CATHOLICS IN HOLLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1918, Page 23

CATHOLICS IN HOLLAND

The Catholics have been the principal victors at the Dutch general elections, having secured the representation of 30 seats instead of 25. The progress of the Church in Holland is one of the most encouraging signs of the fruits of Catholic activity on the Continent (says an English exchange). At the so-called Reformation she appeared to be utterly crushed in the country. After the abolition of Spanish authority in 1648 the Dutch Catholics suffered under the most cruel persecution. William of Orange published edicts suspending Catholic worship. The Dutch Calvinists were fiercely hostile. Two of William's officers, Soney and Van der Marck, put to death all the priests and religious on whom he could lay hands. The soldiers imitated the officers. Even ill the Dutch colonies the Catholics were persecuted. The life of the Catholics in Holland was much the same as that of their co-religionists in Great Britain and Ireland during the penal days. But a wonderful change has taken place amongst the Dutch. All denominations are free, and the Catholics in their advance have outstripped the others. For a considerable number of years they have been a power in the State. To a large extent their representatives in the legislature have co-operated with the Protestants for the attainment of Christian ideals in social movements. It is not difficult to discover the secret of the triumph of the Catholics in Holland. They have won because they are a soundly democratic party and deserved to win. As we read the programme upon which they appealed to the electors we feel proud that Catholics are so well to the front with progressive proposals, so much alive to the needs of the creed or class. It is an eloquent commentary on the reactionary character of our own Government's policy that whilst our Ministers identify their ambition with the contemptible sectarianism of the days of Dutch William the Dutch people of to-day have utterly rejected that narrow, bitter spirit, which exercises a dominating influence nowhere else in the world except in these islands and especially in Ireland. Here are a few items from the programme of the Dutch Catholics: Open diplomacy, greater power of the people's representatives over foreign relations, the settlement of international disputes by arbitration, implement of the consular service in the matter of reports, the support of movements against militarism and the growth of armaments, self-government for the

colonies, the extension of education on a basis of equality for all, and the promotion of far-reaching social reforms. Honor to the victors!