THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC CONGRESS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 37, 13 September 1900, Page 19

THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC CONGRESS.

A cable message received on Saturday Btated that a large number of Catholic dignitaries from all parts of Australasia had arrived in Sydney to take part in the solemn dedication of Si. Mary's Cathedral and in the Australasian Catholic Congress.

Tbe ceremony at the dedication of St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday was great and impressive. Cardinal Moran presided. Archbishops and bishops from every part of Australasia were present, together with 200 pnet-ts. Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Grimes were the New Zotiland prelates. The Governor* ot Vpw South Wales. Queensland, and the Lieutenant-Governor of New Guinea were present. Pontifical Ili^b. Mass was celebrated. Archbishop Redwood preached a lengthy sermon, contrasting the Roman Catholic with the nonRoman Catholic Churches. The preacher said that swarms of contradictory denominations existing in the world to-day had neither unity, sanctity, catholicity, nor apostolicity. Protestantism in all its branches teemed with conflicting sects, which were on the increase. Its main principle was private judgment — the Bible interpreted by private opinions being the source of variations, divisions, and utter anarchy. This anarchy was the fountain head and great force of modern infidelity and agnosticism.

On Monday the Catholic Congress was opened by his Eminence Cardinal Moran with an address on ' The Catholic Churoh in the Nineteenth Century.'

A paper was read at the Catholic Congress on Tuesday suggesting organisation for the increased effectiveness of the Roman Catholic vote. It was pointed out this power would be no menace to the State, but the Roman Catholic party, by its solidarity, would ensure a just appreciation of the rights and interests of the body it represented. The paper evoked a good deal of criticism. Mr. Hughes, a member of the New South Wales House, objected to the formation of any religious political organisation.