THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 248, 18 October 1909, Page 5

THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS.

LANDMARK IN CHURCH HISTORY. NEXT CONGRESS IN NEW ZEALAND The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan and the Rev. Father Edge returned by the Win!mera yesterday from the third Australasian Catholic Congress, which wa» I opened by his Eminence Cardinal Mora* on Monday, September 27 in the Cardinal's Hall, St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. The principal aim of the Congress wa* to bring Catholic teaching in theory and practice under public notice, and the gathering a3 such ranks as the most insI portant and successful of its order that has ever been held in Australasia. Iα the course of a conversation this morning a Pressman was informed that the •papers, discussions, and deliberation! were remarkable for their evidence of serious thought, broad and erudite reasoning, and an absence of parochialism. Men of the highest theological and scientific attainments contributed opinions and papers on the various subject* under discussion, the educational question as it affects the Cathoiic community being one of the foremost matters i» point of importance and interest. Cardinal Moran put forward a scheme, in the eoiirse of the Congress, for pecuniary support from the Government towards Catholic schools, in which he asked for proportionate contributions from the trustees of the country for Catholic and non-Catholic schools. He argued that Catholics hare at the present time in Australia and New Zealand to pay twice for their education —for the maintenance for the State school and for that cf their own F-chools, and the Cardina-l instanced how in England, Holland, Germany and Canada a plan was followed similar to that which they wished to see in operation in Australasia —Ca.tholies and Jews in those countries receiving pecuniary aid from the Government, while being allowed to manage their own schools, always, of course, following the State curriculum, to which is added religious instruction. The Catholic hierarchy had set its face steadfastly against secular education since its institution in the colonies, and now the. other religious communities were awaking to the danger of such a system by asking for the introduction of the Bible into schools. The Catholics saw the mistake art the outset and accordingly, notwithstanding the great expense involved. The Congress was an unqualified success, both from an educational and from a social viewpoint, and representatives were present from every diocese in Ne-w Zealand, both clergy and laymen being well represented, while no pains were spared to entertain the visitors to the Congress, conversaziones and concerts being arranged to lighten the more serious part of the business. It is interesting to note that the extension to St. Mary's Cathed"ad, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Cardinal on the concluding day of the CongTe=B, is expected to cost between £100.000 and £-150.000, the pi e>sent building having absorbed already about a quarter of a million. An excursion was made to Springwood on the Monday following the conckr-ion of business, where the fine i=ss §S. Co-lumba's Missionary College, built oi Pyrmont stone in (HO acres of freehold, was opened entirely free, of debt. The Congress generally is considered to have established itself as a landmark in the history of the Church in Aus- ! bralaeia. The" next one is to be held ; in Wellington, Xew Zealand, in five years' ' time, and already hope has been express.cd by many Australians that portion of i the proceedings may be held in Auck- - land. Cardinal Moran himself, though over SO years of age. looks forward with pleasure to being able to participate in it, and incidentally of again visiting Auckland.