Your leadership called forth the prompt and devoted loyalty of your
faithful people, and millions of American Catholics signed the pledge of the
"Legion of Decency" binding themselves not to attend any
motion picture which was offensive to Catholic moral principles or proper
standards of living. We are thus able to proclaim joyfully that few problems of
these latter times have so closely united Bishops and people as the one
resolved by cooperation in this holy crusade. Not only Catholics but also
high-minded Protestants, Jews, and many others accepted your lead and joined
their efforts with yours in restoring wise standards, both artistic and moral,
to the cinema.
It is an exceedingly great comfort to Us to note the outstanding success
of the crusade. Because of your vigilance and because of the pressure which has
been brought to bear by public opinion, the motion picture has shown an
improvement from the moral standpoint: crime and vice are portrayed less
frequently; sin is no longer so openly approved and acclaimed; false ideals of
life are no longer presented in so flagrant a manner to the impressionable
minds of youth.