EDUCATION IN IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 2

EDUCATION IN IRELAND

UNDER HOME RULE.

IMPORTANT speech by bishop O'DWYER.

Speaking at tho distribution of prizes to tho pupils attending tho day school at Laurel Hill Convent, Limerick, the Roman Catholio Bishop of Limerick, said:—Education in Ireland is, in my opinion, in a thoroughly sound and healthy condition. Both primary and secondary schools are doing their work with thorough efficiency, ar.d I do not. think that, on any fair comparison, they aro inferior to tho schools of ally other country. And what contributes to their success is the profound religious peaco in which thoy work. The Chief Secretary, who has had some experience of tho bitterness which religious controversies in tho schools provoke, says tho state of things existing in Ireland is heaven. And so it is. Protestants and Catholics in Ireland differ on many things, but all of them can educate their children in. peace, and in accordance with their religious beliefs. Well, that is something to do thankful for. But, unfortunately, it is not to last. A very influential Irish member of Parliament has given us notice that ho and his political associates are determined, as soon as wo get Home Rule, to recast the whole system of Irish education in all its branches, from top to bottom. I do not like to introduce politics into tho serene air of a convent, and I feel very deeply tho obligation that rests on everyone to say or do nothing that at tho present time might embarass Mr. Redmond in the great task which ho is prosecuting with such conspicuous ability and statesmanship. But this is not a merely political question. This touches religion in its most vital part, and if wo now, in tho face of the warning or threat which has been Bpoken, were to sit by in silence, we might find our forbearance or our cowardice mistaken for acquiescence. When I read Mr. Dillon's speech I confess that a cold shiver ran down my back. We hnvo looked forward to Home Rule as a time when the feeling of a corpmon country, with her interests committed to our own care, would net as a healing and uniting influenco tlint would draw all Irishmen together. But instead of that this gentleman, who, unfortunately, will have power in the first few years to mako his words good, gives_ us notice that tho first work of the Irish Parliament will be to raise an issuo which will let loose among Catholics and Protestants tho angriest political and religious passions. It is not easy to imagine just now the purpose of such an announcement. But for anyono who.is interested in tho welfare of tho country, and hopes for the peaceful working of Home Rnle, it comes as a shock of disappointment. Mind you, we are promised not a change here and there, but a complete recasting of the whole system, but without the slightest indication of the nature of what is to come. For the Catholio clergy it is a serious prospect. Are they to be'turned out of their managership p Who is fo take their place? Then the prospect is no less alarming for the Plrotestants. Their schools are their vulnerable point. A great part of the talk that we have heard recently about, Catholic oppression of Protestants under Home Rulo is all unreality, because, even if we were bnd enough to do it, we should not have the power. But in their schools thov aro at our mercy. There we could hit them, and, hit them severely, where their highest interests are at stake. Are we to snpposo that they will allow the security which they now enjoy for the religious education of their children to bo taken from them without a struggle? It is all a deplorablo prospect. Mr. Birrell, who is a statesman, and has had experience, expressed as rnidly as lie might his hope nmt no such measure would lie attempted. He knows the storm that it would raise. You might as well let out all tho winds of Aeolus on the country. And,for what? For education ? . Not at atli For the good of the children P What have they to say to it? For whnt, thenP To impose on Ireland. Ontliolic and. Protestant, tho semi-seoularism which is rapidly undermining all religion in the schools in England. (Applause.)