THE'TABLET' AND 'OTAGO TIMES'—A NEW

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 November 1873, Page 9

THE 'TABLET' AND 'OTAGO TIMES'— A NEW

ZEALAND CATHOLIC PARTY. It is satisfactory to observe that the ' Otago Times ' confirms the favorable opinion which Bishop Moran has expressed of the manner in which the N.Z. Tablet is conducted. The c Times ' seems rather surprised tbat the Tablet, being professedly a religious journal, should discuss the principles and conduct of its opponents in a spirit of moderation and courtesy. Religion in hi 9 mind, and in the mind of many others in this Protestant country, seems to be inseparably associated with ideas of intolerance, violence, and injustice — and no wonder. It is fortunate, therefore, that the Tablet is conducted in such a manner as to show that the Catholic religion, at least, is not necessarily allied to uncharitableness or rudeness, but the contrary. One fault the ' Times ' thinks you have committed, and in his eyes it is a grievous one. You advocate the formation of a New Zealand Catholic party. If, indeed, the Catholic party you wish to see in existence and active operation were the unscrupulous, selfish, and greedy association which the 'Times' supposes it would be, then indeed you would be fairly open to the censure he has passed on you for your advocacy of such a party. But a Catholic party, if worthy of the name, must be and would be a party of justice — not of selfishness. It would claim nothing for Catholics which it would not readily concede to its fellow-citizens of other.creeds. It would be well if the Protestant, and particularly the Presbyterian party in this colony were to treat their Catholic fellow-subjects on this principle. But the ' Otago Times ' knows they do not ; and were they to do so, it is even doubtful if they would meet with his approval. Without a Catholic party in the United Kingdom, does the ' Times ' for one moment guppoee that Catholic emancipation and the direct abolishment of the

Irish Church, or even aid to Catholic schools, under Mr Forsfer's Bill, would ever have been obtained. We are suffering a grievous wrong at present in this colony by the manner in which we are being taxed for educational purposes. Our bishops and clergy, backed by the Tablet, protest, bat protest in vain, against this injustice. There is no organised Catholic party to give force to their remonstrances, and to stand by those at present few just and generous Protestants who advocate our cause. The time I suspect has not yet come for the formation of such a Catholic party here as it would be desirable to have, but things are visibly drifting in that direction, and the time cannot be far off when we shall see one in active operation in this colony. There are signs of Catholic lay organisation, unity, and zeal in every part of Christendom, and even in Auckland itself. Happily it is a zeal of the right sort— r an enlightened zeal or enthusiasm, tempered with chariry. The world has often seen a burning or furious Catholic zeal without charity, and its fruits have been the cause of much scandal and protracted injury to Christianity and liberty. The revival ot such an evil spirit among Catholic people is never likely to take place. They are now well persuaded that they can only hope to be politically powerful in proportion as they are faithful to the duties their Church imposes upon them, and free from guilty ambition. Why is it that despots of all kindsCatholic, or Protestant, or infidel — shew such a sensitive dread of all Catholic associations existing for moral or religious, educational or charitable purposes ? They dread their political power, and not without reason. The Catholic Church, herself is a- great political engine, and from her very nature cannot be otherwise. The Pope, her visible Head, bishops, priests, and lay associations, exercise a political power in influencing the destiny of nations, such as the fleets and armies and Cabinets of temporal princes do not and cannot posses*. The Pope may smile at all the ironclads and improved modern instruments of war, in so far as they are designed to oppose his power. He virtually defies them all, supported as he is by the moral force of the millions of Catholic subjects over whom, in Christ's name, he rules. The present generation may not pass ere they see the formidable fleets and armies of England and France made indirectly subservient to the power of the Catholic Church, and the interests of the party. Auckland. J. WOOD.