THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 2892, 27 May 1872, Page 2

THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

We understand that Bishop Moran preached twice in reference to the above question yesterday ; and on both occasions spoke in very strong terms of the action of Catholics who had signed petitions, in favor of a continuance of the present educational system. At vespers, after dwelling upon the text for the day, his Lordship spoke as follows:

Upon this subject of education the teachingof the Church is certain and unmistakeable. If it were a mere matter of opinion which

or lay down according to their ,;icaS«se, rlh.uild not have interfered. I nfinioua on what I conceive to he good reasons ; and 1 hold my opinion > jistrphgly ; but 1 never attempt to my opinions upon other men. Therc|v?ff o poj> mere matters of opinion all meiH&ss~free as lam; but 1 apeak not now in refe ence to matters of opinion. 1 speak upon a subject upon which the teaching of the Church is o ear ond distinct; and the reason of this is that the Church repudiates and condemns a system of mixed or secular education. These-are subjects upon which we are not permitted to hold an opinion antagonistic to that of . the Catholic Church ; these are subjects which come within its sphere and office. Rverthing that touches faith comes within its commission to teach, because it is our office to guard the faith. Now this system of education has been declared over and over again by the authority of the Church to be dangerous alike to faith and morals, and therefore no Catholic will say that it is not dangerous to faith and morals, or approve of this system. If men were to do so, they would be acting against the commands and authority of the Church, and are guilty of a grievous crime Whilst I was away in the country, I read in the newspapers that it had been stated in the Provincial Council that not only-did .some Catholics differ from me upon this subject, but that there were Catholics who disapproved of my proceedings in reference to the education question. I have no doubt whatever of the truth of these assertions ; I am quite prepared to believe that the gentlemen who uttered these charges spoke (ho truth. Butl-«ay, at the same time, that while these.men may call themselves Catholics, I refuse to recognise them as -members of-- the : -Catholic Church. Thei e are men who call themselves

Catholics who belong to societies called Freemasons, by belonging to which they are excommunicated are no longer members of the Church—have no right or title to. the name of Catholics—have been anathematised by the Church, and have ho right to speak as Catholics. I have no doubt that these men—and there are suCbdVil(have?described —do disapprove of my proceedings in this matter; but 1 wish yon clearly and distinctly to understand that they are nob Catholics and ate not m'embers of the Chnrch. There may be others, not belonging to societies, who, through ignorance, or weakness, or sycophancy, may have .said sudhr word fees these, and used such, language. This is very probable. I refuse to recognise these men as members of the Church. The men authorised to speak as Catholics "are people who obey the teachings of the Church, and practise what the Jchnrcb commands. I would hope very much indeed that such men as these wbntd make up; their minds to drop the name of Catholics and go from-ns-in peace. They are no use whatever religiously, and the only effect: of their disgrace the name of Catholic, and to do, the Catholic body serious injury. * * * lon See, my brethren, what injury they are doing to our cause. Unworthy they are, shameful is their conduct, iman and contemptible is their language, and they ass : st those who deny us justice. I again declare such men are not Catholics, and 1 refuse to reoogftise them as members of our congregation. Now I ask what do these men profess themselves ? Some of them, I understand, have signed the petition which has been earned about for the purpose of continuing the present system of education, and of depriving us of all chance of obtaining aid for our schools. Only imagine these men calling themselves Catholics, signing a petition to prolong the present system under which their children may be taught to read the Protestant Bible, by teachers who may even be infidels, "r . .1 have no

doubt whatever—lndeed I have reasons for thinking so—that some poor people have actually been coerced by threats of temporal losses into signing these petitions. Their masteis have in some instances so acted towards them as to leave them under the impression that to have refused to sign the petition they must suffer pecuniary losses. And this in a land of liberty and {air play I This gave some inkling of the motives which are at the bottom of this agitation to deprive us of our just rights. But I am glad to say only a few have signed it. Most of the people up country sent it hack indignantly, saying, “ We want not people to try to come between.us and the Church in which we believe.” What is the object of trying to stir up this Antagonism between you and me? But it will not succeed, because I am not teaching anythiug by myself; 1 am only, teaching the teaching of the Church which you have declared to receive. The. efiprt therefore will be hopeless and fall to the ground, except in a few instances where from weakness or from having slavish hearts men may sign these petitions. Well, those who have slavish hearts deserves to be slaves. .