Progress of the Church

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 29

Progress of the Church

The silver jubilee of the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in Scotland was celebrated recently in St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. The occasional sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Stack, of Cambuslang, who said it was estimated that the number of Catholics in Scotland 25 years ago was about 360,000. At present they might take it as certain that the number of Catholics in this country was over 510,000, which represented an increase of 150,000, and vit was noteworthy that the Church was more than maintaining, her own in Scotland, when they compared the increase of her numbers with the increase of the religious body of the people. This increase, of course, necessitated a larger provision being made for the supply of spiritual wants, and the hierarchy had not been wanting in making, suitable provision for such increased needs. There had been a corresponding increase in the number of missions established — the increase being from 140 to 222, or an increase of about 60 per cent. Churches and chapels throughout the kingdom had increased by over 90, namely, from 266 to 359 ; or, in other words, an increase of 35 per cent., more than a third. With all these increases it had .become a necessity to multiply the ministers of religion, and here, again, the increase was very notable. The increase in this item amounts to 190, or from 272 to 462 ; in other words, an increase of 70 per cent. Another very important item was the schools, and they were all aware what great stress the Church laid on this matter, and the Church in Scotland under the restored hierarchy had proved herself to be, as she ever was, a friend of education and of reasonable enlightenment. The increase in schools was represented by 87, or a rise from 159 to 245, an increase of 55 per cent., more than half. Not only had the number of Catholics increased by 150,000, but the social condition of the people had been decidedly ameliorated.