Jozef-Ernest van Roey



Jozef-Ernest van Roey (13 January 1874 – 6 August 1961) was a Belgian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Mechelen from 1926 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1927. He was a significant figure in the Catholic resistance to National socialism in Belgium.

Quotes

 * The creator who distributed the goods of the earth among the regions and peoples of the earth, has therefore made them no less in the service of all mankind. The plan of providence is to be worshiped, and the discerning human groups have no right to assume that the benefits and riches offered by the regions inhabited by them are solely for themselves. A unified and fruitful division of labor must therefore be practiced between the nations, making the resources of each region available to all members of humanity. The divine plan is disregarded, humanity is robbed of its future, when, through inability to carelessness or indolence, the backward peoples fail to exploit the treasures of their soil. As long as nobody has been set up with the task of remedying this disorder, every state, provided it has the will and means, has the right to assume this task and, if necessary, to deprive the native governments of the rights which it appears to have made common. welfare of all peoples.
 * Cardinal van Roey In a lecture to the international study circle for social issues, Antwerp 1946. Quoted from the book "Zaïre, Ketens van Koper (translated: Zaire, Chains of Copper)" Chapter 8: Religion and Churches, page 129. Leuven, Kritak Fonds, 1978. ISBN 9063030185


 * In spite of the mistakes and crimes that mark its origin, colonization has in the end brought more than disadvantages to the subjugated peoples. It has banned Canibalism, slavery, human sacrifice and the tyranny of barbarian potentates, a relative prosperity has replaced the horrible misery in which bodies withered and souls degenerate. No doubt one generation had to pay dearly for the institution of the foreign guardianship; but a longer series of generations have been able to reap the benefits of the renewed policies that have come into effect as a result.
 * Cardinal van Roey In a lecture to the international study circle for social issues, Antwerp 1946. Quoted from the book "Zaïre, Ketens van Koper (translated: Zaire, Chains of Copper)" Chapter 8: Religion and Churches, page 129. Leuven, Kritak Fonds, 1978. ISBN 9063030185


 * The people who have devoted their money and blood to the charitable work of colonization, in turn, have the right, in case of need, to count on the support of the natives in defending the motherland, and to respond to that call, the colonial subjects do nothing but protect the material and cultural civilization, which they share with their patrons and educators. Which is their duty.
 * Cardinal van Roey In a lecture to the international study circle for social issues, Antwerp 1946. Quoted from the book "Zaïre, Ketens van Koper (translated: Zaire, Chains of Copper)" Chapter 8: Religion and Churches, page 129. Leuven, Kritak Fonds, 1978. ISBN 9063030185