BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1931, Page 5

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

A PUBLIC STATEMENT.

(fly Telegraph—Per Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 10

In reference to the Bible-in-Schools, Mr John Studholme writes:—‘■'Rev. Dean O’Donnell in a statement issued in Ashburton by his instructions on July st!i has asked Mr lsitt and myself to slate publicly whether we are of the opin.on ihat B.shop Brod.e was right or wrong when he stated that no agreement had been arrived at between the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and the Bible in .m.ul- Schools League, With regard to this agreement facts have already been seated by Aiyhb shop U shea and by New E. 0. Blamires, Secretary of the League. These statements app.ar to be conclusive. AVe have nothing to add and we are of opin.on that Bishop Brodie is mistaken in thinking that no agreement had been arrived at. (WELLINGTON, July 10. The Dominion Executive of the Bible-in-Schools League yesterday settl-d finally the form of the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill, for presentation to Parliament. Oti the sub-committee’s recommendation it was unanimously decided to entrust the measure as a private member’s Bill to Mr H; Holland, member for Christchurch North, who introduced the Bill for the League on a fornltr occasion,

It is not the desire of the Executive that it should be viewed in any way as a party measure.

ARCHBISHOP O’SHEA’S STATEMENT

WELLINGTON, July 10. In a statement to-day Archbishop O’Shea speaking on behalf of himself and the "Metropolitan Archbishop Redwood, who is absent from New Zealand, announces the withdrawal of Catholic opposition to the Bible in State Schools and support of the present religious instruction in public schools Bill, which he says has been submitted to the legal adviser, Mr P. O’Regan, who says it does not violate any of the conditions laid down by 'Catholic leaders and accepted last year by the Bible-in-Schools •Executive.

The acceptance of the B:ll according to the statement is based on recognition that the measure is part of a fight against the spread of irreligion. Archbishop O'Shea says ; —Catholics do not mean to surrender one iota of their claim on the State for a subsidy to their own religious schools ior the secular results achieved.