MARRIAGE LAWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1920, Page 2

MARRIAGE LAWS

THE CATHOLIC ATTITUDE. ARCHBISHOP O’SHEA’S STATEMENT. 'PUB PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COrVBIGUT.j AVELLINGTON, Sept. 13. Archbishop O’STiea referred to the proposed amendment of the marriage laws at St Joseph’s't'hureh last night. He real a legal opinion as to the effect of the amendment, which held that unless altered, it was doubtful whether the Church could teach its doctrine regarding marriage as a sacrament, without breaking the law. The opinion suggested that the words true wedlock should he altered to legal wedlock, and the words “truly and sufficiently, married” should be added “according to the law.” The Archbishop stated he laid informed 1 Mr Massey that he intended to make',a public statement on the question and that he intended trsjiv if this law passed as it stands and has the meaning put upon it by the learned counsel whom we have consulted, then he will take the first opportunity of deliberately breaking it, and will encourage bis priests and the people to disobey it on every possible occasion, and as he intended to pay-no fines, be would lhave to imprison him and he will state that lie knows that other bishops, priests and Catholics of the Dominion will take up exactly the same attitude towards the law. Mr Massey Bias' replied that the counsel’s opinion would be referred to the Crown Law Office before the bill was dealt with by the House. The Archbishop proceeded that they meant precisely v bat was said, and would defy and disobey any law preventing us from preaching the doctrines of the Church. Ho did not mean to leave the Government or Parliament under any misapprehension as to what the attitude of the Catholics will be in regard to a. law that attacked their religious doctrines.” AVe will resent and defy such jaw if passed, by every means in our power and God helping us, will, never allow it to prevail over us.

BISHOP BRODIE’S STATEMENT ‘ CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 13. , j In making a statement at St Mary’s j yesterday, on the projected amendment j tf> the marriage legislation of New Zealand, Bishop Brodie said in the event j of this proposed legislation coming into effect there was only one course j open. I will not swerve one liairsI breadth from the doctrine or discipline i.pf our Holy Church, but as soon as i possible should this amendment become law I will publish and cause to be published in every Catholic Church of the : diocese the teachings of the church re- ■ garding the sacrament of matrimony, ; and in my administration will see that the teaching is strictly adhered to. If ti prosecution follows, I will defend 1 myself, even appealing to the highest I tribunal of the Empire, if the judgi inept gficfs against pie. I must only ! (with the help of God try to bbar the punishment of imprisonment, being glad to suffer something for justice s sake, but grieved to think o!ur fair Dominion of New Zealand is only part of the vast Empire or even of the known World where such legislation has been introduced. In this anxious crisis I appeal to my people for their prayers, that their Bshop 'and priests will be faithful to their Sacred trust, and that our legislators will approach the consideration of this momentous question in the spirit of justice and true statesmanslip.