THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1918, Page 3

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

NO COMPACT WITH LABOR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 11. Archbishop O'Shea, addressing tha Catholic Federation to-day, made a dignili'cd reply to the suggestion Unit there is a compact between the Catholic Church and Labor leaders, lie saiil there had been no compact of any kind. "he Catholic Church docs not make compacts with any political party," he said. "She is above and outside politics. She docs not dictate to Catholics what political party they arc to support or what system of government llu'y should adhere to. . . Hut it is- not strange that her bishops and organisations should express sympathy with and approval, oi the sane efforts of Labor people to obtain for the worker a- more proportionate share of the fruits of his labor and more seemly conditions in which to live. Though it is not the office of the church to directly remedy social evils .by interfering •with" the functions of the State, yet site alone can bring about that mentality or disposition of mind amongst men that will enable them to remedy the evils that afflict society. This is why I urged yon to study the social question in the light of Christian principles. . . . And if there were reasons for my urging this course of action in regard to social study last year, there is greater reason now. For in the interval the abuses that then existed have increased to an alarming extent. The profiteering, the hypocrisy, the dishonesty of Governments and rulers, and of the unworthy rich who have climbed into' power ,and influence in all countries, have been worse than ever. And, as I said on the last occasion, reaction and change are bound to come, and upon the form which the change will take will depend whether a better state of society will evolve or only a putting off of the evil day."