THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 14, 11 October 1917, Page 6

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Sir,—ln your report of the Day of Prayer, as observed by the various Christian bodies, that portion which deals with the Soman Catholic services beare the -heading "In the Catholic Churches."

I am writing, sir, not to stir up controversy, but to point out that such a heading! is likely to convey tho. impression that the only Catholic church is the Roman Catholic Church. The Church of England, equally with the Church of Home, claims to be a Catholic church. Her members, Sunday by Sunday, recite the Apostles' Creed, in which they profess their belief in "the holy Catholic Church." At the Holy Communion, in the recitation of the Nicean Creed, they repeat these words: "And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church." There' is a special petition in the Fl-ayer Book for "the good estate of the Catholic Church." This being so, such a heading as "In the Catholic Churches," when Roman Catholic services are indicated, is very offensive to members o£ the Church .of England.' "Roman Catholic" is generally recognised a'jiist 'designation when speaking of matters appertaining to the Church of Eome. That Church has, indeed, officially recognised this title in a book by H. B. Coxon on ".Roman Catholicism." This book contains an authoritative statement of faith, and bears tho officiaj imprimatur.—l am, etc., J. R, HERVEY. /St. Thomas's, Wellington South.