BISHOP MORAN ON THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Colonist, Volume XXII, Issue 2513, 20 February 1879, Page 4

BISHOP MORAN ON THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Bishop Moran in bis Lenten Pastoral (published in the New Zealand Tablet of .February 14th) says:—" Having spoken and written so frequently and distinctly on the Education question, it is not now necessary for us to write many words on the subject. You know your duty in this matter, and we are happy to be able to testify that you have bravely and nobly done it. It only remains for us, then, to exhort you to persevere and to be prepared to make in the future, if necessary, even greater sacrifices than you have hitherto made. The faith of your children, your own salvation, are at stake. Secularism, ie determined,, if you permit it,

to destroy Christianity, make men forget or ignore God and their own eternal destiny. Its ! object is"' the unchrititi'anisingof the world,''and tHe re-ihtroduction of Paganism. Be not deceived by the , sophistry and hypocritical professions of its advocates. We are bound; to be Christians and Catholics above and before all other things, and we should never forget the words of the Divine Redeemer, 'He that, is not with me is against me.' All Government schools in these' diocese are godless and hostile to the Catholic Church. Catholics cannot frequent them without exposing themselves to grievous dangers to their faith and morals. Of these schools, therefore. Catholics cannot avail themselves, except in cases of very great necessity, and when—such necessity being supposed—every possible precaution is taken to ward off all dangers to faith and morals. Parents and guardians should bear in mind that they are responsible for the children under their charge, and often reflect on these words of the Apostle: 'He that neglects his own, particularly those of his own household, has lost the faith and has become worse than an infidel;' and again on these words of our Divine Master: ' What will it avail a man to gain the whole world if he lose his own soul, or what will a man give in exchange for his soul ?' We therefore most earnestly exhort all to exert themselves to establish and maintain efficient Catholic schools wherever it is possible to do co; and we call upon the clergy— who, indeed, have not been wanting in this matter—to exert themselves with the greatest zeal and perseverance iv the great cause of Catholic education. Nothing but Catholic education can save the rising generation from the baneful influence of the infidel systems of education so characteristic of this century and so fashionable in this Colony."