The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-04-30 00:00:00

THE ROMAN CATHOLICS AND THE
EDUCATION BILL.

A large meeting of the Roman Catholics of Man-
che.t.-r was held in the Free-trade Hall, Manchester,
on Friday night, to coLsider the question of education,
to adopt a series of resolutions respecting the Govern-
ment Education Bill, and to protest against the pro-
posed committee of monastic and convent inquiry.
In the absence of Bishop Turner, Provost Croskell,
yicar-genersl, was called to the chair. There were on
the platform the Duke of Norfolk, Lord Howard, and
many of the leading Catholic clergy and laity of the
district, Lord Howard proposed the first resolution

"That this meeting desires to record Its decided conviction
that the denominational system of education that is in
present use la the best suited to this country, and that it only
requires extemion to make it applicable to all cases and
classes of the working population ; it also further declares
that, as Catholic., it con approve of none that will deprive
Catholic children of their right to education according to the
principles of the Catholic faith."

lie wished to say a few words upon the question of
the proposed inspection of convents. The meeting was
aware that this question was kindly taken up by Mr.
Newdegate for the good of the Catholics. Misses and
hooting.) There were other convents than Catholic
convents in the country, but he did not think that Mr.
Newdegate had included them in his motion --(laughter,
and 'No ")—and there were other things which he
had not included in the scope of his proposed inquiry.
Some years ago there was an establishment in a remote
part of England, which he believed was still continued,
called by the name of the Agapemone. He did not
exactly know what the institution was because he had
never been a member of it—(laughter)—but he thought
that if Mr. Newdegate's curiosity extended no far, it
might be worth his while perhaps to include it also in
the purview of his committee.
The Duke of Norfolk seconded the resolution, which
was supported by Father Purbrich, rector of Stony-
burst College, and was unanimously adopted.
The Rev Canon Toole moved the second resolu-
tion :
" Thst this meeting feels that the time is come for all per.
, sons who are averse to the separation of religion from educa-
tion to declare their opinion; that, in so doing, it expresses
Its strongest objection to those amendments which are pro-
posed on the Education Bill, the effect of which would be to
bring that separation about, by prohibiting religious instruc-
tion, or by imp,sing conditions with which Catholics cannot
comply : and that the chair man he requested to sign a peti-
tion to the House of Commons praying for the consideration
of these resolutions."

The Rev. Canon Kershaw seconded the resolution,
which was adopted unanimously. It was agreed to
transmit a petition to Parliament in accordance with
this and the previous resolution,
Mr. Wilkinson then moved the third resolution :

_ .
" That this meeting of Catholics cannot separate without
recording its indignant protest against that interference with
their religious economy and institutions which is threatened
by the proposed committee of monastic and convent inquiry;
that we brand it as an infringement of personal liberty,
which is prompted purely by religions hatred •, and that we
request the chairman to sign a petition praying the House
of Commons to reject this renewal of religious persecution
against IN
Mr. H. Tijon seconded the resolution' which was
unanimously arlopti.d. and a vote of thanks to the
chairman terminated the preceedings.