PRIESTS AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3006, 17 February 1917, Page 10

PRIESTS AND THE WAR

THE CANON LAW

FORBIDDEN TO SHED BLOOD

STATUTE CENTURIES OLD

A"now complexion was put on tho question of drawing of priests in tho military ballots by Archbishop O'Shea, who appeared before tho Third Wellington Military Service Board yestorday to ask for the exemption of:— Rev. Father William Joseph Peoples, of Greymouth, v.'til this week of Newtown, Wellington. ; Rov. Father Thomas Gilbert, St. Patrick's College, Wellington. Rov. Father Elward Long, Inglewood. Thomas M. Heffernon, ecclesiastical student, Mt. St. Mary's, Greenmeadows. Gladstone Wm. Richard Boyd, theological student, Groenmeadows. Tho. Archbishop was asked if the students wero in the samo position as tho priests. His Grace replied that the students appealed for had already taken their vows, and wero under the same obligations as a priest—obligations they could not go back on. Tho chairman: They take no part iir tho ministry to the Catholic community. • . His Grace: No, they are not ordained, but havo taken some orders.

Captain Baldwin (military represent tativo): Although not qualified thoj have taken the. final vows ? ; His Grace: Yes. Captain Baldwin: Supposing the Board should consider that any or all of ,the appellants for-whom, yon appear should go would you prefer that they should ho engaged in ambulance work? His Graco said in that ease ambulance work was the only thing. It was contrary to canon law for a priest to fight. That law was 1600 years old. The chairman: But is that so? His Graco: Yes. The chairman: AYell, what about the priest-s who are fighting in France? His Graco: "The law in France was made by an infidel Government in an effort to destroy the Church." _ AVhcn war broke out the Holy See, in view of tho special circumstance's, made a dispensation for tho.priests. If a priest shod blood ho committed an irregularity. ' ... Captain Baldwin: It is a law, but it can be-altered? His Graco: Yes, but only by the very highest authority, and in vory special circumstances. The Church has continued to protest against, the priests being sent into the firjng-line. The chairman: It is -quitn news to me that that is the law. His Grace: That is tho law. , His Graco wont 011 to say that the law was not instituted by tho church in the first instance, but by the people. The latest rccord came from the time of the Emperor Charlemagne, who brought in the law at the request of his people. The fighting spirit was strong in men,' and in days many priests had engaged in war to the neglect of their spiritual duties. The record Teferrcd to was the oldest known, but the law was in evidence before then. Subsequently the Church had adopted tho law almost in the same tonus as t]ie State had made it. This' law was not looked upon in tho light of a privilege, hut as a prohibition, and was by way of benefit to the people. If tho priests were sent to the front it would be exasperating, and it would be looked upon as persecution, as the taking of priests in Franco was regarded.

Number of Priests as Chaplains. Mr. M. J. Mack (a' member of tho Board): That may bo so with regard to the priests, but does it apply with equal force to the students? His Grace: Yes, they havo already taken the vows.' Mr. A. O'L. Considine (Board member) : Supposing they .were in the ambudo you think there would ho' greater need for the\rthero than here? His Grace: Most decidedly not. I consider there is greater need for them liere. You can get many men to do ambulance work, but very few to do the work of the priest. Mr. Considine: You misunderstood me, Your Grace. Thny would have an opportunity of administering to the dying on the field. His Grace: There are chaplains there now. .Mr. Considine: Oh, you have chaplains at the front? His Grace: Yes. Mr. Considine: Oh! His Grace: Two of our priests went through Gallipoli, and one was maimed for life. AVo have sent seventeen priests to the front. Mr. Considine: Oil! As illustrating the different position of students who have taken their vows from tlioso who have not, His Grace said that oik?' of "the latter had enlisted from the college at Grcenmeadows. _ Tho appeals for the priests were adjourned sine die, exemption from military service was granted meantime, and the cases are to bo reviewed b.v tho Board before the First Division is exhausted. "Regarding the students," said tho chairman, "as the Board is not unanimous on the subject, wo will take time to consider."