CATHOLIC FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1643, 9 January 1913, Page 8

CATHOLIC FEDERATION.

WELLINGTON BRANCH FORMED. • ,The Roman Catholic laity of New Zealand has in hand, and almost completed in Wellington, the formation of a New Zealand Catholic Federation. :A'constitution has be«n drafted and is being sent to 4verv .parish priest' in the Dominion ;to put.before his parishioners: TJhe clergy will discuss , the matter, at the various Diocesan Synods to be held this month, and it is proposed that the formal® inauguration of the federation shall take place simultaneously throughout the; Doat as early a date in February as possible.'-' Ths objects of-the federation, according to the; draft constitution, are:— . ;. (a) The'expression of a consolida ted j Cath-olic opiiupn on social; and puolic' questions affecting Catholic' interest;!. ,(b) The. promotion and extension of Catholic education. (c) The. dissemination of Catholic literature., ' . , . (d) The. mutual, support, and advancement of Catholic societies. ' < It is .explained that the federation is an organisatiin for the purpose ■of advancing the. religious, civil, and - social ■interests of Catholic's -throughout . ,-New 'Zealand. "It is''not a political party organisation, anci does not seek to in-.| fluence the political views of its memters,. nor to touch politics except whero politics touch'religion. It stands for the Christian life of the nation; for the' Christian education of youth; for the'repression of intemperance; for the 'sanctity and indissolubility ;of Christian marriage; for the safeguarding of the Christian home and of Catholic institutions; and for the suppression of indecent, objectionable, and' anti-Catholic ■'literature, pictures, films, theatricals,' and advertisements. _ ' "It asserts the necessity of Christian principles, in social' and public life, in the State, in business/ and in all financial and industrial relations. "It is willing to:co-operate with' all citizens and all' civil and social agencies working for truth and. virtue. It seeks to expose falsehood and injustice, whether in misrepresentation of history, doctrine, or moral principles." ' - . The federation mil consist of a Dominion executive, diocesan councils, andparish committees and sub-committees, and all male and female, will be eligible for membership. It may be added that one of the. first steps to be taken by the federation will be to strenuously, oppose the proposal that a referendum be taken on the Bible-in-schools question.