THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 31, 27 November 1896, Page 17

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

NY impartial person who reads the speech, as reported in the Otago Daily Times, of Dean Fitchett, who has just returned from a tour in Europe, will not be surprised at the assertion of Samuel Laing, the Scotch Presbyterian writer, and author of " Notes of a Traveller," that " Catholicism has certainly a much stronger hold over the human mind than Protestantism." The Dean of the Anglican diocese of Dunedin travelled through Italy, Austria, Germany, France. He is a keen observer, a gentleman of acknowledged ability and a clergyman whom no one will suspect of the slightest leaning to Catholicism. His testimony when there is question of a plain statement of fact is the more valuable because of the fault he finds with the Catholic Church for not accepting what he calls the renaissance in literature. The thing that most impressed him and which he was least prepared to find was " the firm hold which the Roman Catholic Church seemed to have of the life of the people not only in Italy but in Austria and over a great part of Germany." On the Continent, except where secularism has made its baneful influence felt, he noticed evident signs of strong vitality in the Catholic Church. The Dean is not by any means enthusiastic about Continental Protestantism. His picture of the reformed religion in Holland, for example, is in marked contrast to the descriptions of well-filled Catholic churches in other counties. One cannot fuel much surprised that Dean Fitchett has not yet modified, even after all he saw, his estimate of what he calls " the errors, superstitions, and spiritual tyrannies of Rome." If, discarding preconceived prejudice, he would examine the real doctrines and true history of the Church, he would scarcely continue to hold " that the fundamental sin of the Church of Rome, in his view, is that she has never accepted the revival of learning." Evidently, in the Dean's view, the "long night of the dark ages" was a starless night — a period of barbarism and of error and superstition. The published report of his address gives one the idea that, in his view, Protestantism is responsible for the revival which has given Europe her present position in the field of learning. The Roman Catholic hierarchy, according to the much-travelled, but certainly ill-informed Dean, " loved the darkness rather than light." The impression conveyed by a cursory glance at a portion of the condensed report is that the Catholic Church has not done her share in the intellectual development of Europe ; that since the dawn of Protestantism she has occupied a back seat in the renaissance of learning. In his travels Dean Fitchett has, no doubt, visited some universities. He would have given his audience a most instructive sketch of the comparative activity of Protestantism and Catholicism if he had enumerated the seats of higher learning in Europe founded before and since the time of Luther, and had given some account of the action of the Church in the matter _ of popular education. The Rev. Canon Farrar is an author whose impartiality nonCtitholics will not question. In his work, "Christianity and the Race," lie says :— "Consider what the Church did for education. Her iten thousand monasteries kept alive the torch of learning, which otherwise would have been

extinguished long before." Speaking of the policy and action of the Catholic Church in modern times, Bishop Ryle said not long ago in Liverpool, " Whatever her faults may be, they could not lay it to the charge of the Church of Rome that she neglected her children, for wherever the Church of Rome placed a church, she always took care to build a school as well." Joseph Kay, an eminent Protestant sociologist, in his work, " On the Social Condition of the English People," bas these strong words :—": — " Alas ! Romanist countries have far outstripped us in the eagerness with which they are promoting the education of their people." A list of the number of universities founded in Europe, from the 7th century to our own day — many of which saw the light in the so-called dark ages — will give a fair idea of what the Catholic Church has done for learning Our Church can take credit for the rise of 118 universities, viz., 72 before the " Reformation " and 46 since the days of the "revival of learning." Protestantism has a total of 31! We can give a more detailed account. Universities founded by Catholics numbered before the thirteenth century nine (including Cambridge 630, Oxford 802). In the thirteenth century ten were founded, in the fourteenth century the number founded was nineteen, in the fifteenth century (including St. Andrews, 1411 , Glasgow 1450, Aberdeen 1494) 34 ; in the sixteenth century 22, in the seventeenth century 7, in the eighteenth century G, in the nineteenth 11. Of universities founded by Protestants we find in the sixteenth century 8, (including Edinburgh, 1583), in the seventeenth century 10, in the eighteenth century 2, and in the nineteenth century, 11, (including London 182G, Durham 1832, Dundee 1880, Victoria 1880). Opulent Protestant England only founded, and then three hundred years " after the errors of Rome were abandoned," three universities, London, Victoria, Durham. London means simply an examining board. Victoria, the title of several associated colleges, and Durham had in 1890, 215 students with three colleges, one in England, one in Barbadoes and one in Sierra Leone. If we take the present condition of Oxford and Cambridge and contrast it with the position in the dark ages we shall sec how of old Catholicism fostered learning. Oxford had in 1209 3,000 students, in 1231 the number was 30,000 in 1263 13,000. In 1350 there were between 3,000 and 4,000 students, in 13(50 the number was 6,000. Bologna in Italy had in the twelfth century over 10,000 foreign university students and Paris atone time could boast of M),()oo. ])ean Fitch ett says the Roman Catholic Church, as he saw it on the Continent, presents a problem deserving of study. We trust he will continue his study of the beneficent action in Europe of that Church to which were due, as Canon Farrar points out, " the humanizing machinery of schools and universities " as well as " the civilizing propaganda of missionary zeal."

Catholics who are true to principle and worthy of the name •will make the Christian education of the young the determining motive at the ballot box next week. Only those who have not really at heart the interests of the children of the Church will listen to the voice of oily politicians or astute enemies, and cast a -vote dictated by disgraceful expediency.

Owing to urgent pressure on our space we are compelled to hold over this week's Cnristchurch correspondence and other interesting matter.

"No postponement" is the motto of the Very Rev. Father O'Donncl in connection with the Ashburton Catholic Church art-union. Holders of books of tickets are requested to forward blocks and remittances without delay. Remittances will be acknowledged later on in the New Zkvland Tablet. We earnestly urge Canon O'Donnell's friends, and they are legion, to bestir themselves, and give him the assistance which he asks for his church.

On Wednesday. November ISth. at it a.m.. Mr. John A. Hally. of Mornington. was married in St. Joseph's Cathedral to Miss Mary Hughes, of Littlebourne. The Very Rev. Father Lynch said a Nuptial Mass and gave Holy Communion to the newly married couple. The groomsman was Mr. John Geerin, of Port Chalmers, and the bridesmaids were Misses Annie and Clara Hughes. A large number of friends were present. In felicitating, after the ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Hally. Father Lynch spoke in complimentary terms of bride and bridegroom, both of whom for several year-, were members of the Cathedral choir. Mrs, Hally. he said, was very highly esteemed by all who were acquainted with her. He felt particularly delighted at performing the ceremony that morning and offering the Nuptial Mass. The bridegroom had over fourteen years ago served his first Mass in the old church. Since that time he had

naturally taken a great interest in his welfare, and observed with pleasure how the lad, loved by all his schoolmates, grew into the young man deeply respected by the Catholics of Dunedin. In wishing Mr. and Mrs. Hally a long and happy married life he voiced the good wishes of a host of friends.

The mission which has just been conducted at Mosgiel and Allantown, says the Taelvl Advocate, by the Vincentian Father, Father McCarthy, was one of the most successful yet held. The rev. gentleman, who is a fluent and forcible speaker, delivered a series of excellent addresses, there being large attendances at each of his meetings. Upon the conclusion of the mission Fathers McCarthy and O'Neill were entertained at a social in Mosgiel, when a very pleasant evening was spent. On Sunday last a mission by Rev. Fathers Boyle, CM. and McCarthy, CM. was commenced at Milton when there was a crowded congregation. At the conclusion of the Milton mission the Rev Fathers will commence a week's mission at Waihola.

Under the heading " An Irish Wedding in New Zealand " our contemporary the Sydney Freeman has the following : — Under the heading '• Marriage at Ashburton," an occasional correspondent of the New Zealand Tablet contributes the best wedding account we have read for many a long day. It was none of your artificial " very pretty wedding affairs " nor did it come uuder the cold-soup variety of '■ quiet but impressive functions." It was a right good romping, jolly-hearted Irish wedding ; no cards, no frills, but loads of fun, heaps of dancing, and hand-in-hand good wishes all round. Our contemporary then reprints our correspondents account in full.