CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 15 March 1917, Page 23

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

DOMINION COUNCIL. The half-yearly meeting of the Dominion Council --i r of the New Zealand Catholic Federation took place in the Clubrooms of St. Benedict's Catholic Club, Auckland, on Wednesday, February 21. There were present His Grace Archbishop Redwood (patron), the Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney (Diocesan Administrator), and the following diocesan representatives : —Auckland —Rev. Father Cahill, Messrs. Rose and Fitzgerald; Wellington—Very Rev. Dean Power, Messrs Sievers and Walsh ; Christchurch Very Rev. Dean Hyland, Rev. Father Kerley; Dunedin Mr. D. L. Poppelwell. The president (Mr. D. L. Poppelwell) presided. Apologies were received for the non-attendance of the Very Rev. Father Coffey, and also his appointed representative (Very Rev. Father O'Donnell, Gore), Mr. J. J. L. Burke (chairman of the Dominion Executive), Mr. P. D. Hoskins (Dominion treasurer), Mr. J. E. Doolan (Christchurch)_, and Mr. T. J. Hussey (Dunedin) . President's Opening Address. The president delivered an opening address as follows : gives we great pleasure to offer a welcome to the delegates upon this the eighth half-yearly meeting of the Dominion Council of the Federation. This is the first annual meeting held outside Wellington and it shows that the interest in our organisation is not abating when we find so large an attendance of delegates from so far afield. The terrible war is still dragging on and deluging European soil with blood. The sacrifices of our people have been great, and many of our Catholic homes, in common with those of other denominations, are suffering on account of the loss of their dear ones. Nevertheless, the magnificent courage of our chaplains, officers, and soldiers, cannot but bring to our hearts great joy and thankfulness that God has given to our people such self-sacrificing spirits. Let us hope that the end is not far off and that an early victory for the Allies may bring in its wake a lasting peace. One thing seems certain that brave men who have fought side by side and shed their blood in the common cause of freedom will surely on their return be incapable of ever again looking upon one another except as fellowcitizens entitled by reason of their common sacrifices, to equal rights whatever their religious convictions. I have to heartily congratulate the Federation upon its receiving the approbation and blessing of our Holy Father the Pope, and trust that this recognition will be the beginning of a long career of useful Catholic activity. I have also to congratulate the Dominion Executive upon its successful half-year's work. Only those who take a keen interest in the affairs of the Federation can realise what a vast amount of work is involved in carrying on its business, and the close attention and consideration that are required to avoid pit-falls and make the Federation a success. The most marked feature of the Federation of late has been the active steps taken in various dioceses to strengthen the membership and the great success which has followed the public demonstrations in various centres. It is to be hoped that the campaigns thus launched may be continued until complete success has been achieved and all our grievances have been abolished. The steps that have been taken to establish a Field Service Fund have been wonderfully successful, and I hope that this fund may continue to increase, as too much cannot be done by the Catholics of New Zealand for their brave chaplains and fighting men at j the front. Every indication at present points to an immense change in the attitude of public matters after the war, and it is for the Federation to so organise its affairs that it will be a force to be reckoned with by any candidate for parliamentary honors "who may refuse to give us that justice to which we are absolutely en-

titled as citizens. - Let us hope that anything in the nature of a political clash between the Federation and any party may be avoided, as it is very distasteful to the Federation to touch politics at all, but we cannot be expected to allow our just rights to be taken away without a strong protest against the aggression. It behoves units of the Federation to see that all Catholics have their names on the electoral rolls, so as to be ready for any emergency which may arise. The business transacted during the last six months will be placed before you for review and various remits will also come up for discussion. I commend these matters to your best consideration, but will refrain from further comment until the various matters are before you in detail. His Grace Archbishop Redwood briefly addressed the Council. He expressed his extreme pleasure at being able to be present at the meetings of the council, which he regarded as of the greatest importance to the welfare of the Church in the Dominion. He heartily congratulated the Federation on the great work it had already accomplished. The things already done gave him great hopes for even greater things to be accomplished in the future. He referred to the question which would doubtless engage the council's attention—namely, the action of the Government in calling up priests, theological students, and religious under the Military Service Act. A strong and united protest would enlighten the people generally, and show that the Catholic people were indignant at the attempt to deprive them of the services of their priests and the religious who spent their lives in the service of the Church. His Grace concluded his remarks by asking the council to give this matter their earnest consideration, and wishing the deliberations of the council God's blessing. The president read a report of Archbishop O'Shea's address on this subject and a letter just received from the chairman of the Dominion Executive upon the same subject. The president, after a few remarks explaining the position proposed the following resolution: —'(1) That this meeting, on behalf of the Catholics of New Zealand, hereby protests against Catholic clergy and religious being compelled to serve under the Military Service Act on the following grounds—(a) That such compulsion of clergy is abhorrent to the minds of Catholics, and without precedent in English-speaking countries, (b) That the number of such clergy and religious is too insignificant to make their service as soldiers of material value in winning the war. (c) That the religious ministrations of all such clergy and religious are absolutely needed within the Dominion. (2) That this meeting earnestly trusts and hopes that the authorities will take immediate steps to have all such persons exempted from such service. (3) That this meeting fully supports the action taken by Archbishop O'Shea in this matter, and assures the hierarchy of New Zealand of its earnest assistance in any further action they think advisable.' The Right Rev. Monsignor Mahoney seconded the motion, remarking that while the Otago Board had exempted advanced theological students from Holy Cross College, the Wellington Board had refused to act similarly in the case of students from Greenmeadows College. As many Catholic chaplains as the Government would accept had been sent to the front already, and it would be a gross injustice if the boards refused to consider the necessities of the Catholic people who were left in the Dominion, and took from them the ministrations and consolations that could only be afforded to bereaved parents and relatives by the priests of the Church. Mr. Walsh, while approving the resolutions so far as they went urged a still more vigorous policy, and that the clergy should be asked to trust the laity if a direct challenge was issued in regard to the Government's proposal to enforce the conscription regulations upon the clergy. Mr. Rose supported the resolutions as proposed. If it was subsequently necessary, the Federation could take further action.

Dean Hyland supported the motion. If the theatre of war was changed from France to England would the French priests be in the firing line in England ? France is at war in Egypt and Servia, and its forces had been operating in Gallipoli. French priests were employed in these countries only as chaplains, so that New Zealand, in proposing to conscript the clergy for service abroad is going further than Masonic and materialistic France. New Zealand is outstripping Great Britain in its loyalty to the Cause. In England private and ecclesiastical students are exempted from active service, or non-combatant duties. Mr. Sievers considered that the motion was not sufficiently strong, and would go further than was suggested. He most strongly urged the imperative necessity of impressing upon the Government the fact that every priest we had, and even more, were needed in the Dominion, more particularly at a time when the Catholic body was giving up its young men in so large numbers for the fighting line, and when the consoling influences of our clergy were so greatly needed and appreciated by both parents and relatives of the Catholic soldiers. He considered these points should be strongly stressed upon the Government. Rev. Father Kerley supported the resolution, but considered that stronger wording would be advisable. The Hierarchy had been assured in definite terms that exemption of the clergy was the policy of the Government, but it would now appear that Mr. Allen would not carry out that policy. The president said that the proposed resolutions gave the Government an opportunity of carrying out its previously expressed policy, and also would show the Cabinet what was the feeling of the Catholics of New Zealand. If it were found that the Government would not respond to their moderate representations stronger steps could be taken. Meetings could be called in the various dioceses, and more vigorous protests could be made.

The Very Rev. Dean Power supported the motion, and stressed the necessity of the Federation doing all in its power to assist the hierarchy in the matter set out in paragraph 3. Mr. Fitzgerald strongly supported the motion, and particularly referred to the assistance the Federation could give to Archbishop O’Shea, the hierarchy, and clergy should further action be necessary. The resolution was unanimously adopted, and it was decided to send copies to the Acting Prime Minister, the secretaries ox diocesan councils, and to the secular press through the Press Association.

The minutes of the annual meeting were read and confirmed, on the motion of the Rev. Father Cahill, seconded by Mr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Walsh spoke of the necessity of the council issuing a platform which would enable all speakers engaged on organising work to set out exactly the position taken up by the Federation and for an authoritative set of figures for quotation in order that there should not be differences in the line of action, taken by the various speakers. The letters of his Excellency Archbishop Cerretti, Apostolic Delegate, and from his Eminence Cardinal Gasparri were read, and on the motion of the president, seconded by Mr. Rose, it was resolved—‘ That this meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, being the first meeting held since the receipt of Cardinal Gasparri’s letter, desires to convey to his Holiness the Federation’s grateful thanks for his kindly interest in its work, and for his paternal blessing. It feels that the encouragement accorded us by his Holiness will inspire us to greater efforts in the future. The Federation assures his Holiness of its continued loyalty. That we convey to his Excellency Archbishop Cerretti our cordial thanks for his kindness to the Federation.’

An invitation from the Sisters of Mercy for the members of the council to attend the formal opening of the new science class rooms was received, and it was decided that all delegates who were able to attend should represent the council at the function.

The representatives from the dioceses of Auckland, Wellington,.Christchurch, and Dunedin reported briefly on the condition of the Federation in their respective dioceses. The reports, the details of which have appeared in the N.Z. Tablet, were adopted. The report of the Dominion Executive [which appears on pages 45 and 47 of this issue] was taken as "i read, and on the motion of the president, seconded by - Mr. Rose, was adopted. The president made appreciative remarks as to the organising tour made on behalf of the Wellington Diocesan Council by Mr. John Duggan. The executive was thanked for the excellent administrative work carried on during the half-year, several members speaking in high terms of appreciation of the good services rendered. On the motion of Father Cahill, seconded by Dean Power, the thanks of the council were directed to be conveyed to the editors of the St. Patrick's College Magazine and the Sacred Heart College Magazine for giving space for the articles on the work and aims of the Federation. On the motion of Mr. Sievers, seconded by Father Kerley, it was resolved that it be a direction to the Dominion Executive to request all diocesan executives to keep a careful eye upon the cablegrams of an offensive nature to Catholics, appearing in the secular press, and to take suitable action thereon. Also that the council's congratulations be conveyed to the Dominion Executive and to the Wellington Diocesan Council upon the action already taken. (To be concluded )