The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 15 July 1915, Page 55

The Catholic World

• ENGLAND THE ; LATE. FATHER MATURIN. Addressing the Women’s League at Hammersmith, Father Vaughan referred, in touching terms, to the loss that the Church in England had sustained by the death of Father Maturiu, who, said the preacher, was the third splendid convert priest whom God had called away lately from them in the midst of glorious work. Fathers Croke Robinson, Hugh Benson, and Basil Maturin he would always regards as three heroes. Had they not sacrificed immensely much to become Catholics, and when they did enter the Church did they not all three dedicate their lives to God’s service in the ministry of the priesthood ? What devotion could better merit the title-deed to heroism ? And was it not true to say that they had all died practically, not only in work but of work? They never shook off harness till God relieved them of it. In that fine Triple Alliance of priestly men each had his own special gifts, each had his own particular following, and each supplied a felt want in the Catholic community. Now each was sorely missed. Father Maturin was singularly gifted ; his was an ardent nature, with likes and dislikes keenly felt; he was a psychologist of the human soul, and he took pleasure in sounding all its depths and shoals. lie was an ardently loved Father by his spiritual children, and he loved them no less. No trouble counted with him when their interests were at stake. A character such as his suffered intensely in this rude, rough world, and he felt pretty sure, said Father Vaughan, that when the end came he was glad to go, even through the waters of terrible tribulation. They would follow him with their prayers, and would indeed pray to as well as for him. Father Vaughan, continuing, referred to Father Maturin as author, director, and preacher. To his thinking, said Father Vaughan, the Church in England had lost her three best preachers in the three noblehearted priests of whom he had made mention. lie himself -keenly felt their loss because he knew what a void was made in countless hearts by their homegoing. FRANCE THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH. The devotion and contempt of danger shown by the French clergy, like that which Sir John French remarked in the chaplains of all denominations of the English force, will make a deep and lasting impression on the people (says the Paris correspondent of the Catholic Times). The relationship of priests and laymen is undergoing a great change • nor is it likely to revert to the state before the war. When newspapers speak of the ‘sacred union’ of all parties, and discuss the question of making a new France, we may be sure that public opinion will be shaped by the young men who have fought shoulder to shoulder in the trenches and have learned to appreciate sterling merit. ITALY CATHOLIC WOMEN AND THE WAR. Practical steps are being adopted by the Union of the Catholic Women of Italy to render help to the Italian army (writes a Rome correspondent). A patriotic appeal has been issued by prominent ladies, and the following questions are put; (1) Will you follow a course of instruction as an infirmarian, so as to render assistance in case of need ? (2) Can you act as secretary to supply information to families of soldiers or prisoners? * (3) In what languages, besides Italian, can you render this service ? (4) Can you be of use in the economic kitchens ? (5) Can you render other services, such as sewing, mending clothes, copying maps, etc. ? (6) Would you be willing to visit and console families, if-the need presents itself? (7) Can you offer premises

for the housing of wounded and convalescent, and to serve as kitchens? "T" ' V ; ROME THE population: Notwithstanding the departure of foreigners arid the lack of occupation in Home since the war commenced, the city sees her population steadily increasing (writes a Rome correspondent). The census of March, 1915, shows that the population totalled 600,087, an incicase of 57,964 since the taking of the, previous census. These figures make it clear that in forty-four years the population of the city has more than trebled itself. To foreign residents by the Tiber it is consoling to learn that Rome boasts of a rate of mortality which is the lowest in Italy. Even in March, the month when mortality in Rome reaches its highest pitch, the rate was only 18.38 per thousand, and this despite all we read in guide-books about malaria, different kinds of fever, and chills that are to be caught in Rome with far more facility than in any other place in the universe. SCOTLAND GLASGOW CATHEDRAL CENTENARY. / The celebration of the centenary of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, which takes place next year, recalls an interesting epoch in the history of modern Catholicity in Scotland. Prior to its erection, the only Catholic place of worship in the city was a schoolchurch situated in Marshall lane. St. Andrew’s was, therefore, the pioneer of the numerous churches which have in the intervening century sprung up all over Glasgow. As in the case of pioneers in general, the early days of the Cathedral were not without some adventure. In those days bigotry proclaimed itself brazenly in the open light of day and growled menacingly at the rising structure which heralded the resurrection of the Catholic faith in the West of Scotland. So strongly was this spirit of antagonism manifested that the Church had to be guarded by the Catholics at night, during the course of its erection, to prevent the rougher element of the city from pulling down its walls. The fierce bigotry of those days has died away, and instead of the few hundreds of Catholics who looked with pride on the completed monument of their faith in 1816, a population of over a quarter of a million Catholics look forward with pleasure to the celebration of its centenary next year. UNITED STATES THE SEE OF SAN FRANCISCO. On May 18, the Right Rev. Edward J. Hanna, Adm. of the archdiocese of San Francisco since the death of Archbishop Riordan in December, 1914, was appointed Archbishop of that See by his Holiness Pope Benedict XV. Since his arrival in San Francisco Bishop Hanna has endeared himself to priests and people, and his elevation to the dignity of Metropolitan caused general rejoicing as it ensures the perpetuation of the best traditions of a diocese brought to a high state of efficiency under his scholarly predecessor. The new Archbishop is recognised as one of the leading theologians of the Church in America. FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES. Last year the archdiocese of St. Louis contributed a total of 536, 982 dollars for charities. Of this sum, there went to homes of afflicted, dependent, and orphans 184,146 dollars; hospitals, 85,000 dollars; institutions working among the poor, 47,519 dollars, and among the poor having no homes, 42,430 dollars. THE WORK OF THE- EXTENSION SOCIETY. In its nine years of work the Catholic Church Extension Society, with headquarters in Chicago, has collected and disbursed for missions and for the promotion of missions over 1,500,000 dollars in cash, and in property and securities over 300,000 dollars.