The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 7 September 1911, Page 1767

The Catholic World

ENGLAND

CARDINAL MANNING AND THE WORKER. At a temperance demonstration in London in connection with the anniversary of Cardinal Manning’s birth, Mr.' William Willis read the following tribute from Mr. John Burns, who was unavoidably absent: ‘For many years I had the pleasure of the friendship of Cardinal Manning in labor, temperance, housing, and social problems. We often talked, occasionally differed, but always were the best of friends. His greatest work for the poor was in the field of temperance, and it is to him, with others of his time, much of the present and increasing sobriety of the London poor is due. In Manning Labor often had a champion and the poor always a wise and devoted friend. To enjoy his friendship' was a pleasure and to cooperate with him was one of the pleasant privileges of social service for the- community whom he so nobly served. Working'men, for whom he had a great affection, show a grateful appreciation of his services by revering his memory and advancing the temperance cause for which ho performed such signal service.’ DEATH OF A CONVERT. Canon Reginald Tuke, who died on July 15, at Dover, was born on August 27, 1839, at Dulwich, Surrey. Tie received a considerable part of his education at King’s College, London, and subsequently studied for the Anglican ministry, being at that time a member of the Church of England. Later he became curate of the Anglican Church of St, Mary the Virgin, Soho, but in 1868 was received into the Catholic Fold. After a course of theological studies in Rome he returned to England, and on March 12, 1870, was raised to the priesthood at St. Thomas’ Seminary, Hammersmith.

ITALY

THE HOLY FATHER’S GENEROSITY. Even that part of the Roman press which is avowedly hostile to everything pertaining to the Holy See has joined in the chorus of praise to his Holiness Pius X. for the generosity and prudence shown by him in restoring to something like civilised life the districts of Sicily and Calabria (says a Rome correspondent), The entire sum expended by the Pope in succouring the stricken cities, and towns amounts to over eight million francs, that is, about one million more than the total of the subscriptions sent to him. Of that sum the Holy Father expended 2,220,450 francs on the erection of churches; 1,297,142 on educational institutions; 130,350 on convents and monasteries; 700,160 on working-men’s and students’ associations; alms to those in urgent need amount to 65,652. This totals nearly four millions. For the education of orphans, for aid to families whom the earthquake has left in poverty, and for assistance to poor students the Pope has invested the other four million francs.

PORTUGAL

A CRITICAL SITUATION. The situation in Portugal (says the Catholic Times) could not be more critical. Capitalists have left or are leaving the country. For some months past they have been disposing of their properties. Commercial business is at a standstill, merchants not knowing from one day to another when civil war will break out. The Provisional Government has created serious economic difficulties. In every quarter there is misery and an absence of tranquility amongst the people. All feel that they are living in a reign of terror. Delation is the order of the day, and any one who is in good relations with the Government can get rid of persons

against .whom he has a grudge by denouncing them as conspirators against the Republic. In the pages of the official journals information supplied by spies figures largely. Some of the public institutions are closed because they are declared by the Government newspapers to be nests of conspirators, and in the Constituent Assembly accusations are preferred against Government functionaries by members of the Extreme Left. Arrests are made from day to day, amongst the prisoners being priests and people of nearly every class. The state of chaos that now prevails can hardly last much longer. - .

RUSSIA

CONVERSIONS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. When the Orthodox Russian clergy begin to treat in a spirit of tolerance those Russians who manifest a desire to offer their spiritual allegiance to the Roman See there will be in Russia very large accessions to the ranks of the Catholics who acknowledge the supremacy of the Holy Father. Even now, despite the difficulties placed in the way, conversions (says the Catholic limes) are numerous. Since the promulgation of the Ukase granting freedom of worship, four hundred thousand members of the Orthodox body have joined the Catholic Church. At present not a week passes in which the question of conversions is not discussed by the Orthodox Consistory at Minsk. Even the chief Procurator of the Holy Synod has admitted that the Orthodox Church is not holding its own against the Roman See. The Wiedomosti, of St. Petersburg reproaches the Orthodox clergy • with having failed to prevent the conversions. They have, it says, been wanting in activity and have not sufficiently instructed their flocks. When their parishioners left churches empty and accepted the Catholic faith, the pastors appeared to be indifferent. The Wiedomosti urges that they should be more zealous, and that they should without delay set about erecting more churches. But it is unlikely that the adoption of the suggestions would stop the progress of the Catholic Church in Russia. The Russians understand well enough what are the Orthodox claims, and their religious attitude will not be much affected by the building of new cxiiirciics.

SCOTLAND

ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY. The Holy Father has appointed the Right Rev Monsignor Fraser, Rector of the Scots’ College, Rome * in representative at the celebrations in honor ot the 500th anniversary of the founding of St. Andrews University. These celebrations take place from September 12 to 15. • 1 A NOTABLE SILVER JUBILEE. am 0n l uly 12 Solemn High Mass was. said in the Abbey, Fort Augustus, in celebration of the silver jubilee of the Sub-Prior, Dorn Oswald Hunter-Blair. As a theologian Dom Oswald Hunter-Blair has contributed much that will live to literature. Many congratulatory messages reached him on his jubilee, the laitv joining with the clergy in the good wishes.