CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES

New Zealand Tablet, 4 September 1919, Page 19

CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES

,i:.A Catholic principles (writes the Most Rev. Dr. Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney, in a recently published Pastoral Letter), upheld always unflinchingly by the Papacy, are applicable to our time, and supply■ the preventative of . its evils. : 1. Each individual is free and responsible in thought and desire, word and deed*. 2. Supernatural light and strength to be obtained by the proper use of prayer and the Sacraments is indispensable to each and to all, in the spiritual combat with the powers of sin, within and without-our souls. 3. The bond of consummated wedlock may be sundered by death only. Husbands and wives who separate should become reconciled or remain without a partner; either will be an adulterer if joined to another man or woman, civil divorce notwithstanding. 4. The system of public instruction which divorces religion from the primary school especially cannot be accepted as complete and salutary. Being neutral and atheistic, or mainly secular, its influence if not its teaching promotes religious erentism, which, in turn, even under the cloak of broad-mindedness, will lead to the decay of moral character by the broad avenues of self-love, avarice, greed of gain, contempt of authority, and enslaving habits of impurity, injustice, and impiety. Surely the work of the devil! 5. Both masters and servants, employers and the employed, should regard one another mutually as members of one and the same body, affected by each other's prosperity and adversity, and bound together by the exercise of justice and fraternity, in the hope of the life that now is and of that which is to last without end. 6. Given reasonable sufficiency for family life, every 'Christian is to be content with his own lot and its opportunities for gradual permanent improvement of circumstances, the rich taking care of the needy and the poor and orphans, the strong assisting the weak and the afflicted, all in the name of the Man-God, not distinguishing between creeds or classes, between friends or enemies, and hoping for nothing thereby, as if we were useless servants (Luke 6 and 17). "As you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner" (Matthew 7, "Luke 10). "Your Father who is in heaven . . . maketh His sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust" (Luke 6). 7. All are to obey the rulers of Church and State, by the ordinance of God ; and rulers are also to be subject to Him in the exercise of the authority with which He has invested them for the welfare of society, in their respective spheres. Church and State are as the two arms of Divine Providence in working out the happiness of mankind in time and for eternity.. The Church has charge of our spiritual and eternal interests: the State is to safeguard and promote our material and earthly prosperity. They are both self-contained under God : each should respect and assist the other in its own domain, and for the common good. "There is no power but from God, and those that are are ordained of God"

(Rom. 13). 8. Subjects are free to work for all true reforms by every lawful and advisable means—-i.e., in prudence, justice, fortitude,' and temperance. Thus, the Machabees, in resisting impious laws, merited renown with men and crowns of martyrdom above. But no man hath license to do wickedly, nor (as we are slandered and as some affirm that we say) to do evil that there may come good (Rom. 3). The Commandments of God are paramount to all—rulers and ruled. Those whom God blesses will walk in the ways of holiness and peace (Prov. 33, Matthew 5). Patience hath a perfect work (James 1). "Shall there be evil in a city" which the Lord hath not done?" (Amos 3). "The Lord He will strike us and He will cure us" (Osee 6).