THE BISHOPS' RESOLUTIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 43, 12 August 1892, Page 17

THE BISHOPS' RESOLUTIONS.

In another column we publish a circular to the Roman Catholic clergy of New Zealand, containing some resolutions agreed to by the Bishops at their recent meeting in Dunedin. To some of these it is not necessary we should now refer in particular. But there are others to which we beg to draw particular attention , The Bishops speak mildly and moderately, but nevertheless forcibly, as regards the education question. They recommend particular attention to the registration of Catholic voters , and as a preliminary to this end, as well as for other purposes, enjoin the taking of a census of Catholics in each locality. Then as to voting and giving pledges to candidates for Parliament, their Lordships are emphatic. They resolve that Catholic voters should abstain from pledging themselves to any candidate, in order that their freedom of action may be kept intact, and, most important of all, that Catholics should not vote for any candidate who neglects or refuses to pledge himself publicly to support in Parliament a measure giving aid to Catholic schools. Experience proves that this recommendation is most important and necessary. It has happened again and again that candidates for Parliamentary honours, during their canvass, promised Catholic voters to support a grant for providing aid to their schools, but when safely in Parliament violated their promises to their Catholic constituents and voted directly against their just claims. Catholic voters, therefore, should take to heart this resolution of their Bishops on this most important subject. This action of the Bishops comes from their long and watchful experience and their deep sense of duty both to their co-religionists and their country, whose welfare is dear to them. They see the best interests, moral and civil, imperilled by the present system of godless education, and they call on those on whose attention and obedience they have a claim to do their duty and their part to promote the true interests of this country. Theirs are words to which all Catholics ought to pay particular attention and to which we feel convinced they will pay very particular attention. From these well -considered and well-weighed words we are to conclude that the Bishops regard the Catholic who votes for a candidate who refuses to pledge himself publicly to do justice to Catholic schools by helping to obtain aid for them from public funds as a man who is recreant to his solemn duty, as one who offends by allying himself with the enemies both of God and his country. It is clear from these resolutions now referred to that this is the opinion and teaching of our Bishops. These words, therefore, are weighty and will, we have no doubt, fall on willing ears.