FIJI

New Zealand Tablet, 11 February 1915, Page 19

FIJI

SERMONS ON THE WAR.

The Catholic Cathedral (says the Fiji Times ) was nicely decorated on Sunday, January 10, when collections were made on behalf of the patriotic fund. At the 10 o’clock Mass the Rev. Father Fox spoke on ‘ Christian Ethics and the Present War.’ He prefaced his remarks by explaining that he had no intention of preaching politics, but that the terrible war now being waged in Europe occupied the attention of the whole civilised world, and consequently as Christians and Catholics we should know what the Catholic Church thought about the war. Why were we at war? What were we fighting for ? We were fighting for the sanctity of treaties, and in order to keep our word of honor which we had pledged to other nations. To commit perjury and to break one’s word were cx'imes against every human and divine law. England had sworn to maintain the independence of Belgium. , Could she therefore stand by, and allow a powerful but unscrupulous neighbor to crush that small but heroic kingdom ? England had drawn her sword to protect an innocent nation against an unjust aggressor, and as Cardinal Mercier said: ‘ Never had a great nation drawn her sword for a more just or nobler cause.’

Father Fox went on show the false principle which guided our enemies in their every action-‘ Might, is right.’ This was the anti-Christian doctrine which had been taught in Germany for many years. That principle would destroy the very foundations of civilisation. A nation which professed and followed that principle was a standing menace to the peace of the world. • ,

At the end of the Mass the congregation stood up, and every man, woman, and child joined in the singing of the National Anthem.

In the evening Father Lejeune preached on ‘ War, the Hygiene of Nations.’ He fully admitted the great sufferings which war necessarily entailed, but at the same time he pointed out some of the wholesome and beneficial effects of sufferings in general, and of war in particular. Face to face with suffering and with death man became more serious: he realised better his duties to God and to his fellow-men.

The sum of £l3 4s 3d was collected at the Cathedral during the day, and a cheque for that amount has been handed over to the treasurers of the patriotic fund by the Rev. Father Fox.