CATHOLIC CENTENNIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22933, 11 January 1938, Page 12

CATHOLIC CENTENNIAL

Sir, —I was in London in 1013 and took part in the first Homan Catholic Church procession that had taken placo for several centuries, in the streets—and in a thickly populated part. On the faces of those who stood or passed bv was a look of interest and resect-. That is all that is required from Jliose who do not liold the same faijn—no idolatrous gesture is asked fro# anyone —and would be held in abhorrence by all Christians alike. Where London leads in broad-mindedness, must Auckland fall back to the intolerance of the Middle Ages? May 1 suggest that "Clarity" stays out of' the path of the procession, if the sight of it hurts him, and loaves other people to please themselves? G. T. Cowling.

Sir,— Boman Catholicism claims for its priesthood various supernatural powers, inter alia, the power by the words of consecration to change the elements of wafer and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and. having worked this miracle, demands from the faithful that they shall adore those consecrated elements. To those adherents who are content to submit the enslaveniet.it of their minds to the dictates of their priests, 1 suppose there is no objection von their performing their acts of Adoration within the walls of their churches, but when they come outside and demand public adoration in the streets by t'ileir adherents, and silent acquiescence by the public of Auckland, it;.is an entirely different matter. Permission of the City Council should not have been given for this procession of the Blessed Sacrament to take place in Auckland s streets. It is an advertisement of the numerical strength of the .Roman Catholics, aud atT insult to the intelligence of the vast majori.lv of Auckland citizens. J- Thohnes. 231 Parnell Road.