Charles E. Coughlin (1891–1979)

Most Bishops spend their high school, college and univer sity years apart from secular institutions. In fact, most American Bishops spend many of their theologic years at the American College situated at Rome. They grow up not too well acquainted with the scientific, political or cultural progress of their own country in the sense that they are de prived of rubbing shoulders with our university graduates. From the very beginning they are men set apart.

On graduating into the ranks of the priesthood, and often times quickly into the golden circle of the episcopate, most of our Prelates are filled with zeal to "catch up," as it were, with the advance of science and a desire to streamline the activities of the Church.

The result is that, as of today, many of our Prelates are amateur social engineers who hide the lamp of their religious commitment under the bushel basket of secular science. To feed, clothe and house the poor, to agitate for social and civil rights, particularly for the Negro, the Puerto Rican and the migrant Mexican; to dedicate archdiocesan funds for material purposes, have become the objectives of many of these gentlemen.