CONVERTS TO ROME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15061, 2 August 1912, Page 4

CONVERTS TO ROME.

Sir, — may interest your readers to learn a phase of tho vitality of tho Roman. Catholic Church, as seen in the number and class of her converts in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is only about 60 year.? since tho Roman hierarchy was restored in England, and during that period the notable converts to Romo from Protestantism wore as follow: clergymen of tho Church of England, 25 clergymen of the Church .of Scotland, 12 clergymen of the Church of Ireland, 13 Nonconformist ministers, 50 Anglican sisters, 29 peers, 53 peeresses, 452 members of the nobility, 42 baronets, 25 baronets' wives, 21 knights, 54 knights' wives, 203 clergymen's wives, 350 clergymen's daughters, 269 clergymen's sons, 92 of tho medical profession. 39 of the diplomatic service, 64" officers Royal navy, 306 officers in tho army, 192 of the legal profession, 35 artists, 53 of tho musical profession, 14 of the dramatic profession, and 470 poets, authors, and playwrighters. There were 5£6 graduates of Oxford University, 346 graduates of Cambridge University, 24 of Durham, 25 of London, 17 of Edinburgh, and 65 of Dublin Universities. Publio schoolmen numbered 425. Total, 3618. Of the converts, 612 became priests, 369 secular clergy, and 164 became nuns. In the United States tho figures are not up to date; • but 12 years ago tho notablo converts there to Rome wore:, 105 clergymen who entered the Roman Catholic priesthood, 33 clergymen who did not enter it, 53 of the medical profession, 93 officers in tho army and navy, 48 in tho public service and law, 51 representing literature, arts, and sciences, and 273 from • various walks in life.

In Great Britain, in the roar 1385, there* were 2198 Roman Catholic priests, but now there are 4240, probably owing to the expulsion of a good many clergy from France. Portugal, and Germany. In the. absence of a religious census in England, it is inferred from the returns of registrars of marriages that "the increase of Roman Catholics scarcely keeps pace with the population." The data for that inference seems meagre. But why do so many of the aristocracy and the rich educated middle class leave the Church of their fathers for the Church of Rome? Is it because they have not been properly Grounded in the principles of the Church of England? Is it because- of the persistent bluntness with which the Roman clergy teach how badly "the Church of England washed her face?" Or is it becj-uss they prefer the real ornate service to th© tinsel representations by Anglican ritualists' Or because of the alleged peace of mind derivable from auricular confession? Or because of their weariness of the conflicting, never-ending discussion and clash of religious opinion in the press, and amongst "rival sects? Or is it because of the untiring propaganda of tho Roman Catholic press and priesthood? ■ > ■ Possibly some of your numerous readers can tell us the reason why. And while they axe studying this question, and are consequently in an ecclesiastical frame of mind can they also toll us why it is that there is now such a " shrinkage of dissent," and why, while there are many going over to Rome, and the Church of England's petition is not satisfactory, figures show a progressive increase?" Truly it is a very interesting question. P. G. Ewi.vgto.w