LORD MAYOR’S PROTEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 28 April 1925, Page 7

LORD MAYOR’S PROTEST.

QUESTION OF TOABT LIST. ; '/■' ' ~’ ' I * Ly Cable —Pres* ALtaciation—Copyright. LONDON, , April 23. / The .Catenians,- a ; Roman Catholiu Society, at the annual St. George’s Day banquet, in London, following the Catenian practice through the country, had the first toast “The Pope and King.” ' l’iie Lord Maybr, who is a Roman Catholic, made a statement to-night - that : “I Was invited to attend, Out i; when I heard the loyal toast wonld -be honoured rafter that of*-the Pope,. I ; refused to go. I won’t attend.- any/ 1 banquet in the capacity of Lord Mayor - . where the loyal toast is placed - alter . the toast of the Pope.” / ‘ The “Daily Express” states that ' the Lord Mayor’s action With- respect: toy the Catenian banquet, has paused a storm of controversy. 1 The Catenians ’ themselves are- divided. Some declare they wholeheartedly agree with the Lord Mayor., / „ . j Canon i HoWlett. v Administrator * o£ , ’ Westminster Cathedral, bn the other ' hand, sas?s the /toast is simply.- .a - historic toast of Church and State. As Catholics in Britain cannot recognise the Church of England, it had been the custom for two generations 'to . , name the Pope with the Sovereign, which does* A not imply disloyalty; indeed it Means, redoubled loyalty by coupling it with our spiritual obedi- 1 ’ enee to the Pope. ; The founder of the Royal Society of St. George pays tribute to the Lord / Mayor as most liberal minded,, and> - Supports his action entirely. * He odds: “I would not attend "any where where the Pope’s name precede* l / the King’s.”