BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

CATHOLIC HIERARCHY’S VIEW. LETTER TO REV. BLAMIRES. [Per Pr-tit Association. I CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. Bishop Brodie has distributed as a circular letter to the clergy of his diocese a letter which ho has sent to the Rev. Blamires, secretary of the Bible-in-Schools League. The lettr runs: “Aly attention has been called to the fact that representatives of the Bible-in-Schools League have stated publicly that the Catholic Hierarchy has decided not to oppose the legislation the League proposes to introduce. As a member of the Catholic Hierarchy, and having been a party to all the negotiations between the Catholic Hierarchy and tho Bible-in Schools League, I wish to remind you that no agreement of any kind has been entered into by tho two organisations mentioned. ” Bishop Brodie refers to various conferences at which representatives of his church have discussed the subject with representatives of tho Bible-in-Schools League, and states positively concern ing everoy meeting that the Catholic Hierarchy did not accept the proposals of the Bible-in-Schools League. REV. BLAMIRES’ REPLY. [ Per Press Association. 1 MASTERTON, June 23. Replying to statements attributed to Bishop Brodie in tho Press Association message from Christchurch, the Rev. Blamires states that the only official conference of representatives officially appointed by the League to confer with tho Roman Catholic Hierarchy, which was attended by Bishop Brodie, was on April 29, 1930, after negotiations which had been opened up with Archbishops Redwood and O’Shea, and definite proposals had been placed before them promising protection of conscience to Catholic teachers and pupils, and that if any additional expenditure was incurred in tho introduction of Bible lessons, Roman Catholic taxpayers would not bo saddled with that additional ex-

penditure. The Hierarchy, at the conference referred to, decided to send a reply in writing. Accordingly, on Alay 12, 1930. Archbishop O’Shea replied saying: “After having given careful considcra tion to the proposals contained in your letter of April 14, and to what took place at our conference with yourself and other representatives of tho Bible in-Schools League on 29th ult., the Catholic Hierarchy hereby affirm their approval of tho proposals and clauses set out in the above letter and discuss cd at our mooting.” That, has been tho position consistent !y maintained by Archbishop O’Shea ever since in his negotiations repre sonting the Hierarchy with the League. Acceptance was clear and definite, and was duly notified in a statement pul) lished independently, but together, in Wellington papers, by Archbishop Red wood for tho Catholic Bishops and by the League executive on July 25. 1930 Since that thorp has been no intimation of any withdrawal, until this statement now made by Bishop Brodie. With differences of opinion between the Roman Catholic A rehbishops and Bishop Brodie, the League has nothing to do. It will honourably fulfil its pledges to jirotect the consciences not only of Roman Catholics, but of all who may desire exemption, and must leave to the Roman Catholic loaders the settlement of their own differences.