CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY FOR IRELAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 114, 25 April 1868, Page 4

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY FOR IRELAND.

On Sunday last we attended the Catholic Church, Blenheim, in order to hear the Rev. Father Hickie’s appeal on behalf of a Catholic University for Ireland. The Rev. Father Sauzeau conducted the service, after which Father Hickie took his text from the Gospel of the day—St. John, c. 20 —from which he preached a short but ultraCatholic sermon ; after which he very ably urged the necessity of a Catholic University for a Catholic people. The rev. preacher referred to the ancient literary character of Ireland, to the various circumstances which had more recently combined to lessen that reputation, and instanced many Irishmen whose brilliant talents at the present day had proved to the world that talent was as much a national characteristic now as ever, had they such an institution as the Catholic University, where it could be safely, and to Catholics, satisfactorily developed. This University, he contended, should enlist the generous sympathies of Catholics throughout the world, and of all who appreciate education, based on the true and solid foundation of religion. It will be accessible to all of every creed and class ; to the children of the rich, as well as to those of moderate means. And when we know from history that some of the greatest men, whose genius even enlightened the world, were the children of parents whose poverty prevented them from giving their offspring that education they ought to have had, but could not easily compass it, will be readily conceded by all that such an institution as Father Hickie is working for, must be a great boon indeed. The rev. gentleman concluded his address by deprecating the assertions made against the Catholic Church, of keeping the people in ignorance. Those assertions he stigmatised as false and slanderous, and contended that the Catholic Church was the great supporter and promoter of science and civilization, and claimed that the greatest discoveries—from that of the mariner’s compass to the discovery of America—had been by members of that communion. The Carandini Company assisted the choir, which performed Mozart’s 12th Mass. The collection was taken up by Father Hickie, when about £3O was given, and Iwe believe promises of some further subscriptions made.