The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 12 September 1912, Page 55

The Catholic World

CANADA J' A NEW DEPARTURE. The Catholic school board of ■ Montreal, Canada, has introduced savings banks into the institutions under its care to teach pupils the value of economy, and judging by the results the scheme gives great promise of success. CHINA A UNIQUE JUBILEE. It is a far cry to China (says the Universe), but in a review of the most. striking happenings in the mission field, we cannot omit to mention the celebration of a unique sacerdotal jubilee, that of Father Andrew Liong, of Hong-Kong, a native' Chinese priest, which has aroused the utmost enthusiasm both among missionary circles and Chinese Catholics. The English Governor was present at the Solemn Mass celebrated by the jubilarian, in the presence of the Bishop and a number of foreign missionaries and Chinese priests. About 300 students at the college, Catholics and nonCatholics, presented Father Liong with an address, and the good priest, in the course of his acknowledgment, expressed his hope that the non-Catholics represented might study the faith for themselves. At the gathering which followed, the toasts of the Holy Father, as well as that of King George, were honored, and a telegram of congratulation from the Sovereign Pontiff was read. Father Liong’s wonderful physique still enables him to prosecute his labors with unflagging vigor, and during retreats to preach four times a day, as well as to spend much time hearing confessions; while his mother, aged ninety-five, is still able to make her daily Communion. FRANCE HISTORY AS IT IS TAUGHT. The Instituteur Francois publishes the following answers given at a neutral school examination in French history:—‘l do not know the names of the Kings of France. We only learned from the Revolution.’ ‘ Napoleon was an ambitious Corsican who caused great harm to France and put many to death,’ Joan of Arc was a shepherdess of Domremy who got light-headed and believed in spirits. She started at their bidding to find the King.’ The Crusades were led by the Catholics against those who did not agree with their religious views.’ ‘ Such,’ remarks the Journal des Dehats, are the results of the prejudiced and unpatriotic course* of instruction given to those who are expected to love and reverence their country and direct its future RELATIONS WITH THE HOLY SEE. In Roman as well as French circles a certain impression has been created by the efforts made in Paris by some of the best friends of the Republican Government to bring about the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and France (says a Rome correspondent). The fact is the steady decline of French influence in the Levant, where German and English are slowly supplanting the French language, and, above all, the dilemma in which the Republican Government finds itself in Morocco regarding the Catholic Protectorate, force those responsible for the breaking of the Concordat to reflect on the past. One of the chief urged for the re-establishment of relations is the situation in Morocco. For ages that - country has been ecclesiastically in charge of the f Spanish Franciscans, who can point to a glorious past there. That France yearns to substitute Frenchmen for the Spaniards is certain; that Spain would consent to the change is affirmed; but the Holy See has yet to be consulted. Officious messengers from Paris to Rome have only succeeded in making it clearer than ever how necessary for France is a modus vivendi with the power

that saw her rise and is now surveying her gradual descent in the estimation of the 'world. Another reason suggested for the resumption of the old relations is that in French official' circles it is-- thought the attitude toward the Government of the French Bishops who have been consecrated within the past five years might become ‘ more conciliatory.’ > ■' GERMANY CATHOLICS OPPOSED TO DUELLING. . That the strong sentiment growing in Germany against duelling is fostered almost solely by Catholics is admitted by the Berlin correspondent of the London Christian World, who writes: —‘lt is a matter of the greatest regret that the Protestant Churches of Germany do not oppose this crude system as they ought. I know of no single utterance from any leading divine of the German Protestant Churches condemning duelling. I have never heard a sermon dealing with "the subject in any Protestant church. On the other hand the Catholic Church has persistently opposed the practice, and the members of the anti-duelling associations are almost invariably Catholics. ROME THE LATE POPE. Saturday, July 20, was the ninth anniversary of Pope Leo XIII.’s death. As usual, a Solemn'Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated in the Sixtine Chapel. All the members of the Sacred Col- ‘ lege and of the Diplomatic Corps in Rome were present, along with the various Patriarchs and Bishops of the Curia, the heads of religious Orders, the representatives of the different Chapters, etc. In a side tribune could be seen the Holy Father’s sisters. Cardma! Ferrari sang the Mass, at the end of which the 3 Holy Father gave the absolutions. SCOTLAND PRIOR OF FORT AUGUSTUS. An interesting change is announced in the Supenorship of St. Benedict’s Abbey, Fort Augustus. Very Rev. Prior Willson, whose health has been unsatisfactory for some time past, has resigned office, and Rev. Sir David Oswald Hunter-Blair, Bart., O S B has been appointed to succeed him. The appointment is made by the Abbot-President of the English Benedictine Congregation, with which Fort Augustus Abbey is now united. The choice of Father Hunter-Blair is as appropriate as it is interesting, for he has been closely connected with the abbey since its foundation, and it seems peculiarly fitting that a Scot should rule’ oyer Scotland’s greatest monastery. Appended is a biography of the new Prior, whose installation at the hands of the Abbot of Ampleforth took place on July t 6^ HHut 6 £ t 6r ’ Dom, Sir (David) Oswald, Bart., .S.B.—-Born 1853, eldest son of Sir Edward Hunter£rLfourth Baronet of Dunskey, whom he succeeded as fifth Baronet in 1896; educated at Eton and Maydalen Coliege, Oxford (M.A.)j. formerly Captain Ayr and Wigtown Militia; received into the Church in Rome, March 25, 1875; Private Chamberlain of the Sword and Cloak to Pius IX. and Leo XIII., 1876i«in rßCei 7 ed 16 Benedictin e habit, 1878; professed, 1880; ordained, 1886; Rector of Fort Augustus Abbey School 1890-95; licensed Master of Hunter-Blair’s Hall, Oxford (for University students belonging to the Benedictine Order), 1899-1909. S UNITED STATES CHURCH BUILDING. How futile seem the assaults on the Church by the forces of bigotry (says Church Progress), when last year 478 Catholic churches were erected for Catholic worshippers in this country. . Think of it—47 B—— remember that there are only 365 days in a year.