The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1922. THE CATHOLIC PAPER

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 21, 1 June 1922, Page 25

The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1922. THE CATHOLIC PAPER

<fp=ff£§) HIS week we make an appeal to Catholics WMu who want to' do something for their reli-•l-7 jw f gion. Naturally such, an appeal includes jfA not le c^er Sy u * a l so Catholic men and women who have the interests of the Church at heart and are willing "to do i Jgj&r their bit" in the warfare against her enemies. We will be very careful not to put our own personal views forward. Every argument we shall use will be drawn from the highest authorities, from sources which no good Catholic can afford to despise; and we hope that priests and people who might well say: "Oh that is only the opinion of the Editor of the Tablet, or else a suggestion from the Directors," will remember that what we have to put before them is neither the one nor the other. Or better still, it is both, but for the best of reasons because it is the message of the highest minds to them.

Here then is one authority: “To publish Catholic journals and place them in the hands of honest men is not enough. It is necessary to spread them as far as possible that they may be read by all and especially by those whom Christian charity demands we should tear away from the poisonous sources of evil literature.” It was not the Editor nor the Directors, but Pope Pius X who. said these words. The Pope also said; “In vain will you build churches, give missions, found schoolsall your efforts will be futile if you are not able to wield the defensive and offensive weapon of a loyal and sincere Catholic Press.” Now that message was addressed to every priest and it came from the Pope, who knew more than any man of our time about the evils of modern society and the way to cure them. ■ No priest can say that the diffusion of the Catholic paper does not concern him vitally in the light of the Pope’s words, and one who takes them too lightly can hardly be acquitted of some neglect of duty, Note, that in the interpretation given to . the foregoing words by Father O’Neill, C.S.G.-, the “Catholic Press” means , “the duly authorised or accredited Catholic paper in the diocese or archdiocese; ”'Pope Leo XIII ; adds the great weight of his: authority fb we have just been

saying. He said: “Let the clergy foster Catholic journals with all zeal, and aid them with their learning; and whenever they find men truly Catholic who are active in this work, let them give to these most generous support and favor.” Again, it was Pope Leo who said : “A Catholic paper in a parish is a perpetual mission.” Testimonies corroborating these authoritative pronouncements might be multiplied indefinitely but we take it that Papal authority is sufficient argument for those whom we are addressing. It is evident that it is not only a good thing but even a duty to foster, support, and help to circulate the Catholic paper. We leave the conclusion with confidence to every priest and to every layman and woman who think it right that the advice of Christ’s Vicar on earth ought to be heard with respect and obedience. The American author whom we have already quoted says: “While the average Catholic paper in this country, may not be an exemplar of perfect journalism, it is probably conducted with considerably more ability than would, or could, be displayed in the editorial sanctum by the average priest (or layman) who condemns it as ‘no good.’ Such condamnation is perhaps ah the bottom merely an effort tranquillize the priestly conscience which protests-against the sacerdotal neglect of duty in the matter of supporting the Catholic Press. ' That there is such a duty devolving on priests, especially on pastors, is a fact admitting of no question whatever. Unless bishops, provincial synods, Catholic congresses, Roman Congregations, and Sovereign Pontiffs have been talking at random and counselling unadvisedly for the past halfcentury) Catholic priests and Catholic people are hound in conscience to foster Catholic journalism.” There can be no room for doubt as to the inexorable logic of that conclusion.

Granted then that it is a matter of dutythat the Pope thinks so as well as the Editor of the Tablet—what are we going to do about it ? First, as an individual and as an. earnest worker, whether in the lay or the clerical apostolate, every zealous Catholic ought to try to spread the Catholic paper, by, subscribing himself and by increasing its circulation among those in his charge or in his neighborhood. Speak well of it to others, recommend them to get it, lend it to others when you have read it. With reference to the clergy we prefer to quote for them the words which we find on page 74 of Clerical Colloquies ; “As pastor he (the priest) can instruct his people in season and out of season on the absolute necessity of their taking Catholic papers as the only practical antidote to the poison of evil literature which is the outstanding danger of the day; he can advise them in passably strong terms not only to subscribe and pay for, but to read, the paper or papers approved and encouraged by the ordinary of the diocese he can promote the organisation of clubs of subscribers; he can urge the needs and claims of the Catholic Press'upon the members of his various societies; he can mould a Catholic public opinion that will brand as un-Catholic the home that does not receive at least one Catholic paper; he can introduce the paper into his schools or at least can interest his school children in its contents and he can secure the prayers of both children and adults for God blessing on one of the most conspicuously important Catholic works of our time—the religious Press.”

We conclude our appeal by calling attention to one sentence: The home into which at least one Catholic paper does not come regularly is an un-Catholic home ! That includes everything we want to say. If it is not enough we are only wasting time in making an appeal.

One of the sources of personal sorrow among good people As ..the. acting ..upon a misunderstanding. Certain alleged statements or actions are interpreted in a sense wholly foreign to their author. In this way;-disagreements antipathies, and even bitter and life-long hatreds are engendered.. He- who deliberately brings on enmities r has' in a way murdered his brother’s soul and will with difficulty save his own. **: •• >- v. ’-'• -. ■ ■ •