CLERGY AND THE CALL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 4

CLERGY AND THE CALL

CATHOLIC FEDERATION PROTEST, 1

The Wellington Diocesan Council of/ the Catholic Federation is entering an' emphatic protest against the resolution of the Cbristohuish, Ministers' Association, which, the Federation says, seems to insinuate that the Roman Catholic Church is claiming preferential treatment for its clergy. The Catholic Church, it is pointed out, demands no' such thing, but claims exemption for its priests, amongst otler reasons, on the groundsof public interest and thab the bearing of arms by the clergy is strictly prohibited by the law of tho Church. The Federation continues:— "The Ministers' Association may claim' exemption for their clergy, or let them bo conscripted as it thinks fit, but tho unfair suggestion that the exemption of the Catholic clergy tends to create any inequality, seems like an attempt, to Bring about that ill-feeling and bitterness which it confesses it deplores."The St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee, at its meeting held last evening, strongly protested against the action of the Military Boards in forcing tho clergy to take up arms, in contravention to their sacred calling, and unanimously passed the following resolution: "That this meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee strongly endorses the action taken by His Grace Archbishop O'Shea with regard to tie conscription of the clergy, and undertake to support his efforts in every possible manner."