THE REDEMPTORIST FATHERS' MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1987, 24 March 1892, Page 15

THE REDEMP TORIST FATHERS' MISSION.

AN UNUSUAL DEMONSTRATION,

Notwithstanding the very heavy downpour, a lajrgecongregation of men waspresentatthe mission service in St. Joseph's Cathedral on Tuesday evening. The building was well filled with Catholic men from all parts nf the city and suburbs. Tlie Rev. Father Howell, C.SS.R., was the preacher, and the Rev. Father llegarty, C.SS.R., recited the customary prayers. The Rev. Father Mackay gave benediction of the blessed Sacrament. Thu singing was congregational, and the men sang the various hymns with splendid effect. In the course of his discourse the eloquent Redemptorist spoke on the unity in the diocese of Duncdinof clergy and people. Every where he went he found the people loyal to their holy faith, and determined to follow their devoted bishop in his manly struggle for justice. Towards the end of the sermon, carried away by the earnestness of the missioner and the force of his appeal, the whole congregation of men arose, and in response to the speaker's question, " Will you follow your leader jn his efforts for justice?" shouted out "We will!" with extraordinary vehemence. Bishop Moran, at the invitation of Father Howell, then addressed the assembled men. He congratulated them on their gathering that night, and thanked them for their svmnathy and promise of supnort. He promised them to continue the struggle as long as God gave him strength and life. He was denounced because he had applied the epithet "godless" to the public schools. He wis told that the name of God was mentioned in the books. Perhaps so — even as the names of Jupiter, Juno, and Hercules were mentioned. He could with as much reason call them "pagan" because of the mention of the heroes of pagan worship as godly because the name of God was sometimes mentioned. Godless he would call them to the end, for godless and destructive to religion they certainly were. It was stated now that he had worked mischief by opposing the introduction of the Bible into the schools. He did no such thing. All he wanted was justice for his own people, who could not possibly take advantage of the godless schools. It had been stated that he was in error in asserting that "Collier's British History" was used in the Quecnstown school. Hearing that the school authorities denied that the book was used in the school since 1878 he withdrew the imputation, and even offered to apologise. If he had known as much then as he did now he would not have retracted, for he was sure that the book had been used in the school as late certainly as 18S3. It may not have been officially authorised by the committee, but it was authorised by the Minister of Education, and employed by scholars attending the Queenstown State School. School books were used in the schools of the colony which taught that indulgences were bought and sold. That is to say Catholics contributed not only for the free and godless education of other people's children, but also to have these non-Catholic children taught the monstrous traditional lie that an indulgence is a leave to commit sin, and that the Catholic Church sold indulgences. The bishop concluded an impassioned address by asking liis Catholic men, whom he was proud to see in their numbers that night, to promise him that they would all pursue the same policy in this most important matter — that they would vote for no man who was not prepared publicly to advocate their cause. Again with one voice the men answjered, " Wo will ! " The enthusiasm of the congregation was such as is seldom witnessed in a place of worship, and was characterised by the bishop, who spoke with unusual firo and vehemence, as unique. As the bishop left the pulpit he was greeted with hearty applause, which was quickly stopped by the mission fathers. After the singing of the hymn, " Happy we who thus united, the large congregation dispersed.