GREAT QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 41, 12 October 1905, Page 3

GREAT QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

THE AUSTRALIAN PLENARY COUNCIL'S PASTORAL LETTfcR

(Con Jaded from Last Week.)

Catholic Truth Society A great deal has been done in this direction by the OaUiohc Truth Societies already established in England, Ireland, America, and, last of all, in Australia ; and to the strengthening and spread of this most useful and necessary work we would nwite the attention of all whom we address, and bespeak their assistance 'for it. Australia's population is n<ot dense enough to make the Catholic Truth Society's work succeed without encouragement and help from the leaders of the Cat'hohc peo-plc ; but we have no doubt that with si-ch assistance it will be well established • and we earnestly incite the co-operation of all loner's of Catholic truth, especially the clergy and leading members of the laity, in a work which the needs of our times have made one of the first importance. Little if any, sacrifice would be required to obtain ten thousand members of tflic Catholic Truth Society from: the mil ion Catholics of AustiaMa, each paying an annual subscription of five shillings If eveiy parish provided one subscriber for e\orv 'hundred of its people the Society would have over ten thousand members, and an amrnal income of more than two thousand pounds to devote to its noble purpose. Parochial Llfrraries Another means of checking the influence of bad literature, and also of spreading ' the blessings to be derived from giood reading, is the parish library. The establishment, and maintenance of a library in every parish' w. a S most urgently recommended to all pastors by the Bishops in the Second Plenary Council, and we would again exihoort all to awaken their zeal in effectively promoting this most useful work. The Press I- * The help to religion that we may expect from the newspaper press is no small one 5n these days of übiquitous journalism. So many things are provided to

the readers of the penny papers that few of them hay« time to read anything besides their newspaper. It Is then a, matter of much consequence that correct news concerning religious affairs should be found in the press. There can be no question that, in respect of it's treatment of things Catholic, the action and tone of the secular press has undergone a vast improver ment of late years. But it is also true that (there yet remains much to be changed before we shall foe satisfied' that our religious doings receive the attention they are entitled to as affairs interesting to a large section of Ib/> p)uMic, and that we are dealt with in a perfectly imjpartial spirit. In bringing about this desirable condition much can be done by the Catholic laity, especially those in a position to influence ic-urnalistic management. If laymen whor are so circumstanced kept themselves well fc» touch with journalists, and sibowed an anxiety for the equitable presentment of Church matters, the Catholic cause would profit considerably. Towards that section of the press which is Catholic in purpose and in management, all Catholics owe A Duty of Support and Encouragement. The publication of a newspaper is^ an undertaking, of no small) responsibility and expense ; and its success defends entirely on the help provided by its readers. It is to ha feared that many of our people do not realise their responsibility in this matter. They do 'not take the interest they should take in the welfare ol the Church ; and so they are content with the small cuan'tity, of news about the Chiurch they get in 'the secular papers. This is not as it should be. Those who can afford to subscribe to a Catholic paper should do so. Some indeed are so heedless in this matter, a 9 to spend their money in the support of periodicals that are positively hostile to religion, and a danger to Christian imiorality ; and they seem to think it no harm to ib'rin'g into their homes, and under the eyes of their youjng children, pages that must plant in unsuspecting minds the seeds of indifference to the truth of -Oat'ho'lic faith and to the sanctity of Christian virtue. Such carelessness is criminal ; amd would readily be condemned as such, 'if it were question of the adulteration of tJhe bodily food of their children. But, since it is ai tyuQsti'o-n of poisoning the mind instead 1 of the body, they are so "blind to the spiritual welfare as not to sco the harm for which they are responsible. Cathode Home Life As a meainai of 'building up the Kingdom of God and. of realising tjhe highest aims of the Oatflwlic Church, tihere is nothing of more value and efficacy than tho influence of home life. So potent indeed is the influence of a badly-conducted home on children that, not all the zcatof pastors, nor all the efforts of teachers' can withstand it , and both priests and teacher are often saddened to bee their labors made fruitless by the evil effects of a child's home. On tho other h.wd, the good Christian home is the natural seminary of virtue and knowledge ; am-d in its inflrence !s superior to any school whatever. The truth just stated contains a principle, that is at the \ery root of the Chlurch's action in the domain of education, <a pi i -vci pie which should be well understood ?.n>\ acted up on by every Catholic parent. The home is the child s first school , its mother is its first ieaeher ; and first impressions last the longest. Then, e\en after tho days of infancy are over, .the influence! of homo is more potent in a child's training than any Oliver, because it is more pervading and more 'uuHv/dual, and, being conducted rather by example than: by precept, it is more telling. For the grownup members of the family, too, the home means a groat deal. How much of the sin and misery oj the world isl due to unfortunate domestic conditions, and how miudh virtue and happiness proceed from wellordered homes, we can hardly realise. Now, in the ideal home, which at the same time owes its existence to Christianity and is one of its most exquisite rroduct'S, while perfection arises from the excellence of all its parts, there is no question that the chief role is thiat Of the mother. Here is woman's place of proper pride and useful power ; this is the domain of her n gilut >s, and the field of her blessednesis. Marriage Tho fo'i-idation and starting point of the Christian home is the Christian marriage— thiat ivaion of hearts and lmeis which God instituted in Eden, and which the Redeemer of our fallen race restored to its original design, and raised to the dignity of one of His se\en Sacraments. Where the doctrine of Christ on marriage, asf interpreted arid defended by His Qhurcih, is not held, not only is tttie ideal Christian family out of question, but the gravest dangers threaten the

entire fabric of society. Those, on the other hand, who eim at the full realisation of the ideal Christian family, will look on marriage with the eyes of Christ and His Church, and they will run no risks of not securing their own united and enduring peace, a!njd the true welfare of the offspring that God may send them. Instead of rushing blindly into a life-union through' the instinct ol a thoughtless passion, they will well consider the choice thai may help them to make a imi'ori of minds' and hearts, to lead a united life in tjhis life as a preparation for an eternal union in Heaven. The Catholic who wishes to establish a home such as wo contemplate, will make it a chief point in his choice that his life-^partner share his faith. Forbidden to him will be those unions, unfortunately freq/uent among v's in Australia, where the interests of Faith are set aside for sordid interests or worldly advantage ; in which those whom God's ordinance has joined together cannot worship at the same altar, nor unite with their children in praying to their Father In Heaven. His aim should be to create in his homo a sanctuary of domestic peace and Christian virtue, not) a| ischool of indiftexentisim and W'orldlilnes'S. Hi 9 idea of the inauguration of married life agrees with Tertullian's who said, seventeen hundred years ago: ' WhO can express the happiness of that marriage which the Church approves, which the Sacrifice (the Mass) confirms, and which "blessing seals ; angels anBOunce it, and the Father ratifies ? ('ad uxorem lib. 2 cap. ult '). We would impress on the minds of both clergy and laity the necessity of leaving nothing undone toi enhance The Sanctity of Marriage. The places where it cannot be, as it should be, celebrated with the Nuptial Mass, are now very few in 'Australia. We beg of the clergy to be instant in missions' and parochial instructrions, in setting "before the people the high ideals of the Church on marriage, and the Duality of them. Once the people hecome familiar with them, the blot on our Catholicity of mixed marriages will soon be removed, and these undesirable unions will be tboinght of 'by such only as are Catholics merely in name. Parents who realise the responsibility that God has placed upon them will carefully attend to everything that affects their children's welfare Having procured without delay their child's rebirth in the saving 1 waters of Baptism, they will so arrange that everything around their child shall tend to develop the growth of faith and piety in its heart and mind, and that every noxious influence shall be removed. Every mother should be able to say what Queen Blanche used to say to her infant son, afterwards Louis tihe Ninth, King of France, arid canonised saint : " I love you, my dear son, with all the tenderness a mother is capable of, but 1 would infinitely rather see yiou fall down dead at my feet than that you should ever commit a mortal sin.' A mother who can say Uhia to her child will train its earliest thoughts amd words to God in prayer, and she Avill herself begin those simple lessons of Christian truth on which a sinless life is based. Some parents seem disposed to neglect altogether the duty of teaching, especially when their children are old enough; to go lo school. In doing so they neglect a thing of much value, both to their children and themselves. 'Children will certainly think more of what they know their parents appreciate, and parents themselves will sometimes profit by rehearsing , the Christian Docttrine), while the proper relations between 'both of respect and submission must be enhanced by the practice. It almost goes without 'saying that Catholic parents worthy of the name will send their children to A Catholic School, will indeed regard it as one of the blessings of a good Providence that they have the opportunity of doing so ; ■and if, for any reason they are obliged to commit them to the care of a non-Catholic school, they will redouble -their 7,eal in providing for the children's instruction in religious knowledge, and in caring for thoir regularity in the observance of religious duiies The few who stand ap-art from the Church and from Ihe \ast niaioritv of Caiholi'S m this matter surely 'nine under the censure of St Paul, when he said, ' Rut if any man ba\e not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith!, and is worse than an infidel ' (I Tim 5, 8). Tn the estimation of a Catholic parent the days of his child's First Communion and Confirmation should be joyous days of no ordinary kind, as everything should be done, not only to increase the sacred

solemnity of those events, but what is of more consequence,, ix> secure the proper dispositions in the child itself, for drawing from them the graces they can so I plentifully hestow. If parents Wave often to complain of the waywardness of children;, and of their want of respect and obedience, it is to be feared that very often the cause Is in the parents themselves. The Holy Spirit say» in Rcc'letsdastious (30, 8), ' A horse not broken becometh stubborn ; and a child left to himself becomouh headstrong ' To train dumb -animals /people realise the necessity of discipline and of the exercise of authority ;■, but miany parents seem to ISvink that children will grow up as they ought without the one or tibe other. Than this pkrents can' make no greater mistake ; and it is a mistake leading to the most serious results. It is one that,, must be brought home tx> all concerned, if we are to lessen the reproach to our holy religion, cast by the. considerable number of those who in the early days of manhood and womanhood go aside from the path that Religion Clearly Marks Out for Them. Parents do not, as a rule, need admonition- i<n the matter of arranging for their children's life-calling ; and Australian Catholic parents have, generally shown, both by th-eir demand for a euiperior class of secular instruction, and by the frequent sacrifices they make to give their children the best preparation they can for life, that they are not wamting in tihe laudable ambition of seeing their children taking the highest places in the life oif the nation. Sometimes, indeed, this generally praiseworthy desire of promoting their children's worldly status is the occasion of the children's failure ; and instances are not wanting where those who have been prepared for a professional career, but have mot shown the necessary aptitude or indinstry, become failures, while they would probably have succeeded as tradesmen or mechanics. All parents who may not prepare their children for the higher walks of life should, if possible, provide them with some useful trade.i The old prejudice agaimst trades, is tnaw disappearing. Catholic parents who love their Faith will entertain the hope of seeing some of their children called to the special service of God in the ecclesiastical or religioius state ; and when the signs of a divine vocation begin to appear, such parents will do everything they can to forward their child's design and provide for the execution of it. As the world has lately witnessed, the clerical state in the Catholic Church, e\en in its highest grades, is closed to no walk of life , but it is to be feared that many a young soul which has felt the call to higher things has, through the world I mess of its home surroundings, been thwarted in its high aspirations. Is not this reflection a sufficient reason in itself for making Catholic homes, be they high or low in the world's view, places where God's blessing may dwell, and where the call to follow Him may be heard and dutifully obeyed.? Nol less ca>re should be exercised by parents in regard to those of their children whose call is to be settled in life In the married state. Instead of leaving thlftir growin'g-up sons and daughters •.to form their ideas of life and the way to settle in it from the fraq<uent unfortunate instances occurring in the world around them, wise parents will,, with prudence and tactfiulness, let their children know what is the right thins to do ; and they will encourage them to take the occasion that may offer of a useful and honorable settlement. Influence of Parental Example We have dwelt on some of the points that parents should attend to in order to "carry out the high id eta? -of tihe Catholic home ; there sire other points no loss necessary, referring to the things which, in this connection, should most carefully be avoided. If children's minds and hearts are readily moulded to dwty and virtue, they are unfortunately also most susceptible to the opposite impressions. They receive in Baptism the divine virtue of Faith, which, hka a fruitful seed, will cause to germinate in their lTOiocrlnt souls the beautiful flowers of every Christian \irtuo, but they also bear within them as a sad inheritance the effects of original sin, which make ihem n rone to ignorance and vice. In the formation of Uioir hiaibuts, the example of those around them hast an influence quiite singular a/nd more powerful than anything else ; and hence the importance of giving them good example. The obligation tying on parents of not giving bad example to their young childw is of the strictest nature ; and those who fail in tms matter should reflect on the awful warning of Our Lord, Who said of all who cause children to sin :

BuU be 1 tbat shall scandalise one jof these little- tones tfoat beheive in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck and that he should t*s (drowned in the depths of tbe sea' (St Mlatth^ 18, &). How many children learn from ' the example of their own parents habits of sinful language,, ofl -umgoveraed longer, of neglect of the sacred duties of religion ; and although these same parents may salve their consciences by frequently exhorting their children to duty and virtue, they cannot expect to escape fihei anger of God, Who is jealous of the virtue of the little ones He has entrusted to their care. Influence of Companionship and Reading Another, frequent cause of the early loss /of innocence m . childhood is the example of those around them, and especially of the companions of their own age. How sensitive parents would be in keeping their little ones from • any companion infected with bodily disease of a contagious nature ! If they are less carefu*m choosing com Panions whose conversation and . conduct 4s free from the contagion of vice, tto tlhev not show ai strange perversion of judgment ? Somo ES^i. are -, Ver E careless & guarding their children from the evil influences of books and papers. There are many printed things which grown-up people may read with impunity, but which should be forbiddei to children And there is, alas ! in our midst much printed matter that should be forbidden to any Catholic or decent man, and it is carelessly allowed to fall into the hands of innocent children. Again let us remark the difference of care bestowed on the body and on tihe soul. Parents who would not think any care too great to ensure the soundness and purity of the food they put 011 the family table, have little or no- scruple in allowing their children, to poison their minds with bad reading. It is a rare thing, but not unknown, for parents to show a want of respect for their children by exposing in tfoear homes pictures that one might excuse in thl house of a pagan, but would never expect to see in %, ? hri ? tl ! B home - Here a § ain > Parents should reflect that what may do them no greater harm than to betray, to visitors their bad taste, may be an occasion of scandal. to the young. Let parents rather adorn J r ,^f wih the best pictures they can procure, S?» ™ rel + T° US s^i^ 5 b e not inferior to the secular. Thus they will at the salmo time teach their own household to know and respect sacred things and profess openly to all that their religion is one oi which nobody need be ashamed. Religious, Charitable, and Benefit Societies 1 • P^ T ?¥ is one of comoi *es and unions of every kind and for every purpose, and it is universally recognised that the best way to ac'qame strength and permanency is to join individual forces in a union. Iho Catholic Church, herself a divinely-constituted and necessary society, in keeping with the spirit of the times, blesses and fosters within her fold many voluntary unions of her children, the purpose of which is to promote more efficiently than separate individual action could, some cause of spiritual welfare or charitable help, or combined apiritual and temporal benefit lye confraternities and sodalities belong to the first of these classes, the associations of charity to the second,, an-d the Catholis benefit societies to the third ttYrf™ associations,, under the different S ,f ° f /^fraternities,, sodalities, societies, or guilds when conducted according to the Rurposp of their foundation, and with the necessary regularity and activity are a source of strength and blessing, both to the individuals who join them and to the Church itself. In Australia we have an abundant supply of these associations, and we exhort you, dearly beloved "l f *£ preci , ate their advantages, and to make good use of them for your own and the Church's beThe confraternities of the Sacred Heart, the Anostleship of Prayer, the Sodality of Children of Mary the confraternities of the Rosary and of the Blessld Sacrament, are now very generally established throughout the Commonwealth ; and there is no doubt that th!t rZT?, y fUTnis i have ffonc far to p rod « ce 1 7*-lil,approacfhmg7 *- l i l , approacfhmg the M ? Sacraments, which is a beautiful and consoling custom of large numbers of devout Catholics. No pastor who is truly anxious for the well-feeing of 'his parish will negleYt to establish and maintain in regularity such of these sodalities as are fcoet suited to the different needs of tas people ; and all Catholics who are earnestly desirous of ensuring their own regularity in the salutary practices of the Christian life will avail of the opportunity of toeing enrolled in a confraternity, and will carefully observe the requirements of its rules

Charitable Organisation's, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, can do much good, especially in the larger centres of population. Combining as they do, in the spirit of genuino Christian charity, tbe relief of spiritual and of bodilyi needs,, they! are a source of numerous unrecorded feles-« sin'gis to the objects of their assistance as well as to the members themselves. We heartily wish to see these charitable organisations widespread and active, Yotutmg men's societies, boys' clubs, and sailors' homes combine spiritual advantages with temporal in a wara that is productive of much good for the members, and afford to the zeal of their promoters a scope for exercise and a hope of success that would be unattainable butj for the gathering together of tlhe mem-< bjers m a union. Muoh, however, of the success oft these works depends on the aptitude and zeal of their, promoters. They are not, like the ordinary machinery of parochial administration, things that, to a large extent, will go by themselves ■; but, under the prudent management of directors,, who are able and willine jbo guide them, they can do a great deal of good for ' a class on whose welfare much depends. Societies "of this kind, however, need special care to preserve them m full Gatfoohcity of tone and action ; failing which they cease to be of any advantage to their members or, to the Ohlurch. Benefit Societies. which hove fior their object provision against the day of sickness and misfortune, are now a generally acknowledged necessity for a very large number of our Australian people. The State Governments, recoenisina their usefulness, have taken them under the protection of useful laws and official supervision, which 00 far towards securing their financial soundness. The benefit societies in Australia which are for Catholics and haje the approval and blessing of the Church, are tfoa HAjtfenuam-Ajustralias^an Catholic Benefit Society tbe Australasian Holy Catholic Guild, and, where their amended constitutions have been adapted, the Irish. National Foresters. These societies already number on their rolls some 33,500 members ; and they are ever?, day spreading into all such districts as are popuW-s enough to maintain a 'branch. It is our wish that their advantages be brought to every parish, and- thai) Catholics who join a 'benefit society should join onlvi olio of those established under Catholic auspices. In conclusion, Dearly Beloved Brethren we repeat to you the words of the Apostle : ' Watch ye • stand fast, in the faith, do manfully and be strengthened. Let all your things be done in charity' (I. Cor 16 13). Wo exftotrt you to renew your cottfidiance in. th« promisca of God to His Holy Church, remembering that your trust is founded on Him Who said • ' Have confidence, I have overcome the world ' (St. John 16' 33). Keep before you constantly the Divine ideal <t<! re-establish all Ming's an Christ ' (Epn. 1, 10') wWoh St. Paul set b-efore the first Christians, and 'our 'Holy Hate Pope Pms X. has chosen as the ideal of himselt ain'd of all Christians in those days. To this end toe renewed in the spirit of your mind ; and put'on the now man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth' (E'ph. 4, 25). Make sure of (lie one thing necessary, your eternal salvation by, the devout and persevering exercise of prayer the fretq.uejntaiion of the Holy Sacraments, and the faithful discharge of the duties of your state of life, Kealise, how you bear in your daily lives the honor of the Christian name, and how much the conversion of tihose that are without depends on the edification they shall receive from you. Let the light of your, taith *so shine before men, itfoat they may see your good works, awl glorify your Father, Who is in Heaven ' (St. Matt. 5, 16). But, as it was the charity witon which they loved one another attracted the admiration of those outside the Church for the faithiul of the Apostolic age, so also may you best expect to re-establish in Christ those who are now without Him, (by emulating amongst yourselves the Heavenborn charity of the early Christians, ' Let all your things be 'djomo in charity.' During these days ot our Council we have had the privilege of 'assisting at the solemn dedication of The Noble Cathedral which fe/ithful hands have reared in the Hotter See of Australasia to the honor of Almighty God, under the invocation of Our Lord's Immaculate Mother The occasion is a fitting one to renew the 'homage to the awgusti Queen! of Heaven, which the Fathers 'of the first Oouoicil of. the Australian Province in 1844 decreed in choosing as Patroness of Australia Oui Blessed Lady, Help .of Christians. We can wish you Dearly Beloved Brethren, no greater blessing than to hope that you may ever keep yourselves umder the

guidance of her who was the Morning Star of our Faith, iarod that through the stormy sea of life she may ever direct your course, in innocence or in perianoe, to the shore of our heavenly home. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Gi\en at St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on the feast of Our Lady's 'Nativity, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and five, and appointed to toe read in all the churches under our jurisdiction. 4- PATRICK FRANCIS CARDINAL MORAN, Archbishop of Sydney and Delegate Apostolic. 4* THOMAS JOHN CARR, Archbishop of Melbourne. 4« ROBERT DUNNE, Archbishop of Brisbane. 4« DANIEL MURPHY, Archbishop of Hobart. 4«JOHN O'REILY, Archbishop of Adelaide. 4< MICHAEL KELLY, Titular Archbishop of Acrida. 4« JAMiLS MURRAY, Bishop of Maitland. 4« STEPHEN REVILLE, Bishop of Sandhurst. 4< MATTHEW GIBNEY. Bishop of Perth. 4> JOHN DUNNE, Bishop of Wilcannia. 4* JAMES FRANCIS CORBET T, Bishop of Sale. 4* JEREMIAH J. DOYLE, Bishop of Lismore. 4* JOSEPH HIGGINS, Bishop of Ballarat. 4« PATRICK DEL ANY, Titular Bishop of Laranda. 4« JOHN GALLAGHER, Bishop of Goulburn. 4« PATRICK VINCENT DWYER, Titular Bishop of Zoara 4« JAMES D. MURRAY, Titular Bishop of Issus. 4« WILLIAM B. KELLY, Bishop of Geraldton. 4* JOHN DUNNE, Bishop of Bathurst. 4« PATRICK JOSEPH 0 CONNOR. Bi&liop of Armidale, FULGENTIUS TORRES, 0.5.8., Abbot Nulhus of New Norcia WILLIAM MASON WALSH, Administrator of Rockhampton. JOHN H. NORTON, Procurator of the Bishop of Port Augusta.