BISHOP CLEARYS LECTURE

New Zealand Tablet, 8 May 1913, Page 36

BISHOP CLEARYS LECTURE

," v A meeting for the purpose of making arrangements for - Bishop deary's lecture on the Bible-in-Schools question, which is to be delivered in the Garrison Hall on the evening of May 16, was held in the Board Room of His Majesty's Theatre on Friday evening. On the motion of the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., Rev. Father Coffey, Adin., was appointed chairman. .Rev. Father Coney, in introducing the business of the meeting, said that at the present time there was an agitation being carried on throughout the Dominion haying for its object the introduction of the Bible and religious instruction into the public schools. If the Bible-in-Schools League were successful in their efforts, the position would become intolerable for numbers of teachers and children. Even under the present system teachers had been objected to by school committees because of their religious beliefs; and if the views of the Bible-in-Schools League were given effect to, only teachers whose religious beliefs were in accord with those of the school committees would receive appointments. The League asked that the taxpayer should be required to pay; for the teaching of that particular form of religion of which it approved. This would be most unjust. Then, again, it would be very unjust to the children, especially to those attending one-room schools, and whose parents had conscientious objections to the religious instruction imparted by the State school teachers. Under such circumstances Catholic children would either have to be present, or else go out. into the rain and sleet, whilst such lessons were being given. This would be absolutely unjust. Anyone acquainted with children and knowing how easily they were led,and taking into account the carelessness of many parents and their objection to writing letters, could readily understand of what little value was the proposed conscience clause. It was necessary to organise strong opposition to the proposals of the Bible-in-Schools League, otherwise the League would get its way, and the State schools would be used for purposes of proselytism. Bishop Cleary had been doing a great work in the north in exposing the methods and proposals of the League he was fighting a great battle for liberty of conscience for teachers and children, and no man was better acquainted with the subject. It was thought to be a good thing to get him to lecture here, and he had kindly consented to do so. The object of the meeting was to make the necessary arrangements for the lecture. The Hon. J. B. Callan said it was not necessary for him to add anything to what Father Coffey had said. He proposed that the arrangements be left in the hands of a small committee consisting of Rev. Father Coffey, and Messrs. J. J. Marlow and J. A. Scott. This was seconded by Mr. C. A.' Shiel, and agreed to. .Mr. Scott pointed out that it should be made as public as possible that Bishop Cleary would be pleased to see the representatives of the Bible-in-Schools League present at the lecture, and to answer any question they might ask. He (Mr. Scott) believed that the answering of such questions would lead to an extremely interesting discussion. After a few remarks from others, the proceedings were brought to a close with a vote of thanks to the rev. chairman.