ORDER OF TOASTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 10

ORDER OF TOASTS.

LORD MAYOR’S STATEMENT. LONDON, April 24. The Catenians, a Roman Catholic Society, at their annual St. George’s Day banquet in London, following the Catenian practice over the country, had for its first toast “The Pope and the King.” The Lord Mayor, who is a Roman Catholic, made the following statement: —“I was invited, and intended to attend, but when I heard that the loyal toast would be honoured after that of the Pope, I refused to go. I will not attend any banquet in tho capacity of Lord Mayor where the loyal toast is placed after the toast of the Pope.”—A. and N.Z. cable. LONDON, April 26. The Daily Express states that tho Lord Mayor’s action with respect to the Catenian banquet has raised a storm of controversy. The Catenians themselves are divided. Some of them declare that they whole-heatftedly agree with the Lord Mayor. Canon Ilowlett, -Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, on tho other hand, says: “The toast is simply an historic toast, tho Church and State.” As Catholics in Britain cannot recognise tho Church of England, it lias been the custom lor two generations to name the Pope with the Sovereign, which does not imply disloyalty. Indeed, it means redoubled loyalty by coupling it with our spiritual obedience to the Pope.” The founder of tho Royal Society of Saint George pays a tribute to the Lord Mayor, as being most liberal-minded, and supports his action entirely. He adds: “I would not attend anywhere where, the Pape’s name precedes the King’s.”—A. and N.Z. cable.