Clergymen of practically every denomination have given A.A. their blessing.

Edward Dowling, S.J., of the Queen's Work staff, says, "Alcoholics Anonymous

is natural; it is natural at the point where nature comes closest to the

supernatural, namely in humiliations and in consequent humility. There is

something spiritual about an art museum or a symphony, and the Catholic

Church approves of our use of them. There is something spiritual about A.A.

too, and Catholic participation in it almost invariably results in poor

Catholics becoming better Catholics."

The Episcopal magazine, The Living Church, observes editorially: "The basis

of the technique of Alcoholics Anonymous is the truly Christian principle

that a man cannot help himself except by helping others. The A.A. plan is

described by the members themselves as 'self-insurance.' This self-insurance

has resulted in the restoration of physical, mental and spiritual health and

self-respect to hundreds of men and women who would be hopelessly down and

out without its unique but effective therapy."

Speaking at a dinner given by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to introduce

Alcoholics Anonymous to some of his friends, Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick

remarked:

"I think that psychologically speaking there is a point of advantage in the

approach that is being made in this movement that cannot be duplicated. I

suspect that if it is wisely handled---and it seems to be in wise and

prudent hands---there are doors of opportunity ahead of this project that

may surpass our capacities to imagine."

Father Ed, an early and wonderful friend of A.A., died in the spring of

1960.