CLERGY AND CONSCRIPTION

Southland Times, Issue 17971, 12 March 1917, Page 5

CLERGY AND CONSCRIPTION

A meeting of the Catholic congregation of Invercargill was held yesterday afternoon in St. Joseph’s Hall to protest against the conscription of the Clergy and religious teachers. Mr 11. S. Searle took the chair and Mr J. Robertson was chosen secretary. There was a full and enthusiastic meeting.

Dr J. Collins moved the first resolution:—"That this meeting declares its deliberate and firm opposition to the application of the Military Service Act to the Clergy and religious teachers of the Dominion, for these reasons: (1) The number of priests and religious teachers in the Dominion at present is barely sufficient to staff our parishes and schools; (2) the number available amongst them for conscription is so small that their services would be insignificant for war purposes, whilst of pressing utility in their present employments; (3) the bearing of arms and engaging in war have for ages been forbidden to ecclesiastics so that military service is a work they cannot conscientiously assume and the compulsory conscription of them is an outrage to Catholic thought and sentiment; (4) no rulers, not even the Germans or Turks, have, in this war, forced priests and religious teachers into the army—the one solitary, unenviable exception being the irreligious and atheistic governors of France; (5) violating time-honoured Catholic legislation and sentiment, with no material advantage in view, is not wise statesmanship at a time when the goodwill and hearty co-operation of ail classes are required." Mr E. Sheehan spoke as seconder of the resolution, which was enthusiastically carried.

The second resolution was proposed by Mr F. G. O’Belrne, seconded by Mr Naesmith, and likewise carried. It ran thus: ‘‘That this meeting is in decided' sympathy with the protest of the Bishops in regard to this matter, and assures them of its co-operation in securing the unequivocal Immediate exemption from military service of the clergy and religious teachers in question.”

Mr Herbert . Grace proposed and Mr Payne seconded, that copies of these resolutions be sent to the press, the local members of Parliament, the Acting Prime Minister, and the other members of the Cabinet.—Carried.