The Catholic World.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1, 4 January 1900, Page 6

The Catholic World.

AFRIC A— Father Ohrwalder Returns to Khartoum.— Father Ohrwalder, the Austrian missionary who was one of the Khalifa's captives, has returned to Khartoum to resume his former labours. He has had the remains of Bishop Comboni, who died in 1881, exhumed and transferred to Assouan, where they have been deposited in the Catholic cemetery.

The Presentation to Father Rousselet.— The presentation gold watch which has been forwarded by the Royal Niger Company to Father Rousselet, of the French Catholic mission in Nigeria, in recognition of his bravery in remaining at his post in Issele during the native rebellion in 1898, bears (says the Daily Telegraph) the following inscription: — 'To the Rev. Father Rousselet, from the Royal Niger Company, as a souvenir of his Christian heroism at Issele during the native rising in 1898.'

CANADA— An Important Celebration —The Sisters of the Congregation de Notre Dame, one of the oldest orders of nuns in Canada, whioh is about to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the death of the foundress, Marguerite Bourgeoys, have prepared a highly interesting exhibit for the Paris Exhibition. The 112 convents of the Order in Canada and the United States have each contributed their quota to a collection, the most striking features of which are 17 large books containing specimens of students' work. The Sisters themselves have prepared a beautifully-bound book of 29 illuminated designs representing scenes in the life of the Venerable Mother Bourgeoys.

ENGLAND-— Demise of a Venerable Priest.— The death is announced of the Very Rev. J. W. Carlile, Canon of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, and rector of St. Mary's, Stockton-on-Tees, diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. The rev. gentleman, who was a well-known and prominent figure in northern Catholic circles, was nearly eighty years of age. He had been in failing health for some time, and six months ago he had the somewhat rare experience of reading his own obituary notice in a Catholic newspaper.

Catholics and the Dreyfus Case.— The correspondent of the Daily Chronicle in presenting Captain Dreyfus with an address of sympathy, bearing one hundred and twenty-five thousand signatures, impressed upon the Captain that ' English Catholics en masse 11 proclaimed the injustice of which he was the victim. That fact has been fully realised by Captain Dreyfus, as his reply shows :—: — • Undoubtedly. I know that Cardinal Vaughan, most of the Bishops and clergy — including even the English Jesuits — were on my side. My admirable counsel, M. Dcmange and M. Labori, were encouraged and strengthened by words from the highest judicial authorities, Protestant, Nonconformist, and Catholic. Even in France the intellectual clergy and laity, with the exceptions already made, were in good faith though over-prudent.' The last sentence is interesting (says the New Era), and perhaps there is just a suggestion of mild sarcasm in the adjective ' over-prudent.' But Dreyfua's remarks about his opponents were most charitable, and many Christians might take example by them.

An Honour for the O'Clery.— The O'Clery has been appointed by Royal Commission one of her Majesty's Lieutenants for the city of London.

A Rare Painting. — The hon. correspondent of the British Archaeological Society of England proposes in a letter in the London Times that in order to preserve a record of Signor Aglio's remarkable panoramic paintings of the Crucifixion at St. Mary's, Moorfields, which was executed directly upon the wall and therefore cannot be removed, a fund should be raised for painting a facsimile and erecting it in the first new Catholic church to be built in a style suitable to receive it. In Great Britain and the Continent there is said to be only one similar picture.

Missionaries for Uganda- — A number of Catholics assembled at St. Joseph's Foreign Missionary College, Mill Hill, London, in the early part of November to bid farewell to a band of missionaries who were about to set out for Uganda. Cardinal Vaughan presided, end among those present were Lord and Lady Brainpton, Lady Northcote, Lady Herbprt of Lea, the Countess of Denbigh, Lady Beaumont, Lady Codrington, and many other members of the Catholic nobility. Bishop Brindle, who preached, said great bravery had, no doubt, been displayed by the British soldiers in South Africa, but it must be remembered that they had a reward in this world for the prowess which they displayed, whereas the missionary who went out to foreign lands was at least equally brave, but he had no hope of reward and would probably never be heard of again. At the conclusion of the ceremony the clergy and congregation kissed the feet of the departing missionaries.

Death of Lady Margaret Howard-— Referring to the death of Lady Margaret Howard, which occurred on November 10, the Catholic Times says: — The sincere sympathy of the Catholics of this country will go out to the Duke of Norfolk in the loss he has suffered by the death of his youngest sister, Lady Margaret Howard. The state of her health prevented her taking much part in the functions of society, for which, indeed, Lady Margaret had little taste ; but whenever there was a good work to be helped, grief to ba assuaged, or hope and comfort to be brought back to afflicted hearts, her ladyship, in a quiet and unostentatious way, was ever ready With succour and consolation. In the neighbourhood of Arundel, where she frpent most of her years, Lady Margaret was regarded by the people as a ministering angel, and her loss will be deeply deplored by all the inhabitants there, without distinction of creed. Among the membero of the family who were present when

the end came were the Duke of Norfolk, Lady Mary Howard, Lady Edmund Talbot, Dr. Edward and Lady Philippa Stewart, and several others. To the Duke of Norfolk Lady Margaret's death will be a sad and severe blow, for between him and his youngest sister there was a strong and deep love, and what leisure he enjoyed was generally spent in her society, and in discussing with her and aiding the various Catholic religions and philanthropic movements in which she was interested.

The Funeral of Miss Florence Marryat— The funeral of the late Miss Florence Marryat (Mrs. Francis Lean) took place on November 2. A lir/pilcm Mass, celebrated by the Rev. W. Quaife, at the Church of Our Lady, Grove Road, London, was attended by a number of the deceased's friendß, including Mr. and Mrs. George Grossmith, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A'Beckett, and Mrs. T. Shairp. The interment subsequently took place at Kensal Green Cemetery, in the grave wherein lie the remains of her daughter.

FRANCE-— Freedom of Instruction-— President Loubet has the courage of his opinions, and he is not ashamed, as publio men in France very often are, to observe religious practices. On the Feast of All Saints he attended Mass with his officials. But for all that (says the Catholic Times) it appears that the Government intends to make the attack on the Church of whioh there have been rumours for some time past. The Siecle, which is in a position to obtain correct information, states that the Council of Ministers have drawn up an educational scheme which will have an important bearing on the future of the Catholic schools. Under the pretext that it is necessary for the State to exercise control over the institutions in which education is given, the Council has decided that all who aspire to discharge the functions of public teachers must spend some years in a State school and must hold a speoial certificate. The main object is to bring the teaching members of religious Communitiei under the authority of the State. If such a project has been agreed upon it will, no doubt, be strongly resisted.

Religious Liberty imiFrance.— Months ago we predicted (says the Catholic I'imes) that as soon as the Dreyfus imbroglio was settled, an outburst of persecution would fall on the French Church. Signs are not wanting that the storm is at hand. Already the Budget Committee has voted to suppress the Embassy at the Vatican and suspend the salaries of 35 bishops and 7000 curates — on the ground that these particular benefices are not contemplated by the Concordat. In all probability the Chamber will reject the recommendation of the Budget Committee ; but at any rate the mere recommendation is not without its usefulness as a warning of what may be close upon the French clergy. If what we hear may be relied upon, there are signs that the clergy themselves are growing weary of enforced subservience to the State. They are beginning to sigh for those larger liberties which an infidel Government dreadß them possessing. That Government will not let the Church escape from its clutches. It might be better if it would. For a few years, no doubt, the Church would suffer ; but after a while Catholics would recognise their duty, rally to the support of their pastors, and show to the world that France was still not behind any other European country.

ITALY-— The Catholic Associations and the Pope — The Catholic associations of Italy are organising a grand demonstration of filial devotion towards the Holy Father on the occasion of his ninety-first birthday, which will be celebrated by a solemn thanksgiving service in St. Peter's. The Pontiff has expressed his intention of receiving the associations in the Vatican basilica.

ROME-— A Memorial of the Year of Jubilee— it is announced that, as a memorial of the year of jubilee, the Pope has directed the well-known medalist and engraver, Signor Bianchi, to strike a commemorative medal. This medal will be strnck in three metals — gold, silver, and bronze. The gold medals are intended for rulers of states and the cardinals of the Holy Church ; thoae in silver will be given to archbishops, bishops, and other distinguished personages — men of letters, notable artiats, and those who have deserved well of the Church. The bronze medals will be very numerous and will probably be given in gift to pilgrims and others, and will also, in all likelihood, be put on sale. On one side of the medal will be the effigy of Leo XIII., on the other a Latin inscription relating to the jubilee.

The Holy Year- — A cable message from Rome under date December 25, states that his Holiness the Pope has inaugurated the Holy Year, and personally held services in connection with the oeremony. These included the opening of the holy door at St. Peter's. The service extended over three hours and a half. Three thousand persons were invited to be present.

The English Residents and the Westminster Cathedral- — A Rome correspondent writes : — ' A subscription has been opened among the members of the English colony here towards the new Cathedral of Westminster. A large sum has already been collected.'

SCOTLAND— The Protection of Children— One of the moHt conspicuous figures at the annual meeting of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, held in the Merchants' Hall, Glasgow, was that of his Grace Archbishop Eyre.

The Holy Father and Scotland— Mr. Arthur P. Araott, writing from itome under date, October 24, to a Scottish contemporary says : — ' At an audience given yesterday by the Pope to a party of pilgrims, I happened to be the only Scotchman of the number. When I was presented to him, the Holy Father said a few words expressive of his interest in my country, and then, laying his Land on my head, he added : "In you I bless all Scotland, and all the Scottish people." lam urged by my friends here to communicate these words, in some way, to Scottish Catholics and others, to whom, indeed, they are in some sort a message '