ROMAN CATHOLICISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 437, 17 September 1908, Page 3

ROMAN CATHOLICISM.

Use Sucharisjt Geugress

London, September 15

Premier Asquith sent Archbishop Bourne, through a confidential message, an expression of opinion that the procession of the elevation of the Host, which he deprecated, ought to be abandoned. The Chronicle remarks that Mr Asquith wished to give Archbishop Bourne the opportunity, as if he were acting spontaneously, of cancelling the procession.

The Chronicle is uoi convinced that any Government action was necessary, and upholds the principles of liberty and toleration.

The Dairy Mail, Daily News, and tne Standard think that a possible insult to the Host was averted.

The Telegraph condemns the Government’s weakness, irresolution, susceptibility to pressure, and readiness to make concessions to a few extremists’ clamour. The result will be to needlessly excite animosities. Mr Asquith endeavoured to induce Archb.shop Bourne to act as if he had changed his mind and quailed before tbe Protestant Alliance. Mr Asquith would have saved his lace and diverted the Catholics’ disappointment to their own heifarchies’ timid surrender. The aitair, says the paper, was stupidly mishandled. The Times congratulates the promoters of the procession on their good sense in changing tbe programme. “The Government blundered conspicuously. It ought to have interfered earlier or not at all. Why attempt to stipulate secrecy ? The imminence of the Newcastle election explains much, but not tbe lack of tact and tardiness of the intervention.” The Times, with several other nevvspapers, holds that- it is high time to put all religions on an equality if they conform to the police regulations. The Telegraph’s Newcastle correspondent says that 4000 Irish electors are deeply incensed at Mr Asquith’s interference. The precession was an impressive one, full of colour. No Host or Mass vestments were used, but the prelates were in undress purple cassocks, with white robes and purple birrettas, surpliced chaplains attending them. The Papal Eegate (Cardinal Vannutelli) was in a scarlet robe, with a white train and scarlet skull cap.

Immense crowds of the Catholic section of the people cheered the procession heartily, and the demeanour of the other witnesses was quiet, and that of mere curiosity. The grand procession of the Host took place within the cathedral precinls, and the Benediction of the Sacrament from outside the balcony overlooking the entrance. It is understood that Mr Asquith over-ruled Mr Gladstone’s previous assent, 'probably under Nonconformist pressure. Mr Kensit. who was so prominent in the anli-Ritualistic movement two years ago, and Mr T. H. Sloan, a member of the House of Commons, addressed a great Protestant gathering in the Caxtorr .Hall in support of Mr Asquith’s action in stopping the procession. Romk, September 15. The Pope expressed deep grief at the prohibition of the Eucharistic procession, and said that the occurrence has shaken his belief in English liberality.