BISHOP CROKE AND THE AUCKLAND HOME FOR NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 8, 21 June 1873, Page 9

BISHOP CROKE AND THE AUCKLAND HOME FOR NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

10 THB EDITOR.

SIR, — You iray have noticed from the Auckland newspapers that Bishop Croks has had; occasion to explain to the public the reason which induced him to " decline" to have any connection with the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children, and which contains several Catholic chiUren. It appears that the President of the institution is the Anglican Bishop, Dr Cowie, who assumes the ecclesiastical title of Bishop of Auckland. Now Dr Croke having been appointed Bishop of Auckland by the Holy See, there would obviously have been a gross impropriety in his connecting himself officially with this ' Home," and he declined to do so accordingly, when asked by a certain dissenting ministpf. When replying to his letter of explanation, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr Philips), who is connected with the Home, and presided at the last annual meeting of the subscribers, ttsed these words:— "l belong to a denomination (Jews) who strive to practise a spirit of tolerance and charity which some others only preach." This was to offer the flattering incense of praise to himself and the Jews at Dr Croke's expense. But how did Dr "Croke show either intolerance or unchsritableness ? He could not recognise Dr Cowie's claim to the title of Bishop of Auckland, though he paid a graceful compliment to his personal worth He admitted that the object of the Home was beneficial. He professed his readiness to subscribe to its funds, and to advise his people to do the same, and thanked the managers* for their care of the Catholic children who were under their custody. In the lace of all this, Mr Mayor Philips represents Dr Croke as an uncharitable and intolerant man. I have frequently vieiied the Home, and it is, I think, admirably conducted. £he children, both Catholic and others, in it are well cared for. Yet it is not a place suitable for Catholic children any more than for Jewish children. Were there any neglected or destitute Jewish children in Auckland (which to the honor of the Hebrew community there are not) I donbt if Mr Philips would like to see them living in this Home, and educated there— ail his charity notwiths:anding. Catholic children are- only there because the Catholic community is too poor to provide other accommodation for them. Aucklau-U. T w