THE CATHOLIC CENTENNIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22935, 13 January 1938, Page 15

THE CATHOLIC CENTENNIAL

Sir,—ln answer to Mr. J. Thorhes, it would appear that numerical strength of the Catholics is a very sore point, for what reason I wonder ? The Catholics have at all times been loyal citizens of the land of their birth, even when to be a Catholic was fraught with great danger, particularly in England under Elizabeth. I think the leaders of the English Fleet were those Catholics, Howard and Effingham, and even the treatment of them at times did not lessen their love for their country. There were hosts of them in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, as the casualty lists proved. The carrying of the Host in the procession is something that the Protestant mind does not always appreciate. What wo believe is our own business, and the Catholics have as many educated people in their ranks pro rata as any other faith. Religion is largely a matter of birth and upbringing, yet some very great minds have joined its ranks, i.e., Gilbert Chesterton, who, when converted, said, "He had hitched his waggon to a star." All Catholics ask is the same rights as any other body of people who are-given the similar privilege we have, the same duty to this land of ours, whether it is by birth, or adoption. The sole object of the debated question is not to show numerical strength, but to honour the great pioneer bishop who established our faith in the Dominion one hundred years ago. To those to whom the display is anathema, let them take their pleasures elsewhere on that day and then there will be no need of acrimonious discussions. C. I). Arnold.