CATHOLIC AIMS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 6

CATHOLIC AIMS.

ADDRESS BY ARCHBISHOP O'SHEA. OBJECTS OF FEDERATION. "Because we are Catholics,' and have been divided in the past, wo have been unjustly treated. In tho future, banded together to fight for our rights, can we not get them ?" These words were spoken las! night by Mr. G. Butcher, who presided over a meeting which was addressed by Archbishop O'Shea on the subject of the aims and objects of the Catholic Federation. The meeting was held in St. Peter's Schoolroom, which was well filled. Archbishop O'Shea, in the course of his address, said that thoy wero now launching a body which it was hoped would mean a great deal to the Catholic tody of the Dominion in tho near future. The Catholic Federation had only recently been formed. It was a lay federation working under the guidance of the heirarchy for the religious, social, and civil interests of tho Catholic body. The federation did not aim at interference with other denominations, and would, of course, grant to others what it asked for itself. It did not seek to obtain for the Catholic body any privileges. It sought, among other things, to promote Christian j education to destroy bigotry; to place Catholics and their Church in their true light, thus I removing the obstacles which in the past had impeded their progress; and also to remove such errors as Socialism and divorce, and such practices as dishonesty in business and corruption in public life. As to the need for federation, tho Cath:'olic Church had in all ages to fight enemies of some kind, from the pagans onward. Since the terrible days of Henry VIII and Elizabeth the outlook for the Church in the English world had improved, and to-day the prospects were'very bright. His Grace outlined the benefits federation 'md organisation had obtained for the Church m Germany, America, England, and France. Catholic organisation, he said, had forced even the great Bismarck to do exactly what ho declared he would never do. The federation was quite willing to work in with any section of the community for the benefit of Christianity, and for the' prevention of evil. Among the various education difficulties which Catholics had to contend with was the proposal to teach in the State schools ■ a kind of protestantism which they did not believe in, and could not bear—o, proposal which- would compel Catholic school-teachers to impart it to the children or lose their situations, notwithstanding that if these teachers imparted it they would violate their consciences. One object would be to educate public opinion. The great majority of their fellow citizens were perfectly fairminded men, who believed in secular education because they sincerely believed it was the only solution, of the educational difficulties, and did not support it out of to religion. To educate theso fair-minded people as to how these difficulties could be overcome would be one of the objects,of tho federation. (Applause.)' The Catholics were educating 40,000 children in* »their own schools at their own expense;; and, in addition, were paying their share towards the upkeep of the State schools, which they did not use. For years the Catholics were tho only people--who raised, any objection to tho secular system of education, but lately other objectors had risen up, and tho agitation for the Bible in State schools had unwittingly done good by hastening the formation of the Catholic Federation. (Applause.) Tho federation was not a political organisation, and did not touch politics except where politics touched religion. Catholics of ©very political colour would be within its. ranks, and the members could please themselves individually as to ivhat part they belonged to. Discussion on party politics would be strictly .barred at its meetings. But, supposing b! man who wanted the Catholic vote was in favour of tho Biblc-in-Schools referendum, Catholics of tho same political colour as that candidate would sink their party feelings and vote against him, because if Catholics did not look after their own welfare no one would. It often' happened in international politics that Parliamentarians, for the common good, sunk party feeling to support measures brought down by their bitterest' opponents. To refute lies told about the Catholic Church would be another object of tho federation; also to check the influence of bad literature, including the cheap problem-novels which were doing so much harm, especially among women. He felt that the federation was going to bo a huge success. All that would be asked for was justice; not favours. He had so much confidence in the sense of fairness of tho public generally that he: felt that when . misunderstanding was . removed Catholics would be given tho rights they claimed. (Applause!) On the motion of Mr. H. F. O'Leary, seconded by, Mr. J. Flanagan, Archbishop O'Shea was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. During the evening the following musical items were rendered:—Pianoforte solo. Miss Carroll; song, Miss. Sullivan; violin solo, Master O'Brien; and song, Mr. W. ICeany.