THE RESOLUTIONS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 17 November 1904, Page 3

THE RESOLUTIONS

At the request of the Archbishop of Melbourne, his Eminence the Cardinal presided at the general session on Saturday, October 29, when the la'bdrs of the Congress were 'brought to a close. The whole of the vi.->it-ing -prelates, were present, and fclie gireat hall was filled with the clergy and laity. The business of the day was the adoption of the resolutions passed at the various sessions, in which were embodied the very essence of the Congress proceedings,. Dr. Kenny read i the resolutions of the Congress, which were as follow •— 1 The Cardinal, Archbishops, Bishops, and clergy, and the representative laity assembled in session of second Australasian Congress, expressing their loyalty md devotion to the Holy See, most deenly and gratefully thank the Holy Father for his hearty blessing. The secret of the success of religion in the Australian Church is its union with the Holy See and the union of the clergy and faithful of Australia under the blessing of the Sovereign Pontiff.'

' That the Catholics of Australasia, assembled in public Congress, wish to convey their unanimous sympathies to the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland and to the leaders of the Irish people in their campaign to obtain the Legislative independence of their country, and to assert lor themselves the rights of Catholics to their Linuersity.'

1 That the Congress recommends the early establishment of seamen's conferences 1 m connection witjh St. Vincont de Paul Society at all' the prinripal ports of Australia.'

' That a conference of St Vincent de Paul Society bp established in every parish in Australia (where rjracticable), urban and suburban conferences in the cities and towns, and rural conferences in country parishes, with the view of teaching Christian Doctrine and distributing Catholic literature.'

' That it be a suggestion from the art section that a Hoard of Works be iormed in each diocese, consisting ol clergymen and laymen, the latter including two architects, all to be selected by the Bishops, 'lhe powers of the Board to be purely advisory, all plans 1 and specifications of proposed ecclesiastical works to be submitted to them, and to be returned by them with such recommendations and advice as the Board may deem fit, and that fees for inspection accompany each set of plans and specifications.'

' That the Congress recommends the early establishment in London, or other central place, of a depot for the leceipt l'om all countries, of unsold copies of Catholic papers and periodicals, with a view to their distribution amongst the shipping companies by the St. Viucent de Paul Society throughout the world.'

' That the want of a suitable school manual of Bible and of English history has been long felt in our Australian primary and secondary schools, and we theretore welcome with satislaction the " History of England for Catholic Schools," by Wyatt Davies, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge ; and also Mrs Sadlier's translation of Dr. Schuster's " Bible History," and we desire to recommend both these manuals for adoption in our primary and high schools.'

' That it be an intimation and a request from this Congress that the Bishop of Rockhampton should undertake to piovide a suitable manual of Irish history, as well as manuals on the other subjects referred to.'

' 'i hat the Congress desires to convey toi the zealous Missionary Fathers of the Sacred Heart its heartiest sympathy and condolence in the terrible disaster that has befallen their mission in New Britain 'lhe members desne also to express their gratitude to the German administration of that colony for the uniform kindness and aid extended to those missionary Fathers, and it would be their anxious wish at the present sad Ifunrture that the voice of clemency in regard toi the native culprits would be heard, as they are convinced that many' of those unhappy natives must be sheltered by the Dnme prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they Know not what they do." '

' The members of the Congress further desire' to congratulate the same devoted Fathers on the fruitful results of their missionary toil in British New Guinea, and rejoice that a beginning has thus been made^ to mgratt a missionary spirit on our Australian Church. r lhey desire to assure them of the heartiest co-opera-tion and of perfect solidarity with them, and will leave nothing undone that their missions among the natnes may' be crowned with abundant fruitfulness and with complete success.' ' That we convey the expression of our sincerest sympathy and condolence with tne religious communities of llolv Church in France on the terrible persecutions to which, at the dictation of infidel societies, they are now subjected by the French Government.'

1 That the Congress, in the name of God and His Church, heartily welcomes the many results of sound scientific truth "in our own age ; and recognises in all its triumphs the goodness of Almighty God. AH instructed Catholics are assured that the knowledge which man attains through the study of Nature and the use of right reason is gained, not merely by the permission of God, b:ut by His express injunction to His creatures. They are, therefore, firmly convinced that whatever seeming contradictions may for a time arise, true human science can never conflict, as in the long past ages has been constantly proved, with the clear knowledge of God which He has mercifully vouchsafed to man by revelation. Finally. this Congress is assured that both theology and human science, when pursued with a single eye, and with a reverent spirit, are intended in their several spheres to lighten the path of life for man, and in perfect harmony to reflect the glory of Almighty God.'

' Th\at the prelates of Australasia be respectfully requested to urge upon the priests af their respective dioceses the desirability of advocating the establishment and extension of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic

Benefit Society, or any recognised Catholic benefit society.' 1. 'That all Catholics are bound to take a deep interest in the noble work of temperance, in view of the frightful economic, physical, social, moral, and spiritual evils resulting from intemperance, and this Congress earnestly recommends, before all else, the establishment of some approved Total Abstinence League in every parish.' h ' 2. ' That, inasmuch as God works by human instruments in building up His Kingdom of Righteousness, this Congress urges Catholics to aid in the reclamation of the victims of intemperance, and in the protection of the young from the perils arising from the misohie/ous and indiscriminate use of strong drink.' To gain these ends the Congress advises — (a) ' The systematic instruction of the young in the truths which science reveals as to the deleterious effects of alcohol on the human body. (b) ' The heartty moral support of all men of .goodwill t/o the temperance cause, with the object of creating a healthy and intelligent public opinion on the evils which follow the use of intoxicants, and on the grave necessity which exists for lessening the many temptations to drink that abound on every side, and bringing about a reformation of the foolish drinking customs of the day. (c) The provision of wholesome recreation for young and old free from such dangers to intemperance ' ' That it is desirable to approach the various prelates with a view of arranging that a special sermon in tlhe interests of the society be preached in every parish pnee a year.' 4 That an address expressive of the devotion of the Apostolic See be forwarded to his Holiness Pope Pius> X.' ' That this meeting affirms the desirability of a federation of the Cathoiic Young Men's Societies within each State of the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand.' ' That delegates be appointed*.from each federated State and New Zealand to form a union for Australia.' c That the Congress votes its thanks to Drs. M. U. O'Sullivan, J. B. Nash, and J. Ahearne for the cutspoken way in which, speaking as Catholic physicians of competence in the matter, they have ranged themselves on the side of the doctrines of the Catholic Church on a delicate subject, and the Congress hopes the Catholic physicians of Australasia will be thoroughly in accord with the sentiments set belore the Congress by those gentlemen.' 1 That this sectional meeting of the Congress congilatulates the executive on their efforts to promote the success of this Congress, in honor of the Virgin Mother of God, the second Eve — Mary Immaculate.' 1 That woman's special sphere of duty, and dignity, and security is the home, which is to be guarded against pagan ideas, principles, and practices ' ' That this meeting congratulates his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne on the institution of the Girls' Club, and wishes it success, as a means of enabling many young women to spend their leisure hours in profitable employment, and qualify themselves for greater efficiency in domestic duties.' ' That this section of the Congress desires to record its k appreciation of the value of girls' clubs 1 , and of the establishing of technical schools, where the domestic and economic arts might be taught.' - That this Congress urgently requests the vaiious Governments of the Commonwealth, and of the respective States of Australia, to introduce and carry through such legislation as may seem to them best fitted to 1 prevent the sale by chemists and others of all drugs and appliances which may be considered to be instrumental in connection with the reported decline in the birtb-rate of tine Australian colonies. The Congress furftiher begs that legal restrictions; against what are known as indecent advertisements be introduced.' 1 That a committee of ladies be formed for regular attendance at hospitals, and to assist in the work of District Trained Nursing Societies, to attend poor patients in their homes.' • That an Australasian Catholic Truth Society be formed. That the head-quarters of the Society be Melbourne. 1 ' That the president be the Archbishop of Melbourne; treasurer, Very Rev. Dean Phelan ; secretaries, Rev. Fat/her Norris and Mr. W. L. Bowditch ; committee, his Grace Dr. Kelly, Rev. Father Martin, Very Rev. Father Heam, S.J., Messrs. J. T. P. O'Meara, Quirk, and Linehan.' On the motion of Senator Mulcahy, seconded by Mr. Benjamin Hoare, the resolutions were adopted, without amendment, except in one instance where Cardinal Moran suggested that in the one relating to temperance the ward l abuse ' should be substituted for ' use,,' which was agreed to.,