Catholics and Prohibition.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 April 1919, Page 5

Catholics and Prohibition.

In other lands Catholics have been amongst the foremost "workers for Prohibition and their influence has been a vital factor in , its accomplishment. Especially is this the case in Canadian province of Quebec, which has carried Prohibition by a large majority, and where over 85 per cent, of the voters are Catholics. Had their influence and that of the hierarchy been against Prohibition, this great reform would not have been achieved. Prohibition was not carried in Quebec until the leaders of the Church had watched its operations in other provinces which had gone dry in earlier years. The clergy were confident that ample supplies of Sacramental wim s would be available. How convincing was the proo? that Prohibition was a great success and achieved wh.it was claimed for it is shown by the fact that thirteen out of the fifteen Catholic bishops in Quebec arc Prohibitionists, while the venerable and revered Cardinal Begin, of the Diocese of Quebec, was one of its most ardent supporters.

Cardinal Mery Del Val, writing to the International Federation of the Catholic Anti-Saloon League on April 23. 1914, said:

“The Popes in these latter days have “not failed to call attention to the ‘deadly cvii you arc combating, and “have proclaimed the necessity, of “prompt and efficacious remedies. “How useful it is to show what a “scourge alcoholism is in its economical, moral, and physiological “effects. . .; its connection with “the deterioration of the family; “with the deterioration of society; “whose most important interests are “menaced by it. Hence among “social works there are none more “pressing than this/'

Cardinal Manning said: “I impeach the liquor trade of high “Crimes and misdemeanours against “the commonwealth. It is mere “mockery to ask us to put down “drunkenness by moral and religious means when the Legislature “facilitates and multiplies induce“nicnts to intemperance on every “hand. Do you know how you will “help to break up the unholy alliance “between the Government and the “greatest fraud of the age? Vote “against it!”

Archbishop John Ireland: “The saloon is .the deadly enemy of “the health, of the home, of the “family, of the country, and of God, “And America demands, and it will “demand in stronger tones yet, that “this American saloon shall disappear from the face of our fair land. “We must work and bend every “effort so that Catholics in political “matters will always be arrayed “against the liquor interests.”

Bishop McDonald, Catholic Bishop of Victoria, British Columbia: “It seems plain that everyone who “has at heart the well-being of his “country and of those who are in “any way dependent on him should “cast his vote and use his influence “in favour of Prohibition.”

Bishop Cleary, Catholic Bishop >■' Auckland, with no personal interest in either the Liquor Trade or the Prohibition Party, says; “(1) He is satisfied with the provision to be made for Altar wine; “(2) for Catholics this question, as “stated, is a free one, to be determined, in its last resort, by the “individual conscience.’ ’

BISHOP CLEARY DOES NOT ADVISES HIS PEOPLE AS TO HOW THEY SHALL VOTE ON APRIL 10th He stands for the personal liberty of Catholic Electors to vote as their conscience may dictate.

The “Tablet,” which is opposed to Prohibition says in its issue of April 3, 1919, page 17; “YOU ARE NOT BOUND IN CON“SCIENCE TO VOTE AGAINST “PROHIBITION.”

Catholics! The cdls of the liquor traffic affect you just as they dp all citizens. You have a supreme opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with your fellow-citizens against a common moral evil. Your faith does not prevent your doing this. The provision for wine for the Mass is satisfactory. You are free act according to your conscience. Let your vote tc cast as it was in Quebec, and in many other places—for the welfare of the nation and the safety of the child. (Published by Arrangement)