The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 6 July 1916, Page 41

The Catholic World

v ENGLAND . CHILDREN AND PICTURE. FILMS. ‘ In the secular press there is gradually growing up a strong protest against the evil effects which picture theatres have on the minds of children (says a London correspondent). But before this section of the press was alive to the dangers which beset youth in going to the cinema, the Westminster Federation, through its lay secretary, Mr. W. P. Mara, had urged by resolutions, unanimously passed, that some steps should be taken at once to put an end to this crying evil. . He suggests that Care Committees, acting under local edu-‘ cational authorities, should make strong effort to enrol (and, if possible, to supply gratuitously with uniforms) as many lads as possible in local Boy Scouts and Boys’ Brigade movements, especially boys whose fathers are serving their country, and who lack parental control. Mr. Mara has received from the American, Australian, and New Zealand branches of the Federation copies of their reports, in which special stress is laid on what is being done there with regard to objectionable picture films. A JUBILARIAN. Early in May the Administrator of St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark, was the recipient of a presentation from South London Catholics on the occasion of . his silver jubilee. Canon Sprankling is an Irishman (says a London correspondent), and almost the entire period of his priestly career has been spent in Southwark, where the Irish population are devoted to him. For the last twelve years he has been Administrator of the Cathedral parish, and, judging by the nature of the gathering when the presentation was made, it would seem that he is the most popular man in the parish. Immediately it was hinted that his jubilee was approaching, a most influential committee was formed, consisting, of Sir William Dunn (future Lord Mayor of London), the Hon. Mrs. Russell, Canon Humane, the Lord Abbot of Douai (of which college the Canon is an old student), and a large number of the rectors of South London. Canon Murnane presided at the pleasant little function, which took place at Notre Dame Convent, St. George’s road, and he referred in most eulogistic terms to all that Canon Sprankling had done for the parish and for the diocese. The artistically illuminated address dwelt on the earnest endeavors of the jubilarian to make those under his care fashion their lives in accordance with the spirit and practice of our forefathers in the faith. The presentation, in addition to the address, included a cheque for £2OO, and a cheque from the school children of the local schools. ' ITALY WAR AND RELIGION. Amongst the Italian pepole the war has produced a decided increase of religious fervor (says the Catholic Times). From articles on the experience of military chaplains in the army which are appearing in the Civilta Gattolica it seems that the work of the priests is facilitated in every possible way by the authorities. As in France, the men are not so regular in their frequentation of the churches as the women, and,some of the soldiers are not inclined to welcome the chaplains on their first approach to them. But the clergy are tactful and gradually win their confidence. They talk to them of their families, of their friends and relatives, and of the religious practices observed in the districts from which they come. When the soldiers are unable to communicate with their parents the chaplains go to their assistance, and in-TSany other ways they are helpful to them. . Thus they establish cordial relations with them and get them to jeceive the Sacraments. Since the war against Austria began thousands of

Italians have been converted from indifference, and they are now happy to imitate the example of reverence at the religious services given by Generals Cadorna and Porro. When peace is restored the anti-clericals will, no doubt, resume their activity, but their ranks will be very thin and, for many years at least, their power for mischief will be greatly reduced. ROME JUBILEE OF THE LABOR ENCYCLICAL. On Monday, May 15, it was twenty-five years since the Encyclical ‘Rerum .Novarum was promulgated by Pope Leo XIII. (remarks the Catholic Times). The world „ has commemorated numerous events of far less importance. ' The Encyclical has formed the ground-work of victories gained .by Labor in many parts of Europe. In America also and the other continents its influence has been felt. Thousands of social movements and institutions have owed their origin to it. Christian democrats have found in it a programme which enabled them to feel that in moving forward they could make sure of advancing along safe lines. Everywhere the Encyclical has been a source of blessings. In this, country the Catholic Social Guild has deduced from it useful lessons for the benefit of the toilers. The war has inevitably diverted attention from social questions, but the subject will be of more pressing importance than ever when peace is restored, and Catholics cannot do anything better on the occasion of the jubilee than to study carefully the social doctrine the Encyclical embodies, and to consider how it may be most successfully applied under the conditions which will then arise. For Catholics ‘ Rerum Novarum ’ was a trumpet-call to action and organisation .on behalf of the workers, and in that respect the field for their activity is still of vast extent. A FAITHFUL SERVANT. The Holy See has lost a faithful servant, one who had worked for the Roman Pontiffs almost as long as did Cardinal Gotti. After 62 years of labor under the roof of the Vatican, Luigi Martinucci is dead. The good old man was the oldest employee in the Vatican palace. At the age of 20 he entered the vast household of Pius IX. as a clerk in one of its many offices. Merit and time brought promotion, so that when he died he had reached the position of Secretary to the Prefect of the Apostolic Palace. THE HOLY FATHER AND CATHOLIC JOURNALS. As were his predecesdbrs, Leo. XIII. and Pius X., his Holiness Benedict XV. is alive to the value of the .Catholic newspaper as a means of helping the Church to influence the people. When a movement for the promotion of ‘ The Work of the Good Press ’ was started in Italy he not merely, gave it his blessing, but strongly urged the Catholics of Italy to interest themselves in its progress. Now that a year has passed since the institution was founded he has addressed to the committee, through Cardinal Gasparri, his Secretary of State, a letter in which he congratulates them on the successful results of their efforts. * His Holiness/ says the Cardinal, ‘is confident that not only the bishops and clergy, but also the Christian people, who always liberally support initiatives that concern the welfare of souls, will not withhold their generous help from the work of the Good Prbss when they understand how exceedingly necessary it is and come to look upon it as a noble guardian of their supreme interests.’ To all who earnestly exert themselves to further the work his Holiness imparts the Apostolic Benediction. We {Catholic Times) feel sure that, the words and the blessing of the Holy Father will stimulate bishops, priests, and people, not in Italy alone, but also in other countries, to do what they can to strengthen the power of the Catholic newspaper, which renders such valuable service to the cause of religion. - •