RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.
the Editor.) Sir, —I have read most of the letters that have appeared in your columns on the subject of Bishop Liston’s speech, and must say I have been greatly disappointed with the narrowness and intolerance exhibited by many of the writers, some of whom have quite allowed their bigoted feelings to run away with their judgment. I did not wish to “butt in,” for it appears to me unedifying to discuss religious matters in pußlic print, discussions which get nowhere. My reason for troubling you now is because, to me, no one has yet. replied convincingly and fully to the well-seasoned and sober letter contributed at the beginning of the controversy by “Old Colonist,” who says he is an English Catholic, and disapproves of the unpatriotic speech of the Bishop. In that disapproval I cordially join. Then the writer goes on to say that the present position has come about largely by the machinations of the P.P.A. Now, t have taken no part in this movement, with which I have hitherto had no sympathy, but I can quite understand its initiation and subsequent growth. The political activities of the Catholic Federation, in point of fact, w'ere responsible for the establishment of the P.P.A. The federation was not content with confining itself to its own affairs; it must interfere in political matters. This the Protestants resented, and a counter organisation was the direet result. Then during the war some of the articles in the Tablet, when edited by Dr. Kennedy, were such as to cause indignation to patriotic New Zealanders, and, indeed, would have been sufficient to ensure imprisonment for sedition for the ordinary writer. P. Webb, for an offence much less aggravated, was imprisoned, but these outrageous articles regularly appeared with impunity to the author. Protestants duly noted this partiality by the authorities, also the venomous nature of the attacks, and certain Roman Catholics lost their seats at the last general election. Since then, speeches of a disloyal nature have been given by Archbishop Bedwood, Bishop O’Shea, "and Bishop Liston. The peculiar thing is that all of them are New Zealanders, with the exception of the archbishop. who, however, came to New Zealand- when he was but a small boy. How, then, can the ordinary Protestant regard as loyal citizens members of a church which, through its Press and highest church dignitaries, indulge in unmeasured and bitter, yet truly unjustified attacks, upon England, our own Motherland; and during the war, so far as the Press was concerned, showed itself not to be on the side of Britain, the keystone or tne Allies, who were fighting for right and justice? Why, these activities have gained more recruits for the P.P.A. than anything else could possibly have done. Therefore, if the P.P.A. is a force in the country—and that must be acknowledged—the Catholics have themselves to blame, and no one else, ana for the same reason, have brought about the present feeling against them, and caused the present display of bigotry and sectarianism on the part of indignant Protestants. It is desirable that both Protestants and Roman Catholics should work together in harmony respecting each other s faith, and showing a broad tolerance, but the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church must first adopt a more patriotic attitude and do their duty as Christian leaders to conciliate and harmonise, and not sow dissension and hatred.— I am, etc., NEW ZEALANDER.
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Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1922, Page 6
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571RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE. Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1922, Page 6
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