Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1921, Page 39

Catholic World

LUTHERANS COPY CATHOLIC FORMS. Authorities of the . Evangelical Church or Germany, in an effort to stop desertions from its membership, have in many instances adopted Catholic liturgy and forms of worship. The "High Church Union" of the Evangelical clergy— often brought to public notice since 1918 frankly expresses the belief that the salvation of the present generation lies in a return to the externals of the Catholic cult. Quite recently several prominent Protestants have declared in favor of'introducing- in the Evangelical Church a liturgy similar to that of the Catholic Church. They have been brought to this view, apparently, by a superficial survey of the situation and a hasty quest for the causes of th 3 defection from their ranks. In general, they claim that the religious services of Professor De Wulf, but it is privately stated that his selection has been 'confirmed. As the chair of scholastic philosophy is not to be called a permanent represents a departure from past policies and traditions, certain final authorisation is necessary for the expenditure required for its temporary withholding of the formal announcement of" Professor De Wulf's appointment.

THE POPE AND PALESTRINA. The city of Palestrina has erected a monument to the memory of its great son, Pierluigi, the great composer of sacred music of the sixteenth century. The Pope was represented at the inaugural ceremony by Cardinal Vannutelli, and a sum of 10,000 lire was given towards the construction of the monument in the Pope's name. At the same time the*P*»pe addressed a Pontifical Letter to Cardinal Vannutelli, in which he recalls the ordinances of the late Pope Pius X. regarding music in the churches. . In some quarters these instructions are beginning to be looked upon in the light of a dead letter, but, as Benedict XV. points out to Cardinal Vannutelli, tho reformations and decrees of Pius X. on church music are still in force. -

MALTA CATHOLICS DEMAND BRITISH FULFIL PROMISE. When Malta was united to the British Empire, England promised freedom to the practice of the Catholic religion, and granted her official recognition of this religion as the only one of the island. Now, however, England is taking advantage of the movement in favor of a revision of the suppress the article in question. The Maltese Catholics are profoundly indignant over this effort to abolish century-old rights and solemn treaties, especially in view of the increasing sympathy manifested by England toward Zionism. The Catholics aro demanding that the article of the constitution on religion be respected. Mgr, Maura Caruanna, Bishop of Malta, and Archbishop of Rodi, has made a solemn protest against the action of the British Government.

CONVERSIONS IN ENGLAND. Interesting statistics are now available regarding the number of conversions to the Catholic Church which took place in the archdiocese of Westminster alone during last year. The number is 1877, an increase of over 150 on the previous year. Farm Street leads the way, having almost doubled any other parish, the Oratory and the Cathedral being the next on the list, while St. Dominic's Priory comes fourth. These statistics show that the faith continues to make progress, and the fact that the four leading parishes are as above is proof that the Church is making particular appeal to the educated and intellectual classes. It may be noted also that the religious Orders have the preference as instructors,, but this' may be partly- due to

the fact that as of their houses contain a number of priests they have greater time and opportunity for dealing with converts than the hard-worked parish priest who has perhaps one assistant, and has in addition to tho spiritual cares of his actual flock all the secular cares of the mission and its upkeep. The Jesuits, as always, are in the vanguard of the Church's victories.

NEW ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN. . From all parts of Ireland Most Rev. Dr. Byrne, thto new Archbishop of Dublin, has received congratulations upon his appointment on behalf of Cork and the South of Ireland. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr. de Roiste, and J. J. Walsh, two of the deputies for tho city, conveyed, to him in person the good wishes of the Catholics of the Southern province. In the Archdiocese of Dublin itself, the principal public bodies have taken steps to present his Grace with forma! addresses of congratulation. EspresSTftg the views of ,the citizens of Dublin at a special meeting of the Corporation of Dublin, Lord Mayor O'Neill said: . "Dr. Byrne was selected by the clergy of the diocevß as Archbishop Walsh's successor,, and he was undoubtedly the choice of the people of that vast diocese. We all know, and we all believe that tho mantle of Dr. Walsh has fallen on a worthy successor." The Lord Mayor went on to relate how Mr. de Valera on behalf of theteeople of Ireland and Alderman Cosgro/e and himself on of the citizens of Dublin, called upon his Grace to offer their congratulations. In the cotfrse of that interview the Archbishop addressing Mr. de Valera said: "I will do• what I can for Ireland. I will do what I can for my people, and if I am permitted; I will do what I can to help you."

-THE SEE OF BAGDAD. France is very happy at the choice of the Holy Father for the vacant Archbishopric of Bagdad, .which is. now filled by the appointment of Rev. Father Berre, of the Order of Friars Preachers (writes the Paris correspondent of the Catholic Herald of India). This See has stood vacant since 1917 and in filling it by a French priest the Holy See .shows its continuing interest and adherence to the arrangement made on June 4, 1638, which was confirmed on June 11, 1781, and endured from century to century, whereby this See was always confided to a French Prelate and the French protectorate of the Christians in the East maintained. The origin of this custom is the generosity of a woman, Mdlle. Ricouart, who sent to Pope Urban VIII. the then large sum of 6000 Spanish doubloons for the foundation of a church in this country. The first occupant of the See, or Mons. de Babylone as ho was then called, was a Carmelite, Pere Bernard de Ste. Therese. The last Bishop, Mgr. Altmaycr, who has retired to Besancon, was born in the diocese of Metz in 1844, and became a German subject under the Treaty of Frankfurt but was restored to French nationality after his nomination to the Archbishopric, an unusual occurrence. In the present situation in the x East, politically the choice of a French prelate by the Pope is very significant and welcome. The new Archbishop is a great missionary and a very patriotic Frenchman despite his exile in Syria for 36 years. As head of the Dominican mission of Mossoul he was taken prisoner and held by the Turks during the War, during which sad time he gave much hope and encouragement to his fellow-prisoners. The Government of the Republic recognised his services by appointing him Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in February of the present year. He comes to rule over a Mesopotomia lie knows well and which is sown with dispensaries and schools, founded and kept up by the French missions and which have certainly prepared the way during the last three centuries for those important Oriental projects which Pope Benedict XV. is realising. Mgr. Berre is well known in Paris and has given conferences in France regarding the present position of the French missions and missioners in the East. He was one of the suite of Cardinal Dubois on his memorable mission to the Orient which was such a great success. It is considered this important appointment is one of the first fruits of thediplomatic conversations between France and the Vatican. N . ;