THE LAWRENCE SCANDAL.

Evening Star, Issue 4103, 21 April 1876, Page 2

THE LAWRENCE SCANDAL.

Here are two extracts from this week’s ‘ Tablet,’ Oh ! consistency !

We can Imagine nothing: which more plainly bears absurdity and presumption written upon its face than the pretence made occasionally by some individunl to call himself a Catholic, while he acts in rebellion against the ordinances of the Church, and prefers his own ignorant interpretation of them to that given by the lawful authorities, In ordinary cases this is bad enough, but it becomes simply foutrageous when this individual presumes, tfhile acting thus questionably, to exercise any office at all connected with the Church We are sorry to find that a notable instance of the course of behaviour alluded to has occurred at Lawrence, where a gentleman filling the position of President of the H.A.C.8.5., has so far forgotten himself as to continue to hold office, and at the same time has removed his child from the Catholic siSaollimd p oced him at a Government institution, in open defiance of the prohibition of the Bishop of the diocese, and, consequently of the Catholic Church. We very much wonder what may bo the satisfaction derived by a man from remining the bare name of Catholic, when ho repu(hates the obligations imposed upon him by the laws of the Church, And undoubtedly the society, which would consent to continue him as their President would do well under the circumstances to eliminate the letter ‘ C ’ from the initials of their title "

And this is the second extract. Truly the Catholic Church is many-sided : The Protestant Press of this Col-my appears to fear religious controversy in their columns as the devil fears holy (water—and with reason. Free llwuiilit'free discussion are the very life and soul of the Catholic Church. It is quite possible to be free and yet obedient to lawful authority.