CATHOLICISM AND SOCIALISM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7877, 20 July 1905, Page 2

CATHOLICISM AND SOCIALISM

THE POPE'S ENCYCLICAL Preparing to Fight Politically. (Keceivod July 19, 0.35 p.m.) r LONDON, July 19. • i 7° .u Tlint ' s ' correspondent states that the real gist of the Pope's Encycical is the duty of Italian Cathoiics to prepare ijto fight the approaching predominance of Socialism i, 3 ' « c !' v <> Participation ,in political we- 11 Catholic action on guilds and confraternities is , 0 ),„ efficient it 'mist adapt tseif to social needs, and employ jiractical means. Catholics entering on „ public ca iwr ]nust lurther the social and economic 'welfare of the Fatherland, aitd particnlariy of the people, 0 n distinctively Christian psinriples, and must defend tho supreme interests of the Church,, h' lorces of Catholicism must act with the utmost energy and vcavice. Confraternities' aiming at Christian civilisation ought to ,act with reasonable freedom in political matters foreign to the purely spiritr ual iniiiistry, but in the domain of I'olit c<=. as in other domains, the Uoclrino applies "Ho that heareth yon heareth Me."

Hie Pope is sensible of the special dangers threatening tho clergy in \, )litics, as they may be tempted- to attribute supreme importance to tire material interests, of the people, neglecting the graver interests of the sacred ministry. A priest should not appear as a party man, and should not take part in political associations without his bishop's-'Jpermis-sion.

Tho .Encyclical is no mere academic disquisition, but declares It is not enough to point out the. good, but' it is necessary, to carry it ou,t in practice. >

The Times, in a leader, says tho Encyclical instructs Catholics to prepare for political life, if summoned tp act. If a Catholic I'arty be fornv ed, it must Ijc led against Socialism —the foe of society, civilisation, and Cliristiianity.