CATHOLICS AND EDUCATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 944, 21 January 1911, Page 3

CATHOLICS AND EDUCATION.

Sydney, Jan. 19. The Catholic Education conference convened by Cardinal Moran adopted a series of resolutions similar to those adopted by the Catholic University of the United States defining the position of the Church with reference to education. These set out that intellectual education must not be separated from moral and religious instruction ; that religion should be the centre round which other instructional subjects should be grouped ; and that the spirit by which they were permeated, far from lessening the need of moral and religious training and the advance of educational methods, rather emphasised that need. Provided the essentials of Christian education are secured, the Church welcomes whatever science may contribute towards the rendenug of work in the school more efficient. Catholic parents are bound in conscience to provide for the education ot their children, either at home or at schools of the right sort. Another series of resolutions dealt with the primary education methods in Catholic schools. The Roman Catholic Education Conference has adopted several resolutions dealing with secondary schools. It decided that the standard of proficiency in religious knowledge was of paramount importance. Too much time should not be devoted to music, as it interfered with other studies. A system of granting leaving certificates was decided upon, and it was considered that such certificates should admit to Matriculation at the University. Sydney, Jan. 20. At the Catholic Conference Cardinal Moran, declared that the principle of not allowing the priests to teach religion in the State schools was a correct one, inasmuch as it showed a condemnation by the Catholic Church of the entire State system. She always had condemned, and always would condemn it. Bishop O’Connor and Father O’Reilly strongly resented the attitude of the secular press to Catholic education claims. Father O’Rielly declared it was an insult that exception should be taken to Cardinal Moran as the spokesman ot the Catholic body condemning the public school system. The Catholics would continue to protest and organise until those people who blindly opposed them were brought to a sense of duty to the Catholic body. It was time to resent the impertinence of such newspapers.