BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1583, 29 October 1912, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC POINT OF VIEW.

(By -Telceraph-Bpcclal Correspondent.)

Auckland, October 28. At St.'Patrick's liomaii Catholic Cathedral yesterday evening, Uishop. - Cleary spoke, to a largo, congregation on tho biblc-in-Schools League scheme now Miorc the country, lie summarised his objections to the scheme as follows:—(I) The proposed exclusive official religion is based on the assumption that our Government has the right to formulate and impose upon the 'public schools a particular kind of religion. It assumes, iurthermore, that the Government has aright to set up as a fracher of religion. With many others, Catholics deny these alleged rights. (2) The proposed official State schools' religion will havo for its text book a Hiblc mutilated by a sectarian body for sectarian use. This Bible is to be interpreted by teachers and children on thei sectarian principle, known as "the right of private judgment." This principle Catholics reject us entirely erroneous. (3) \a a point of discipline arising but of dogmas of their faith, Catholic children and Catholic teachers may not cither read or expound for themselves or others versions of the Jlily Scriptures which are not canonically approved by the proper ecclesiastical authority. Aot one of the various Scripture manuals of the Biblo in schools movements hns been so approved for Catholic use. ' What moral right has the Biblo-iu-Schools League to place any teacher in a position where he will bo forced by Act of Parliament either to forfeit his living or to violate his conscience, and sell his scruples for bread and butter? (i) Cathulics would freelT accord to the Government the right of effective control in all civil and secular matters in connection with the education of their children, but they demand effective Catholic oversight of all that -relates to religious teaching and religious influences for Catholic children. 13y what moral right would the league compel Catholics ?nd other objectors to pay for tho Stale endowment of an official school religion at variance with- their conscientious religious convictions? (u) The league proposes by referendum to submit ft disputed question of religion and conscience to a court of voters heads. When did a numerical majority become the final arbiter in matters ot religion and conscience?