The Catholic World.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue XXV, 24 December 1897, Page 29

The Catholic World.

BELFAST. — Belfast Catholic Club. — The inaugural lecture of the Session IS'.)7-'JB of the Belfast Central Catholic Club was delivered on Monday night, October IS, to the members in the hall of the Club. The lecturer was the Rev. Father Finlay. S-J., M A., F.R.U.1., University Colkge. Dublin, who chose as his subject '• The Emancipation of Labour."' There was a crowded and appreciative audience. The Most Rev. Dr. Henry. Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, presided. Father Finlay treated first of the breach between labour and capital. />'., betwei n labour and the wealth that co-operates with labour, and referred to the active revolt against the existing conditions of labour in a period when the standard of comfort among the labouring population has reached so higha level, and to the singular circumstance that it is in the ranks of the workers enjoying tho benefits of higher wages and more favoured means of sub->i>tenee that that revolt is mo«t apparent. The Encyclical in which the reigning Pope Leo XIII. discusses the present conditions of labour and offers the world advice as how the evils of this condition hud best be remedied assigns the cause of this phenomenon. The Pope calls attention to the change which has

come over the relations of employer and employed in consequence of the progress o f industrial science and the application of machinery to production on a large scale. Father Finlay traced the progress of legal enactments to protect the labourer, and to the efforts of the workers themselves to the same end, chiefly by the formation of trade unions. The reverend lecturer then dwelt on the attitude of the Pope towards combinations or associations of employers and employes, on co-operation for production and distribution, and prophesied a bright future for Vhe development of the productional co-operative system in Ireland under the teaching of the Church. Dr. Dempsey, J.P.. proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by Mr. William O'Hare, and passed by acclamation. BELGlUM.— Departure of Nuns for India.— On Sunday, October 17, there took place at the convent of the Sis'ers of Charity, Bruges, the religious ceremony which usually marks the departure of priests and nuns proceeding to distant missions. The special service was held on the occasion of the departure of five Sisters of the Order for missionary work in the diocese of Lahore, of which Mgr. Pelckinans, of the Belgian Capuchin province, is Bishop. The convent chapel was beautifully decorated, and a large congregation, including members of some of the best families in the city, assisted at the touching and edifying function. Mgr. Waffelaert, Bishop of Bruges, presided. On the five missionary rcligicvses entering the chapel the " Magnificat " was sung, after which was rendered the " Chant d'Adieux." The Chanoine Roelants, Director-General of the Sisters of Charity at Ghent, then delivered a very impressive discourse. After a collection in behalf of the work had been taken, the five missionary nuns received from his Lordship the cross and virginal crown. The little band of Sisters sailed from Genoa on Tuesday last for Bombay, en route to Lahore. CANADA.— Honouring Irish Martyrs.— Our Irish friends of this community on August 29th did themselves lasting honour by the noble manner in which they responded to the appeal of the local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians to becomingly commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of one of the saddest episodes in the history of their race. Fifty years ago this summer thousands of their unfortunate fellow-countrymen and countrywomen, flying from oppression and famine in their native land, sought the hospitable shores of Canada as a haven of refuge from the direst of all human ills, death by starvation. Weakened by hunger and cooped up in the holds of foul-smelling sailing ships, they became an easy prey to contageous disease, and, while hundreds upon hundreds of them died and were buried in the bosom of the ocean, thousands more only came within sight of the Mecca of their hopes, to find a grave at Grosse Isle. There they lie to the number of (5.000 or more, and until the last trumpet sounds that gem on the face of the mighty St. Lawrence holds them fast in its embrace. But they are not forgotten. Their memory is enshrined in history as that of the martyrs of their race. It is not only cherished with mournful affection by the survivers of that dreadful time, of whom there are still some amongst us, but venerated by millions of their race to-day, with whom it is only a tradition. As the representative of that race, our Irish Catholic friends of Quebec proved once more to the world how true is the saying that there is no people on the face of the earth, with whom the memory of the dead i& more sacred, nnd how faithfully the poet described their feelings in this head both at home and abroad when be wrote :—: — Some on the shores of distant lands their weary heads have laid, And by the stranger's heedless hands their lonely graves were made : But, though their clay be far away beyond the Atlantic foam, In true men like you men their spirit's still at home. ENGLAND.— New Jesuit Provincial for England.— Rev. John Gerard, S.J., has been appointed provincial of the English province of the Society of Jesus, in place of the A^ery Ilev. Father Scholp, S.J., whose term of office has expired. The new provincial was formerly prefect of studies at St. Francis Xavier's College, Liverpool, and afterwards occupied a similar post at Stoneyhurst Colltge. Latterly Father Gerard has been engaged in editing the Month, in the current i«sue of which he has an interesting article in reply to professor Gardiner, entitled " The Problem of the Gunpowder Plot." FRANCE- — Interview with Cardinal Vaughan.— A representative of the Gauluis has had an interview with Cardinal Vaughan which has been reproduced in numerous French papers. The reporter commenced by asking his Eminence's opinion of the celebrations over which he had presided at Aries. " I was delighted with them," replied his Eminence. " The cordial welcome of your people, the large attendance at the offices of the Church, the reverence which prevailed throughout have deeply touched me. A.nd what increases my satisfaction X the fact that the influence of these fit<* extends tar beyond the precincts of the city In the course of last month the presence of the delegates from the Church of Aries at our ceremonies in London and llainsgate produced in England a great and s-alutary impression. That impression will be strengthened and revived by the Jet ex we have just celebrated. They are the nianifes-t sign, the tangible proof, of the Apostolic succession of the Catholic Church of England. We are, indeed, the direct heirs of St. Augustine and the continuers of his work, since we are acknowledged as such in the very spot where the Apostle of England received the episcopal unction by the successor of him whogave him the consecration. This proof by iacts cannot but strongly impress our Anglicans, and promote their return to the Catholic communion." The interviewer then turned to the question of corporate reunion, pointing out the hopes that had been entertained of its achievement. " Yes," replied tne Cardinal. " but that is not possible and we have no reason to regret it. for if the Anglican Church were to-day to return to the bosom of the Catholic Church, there would be reason to fear that many of the conversions thus effected would be fragile and precarious. Individual conversions afford better guarantees. To return to Catholicism an English Protestant has so

many and such great sacrifices to make, and bo many obstacles to overcome, that the sincerity and solidity of bis faith cannot be questioned. According to the latest statistics, the conversions vary from six to seven hundnd per month, though this number seems a small one relatively to the population. It is necessary to bear in mind that one conversion brings about many more. At the present time there is not a single English family which does not number a Catholic among its relatives or next-of-kin, and thus the prejudice against Catholicism diminishes every day." Questioned next as to his expression of sympathy for France which had created so favourable an impression, his Eminence replied : " Yes, I have a feeling of affection for France. She has at all times done so much for English Catholics that it would be ungrateful on my part if it were otherv ise. Moreover, sympathy for France is universal in England. Therefore, I am painfully impressed when I find in France a prejudice and even animosity against my country. People with you are strangely and nervously suspicious. They are too apt to suspect England of sinister designs. I can assure you that I have never found any feeling of hostility towards France among those who guide our politics. Nay, they are actuated by a feeling of real sympathy, and often express the regret that it is not reciprocated. Let us hope that the clouds will pass away, for the sake of both our countries and the world at large. England and France in accord would be so great a power for good." On this the interviewer remarked that if there existed in France any such prejudices against England nothing could be better calculated to destroy them than the presence in France of such men as his Eminence, unless it were the language which the Cardinal had just used. He therefore begged that he might publish the interview, a i-equest to which his Eminence gladly acceded.

A Retreat for Conscripts. — A retreat has been given lately at the petit scminaire of Beauprcau for the young Vendean conscripts serving under the colours. No less than 208 responded to the invitation to attend the exercises. The men were divided into six sections, each with its own standard and instructor. The exercises were attended with exemplary regularity, and the Bishop of Angers presided at the closing service. The thing has been so succes&ful that it is intended to make it an annual affair.

ITALY. — Music and Charity. — Signor Verdi, the eminent and big-hearted Catholic musician, has decided to devote a large part cf his immense fortune to founding a home of refuse for poor old musicians. The building for this purpose is now being erected at Milan and will be able to house over 100 pensioners, who will have the use of a large number of public room*, besides concert-hall and chapel. The cost of carrying 1 out the scheme will be no less than £20,000, all of which has been found by the veteran composer, who has, in addition, bequeathed to the home a sum which will bring in £3,000 a year as endowment. The author of " Rigoletto " makes his pilgrimage every week from Sant Agato to Milan to see how his work is progressing. Verdi is devoting his last days entirely to the composition of Church music. He is still engagid on his Requiem.

The Queen of Italy and Cardinal Gibbons.— Cardinal Gibbons has received from the Queen of Italy a large photograph of herself taken in her court costume. The photogiaph was presented by Miss Virginia Mactavish. who was coininkiunul by the Queen to convey the gift to the Caidmal. At the bottom ot the picture is written in the handwriting of the Que< n : '• To James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore." The Mg nature is " Maigarita." With the picture Miss Maetavivh presented a request irom the Queen for copies of all the book 1 ? whiih Cardinal Gibbons has written, she being an ardtnt admirer of the Cardinal. The books will be taken to the Queen by Miss Mactivish when she returns to Italy. Miss Mactavish is a well-known figure in Roman society and a devout Catholic. Tho Queen of Italy, about whose affection for the Church so much has boon s.iid, ha^gr.uely offended some Italian newspapers of a. Liberal shade by her not-nt e\-voto offering in thanksgiving for the escape of King Jluinbcit tioni the anarchist Acciarito.

UNITED STATES.— A Patriotic Bishop.— Archbishop Ireland has claim to be regarded as a true American on the grounds that he is a true Catholic. >l Americanism," he ?ay<. '• taking the word in its true sense, means unstinted loyalty to America, and the institution of America, and consequently Americanism is for Americans a Catholic virtue blessed and protected by the Catholic Church. America need not fear while she has citizens like Archbishop Ireland.

ROME.— A Restitution Of Rights.— l" the quarter of Rome which was for long the ordinary place of residence of the officials and dignitaries of the Roman Curia, after the Vatican Palace became the residence of the Popes, that of the Banchi, the Curia has possessed a special church for the soat of its proper archconi'raternity. This is the little church of Santa Lucia in the Via di Monte Brianzo. On January 23, 18.).-), the chil authorities sequestrated all the property of the Archconfrnternity of the Curia, including in the sequestration the provision for five chaplaincies attached to the church. Through its lawyer, the Avvocato Sagnori, the Arthconfraternity has now vindicated its rights over all these goods, not, however, without a lengthy and complicated contestation.

Papal Gifts. — Besides sending us gifts to the Tsar and to the President of the United States copies of the most valuable Borgia volume, his Holiness has presented two other copies to rulers of States, one to King Oscar of Norway and Sweden and another to the President of the French Republic. Each presentation was made with an autograp 1 ) letter. That made to King Oscar was offered by Mgr Bitter. Vicar- Apostolic of Sweden. The King received the gift with expressions of thankfulness, which he b.ulo Mgr. Bitter convey to his Holiness. He then conferred a Knight Commanderbhip in the Order of the Northern Star on the Vicar-Apostolic.

The Vatican. — On Monday, October 11, his Holiness received Mgr. Granello, Commissary of the Holy Office and Archbishop of

Selucia, who was accompanied by the Very Rev. P. Cormier, 0.P., Procurator-General of the Order. On Wednesday he received Mgr. Peri-Morosini, secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in France. Among those received during the remaining days of the week were P. Luigi da Parma, ex-Minister-General of the Friars Minor, and Mgr. Nardi, 0.5. F.C., titular Bishop of Thebes. On Thursday moming his Holiness said Mass in the Sixtine Chapel, and in the afternoon he received the members of the Irish Pilgrimage organised by the Roman Legion of St. Patrick.

SCOTLAND.— A Munificent Gift-— The Marquis of Bute, who is after the Duke of Norfolk, the wealthiest Roman. Catholic in the British Islands, has just bought Pluscarden Priory from the Duke of Fife. The Marquis is going to spend about £100,000 in restoring these ruins, which are very beautiful, and will presumably re-e«tablish a community to occupy the renovated convent. Pluscarden is some six miles from Elgin, and has splendid grounds.