CIRCULAR TO THE CLERGY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 43, 12 August 1892, Page 18

CIRCULAR TO THE CLERGY.

At a meeting of the Roman Catbolb Bishops of New Zealand, held at Daoedin oa the 30th day of July and following days, 1892, the subjoined resolutions were adopted, and are hereby published and recommended to (he most earnest consideration of the Roman Catholic s* Clergy of New Zealand :— " That the attention of the clergy be drawn in a very special manner to ihe decree on Piimary or Elementary Education of the Plenary Council of Sydney (Nos 231 and foil, page 73), with the injunction that the said decree be clearly and carefully explained to the people by the officiating priest, at least twice a year, in each church and station where Mass is celebrated." " That the clergy be enjoined to interest themselves to the utmost to establish and maintain Catholic Schools, and to encourage and aid all who are engaged in the work of Catholic education." " That whilst expressing our admiration of the efforts and sacrifices already made by the Catholics of New Zealand in support of their schools, we exhort them to still greater exertions towards their multiplication and greater efficiency." " That from motives of convenience, economy, and uniformity, we recommend that, as the Government Standards of education are used in some Catholic schools, these Standards be adopted in all Catholic schools, notwithstanding that our own Standards hitherto io use are in some points more advanced." " That, as far as possible, there be uniformity in the class books used in Catholic schools." '' That, so long as the present system of public education, maintained out of the Consolidated Fund, continues to exist, the books used in the public schools should contain nothing offensive to any Ohristain denomination, and that the practice, hitherto, of employing books containing calumnies and misrepresentations regarding the Catholic religion, is unjust and entirely reprehensible." " That parents and guardians be reminded of their obligation to provide wholesome literature for those under their charge and protect them from that which is unwholesome." " That our people be reminded of the strong recommendations of Qur Holy Father the Pope to support the Oatholic Press. The Press is a most powerful instrument for good or evil, and Catholics neglecting to support the Catholic Press are unfaithful to a most important duty." " That a census be made, under the guidance of the priests, of all the Catholics in the various localities." " That all the Catholics of the Colony ,be registered, and that means be taken to that end." " That a committee of two or three laymen be appointed in each locality to see that every Catholic be registered." "That Catholic voters be exhorted to fulfil the conscientious obligation of supporting a system of Christian education and of opposing the present godless system by voting for those candidates only who publicly pledge themselves to support the Catholic claims." " That Catholic voters avoid pledging themselves to any candidate, in order to maintain their freedom of action at election time." <( That the above resolutions be printed in the form of a circular and sent to the clergy." " That an address of congratulation be sent to the Holy Father on the occasion of his Episcopal Jubilee, and special prayers erijoined for February 10th, 1893, and the following Sunday." " That the prayer ' Pro Papa ' be added in the Mass of the day ; Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament be given, where possible, on both d,tys ; the Litany of the Blessed Virgin and the 'Te Deum ' recited or sung at Benediction or after Mass, according to the priest's convenience ; and that the clergy exhort the faithful to go to Confession and Holy Communion on the Friday or following Sunday for the intentions of the Holy Father." Given at Dunedin on this first day of August, 1892. f FiiAMCis Redwood, S.M., Archbishop of Wellington t Patbick Moban, Bishop of Dunedin. | t John J. Grimes, S.M., Bishop of Christchurch. D. Osmond M. Egan, 0.5.8., Procurator for Auckland.