PRIESTS AND THE WAR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 11 July 1917, Page 10

PRIESTS AND THE WAR.

THE CASE FOR EXEMPTION. STATEMENT BY BISHOP BRODIE. In his address lo Ihc annual meeting of Ihc Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation last evening, Bishop Brodic referred to the exemptions sought for those necessary for Ihc work of the Roman Catholic faith. Priests, religious brothers, and theological students, said the Bishop, were essential for the' carrying on of their holy faith, and their callingup would inflict serious hardship and injustice on ihc Roman Catholic body. He gave the following figures lo show the small proportion of exemptions claimed by the body:— PRIESTS. Number (if priests in New Zealand .. 2">() Number or military age 105 Number unfit owing to effects of serious illness or operations ~*t Chaplains with rows l."i Chaplains discharged ."! Halance, claiming exemption a\\ THFOLOGICAL STUDENTS. Total number ?,0 arxic.ious brothers. Total number 1!) Over military age !! Unfit owing to effects ol' illness or operations '.. .. 7 Balance, claiming exemption '.'>'■) TOTAL CLAIMANTS EOR EXEMPTION'. Priests '>?■ Theological students .'io Brothers :'»:'. Total 110 For the work of religion the Roman Catholic bodv, numbering 150,000, and providing over 14.000 soldiers asked exemption for 110, persons whose work Is essential. This was by no means an exorbitant or unreasonable request. Concluding, his Lordship said:— "Before dismissing this question of exemption, I have to say that it must be admit led the Military Service Act is faulty in that it does not make explicit provision for necessary exemptions. This defect has been the cause of intense anxiety to the Catholic Hierarchy for, whom the work of diocesan administration under war conditions has been a severe strain."