A CATHOLIC PUBLIC OPINION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 258, 12 April 1878, Page 9

A CATHOLIC PUBLIC OPINION.

It -would be useful to form in every congregation of the country a Catholic public opinion on certain moral subjects. It is true. Catholics cannot be up to the level of Puritan civilization, wherein the code is " Thou shalt not be found doing anything disreputable." But still there are very many calling themselves Catholics, over whom a healthy Catholic public opinion would have a very wholesome influence. Let us instance : 1. The mass in every congregation look upon the pastor as the ambassador of God. Their respect for his sacred character prevents any particular inspection of his personal qualities. To them he is the offerer of the Mass, the dispenser of the Sacraments. But there are also in every congregation a few to whom the pastor is an adventurer, come to make a living of them, a few silly young people who observe and discuss his physical appearance, his walk, dress, and manner of speaking. These people simply wait to see what proiit or amusement they can derive from the priest. Now in every congregation the public opinion of those who have faith might be concentrated so as to awe into silence, or drive to where they belong, the whited sepulchres to whom piety is nothing, and the success of the Church among them a mere source of gain or entertainment. 2. There should he a concentrated Catholic public opinion, on the practice of cursing and blaspheming. Profane people often excuse themselves on the ground of company and habit ; so that if it were made the fashion among Catholics to abhor the abominable practice, and taboo those who indulge in it, it would be wiped out. In like manner, could the extirpation of the vices of drinking and hanging about houses of riot and sin be accomplished. Let the real Catholics of every congregation be united and outspoken for both faith and virtue, and a great change for the bettor will follow. — Catltolic Columbian.