BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1927, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

BISHOP CLEARY'S COMMENT. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. Bishop Cleary speaking at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, said he had never encountered more misrepresentation and deeper sectarian bitterness than what was packed into Him IsitiTs pamphlet on the Bible reading in schools. The Bishop rid.cub R the suggestion that it was the Roman Catholic Church represented by himself which prevented reform in the secular system when Catholic churchmen represented only itbout 17 per cent of the community. The Protestant clergy had made blit feeble protests against the secular system, while the Catholic Church, at an enormous expense, hail still further increased its own schools with the system of real and proper religious instruction provided for the consciences of Catholic children, and teachers were protected.

The Roman Catholic Church would welcome the reintroductiim of religion into State Schools and would not dictate what particular form it should take. It preferred, however, that a definite and working religion should he selected, not a compromise or a diluted Christianity. There was no such thing as non-sectarian religion while the Catholic Church would never surrender its right to the State grants for its own school. It would not let that claim interfere with the reintroduction of religion in State Schools on terms fair to allow. If Mr Isitt’s Bill became law and public moneys were expended upon religous exercises suited to the l’rotesan conscience in State Schools. He concluded we shall exhaust oveiy pioper means in our j tower to secure a fair share of such funds for the conduct of religious exercises suited to the Catholic conscience.