Recalling the Nuns to France

New Zealand Tablet, 26 June 1913, Page 49

Recalling the Nuns to France

1 We had occasion to notice some weeks ago (writes <the special correspondent of the Catholic Times) the 'action of one of the. municipal councillors of Paris, who, tin the name of liberty, advocates the return of the nursing Sisters to the hospitals from which they have been so cruelly expelled. Contrary to what would have taken place some years ago, his proposal is to be duly examined. This proposal is founded on three reasons: first, on motives of economy ; secondly, on the opinion of the physicians; and thirdly, on the wishes of the sick people themselves. In point of economy, the difference is a notable one, for whereas the Nursing Sisters were'content to bo paid 200 francs a year, the lay sick nurses require at least 1100 francs, and although they are better paid, give inferior service. This is now abundantly proved, and both the doctors and the sick are unanimous in signifying their „ • 5 Preference for the Nuns, whose brutal expulsion has been the means of making them appreciated as they deserve. Throughout France, a perceptible movement in their favor has taken place among medical men, who, although they did not protest with sufficient energy against their removal, now proclaim the necessity of their return. At Lille, the medical men sent in a petition to this effect to the Chambers at Cherbourg, Toulouse, Annecy, Avignon, and other towns, generally on the occasion of an epidemic having broken out among the sick, the nuns have been recalled by the municipal authorities ; in Paris, M. de Buymaigre’s initiative will probably bring about their return, in some hospitals, if not in all. Id® proposes that proper attention should be paid to the wishes expressed by the sick. Owing to the replacing of the nuns only in certain hospitals, those who prefer them to the lay nurses can satisfy their preference, while those who think differently can continue to frequent the lay hospitals. It is a positive fact that the lay nurses, except, of course, those who belong to one or other of the Red Cross Associations, are not equal to the task that they have to fulfil and that, in this respect, they leave much to be desired. It is no less certain that in many hospitals nothing is more difficult than to send for a priest. A few days ago a poor woman, whose little girl was dangerously ill, startled by the gravity of the child’s condition, expressed a wish that a priest should be called in immediately. After having been sent from one functionary to another, she was informed that her request could only be granted if the petition was signed by the child father: But there is no time to lose; my child is dying.’ ‘No, no, you exaggerate; at any rate, the rule mi.*o be observed.’ Next morning at eight, the poor mother returned with a paper signed by her husband, a working man. She was received with rough words, because she came too early,’ and when, with much trouble, she secured a hearing and held out the paper, now duly signed, ‘lt is too late, your child died yesterday afternoon,’ was the answer of the functionary to whom she proffered her request. Similar incidents are of daily occurrence; where a grown person is concerned, a paper written by the sick or dying patient himself is rigorously exacted, before a priest is permitted to enter the ward. To many of these poor people, writing a letter, when in health, is a matter of difficulty; how much more so when weak, feverish, depressed by illness and awed by strange and unsympathetic surroundings! • Moreover, they know that the request they are about to make is unpopular, and, though few among them would deliberately choose to die without a priest, many are lax and indifferent Catholics who would gladly yield to a friendly suggestion, but who lack courage to take the initiative.