Current Topics AT HOME AND ABROAD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 31, 27 November 1896, Page 1

Current Topics AT HOME AND ABROAD.

Mr. E. S. Puucell, whose "voluminous libel' 1 MB. PURCELL on Cardinal Manning, called by courtesy a bioON his graphy. has obtained for him a certain amount of defence. notoriety, is making strenuous efforts to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of the literary world. Immediately after his book appeared Mr. Purcell tried to stem the flood of indignant criticism which its publication called forth by publishing a series of articles by way of defence in the Nineteenth Centiiry. Realising, no doubt, that that defence had proved utterly lame and ineffective, Mr. Purcell returns again to the charge and in the current number of the same magazine makes another feeble effort to whitewash himself. He entitles his article " The Ethics of Suppression in Biography," and the production may be fairly described as a clumsy attempt to twist and distort the point at issue between himself and his critics. He poses as the champion of truth and candour, and insinuates that his Catholic critics advocate a wholesale suppression of the truth in biography. " Are corrupt intrigues at the Vatican to be suppressed . . . . or is the truth to be told ] That," he says, vis the vital question raised in the controversy of the last few months." '* The question has been taken up." he continues, '• on both sides of the Atlantic :Isit a virtue to suppress historic truth or no ? "' That is a complete evasion of the real point at issue between Mr. Purcell and his critics. The critics have not questioned the soundness of the general principle that in biography a real and not an ideal portrait should be paintel. What they do quaiTel with is the wretched use which Mr. Purcell made of that principle. It is one thing to paint a real portrait ; it is quite another thing to emphasise the faults of a character ®ut of all proportion and multiply insinuations at every turn which a close examination of the evidence shows to be baseles-i. This latter is precisely what Mr. Pureell has done. There is nothing good or great about his Manning. It is. as one of the critics has said, a portrait of littleness and meanness. " The portrait is not the Manning of the Vatican Council or of the great strike in London, but the Manning of the bath tub, where greatness disappears in the healthful but ridiculous pastime of washing the human skin." At every episode in Manning's career the biographer is at hand with a malevolent suggestion of unworthy motives, and in cases where the candid reader, if left to himself, might imagine this or that move to spring from pure honesty, Mr. Purcell is careful to expose the particular wire the Cardinal was then pulling. Fortunately this sort of thing defeats itself and no one now takes Mr. Purcell' s biography seriously. The ponderous volumes carry with them their own evidence of the author's incapacity for the work, and no one will be surprised at the announcement that a new biography is under way which will contain a true portrait of the great Cardinal, painted by a capable artist, as an effective offset to the odious caricature of Mr. Purcell.

The Irish language movement which has spread THE ikish with such phenomenal rapidity during the last few LANGUAGE years is increasing in intensity and evoking fresh movement, enthusiasm every day. Gaelic Leagues are estabnot only in Ireland but throughout the United Kingdom. America, and the colonies. Gaelic papers are published as organs of the leagues, and classes are being every where established in which systematic instruction is given in the old tongue. For the v first time in the history of the movement it has been formally endorsed by the Irish nation and made a plank in the National platform. At the great convention of the Irish race held recently the following resolution was unanimously adopted :: — '• We hail with satisfaction the successful efforts that are being made at Home and abroad to revive and extend interest in the preservation of the Gaelic tongue, and we urge upon all those who can further the interests of

this movement to give every help and encouragement to the preservation and study of our ancient Irish tongue by the children of the Gael. That the most strenuous efforts be made to create and foster a healthy national sentiment by disseminating the knowledge of Irish history, and by the cultivation of the Irish language, Irish literature, music, and games." This is only as it should be. In the Irish language are enshrined and reflected the thoughts and aspirations of the ancestors of the Irish race, and we know of nothing more calculated to bind Irishmen together and to foster a healthy national sentiment than an earnest and enthusiastic study of the mother tongue. In this connection a very sensible resolution was recently adopted by the Gaelic League of Boston, U.S.A. At a meeting held to consider the best method of extending a knowledge of the Gaelic language as a literary medium, it was decided that the best method was to adopt the modern Roman alphabet, instead of the old unfamiliar Celtic alphabet, in introducing the language and its literature to the public. It is to be hoped that this suggestion will be universally adopted. For one thing, it would make it much easier for the ordinary Press to assist in spreading Gaelic literature, and it would besides facilitate the study of the language. It is a great inducement to a beginner undertaking the study of a language to have a knowledge already of the character in which he is going to learn that language, and the universal adoption of the plain simple letter which everyone knows would induce thousands to participate in this glorious movement for reviving the good old mother tongue.

In connection with the future Consistory, about another which a great deal of speculation has taken place E.vc.MSH a number of the Roman journals give publicity to cardinal the interesting rumour that another English Cardinal may be looked for ere long in the person of the Very Rev Dom Aidan Gasquet, D.D., 0.5.8. The Catholic Tinu v throws some doubt upon the rumour, but there are a great many circumstances that point to its probable truth and it is accepted as trustworthy by all the leading Catholic journals. It is certain that the elevation would give very general satisfaction in England as being a high compliment to English Catholics, and it is no less certain that Dr. Gasquet would prove a worthy recipient of this great dignity. Dom Gasquet is an Englishman of good family and is one of the most distinguished members of the Benedictine Order in England. He is an able theologian and is the author of many learned, historical and antiquari.an works. He has always been aj>i i:\mw grata at the Vatican, where his profound scholarship was fully appreciated, and only recently the Holy Father appointed him p member of the special Commission set up to inquire into the validity of Anglican Orders. Dr. Gasquet was, it may be remarked, the intimate friend and near connection of the late Cardinal Manning, and his brother was the physician "who attended the Cardinal in his last hours.

The Catholic Truth Society, which has done and the catholic is doin^ such splendid work for the Church, was truth con- first founded about thirty years ago. It was well 1 ekknc'E. organised and capably managed, but for some reason or other it did not '• catch on," and after a while it ceased to exist. It was soon revived, however, and its history since that time has been one of yearly increasing interest and vitality, so that now it has come to be recognised as one of the most popular and important of Catholic institutions. Under its auspices a conference is held every year, which, though organised by the Catholic Truth Society, is in reality a general conference of representative Catholics, whether connected with the Catholic Truth Society or not. Subjects of general interest and the pressing problems of the day are discussed at these conferences, and the highest ability in the Church, clerical and lay. is brought to bear on the discussion. The annual gathering for 1S!)6 has just taken place at Hanley, and proved in every way an unqualified success. The Most Rev. Dr. Ilsley, Bishop of Birmingham, presided, and the opening address was delivered by his Eminence Cardinal Vaughan, who took as his subject the Pope's Encyclical on the Reunion of Christcndon and the more recent Bull on Anglican Orders. Papers

on the following subjects were also read and discussed at the conference, which extended over a week :— " The Church and Nonconformity," by Rev. A. 11. Villiers ; » Nonconformists and Catholic Doctrine and Practice," by Mr. W. J. Craig. J.{>. ; " How to brinthe Catholic Faith home to Nonconformists," by the Most Rev YV R. Brownlo^ D.D., Bishop of Clifton ; •• The Temperance Question, ' by the Rev. Luke Rivington, M.A. ; "The Work of the Catholic Truth Society and our duties towards it," by the Most Rev Dr. Barry ; -Modern Science and Ancient Faith." by the Rev J. Gerard, S.J. ; and " The Mischiefs of Misunderstanding," by Mr' B. F. C Costelloe. This list of the subjects dealt with and the names oi the contributors should be sufficient to some idea of the interest and importance attaching to the conference just concluded at Hanley. Such a gathering, if successfully carried out, should serve at least three ends. It should gather Catholic zeal and Catholic intelligence, as it were, into a focus ; it should stimulate Catholic activity and prove to outsiders the vitality of the Catholic faith; and it should bring together in pleasant and profitable relations priests and laymen who have similar interests at heart and the same zeal in carrying them out. Tried by these tests the Hanley conference appears to have been a complete success, and according to the testimony of one who was present the unanimous verdict of those who had taken part was that it was the best conference they had ever had.

The Anti-Masonic Congress.— The Anti-Masonic ODDS AND Congress, which has just been held at Trent, has ENDS. evidently inspired the foreign members of the craft with no little anxiety. Signor Xathan, the Grand Master of the Orient of Italy," issued a denunciation of the gathering, in which he frankly stated that the Masonic Order is 11 a solid barrier, a formidable rampart," against the restoration of the power of the clergy "over bodies and souls." The remarkable success of the Congress was a fitting answer to this appeal to the Lodges. From a special correspondent, the Catholic Times learns that the hotels and private houses were all filled with foreigners from every country. Italy. France. Hungary, Austria, En-land Germany, Spain, Portugal and America sent representatives to join in organising a crusade against a sect which, on the continent at least, is a declared enemy of Christianity. The Congress did not confine itself merely to an exposure of the evils wrought by Freemasonry. With the approval of the Holy Father, who in a letter which we have already published gave his hearty encouragement to the proceedings, it was decided to form an international organisation against the craft, with a central office in Rome. The public are to be enlightened as to the work of the lodges by public meeting and suitable publications and medals and prizes will be -nven tor the best essays on the subject. It is. therefore, probable "that the resolutions of the Congress will mark an epoch in the -.trum-le against Freemasonry,

Leo XIII and the Rosary.— His Iloline^ [ jo o XIFI ha- just issued a new Encyclical on the Rotary, which breathy tliat ttndor devotion to our Dieted Lady, which he sought throughout hi-, lite to foster and increase. He has, he state*, rocoj-ni^d what a .source of protection this devotion is in times which are calamitous to Christianity and perilous to peoples, and now worn out by the cares of the apostolic office, the nearer he feels the approach of death the more confidently does he turn to the Queen of the Holy Rosary The spiritual advantages gained by the recitation ot the Rosary art' then set forth at great length, hi. Holiness freely quotin- the Serin tures, and the writing of the Fatheis and Doctors of the Church He recalls the directions with regard to the recitation of the Rosary m churches which he gave in the Apostolic Letter of the Slth December, lhX3. and expresses the desire that they should be constantly and earnestly earned out. This practice of publicly recitinthe Rosary he would also like to see extended to other "atherin. "s for devotional purpo.es and adopted at solemn pil^maocs to churches of note. The various occasions on which the faithful recited the Rosary with him in the Vatican Basilica he recollects with the liveliest sense of .satisfaction. He now ur-es that durinthe month of Cvtober. in which the intercession ot the Blessed Virgm has long been sought on behalf of the Church, this devotion B hould be cultivated with particular zeal, his special object being the furtherance of the Reunion movement which he has so much at heart, and which cannot be better promoted than by the prayers contained m the Holy Rosary.

Catholic Rewval in Mexico.-The Church „ Mexico has lonbeen oppressed in consequence oi the power secured in the (Jovenr. menU counsels by the Masonic body. There ha., however been a revolt against the Masonic tyranny of late. The Church Iris asserted its strength, and everywhere throughout tho land theie 'ire signs of renewed Catholic life. It i* to be noted ;n; n the presence oi a Papal delegate, in preparation* for Provincial Council* iv the restoration of churches, in the irequent repairing of old conventin the arrival of learned and devout pricstb irom abroad in the new

missionary zeal of the Church among the Indians, and in crowded attendances at the religious services. The Carmelite Order is labouring with great zeal. The Jesuits are growing in numbers, and are taking^charge of many parishes besides establishing seats of learnng Female educational orders are springing up and are tolerated by the Government. Even Liberals send their daughters to their schools, for the education given is of a superior quality. « A nonpondent of the JJoston Hrrald, cannot but admire the Christian zeal of the best of the clergy, who lead ascetic lives, are really poor , dependent on the aid of wealthy people of their faith, and are animated by a sincere desire to minister to the spiritual welfare of the masses And yet there are parsons, well provided with the goods of this world, who virulently assail the clergy of Mexico for the want of self-denial.

Some months ago the Holy See announced its intention of substituting the Latin Vicars- Apostolic in Southern India a native Synac hierarchy to minister to the spiritual wants of the Malabar Synac Catholics. That hierarchy has now come into existence, though not exactly in the form then anticipated. Instead Irl7 Sv" mTT °l the S^°- Malabar rite. Leo XIII. has erected three Syro-Malabar Vxcariates-Apostolic, to take the place of the two Vicanates under Latin bishops. The names of these three Vicanates are taken from the towns of Trichur, Ernaculum ani Changanacherry all of which are important centres of Catholic life Vi W^ IC Y?. in , CC ° cbin > was ***** the residence of the Latm Vicar-Apostohcof that name ; the other two are in the old Vicanate of Kottayam. The Holy See has further been pleased to appoint as mcumbents of the new Vicar iates the Very Rev Father Para'luf an"! V riy ' ?* B^ B » S Bi^P « Paralus and Vicar-Apostolic of Trichur; the Very Rev Father Aloysius Pareparambil,also hitherto Secretary to the V canate or Kottayam, as titular Bishop of Tyana and Vicar- ApostoHc of Ernaculum ; and the Very Rev. Father Matthew Makil hitherto Sx; n r a v of th 4 e Sudist section of the rite ' - titui - b^op Kottayam both of whom were consecrated in 1887 L which year Pope Leo Xiri first separated the Malabarese from the Latin S