CLERGY & THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3014, 27 February 1917, Page 6

CLERGY & THE WAR

• (. A PLEA FOR COMPLETE EQUALITY

MINISTERS PROTEST By Telegraph-Press Assooiatfojn. Christchurch, February 26. A deputation representing the Christchurch Ministers' Association waited on the Hon. G. W. Russell today on'tho subject of exemptions from military service. Mr. F. W. Isitt, M.P., introduced the deputation. The Rev. J. Paterson said they were not asking for exemption of ministers or school teachers, but what they asked was complete equality in the matter in respect of all ministers and school teachers. The Roman Catholic Church was receiving certain consideration in the matter of exemption of their clergy and teaching brothers. From the point of view oi the State, all ministers should be treated alike. • The deputation did not desire to make trouble, but unless there was equality, of treatment there might be serious results. If Marist Brothers were conscientious objectors, they should receive the same treatment that.-other conscientious objectors received. There was a feeling abroad that there -was some private arrangement between the Government and the Roman Catholic Church, and it was with a desire to have the matter cleared up that they waited on the Minister.

The Rev. J. J. North said irreparable damage had been done to other Churches and to the public schools owing to the Roman Catholic "Church being sheltered. In the interests of publiq peace and that common "."good understanding which was so mucli desired, they desired that there should be equal treatment of all. If this were not done ill-feeling would grow. They wanted fair play, and they had not had it up to the present. The Rev. Harry Johnston ■ said the State should 'show no preferential treatment to anyone. They did not ask that the whole Roman Catholic clergy and Roman Catholic teachers should! be called up. All they asked was that the Roman Catholic Church should contribute their quota. In the event of conscientious objection, he thought those Roman. Catholics holding conscientious objections could be treated as other conscientious objeotors, and given non-combatant dutiee.

Dr. Erwin eaid it. fell as a bombshell amongst them that there was a secret understanding between tho Government and tho Eoman Catholic Church. If it existed it was a most reprehensible thing, and an_ injustice to the rest of the community. He did not know whether such an understanding existed, but the Roman Catholic bishops had announced that thero was an understanding that their clergy and religious would be protected. Mr. Russell, in reply, cited Sections 18 and 30, respecting appeals, and said that a statement had been made which was applicablo not only to tho Roman CathoGc Church, but to every Church, and that appeals had been made under sub-Section (C) of Section 18. Heads of all Churches had been advised ofthis provision, but tho Roman Catholic Church was the only one that had made application for exemption of all its clergy. Tho heads of other Churches had not taken this course. Other classes were being exempted, such as miners and those engaged on contracts connected with tho equipment of Expeditionary Forces. His opinion was that the Act would havo to bo amended, but it. was a matter for Parliament to deal with. He could not give a specific reply to the assertion that a secret understanding existed between tho Government and tho Roman. Catholic Church—only the ActingPrimo Minister could do so.

ROMAN CATHOLIC PROTESTS. By Telegraph—Press Aissociiafc\>n'. ; Nelson, February 26. The Nelson branch of the Roman Catholic Federation on Sunday unanimously passed a motion protesting against 'the calling up of priests and theological students or members of religious orders. A mass meeting of local Catholics last evening passed resolutions in similar torms to those passed in other centres, protesting against the clergy being compelled to serve under tho Military Service Act, and particularly Catlioliu clergy, for reasons as outlined in Archbishop O'Shea's recent pronouncement. The meeting also resolved to support the Archbishop's action in the matter.