The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 17 November 1904, Page 24

The Catholic World

ENGLAND.— New Catholic College at Holywell 'I he new Catholic College at Holywell, instituted by the Bishop of Menevia (Dr. Francis Mos^tyn) is) ab|>ut to be opened. The premises intended for the college— which is to be Known as St. Mary's College— have been given vo tlie Bishop by Miss Sankey, and were formerly. known as Vron House, a large house situated in the high street. The special object of the new college is to instruct candidates for the priesthood in the Welsh language. The Kector of the college is the Rev. Paul Hook. A Contradiction The Kcv. Charles R. Chase nas addressed the foUowmg letter to tne ' Christian ' : 'In your paper of September 1, 1901, I read : "A contemporary has just stated. . . that more than half of the congregation of St. Michael's, Shoreditch, ' who seceded to the Churrh of Rome . . . have n,ow lapsed aoid gone back.' " Ido not know what contemporary journal you. quote from, but as one who had a good deal to do with the reception into the Catholic Church of a number of persons trom St. Michael's, Shoreditch, the names of each ot whom I have now before me, I can assure you that 1 ha\e not heard of any one of them having returned to the Church of England.' Catholicism in Birmingham The re-opening of St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, alter extensive renovations, was celebrated • recently by the Catholics of the diocese, the special services being crowded. Amongst others present, were the Archbishop of Westminster, who was the preacher, and a large number of clergy and laity, who had assembled in connection with the annual Conference of the Catholic Truth Society. The Cathedral, which was erected from the designs of Pugin, and was opened by Cardinal Wiseman more than half a century ago, took the place of the first Catholic church built in Birmingham Shortly before the Revolution, which resulted in the dethronerrw?nt of James 11. The original edifice was sacked and burned by a riotous mob immediately after the battle of the Boyne. It was mentioned that the alterations to the Cathedral have cost over £2000, and that it is now completely fitted up with electric light. 'The organ has also been restored. Preaching at St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, Archbishop Bourne complained that the Catholic Church was continually misrepresented. Opposition to her in England was generally based upon ignorance ; her doctrines were often completeiy misunderstood by Protestants. It was, he added, difficult for Englishmen to know the motives of the Holy Father, as, for instance, what was now passing in regard to France If the Pope spoke clearly and plainly, he was told he was wanting in diplomacy ; if he Was diplomatic, he was told he was not straightforward. FRANCE.— Another Move by the Ministry We have our own educational troubles (says the ' CaUiolio Times '), but they are hardly eq"ual to those of Catholics across the Channel. The French Government, having destroyed as many of the Catholic schools as possible, is now preparing to deprive Catholics of any teachers at all. A new ' projet de loi ' has been submitted to the Education Commission <by the Minister of Public Education, M. Chaumie. It will be enforced, if it is carried, on the first of January, 1907. Accord-

ing to this proposal, all pers«ons who intend to adopt the teaching profession must be possessed of certificates before they can be permitted to teach ; and such certificates will be granted only 'by the lycees and colleges recognised by the State. That is, he must have been t aimed -yn an institution organised and conducted with the one clear object of defeating the Free Schools m which Catholics hitherto have had their children taught. And after the first of January, 1907, no person will be allowed to teach, either publicly or privately, unless he has passed an examination and gained this certificate of proficiency from the State 'lhus existing teachers, many of I'hem advanced in years, come under the law, with what result it is easy to imagine. Evidently thp French Government is resolved to destroy all religious education among the people, and as history proves how contagious is the example of France, the secularists of other countries will not fail to note what goes on across the Channel. INDIA. — Appointment of a Bishop The English Capuchins have received official notification oi the appomtme/nt by Pope Pius X. of the Very Rev. Father Petromus, 0.5. F.C., as Bisliop of Allahabad, in India. Father Petromus was born sixty years ago at Bologna, in Italy, ana entered rthe Order.(Capuchin Franciscans) when about eighteen yeaxsi of age. He went to the Indian Mission in 1&71, and has labored in various parts of the North-Western Provinces ever since. Father Petronius speaks and writes English perfectly. POLAND. — Russian Methods A Polish priest, writ/ing m a Detroit newspaper, publishes some unpleasant reminiscences of the late Minister \on Plehve, who was recently assassinated in St. Petersburg For example :— He was a dreadful man. As Governor of Wilna he was shockingly cruel. I Knew Bishop Hryniewi&cki, Catholic Bishop of Wilfria, whom he exiled in 1885. The Bishop refused to change the ritual of the churches in the aiocese fiom Latin to Slavonic. ' it is contrary to religion : I will not do it,' said the Bishop.—' Then you will >be 'exiled,' said the Governor.— 1 Well,' replied the Bishop.—' I give you three days to prepare,' the Governor threatened.—' If you wait three days yon will have a riot,' answered the old man. ' I beig of your Excellency take me away to-night.' So the Bishop went that night to the Governor's palace. He was taken away t>y daik, and saved the lives oE his people and the Russians. He was eight years in oxile in South Russia, guarded by soldiers night and day m a two-room hovel. ROME.— The Holy Father and France His Holiness Pope Pius X., addressing a body of French pilgrims, expressed his love for France, and said he was well aware of her real attachment and devotion to the Christian Faith. 'In the words of Joan of Arc,' said his Holiness, ' France is a kingdom of Christ. She is now passing through a crisis, and a time of mreat trial and suftering. There is still not only hope but certainty that she will remain worthy of her nigh mission, and that the present crisis will soon Pa,ss away." The Holy Father Protests The • Osservatore Romano ' publishes a letter irom the Pone to Cardinal Kespighi, Vicar of Rome, in which his Holiness says he has learnt with infinite grief that some so-called Freethinkers have held a congress in Rome. The echo of their speeches had confirmed their intentions, which had already been made clear by the mere announcement of the congress. SCOTLAND.— A Silver Jubilee The Rector of Scots College, Valladolid, \ery Rev. Canon Wood,, has just celebrated his siher jubilee as a priest From Scotland, and particularly the Galloway diocese where, at Kilmarnock, he rendered, before going to Spain, yeoman service as a priest, the rev gentleman was the happy recipient of a large number of congratulations, addresses, and most useful presents. SOUTH AFRICA.— A New Diocese The 'Catholic Herald' announces that the Key. Father Miller, a former Rector of the Cafholic church, Tower Hill, and lately on the mission in Paris, nas Been appointed Bishop of Johannesburg, which is a new Catholic Episcopal See in South Africa, and which was formerly und^the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Kunber£y Father Miller is a native of Mountrath, Queen's County, Ireland. The other Catholic Bishops m South Africa are at Capetown, Kim'berley, and Natal.