CATHOLICS AND PROHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 70, 16 December 1919, Page 11

CATHOLICS AND PROHIBITION

THE LATEST FROM HIGII CATHOLIC AUTHORITIES IN CANADA. (Published by Arrangement.) Tho following telegram is from Sir. Charles Todd, of Duuedin, and contains somo extracts from a letter received by him on Saturday. from Judgo La Fontaine, of Montreal, a Professor of Laval University, Lean of the Law Faculty, member of the Board of Administration, chairman of the Prohibition Committee of Canada, co-founder of the Anti-Alcu-liolie League of Montreal:— "I have followed with great interest tho prohibition movement in New Zenland. A.s a temperance man, having been identified with the movement in Quebec, I will bo permitted to say that it is not presumption on my part to assume that I can speak with certainty on this subject. Besides being a Roman Catholic ami a Judge of the Superior Court of Montreal, I am chairman of tho Catholic School Board of Montreal. As to tho views of the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec and the position taken by Bishops and priests, they are all strong temperance men, and have generally in every locality taken tho initiative of tho movement for temperance aud prohibition and been tho leaders. History will tell that the movement against intoxicating liquors was started somo twelve years ago by His Grace Archbishop. Eruehesi in Montreal, anil by His Grace Archbishop (now Cardinal) Begin in Quebec, and the same .thing may bo said of their colleagues in tho whole province. lam sending herewith extracts and copies of letters, wishing you success,' in your good and great enterprise."

From His Eminence Cardinal Begin, Archbishop of Quebec: "Who will venture to assert that in our region of Quebec tho weightiest masons do not fight to-day in favour of prohibition? Who will deny, moreover, that public opinion demands it with greater and greater determination ':" From the pastoral letter of Iho Bishop of Shcrbrooke "The great cnuso of temperance—it is my express will that you shall put youi-felf at the head of this movement in your parishes, wishing tho benediction of Gud on you and all thoso who with you will work generously to bring triumph to the cause of prohibition." From tho Archbishop of Montreal: "Worthy men, aided and assisted by your devoted priests, have taken in hand to clear out of your parish the trade of alcohol by bringing into i'orco tha above-mentioned law 01 prohibition. Wo aro anxious to toUthein that they have our heartfelt support." Declaration by Archbishops audßishops at the Plenary Council, Quebec: "The Church is thercioie not yielding to imaginary fears when she appeals to her childrcu to organist) a vigurous campaign against one of tho worst enemies of religion and of our native land. In that she remains faithful to her office, war lo tho knife with alcoholism." The Latest from Father Cronin. Father Cronin has cabled the following statement, which is of striking importance to all Catholics, of Irish birth or descent;— "At the annual meeting of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, held in Dublin on November li>, tho priests advocated prohibition of the liquor traffic. —l-'ath'.i- Uvuin, Ratl'.more.