CATHOLICS AND PROHIBITION.

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 144, 16 December 1919, Page 4

CATHOLICS AND PROHIBITION.

(PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT.)

S THE LATEST FROM HIGH OATHOLIO AUTHORITIES IN CANADA. The following telegram is from Mr. Charles Todd, of Dunedin, and'contains some extracts from a letter received by, him on Saturday from Judge La Fontaine, of Montreal, a Professor of Laval University, Dean of the Law Faculty, member of the Board of Administration, chairman of the Prohibition. Committee of Canada, co-founder of the Anti-Alco-holic League of Montreal:— "I have followed with great interest the Prohibition movement in New Zealand". As a. temperance mau, 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 and a Judge of the Superior Court of Montreal, I am chairman of the Catholic School Board of Montreal. As to the views of the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec, and the position taken by bishops and priests, thoy are all strong temporance men, and have generaDy in every locality taken the initiative of the movement for temperance and Prohibition, and been the leaders. History, will tell, that the movement against intoxicating liquors was started some twelve years ago by His Grace Archbishop Bmchesi in Montreal, and by his Grace Archbishop (now Cardinal) Begin in Quebec, and the same thing may bo said of their colleagues in the whgle province. I am 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 the weightiest reasons do not fight to-day in favour of Prohibition' Who will deny, moreover, that public opinion demands it with greater and greater determination?" From tho pastoral letter of the Bishop of Sherbrooke "The great cause of temperance—it is my express will tha. you shall put yourself at the head of this movement in your parishes, wishing the benediction of God on you and. all those who with yon will work generously to bring'triumph to the cause of Prohibition." From the Archbishop of Montreal : "Worthy men, aided and assisted by 3'our devoted priests, hove taken in hand to clear out of your parish the trade of alcohol, by bringing into force the abovementioned law of Prohibition. Wo are anxious to toll them that they have our heartfelt support." Declaration by Archbishops and Bishops of the Plenary Council, Quebec • "The Church is therefore not yielding to imaginary fears when she appeals to'her children to organise a- vigorous campaign against one of the worst enemies, of religion' and of our native land. Tn that she remains faithful to Tier office, war to the knife with alcoholism."