PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 28, 12 November 1897, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH.

* The present situation of Catholicism in the world, anil the pro:re u s ot its conquests during tlv p.i-t 3* years, may be su.n.i ,uiscl as iollow'B, uecviriling to tMfcT' in J!<in>u :—: — Previously no C.ith'Bjc Lier.a-chy cx^tc.l in the I uli,-, J.ir.an, Scotland, or the Danubian pn.icipalitie-- To-d :y tin' mi >i"ot- <,{ Catbolica has increase!, and tin- hierarchy has Ici-n c-l.ili'i ,!.el i-i these countries. The C itholie Ch-.uvh in the-e region'- ."-, in Vr'o innsl prosperous condition. Worejver. Leo XIIL had recoiH] v luui do 1 the hierarcliy amo.ig the Copt>.

In Africa apostolic n.on arc p^netrat.ng farther a.ul faitl-ci e\ery day ii.to t)ie interior oi the Cnntinci.t Ld.mdo. tac I'.ji C". and Z irube-i are OvMii^Mw d. An-tivlia now reckons 21 b.sh«.< ~Cn'{ 000,000 Catholics ; for.bier!v there weie only a few miwonaiii/s. Jn Sjnth America and Oeeuiia nii^-ionaries cminue to display lhon z^al. In the Umteil State*, under the Pontificate ot Leo XI II., 2.5 new dioceses have been created and :}<)')() church' s built B-alt iinore lus had a national council, and Washington has become, the seat, of

a university cauonieally erected. We are witnesses of an increase in conversions, of thu abolition of the tvultur Kampf in Germany of the erection of a Catholic-spirited Govi mmont in Belgium, and 'of the nomination, for the fir&t time, of a Russian representative of the Holy See. The Catholic Church lives in a perpetual battle, in which every day aha gains fresh victories. Many powerful influences may persecute her and combine for her destruction, but she comes forth more glorious from the coudict, and all persecutions serve but to make her more faithful.

According- to an estimate unfavourable to the Catholic Church sinca it was made by a German LYutobtant, her increase from century to century has been as follows :— First century, 500,000 Catl.olicp. Second century, 2,000.000 (lab olios. Third century, 5,000,000 Catholics. Fourth century, 10,000.000 Catholics. Fifth century, 15,000.000 Catholics. Sixth century, 20,000,000 Culholiis. Seventh century. 2.">,0U0.(;00 Cat-holies. Eighth century, 40,000 000 dtLolics. Ninth century, 50,000,000 Catholics. Tenth century 56,000.000 Catholic*. Eleventh century^ 70.01)0,000 Catholics. Twelfth century, 80.000,000 Catholics. Thirteenth century, 85,0(10,000 Catholics. Fourteenth century, 90,000,000 Catholics, Fifteenth century, 100,000.000 Catholics. Sixteenth century, 125,000,000 Catholics. Seventeenth century, 175.000,000 Catholics. Eighteenth century, 250.000,000 Catholics,. Nineteenth century (up to 1894), 280,000,000 Catholics.

The estimate admits, it must be observed, first, that the Catholic Church has made progress in every age, and, second, that in times of most violent persecution she has made most progress. Why should we be astonished at this ! Is not God Himself the founder of the Catholic Church ? God almighty, whom none can resist I This estimate will show our readers how little importance is to be attached to the nonsense uttered every day by rationalists : '• Catholicism is dying. The Catholic Church is an edifice which crumbles before modern civilisation. The Catholic's day is over and now begins) the era of progress !" '

These doleful prophets, so ready to take part in the obsequies of the Catholic Church and to dig her grave, will be terribly disillusioned if they look this moribund Church in the face and see her aa she is, more full of youth and more abounding in vitality every step she takes in the future.