CATHOLICS AND THE STATE SCHOOLS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 85, 30 May 1911, Page 5

CATHOLICS AND THE STATE SCHOOLS.

The Roman Catholic complaint against the State schools has recant 1 boon directed against a system wrich is described as neglecting ‘the inculcation of Christian virtue and yet undermining the principles of the Catholic faith (remarks the Sydney “Daily Telegraph” ) How it call neglect Christian -caching and at the same time undermine it is a pu/rle which those who are hi tore Rod in such things may seek—arid seek in vain. The truth of the position is that the State system does not ignore the teachings of Christianity and neither undermines one faith nor upholds another. In regard to sects it is wholly neutral, contenting itself with broad, simple teaching which is not inconsistent with or prejudicial to any Christian denomination. It also gives full scope for denominational-’ ism, since the clergy of every sect are free to instruct the children of their faith in separate class rooms. Hence, to talk of the State robbing the Catholics of £96,000 a year,' as Mr Hevdon, M.L.C., said at a gathering held this meek, is mere moonshine. There are the schools open to all and favouring none in the way bf religious teaching or otherwise. , The public schools are neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant; they are simply national. The Catholics, however, have chosen to establish their own schools. Whether they do so or not is entirely for themselves to decide, as the cost of maintenance of such schools is for them to bear if they please. Any denomination is in precisely the same position, but none of the others make any systematic attempt to establish a system of their own. Seeing that there is ample scope for religious instruction in connection with the State schools, it is well for the community that these sects do not aspire to the denominational segregation. It proves that they recognise mutuality of nationality’ and interest, and desire to see the children of the community, who are soon to become its parents, brought up in association, not pulled aside and reared and taught amid sectarian clannishness.