The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 32, 10 August 1905, Page 27

The Catholic World

ENGLAND— PapaI Distinctions The Holy Father has been pleased to number among his Domestic Prelates the Very Rev. Provost Dawson, of St. Wilfrid's, York, and Vicar-General of the diocese of Middlesborough ; and the Very Rev. Canon Shanahart, of Thornaby, in the same diocese. Exiled French Nuns Exiled French nuns belonging to the Congregation, of St. Joseph of Cluny have purchased a small estate in Stafford, where they intend to devote themselves to every kind of good work. They will visit the poor and the sick and teach classes, and they hope to establisn. a novitiate for English-speaking subjects. The Sisters have houses in almost every part of the British Empire, but till now have never had a house in England. FRANCE— The Pope and the President President Loubet has addressed an autograph letter to the Pope, thanking his Holiness for the congratulations which he sent him on his escape from the attempt which was recently made upon his life and that of the King of Spain while they were returning from the opera in Paris to the Elysee. A Cardinal's Jubilee The ' Semaine Religieuse ' of the diocese of Autun publishes a letter addressed by the Pope to Cardinal Perraud on the occasion of the Cardinal's jubilee. The 2nd and 3rd June were the fiftieth anniversary of hia ordination and of his first Mass, and were at the samo time the seventieth anniversary of the birth and baptism, of the Pope. In his letter the Pope writes as follows :— ' We shall have great pleasure in celebrating with you these 'days of the 2nd and 3rd Joine, in uniting our joy with yours 1 , arcd in sending the expression of our mutual gratitude to the God Who has shown Himself so good towards us. If, by reason of the trials which tho Church of Ohnst has to suffer in your country, great grief is maxed with our joy otn this occasion, know that we take our share, with all our heart, in yout joy and in your grief. For, both of us, we ardently love France, yo>u as your mother, we as our daughiter.' A Matter of Jurisdiction Grave indeed (remarks the ' Catholic Times ') is the blow dealt at- the principle of ecclesiastical authority by the article number fifteen of the Separation Bill. Hitherto the Bishops have been a)ble to make their wills operative in the financial, as well as the spiritual, sphere. But henceforth they will be powerless. The local Associations of Worship are to have complete (control of the goods of the Church, and as they will be " composed of inhabitants living and domiciled in the

commune concerned, it is clear that the principle of ecclesiastical jurisdiction over ecclesiastical property in seriously imperilled. The Bishops will practically ceas^ to wield control in matters affecting parochial property of any kind. Several speakers appealed to the chambers not to violate the ordinary ecclesiastical legislation, but in vain. The Government resisted every amendment, and forced through the clause as it stood-; thus delivering the parishes and their property to it committee of people who may toe Catholics, Jews, Frcethin,kersi, or anything under the sun. The passing of article fiPteen will make arrangements with the Holy See more difficult than ever. HOLLAl\D— Catholic Legislators It is not very many years' since the power, of the Catholics in 'Holland was a small, almost a negligeable quantity. But they have imitated their German coreligionists in nursing their political strength, and now they are a very strong force. The press rhas just recoided the results^ of the general election to the Second Chamber of the States-General. Twenty-three Catholics, thirteen Orthodox Pro test ants, eight Liberals of, the Left, three liberals of the Right, eight Historic Christians, and five Liberal Democrats have been returned. The Catholics have formed a working agreement with the Orthodox Protestants, and the united body can easily overcome the opposition. They are led by Dr. Kuyper, who has made a close study of polltics and has proved an excellent leader under circumstances often of a delicate kind. Whilst the Ministry is conservative in its general principles, its policy is really democratic, awd , the legislation which it has initiated and car-* ried through has been prolific of advantages . to the humblest classes of the people. The inhabitants of Holland are so content with the arrangement b©: tween the Catholics and the Orthodox Protestants thaj their verdict when elections occur is equivalent to a vote of confidence. ROME -Catholics and Public Life An Encyclical Letter addressed by the Holy Father to the Italian Bishops, and dealing with the action of Catholics who are Christian Democrats and the clergy, was published on June 19. His Holiness encourages the institution of popular associations, around which all other associations of an economic character shojuld rally. Catholics are called upon to take a share in public and political life so as to benefit thereby Christian civilisation and promote the material well-being of the people. The Pope goes on to say that the Church has always demonstrated its virtue of adaptiveness according to time and to the needs of civil society, while upnolding the integrity of moral faith. Catholics belonging to economic associations' and public administrations miust always be subject to ecclesiastical authority, at the same time, however, ©ntoiying the fullest freedom regarding temporal interests. The Pope, therefore, reproives those who do not follow that doctrine. After urging the clergy to hold aloof from party strife, his Holiness concludes by bestowing his benediction upon the Italian Bishops, clergy, and people. The Encyclical (adds Router's Agency) is regarded as. another step towards conciliation between Church and State. Up to the present Catholics have been forbidden to take part ia elections. SCOTLAND— Opening of a New Church On Sunday, June 18, St. Joseph's new chturch, Blantyre, which has been erected at a cost of £9000, and rendered by its architectural beauty quite an ornament to the district, was solemnly opened fo-r divine worship in presence of a large congregation, many of whom were local Protestants of note. The ceremony was performed by Archbishop Maguire, who sufaseftuenlty presided at the High Mass and preached for the ocoasion. UNITED STATES—A Catholic Vanderbilt The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reginald C. Vrnierbilt was recently baptised at St. Joseph's Churoh, Newrort, R.1., by the Rev. Louis J. Deady, the rector, the Rev. Wm. A. Doran assisting.