 30 years. To win, we shall
and killed him. With Canute seventeen others were killed, need the element of surprise. The bourgeoisie will
including his brother Benedict have to be put to sleep. So we shall begin launching
the most spectacular peace movement on record.
After the of King Canute a number miraculous There will be electrifying overtures unheard-of
heatings took at his tomb and, in at the request concessions. The capitalist countries, stupid and deca-
of the second successor to his throne, Eric Canute was will rejoice to cooperate in own destruction.
canonized by II. The feast of Canute is will leap at another chance to be friends. As soon
observed on 19 and, in memory of his martyrdom, as guard is down, we will them with our
his emblems are a lance or arrows. clenched fist
(Dimitri Manuilski-Soviet theorist-1930)
To the "virtues which constitute a great king" Saint Canute
added those "prove the great saint" Surrounded by We are confidently going along our direct road, which
men filled with worldly ambition, he did not himself to was out by Marx, Engels and Lenin.
be deceived by such hollow joys. Emulating his example (Khrushchev)
love for God above things, may we too "ever follow our
suffering Lord and thereby deserve to enter into the same We are moving toward a new world, the world of Com-
everlasting joy. (Collect from the Mass of Saint Canute.) t munism. We shall never tum off that road.
(Mikhail Gorbachev-November 2, 1987)
ATHANASIAN
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