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New Zealand Tablet, 10 August 1911, Page 1543

Representatives of. the - Dominicans, the Augustinians, the Salesians, the ( Jesuits, and other religious bodies have given glimpses of. what their brethren have done in the past and are doing at present to preserve and extend the nation’s influence. ' Father Miguel,del Val told how closely the history of Spain is bound up with that of the Dominicans, and how much Columbus, , the discoverer of the New World, was indebted to that Order. Father Martinez gave an account of the many sacrifices which the Spanish Augustinians made : for the progress of religion and education - not only in Spain but also in the South American republics and iii China. So far back as 1575 members : of that Order used their good offices to improve the relations between the Spanish Government and the Chinese authorities. Father Fierro assured the Commission that the Salesians in earning on their , social and philanthropic work, avoided politics. They admitted into their houses- Republicans, Radicals, Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, Carlists, Integrists, and others', and respected the opinions of all. In their commercial and technical schools they prepared thousands for useful careers. Father Astrain related how the Spanish Jesuits had held aloft the lamp of learning, and had rendered inestimable services by establishing the worldrenowned Meteorological Observatory . of Manila and other famous institutions for the promotion of science. Clearly by injuring such benefactors Spain would be pursuing a suicidal course. THE ASSOCIATIONS BILL. An agitation has been set on foot in Spain against the Associations Bill, and the Spanish Catholics 1 aie showing an appreciation of the value of' protests adopted by public assemblages. A great meeting of Catholic representatives has been held in the capital, and the hai sliest clauses of the Bill have been denounced by some of the best orators of Spain in vigorous language. Speaker after speaker insisted on the necessity of treating the members of the religious Orders with as much tolerance as men who belong to Anarchist clubs and secret societies, and of coming to -an understanding with the Holy See before the measure is advanced another stage. If the Spanish Catholics (remarks the Catholic Times) defend the Orders in this way, holding meetings in the different centres Of population, dissecting the Bill, and bringing home to all classes the injury done to the interests of. Spain by the religious strife which the Government is provoking, they will in the end deprive thg Premier of the power of doing mischief. When statesmen . see that - the majority of the people are against/ their proposals, they quickly alter their plans, and there is no mode of making this impression upon them so effective as. that of the public meeting. ; , . UNITED STATES ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD. Five converts from Protestant Episcopalianism were elevated to the priesthood recently in Philadelphia. They are the Rev. Fathers Bowles, Bourne, Gromoll, Hayward, and Hawkes— ‘ five splendid men (remarks the Lamp), and destined, no doubt, to do a glorious work for God and Holy Church. 1 . GENERAL IRISH COLLEGE, SALAMANCA. The Rev. Denis O’Doherty (Elphin) has-been appointed Rector of the Irish . College, Salamanca, in succession to his brother, the Most Rev. Michael Doherty, who has; been appointed Bishop of Zamboanga (Philippines).;* -