THE CATHOLIC WORLD

New Zealand Tablet, 27 February 1919, Page 39

THE CATHOLIC WORLD

GENERAL. Bishop Maglione, of Berne, Switzerland, has received from Cardinal Hartmann, Archbishop of Cologne, twenty cases containing religious ornamentswhich were taken from the diocese of Rheims by German soldiers. They will be sent to France. Accredited to the Holy See, at present, as Ambassadors and Ministers are: Spain, Prussia, Russia, Holland, Portugal, Great Britain, Belgium, Austria, Bavaria, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Argentine, Chili, St. Dominique, and Monaco. CANADA'S CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY. There is a Catholic Truth Society in Canada, through the activities of which people throughout the Dominion are learning a great deal about the Church. At the head of the organisation is Archbishop McNeil, who is patron and spiritual director. Mr. James P. Murray, J.P., is the president. The latter gives every moment of his spare time to the furtherance of the cause. The society has pleasant rooms in Toronto’s Catholic Civic Centre Building at 67 Bond Street. The work of the organisation is carried on through committees. The committee on sermons reports that during the., year fourteen sermons were preached in as many churches on behalf of the society. Another important committee plans and carries out lectures by laymen. Still another most effective medium for giving necessary information is the hotel church register. The register is a neat affair—a frame holding a card (changeable at will) on which may be given the names and street of local churches : hours of Mass, both Sunday and week days, and vespers. Also the names and addresses of one or more priests. The library and publication committee is one of the most important sections of the entire organisation. During the last year there were purchased leaflets, pamphlets, and paper-covered books numbering 134.000 copies. Catholic soldiers going abroad were supplied with prayer books, rosaries, scapular medals, and “Acts of Contrition.” In addition to these Catholic soldiers in hospitals have been given the articles of devotion asked for. Catholic newspapers, magazines, and books have, been sent to the soldiers over sea and have been distributed to the men in hospital at home. The remailing committee has sent out hundreds of Catholic publications. The committee has on its books the names of 426 people who are re-mailing individual papers or magazines to addresses furnished them by the society. . J AN INSPIRING SIGHT. From many of our missionaries we have received interesting accounts of the Corpus Christi processions held in their respective districts (says an exchange). From Borneo, Father Wackier writes; “Yesterday we had such a grand demonstration of Catholic faith. Ah through the village we carried our Lord in triumph, and from all the country around the people came to take part in the procession and to lift their voices in praise and thanksgiving to their Creator and Redeemer. How heaven must have rejoiced at the spectacle! * ’

Another letter from Borneo, written by [Mother Mary, reads: “We have just had our Corpus Christi procession. It is most edifying to see these wild Dyaks walking so reverently side "by side, all in their native dress, some carrying banners and all reciting their prayers most fervently. The four who carry the canopy and the bearer of the mission cross dress in white cassocks with red scarfs hanging from the shoulders.” NO RIGHT TO CHOSE CHURCHES. The Supreme Court of Kansas, U.S.A., has ruled that Boards of Health have no right to close churches. The Board of Health of the City of Wichita had issued an order closing churches due to influenza. Application was made in the District Court fox* an injunction restraining the board from closing the churches ; and in support of the plea it was shown that the Board of Health was not constituted according to law; that there was no ordinance permitting the establishment of a quarantine ; that the meetings of the Board of Health were not conducted in an orderly manner j Unit no records ot the proceedings were kept, and—most important point of allthat, although the chinches, schools, and theatres had been closed, large crowds had been permitted to gather in department stores, depots, restaurants, drug-houses, street cars—87 persons had been counted in one car; and that after the quarantine had been established a dinner for the newsboys had been given at which 200 were present. Judge Bird, who heard the arguments, granted the injunction. The city authorities, who backed up the action of the board, took an appeal to the Supreme Court of the State, which has upheld Judge Bird. WILL, RELIGION SUFFER? There are those in Germany who fear that religion may suffer seriously in the Socialistic Republic or Republics which may be evolved out of the revolution now in progress (says the Catholic Time .s). They are alarmed for the teaching in the schools, for the ’property of the religious houses and missions, and lest conditions may be introduced which would make it difficult for the clergy to secure support. On the other hand, many of the leading Catholics hold that the Cathohc Church has no reason to apprehend greater difficulties under any form of government which makes for the increased liberty of the citizen, and in these days only such a regime can be established in Germany. They are convinced that though anything in the nature of an accumulation of property for religious purposes may be forbidden by law. the free support of the clergy and the churches by the people cannot be prohibited. In fact, they contend that the new developments which are taking place will only remove from religion fetters that obstructed its activity, and will give it additional vitality. The Centre Party have been closely watching the different currents of thought and have taken up a strong position. They are issuing appeals in favor of the maintenance of public order and of the principles of Christian Democracy.