CATHOLICS AND PROHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1919, Page 8

CATHOLICS AND PROHIBITION.

(Published Iby arrangementj 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 the Canadian province of Quebec, which has carried Prohibition by a large majority, and where over 85 per cent of the voters arc Catholics. 'Had their intluence and that of the hierarchy been against Prohibition; this great reform would not have been achieved. Prohibiton was not carried in Quebec until the leaders of the Church had watcheed its operations in other provinces which had gone dry in earlier years. The clergy were conj fidcnt that' ample supplies of Sacramental wines would be aavilable- How convincing was the proof that Prohibition was a great success and achieved what, was claimed for it is shown by the fact that thirteen out of the fifteen Catholic bishops in Quebec are Prohibitionists, while *the venerable and revered Cardinal Begin, of the Diocese of Quebec, was one of its most ardent supporters. Cardinal Merry 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 evil you are combating, and have proclaimed the necessity of prompt and efficacious remedies. How useful '-'; is to show what a scourge alcoholism is in its -?c. v nomioal, moral, and physiological effect;' ; it.? connection with the deterioration of the family; with the deterioration of society, whose most important interests are menaced b" it. Hence amon? aori"l works there ar" none more pressing than this." Cardinal M»v*.>nrr said: "I impea<A «;•* ';rjunr {.raffle of high crimen and 'ni.vipmeanours against the comn'Of-.ealth. It is mere mockery to ask us to put down drunkenness by moral and religiouc means when the Legislature faei l "- totes and multiplies inducement!? *.n intemperance on ever/ hand. Do you know how yon will help to break up the unholy alliance between the Government and the greatest fraud of the age? Vote J 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. \Ve must work and bend every effort so that Catholics in political matters will always he . arrayed against the liquor interests." Bishop McDonald, Catholic Bishop of Victoria, British Columbia: "It seems plain that everyone who "has at heart (he well-being of his country and of those who are in any way dependent on him should east his vote and use his influence in favor of Prohiibtion." Bishop Clcary, Catholic Bishop of Auckland, with no personal interest in either the Liquor Trade or the Prohibition Party, says: "(1) He is satisfied with the proviison 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." The "Tablet,"' which is opposed to Prohibition, says in its issue of April 3, IMA, page 17:' u '•YCIT ARE NOT BOUND IX CONSCIENCE TO TOTE AGAINST PROHIBITION" Catholics! The evils of the liquor traffic affect you just as they do all citizens. You have a supreme opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with your'fellow-citizens against a common moral e»H. Your faith does not prevent your doing this. The provision for wine Idr the Mass is satisfactory. You are tree to a<rt according to your conscience.*' Let your vote be cast as was in Queliec and in many other v * places—for the welfare of the nation and the safety of the child. Bishop Clcary does not advise his people as to how they shall vote on April 10th. He stands ior the personal liberty of Catholic electors to vote as their consciences may dictate.