The Cableman Again

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 37, 10 September 1903, Page 18

The Cableman Again

Catholics in New Zealand do not need to be reminded of the severe economy of truth practised by the cabledemon when he breaks- out in reports of Catholic happenings in Europe and America. In the great majority of such cases his statements are to be taken with a grain of salt. When the cable-message emanates from Rome, it is usually safe to take it with a barrelful. Two statements relating to Cardinal Moran that were whirled to the ends of the earth from the Eternal City during the past few days should be received with a great deal of caution. One of them runs as follows : At Cardinal Moran's instance, the Propaganda decided on, and the Pope approved of, the creation of a bishopric at the future Federal Capital of Australia.' Determining beforehand to establish a bishopric in an unknown place in a country with a settled hierarchy is so contrary to the ways' and usages of the Holy See that we cannot accept it unless on some authority less open to suspicion than a cableman who—especially in Roman matters—seems to be such a firm believer in the motto that ' there is no sense in telling too much truth.'