The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 42, 15 October 1903, Page 27

The Catholic World

BELGlUM.— Proposed Basilica A big basilica similar to that of the Sacre Coeur at Montmartre, Paris, will be erected by King Leopold of Belgium on the Koekelbergli, a wooded acclivity near Brussels. The, church f will be served by the Oblate Fathers of the Belgian province. It appears that the King of the Belgians conceived the idea of building the basilica after the death of Queen Marie Henrietta. ENGLAND.— Catholics and Education It will not surprise Catholics to hear (writes a London correspondent), hut it is worthy of note that of the eight or nine elementary schools in Yorkshire and Lancashire which have been threatened with the withdrawal ot the education grant on account of inefficient instruction, lack of discipline, or defective premises, none belong to the Catholic denomination. Board, Church of England, and Wesleyan schools all figure on the -black list, and it is surely a matter for genuine satisfaction that no Catholic school has come under the ban of ithe Education Department. The Catholic Union's Message The Duke of Norfolk, as president, of the Catholic Union of Great Britain, sent the following message to the new rope : ' The Catjholic Union of Great Britain desires to lay its dutiful homage at the feet of Pope Pius X., and begs his apostolic blessing. 1 His Grace received the following reply through Mgr. Merry del Val, acting secretary : ' The Holy Father , accepts with pleasure the demotion of the Catholic Union, and sends the apostolic benediction to its members.' The Benedictines Several of the Benedictine monks from Douai have taken possession of their new English quarters in the delightfully wooded village of Woolhampton, near Newbury« The Bishop of Portsmouth, Mgr. Cahiß, has handed over to the fraternity the control of St. Mary's College, Woolhampton, where an important educational work in connection with the Catholic community has been cairried on for many years, the last president, who has just resigned, being Uanon Scannell. New Schools The foundation stone of the new schools of the Catholic Church of St. Anthony at Forest Gate was laid recently by the Dowager Duchess of Newcastle. The Franciscan Monks established some years since schools for 'the children of the Catholic middle artd working classes in the 'distriict, and there is also close by 'a large girls' high school conducted by the Ursuline Sisters. The functions commenced with an address in the church, when the Rev, Father M'Laughlin referred to the success of the Franciscajn Monks in the County of E/ssex. The, first settlement of members of the Order dates from the French Revolution, and now Franciscan churches, monasteries, and schools- tare to ibe found in the principal towns and leading villages of the country. These schools satisfy the requirements of the Board of Education, and many of the scholars have distinguished themselves at examinations. The Archbishop of Westminster The appointment of Dr. Bourne, Bishop of Southwark, to the vacant archbishopric of Westminster (writes a London correspondent) has come as somewhat of a surprise, as it was generally expected that the choice would fall either upon Dr. Headley, Bishop of Newport, or Dom Gasquet, President, of the English Benedictines, which were the ftrst two names submitted. The decision of the Congregation will be received here with general satisfaction by the Catholics of this country, for Dr. Bourne during the term of his episcopacy at Southwark has shown himself to be possessed .in a very eminent degree of the high qualities necessary for the greater office to which he has now been called. Dr. Bournt is essentially a Bishop of the people, and the diocese of Southwark, embracing as it does the whole of London south of the Thames, bears abundant evidence of the remarkable missionary zeal and great administrative gifts, displayed by him during the nine years of his episcopacy. These qualities will now be transferred to the larger and more exalted sphere in the Archdiocese of Westminster, where there can be little doubt that Dr. Bourne will worthily maintain the high traditions of his great predecessors. It is thought that his appointment will be followed— if not immediately at least at an early date^by the bestowal upon him of the Cardinal's hat, as in the case of previous holders of the high office. The new Archbishop is a singularly young man for such a post, being in fact, with one exception, the youngest of the English bishops. He was born at Clapham on March 23, 1861, and was educated at St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, St Edmond's, Ware ; St, Sulpice, Paris j and the University of Louvain. Ordained priest in 1884» he was

appointed Rector of Sotatfowark Diocesan Seminary in 1889. In 1895 he was named Domestic Prelate to the late Pope in recognition of his labors in promoting Catholic education in Kngland, and became titular Bishop of Epiphania and Coadjutor to the late Bishop of Southwark in 1896. A year ;ater, on the resignation of Dr. Butt through ill-health and advanced age, Dr. Bousrne was appointed his successor in the bishopric. He has hitherto shown but little interest in political matters, but it is believed that his sympathies correspond rather to those of Cardinal Manning tnan those of his immediate predecessor. (We have been informed by cable that Dr. Bourne has been created a Cardinal. — Ed. ' N.Z.T.') The Diocese of Salford The Catholics of Salford (says the ' Catholic Times ') have been fortunate in tine Bishops chosen to take charge of their spiritual interests. Dr, Vaughan, a man of strong character, resource, and apostolic zeal, was followed by Dr. Bilsboxrow, who was so devoted to his work that he spent himself in it, even declining to take necessary recreation. And now Dr. Bilsborrow is succeeded by Dr. Casartelli, who enjoys the cordial esteem both of clergy aod laity, and whose episcopate promises to be eminently successful. It is no seqret that Dr. Casartelli was sincerely anxious to avoid the dignity and responsibilities that have been assigned to him. An Orientalist of European reputation, a member of a number of learned societies, the rector of a flourishing college, and a professor of Louvain University, it is not surprising that he shrank from the idea of accepting an office the duties of which cannot but lessen, if they do not entirely cut off, opportunities for study and literary labor. But though Dr. Casartelli has so far been largely occupied with academic and educational aims and achievements, those who have known him best and have been competent to judge have also discerned in him capacity as an administrator. One of the last and strongest recommendations of Cardinal Vaughan to the Holy See was that Dr. Casiartelli should be appointed Bisthop of Salford, ansd the authorities in Rome who have had the Salford appointment under consideration for a considerable time, have, by insisting on his acceptance of the post, shown that they are convinced of his exceptional fitness. ROME.— An Encyclical A cable message from Rome under date October 5 states that the Holy Father's first Encyclical refers to his reluctance to take office, since he felt dismayed at the present state of human society. He disclaims all secret tendencies, aims, and preoccupations, and deplores the war waged against G-od everywhere. When all things are restored in Christ, His Church will imply freedom from all external domination. The Pope especially recommends great care in training the young, and advocates the increase of Catholic societies. The whole Encyclical is characterised by humility and piety. Cardinal Mo ran The Pope received Cardinal Moran m private audience on Tuesday morning, August 25, and greeted him most cordially. His Holiness expressed his thanks for the warm congratulations which Cardinal Moran tendered to him. The Pope added that he had been most pleased to receive the congratulatory telegram sent by the Cardinal from Colombo on the occasion of his election. The audience lasted half an hour, and at its conclusion the Pope gave his apostolic benediction to be conveyed to the members of the Catholic Church in Australia. The conversation between his Holiness and the Cardinal was conducted in Italian. The Pope said his heart had already gone out to Australia. He added : I will order the Ecclesiastical Congregation s to have pending Australian questions ready for settlement before you leave at the end of September. After the audience Cardinal Moran presented to the Popeihis secretary, Dean O'Haran, and Father Byrne, Vice-Rector of the Irish College in Rome.