WAKE UP, CATHOLICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 9

WAKE UP, CATHOLICS.

Sir,—Mr. Win. S. Aickin desires that ministers should show more consideration to those who object to crosses, candles, and other symbols characteristic of the Ritualist and Catholic Churches, but has he exhibited a like feeling for those who reverence them for what they represent? In the Old Law the Almighty Himself ordained that lighted chandeliers should adorn the tabernacle. The lights upon our altars have both a symbolical ar.d' a historical manning,. In the primitive days of the Church, ' Christianity was not tolerated by the 'pagan world, and Christians were consequently obliged to assemi) foi piblii! v.orship in the catacombs of Rome.- As these hidden apartments did not .iclsnit ths light of the sun, the faithful vv!,:;, obliged to have lights even in open day. Lighted candles have also ■ a symbolical meaning. They represent our Saviour, who is "the light of the world," and without whom we should all be wardering in the darkness of paganism. But a few years ago and the Protestant world was united in denouncing all our altar decorations as abominations or Popery. ■ To-day a better spirit prevails. The most respectable portion of the Episcopal Protestant Church don our vestments, they swing our censer, erect altars in their churches, and adorn them with flowers and \candlestick/}. The cross now surmounts many churches where the * : f?ht of one was once viewed with horror. The demolition of images was revived by the Reformers sof the sixteenth century. A stranger who visits some of the desecrated CathoMc churches of Great Britain and the Continent, which are now used as Protestant temples, cannot fail to , notice the mutilated statues of the saints still standing in their niches. This baric warfare against religious memorials was not only a grievous sacrilege, but an outrage against the fine arts; and had the destroying, angels extended their ravages over Europe, the immortal ' works .of Michael Angelo and Raphael would be, lost to us to-day. The doctrine of th if Catholic Church regarding the use of sacred - images is clearly expressed by the General Council of Trent in the following words:"The images of Christ and of His Virgin Mother, and of other saints, are • to be had and retained, especially. in churches, and a due honour and veneration is to be given to them; not that any divinity or virtue is believed to be in them, for which they are to be honoured, .that any prayer is to be made to them, or that any confidence is to be placed in them, as was formerly done by the' heathens, who placed 'their hopes in idols; but because the honour which is given them is referred to the originals which they represent, so that by the images which we kiss and before which we uncover our heads or kneel, we adore Christ , and venerate His saints, whose likeness they represent." May the day soon come when all Christians will join .with us in venerating not only ; the sacred symbol of salvation, but in ; worshipping at the same altar. : - Shane o'Daj,a. <