THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2656, 22 August 1871, Page 2

THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

We have been requested to publish the following replies by Bishop Moran to the questions submitted by the select committee of the Provincial Council appointed to consider the above question. The questions were as follows : (1.) What is the principle objected to in the system of public education established by the Provincial Government ? (2.) Specifying the particular clauses of the Education Ordinance, and (3.) That the Petitioners bo also requested to point out the passages in the class hooks which are objected to. Dr Moran replie4— Ist Query—“ What is the principle objected to, &c.”--The only real principle Petitioners can find in the Ordinancs, is its antagonism to Catholicism ; apart from this, it appears to rest on three distinct and opposing principles —the secular, the mixed, and the Protestant denominational. On these four grounds Petitioners object to it, because it repudiates the only principle they can approve in the education of their children, viz., the principle that the education of their children should be impurted in the m : dst of a religious atmosphere, and ainder the direction of their pastors. Petitioners object to every system of education in which their religion is made to hold a secondary position, dr in which it is ignored or contemned, or misrepresented ; and they are persuaded that if their children frequent the Government schools, as at present constituted, their religion must inevitably be either ignored, contemned or calumniated. Petitioners claim the right to educate their children according to their own religious principles, and also claim a fair share of the educational grants to help them to do so ; but they disclaim all intentions or thought of seeking to interfere in any way with the education of others. 2nd Query.—Petitioners object to clause 40, —Because it not only permits but obliges teachers, in opposition to the faith aqd discipline of the Catholic Church, to impart religious instruction to Catholic children, unless their parents object. Petitioners look upon this clause as a wily and insidious attempt at proselytising their children, because few parents can be expected to be aware of this provision of the law, andfev are, consequently, in a position to object; whilst others may be coerced, by various iu-

dues es, into submission. And they are strengthened in their objection to this clause by calling .to mind that distinct sectarian teaching —never Catholic—can take place, and does take place, in Government schools. Petitioners also object to this clause, bepause in consequence of it n > Catholic, acting up to the principles of his Church, can accept the situation of teacher under this system, even were such situation open to him. It is well known, however, that Catholics need not apply—and yet some people are so unreasonable and inconsistent as to expect Catholics to be satisfied with such a system. Petitioners further object to this system, because, while it pretends to be unsectarian, it is intensely anti-Catholic, and practically Presbyterian, and therefore denominational; in favor of one denomination to the exclusion of others. Petitioners also object to he constitution of the Board and committees, and they object to making the Board consist of the officers named in clause 4, and to the mode of appointment and powers of committees, and therefore to clauses 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, because under these there is no protection for minorities. They object on other grounds also to these clauses, but do not consider it necessary to trouble you with an enumeration of these grounds at present.

3rd Query.—The .passages in~ the 'class books to which petitions object are numerous, to point out all would be tedious and difficult : petitioners therefore beg to direct your attention to the following passages as specimens Ist, “The Advanced Reader,” pp. 34, “If liberty,” &c. ; 113, “Here therefore,” &c„ “ Reach the heart,” &c. ; 145, the entire piece headed “Cromwell,” from the edition of 1868. 2nd “Progressive Lessons in Reading,” edition of 1868, p. 155; the last sentence in the lessons “On the cedar,” as understood by non-Catholics, contains a doctrine regarded as heretical by Catholics Pages 183, 181, 185, 186—“ Passion’ For example these words, page 183, “ fear of the priests and of the fagget mule them dumb.” Page 184, “We all spread like salt over various parts of the kingdom “in order that we may check the progress of superstition by our doctrine and our life ;” again, “ Would you know the the use of the Pope’s pardons ?” said one, “ they are to blind the eyes and empty the purse.” Page 185, “This fanatic priest took advantage of his position,“ but the bishop and death terrifie t them.” Page 186, “By burning him to ashes the clergy desired to make sure that he would no longer circulate the Word of God ; and by a horrible refinement of cruelty, his children were forced to set (ire to the pile that was to consume their father.” 1 beg to call your attention to these words in the introduction of this lesson, viz. . —-“ and the way had thus been prepared fqr the general overthrow of Popery in England.” This show’s to what the entire lesson is directed, and leaves no doubt as to what is meant by “ superstition,” “bishops,” “priests,” &c. &c., page 182. And in this page superstition is defined to be “false religion.” I ask you aia candid, fair gentleman, could you expect Catholics to allow their children to be taught these things ? “ Wo il Exposit ir, &0.,” edition of 1869, Petitioners refer to page 144: “ Transubstantiate >n.” Pago 144: “Mass.” Pray bear in mind “Romish ” is an insulting form of expression to Catholics; so also are ‘ 1 Popish, ” ‘ ■ Popery, ” and 1 ‘ Papist, ” w’ords w’hich oc.ur frequently in all these books. “School History of the British Empire,” us d in some of the country schools, edition of 1869, page 187 : “ Previous to this period various attempts had been made to effect a reform in (he corrupt practices and superstitious doctrines of tbe Church of Rome.” Do you expect Roman Catholics to allow their cbil Iren to be taught what they know to be untrue concerning their church ? This much, I think, will suffice.