The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-21
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Indignant Protest OF PiOus Faster Against
Father Walkers Fanaticism.
INTERVIEW WITH A DISTINGUISHED PRIEST


Church, and has, 1t is said, done more injury to
Cathocity than the combined utterances OF al
the anti-Catholic preachers could effect. Catholics
feel that they and the teachings OF their religion
have been m!srepresented, and the priests OF Now
York condemn Father Walkers fanaticism. The
writer, In the interests OF the readers of the
HERALD. has had several interviews with prom.
nent priests o. New York, and, without exception,
they have branded Father Walkers sermon as
rasn, dangerous and bordering heresy, II not
actually hereticai. During an interview with a
scholarly pastor, who has proved himself most
jealous and consistent advocate OF Catholic educa-
.iop, the following conversation took place -
REPoHrER--May ask you If you nave seen the
report Of Father Walkers sermon, published In
the HERALD and also what you think it?
FATnER-Yes, have read it; aud never in an
experience OF many years has any act or speech
of brother priest caused me SO much pain. In
speaking or the false premises from which Father
Walker draws his horrible conclusions find it
difficult to repress my indignation. The editorial
comments In the HERALD fully express my Opln-
ion OF that unfortunate exhibition of ignorance
intolerance and fanaticsm. And may add that
the Jesuit Fathers are indignant that a member OF
their order should bring dlscfedtt on them by ad-
vOcating the refusal Of the sacraments TO parents
who SEND their children to the public schools.
cannot believe that Father Walker is fully
alive to the consequences OF mis- teaching Ac.
cording to the last report Of the superintendent
OF Common SCHOOLS In this city there were last
year on the register els, 545 scholars, with an av.
erage attendance OF 1lT,239. or these more than
hly per cent are the children OF Catholic parents,
and Father walker would II he could. refuse the
sacraments to those 1OO,O 900 Catholic fathers and
mothers during life ana after death relegate them
to 1.-The mansions OF the damned" The Catholic
parochial schools, according to last years di.
rsctory, had on the register $1,000 pupils. The
average attendance is not given, but 1t will be
found to be about $1,000 Now, ii Father Walkers
views are correct, out Of 600, 900 Catholics whom
We claim in this city there are not 100000 In good
standing. This is a
INDUSTRIOUS LIBEL ON THK CATHOLICS
OF New York. and have reason TO hope that the
Jesuits will punish the libeller, and SEND HIM to
the gloomy solitude OF Saut au Recoet, in Can
ada to revise his theology and learn at the feet of
the sanity Master OF Novices, Father Perron, that
humility and charity should be tbs characteris-
tics of the Catholic priest and that it is his duty
to draw people to the sacraments, not to drive
them from them.
REpoRrER-But, Father, it is said that Father
Walker has only preached what the bishops have
taught and the Pope defined.
FATHER-I am aware that some Catholic news.
papers In the habit OF asserting that the public
school system has beon condemned, ana have
even heard that few priests In this city look on
It with horror. 1t is utterly ase to say that the
public schools have been condemned, for the very
simple reason that there is nothing In the system
deserving Of condemnation. II 1t be sinful Tor
parents to send their children TO the public schools
IL is either because the system of education is bad
in Itself or because they (the schools are the
proxtmate occasion OF sin, or because they are
~ sne rope NOW IL almost an M
to snow that the public schools are not, as Father
Walker gratntously and falsely asserts nurseries
of ~ 4 hat thpv n n N cal md
that they do not prove TO be tho proXtmate occa-
sion OF sin. The only proof whica Father Walker
brings forward to sustain his
ATROcIOUS ATTACK
Is founded on some information gained as priest
IN the confessional at the tribunal OF penance.
Now, also nave had years OF experience in hear
and par0chal schools. and. in the interests OF
truth, am compelled to say that tho morals OF the
RiSherEsandard as those Of The bows and girls ~
WHO attend parochial schools.
As matter OF course; IN every school ana col
there Is more or less yic,ousness, and Il is the
ana Gaty Of educators t. to eradicate It.
sSsir SCHOOLS; ask the Rev. Father Hudon. Of
men IL the nails of St. francis xavler's
the reverend rector OF st. IAhn's Fordham, II
there are no ''back sheep' In that seat Hearings
young ladies' at Manhattanvue are, without ex
cepti6n, spotless; ask the Sisters at Noun. 81.
the same nswer an rom yoa w seI SUD-
these experienced teachers :-"Iiuman nature Is
prone to evil; there Is no 1ock without q black
sheep-no family without q scapegoat.h Is II any
wonder then, that out OF an average attendance
Of III ,23s children at the public schools some are
GOO public school children come TO confession
once g month, and assure you that July two.
deed soiled the spotless robe OF baplismal IN
nocence. Lear that the same cannot be said Of the
/ strongly advocate Catholic education would be
sorry TO see anything done TO impair the efficiency
OF our public SCHOOLS and. as far as my experience
dien all that could be expected. and where the
religious education IS imperfect the fault lios pri
marllv with the priests, whose duty 1t Is to gather
the little ones OF hts dock on sundays, ana Il pos
slble on the afternoons OF Other days, within the
sacred precincts OF thu Church and there provide
them with the spiritual food Of religious insiruc.
zion.
FATHER WALLER CONDEMNS CARDINAL M'oLosKEY.
Father Walker and those who think With him
should remember that when they arra!gn the
pubic schools as being bad In themselves or
the moral reaching OF our beloved aud Sencrabs
CARDINAL. who has never spoken harsh word
recruited ' his priesthood rom Is " scholars.
Say taey 60 iUrrsep tS Snq condemn the
VINO Recognizing the benefits OF the education
given In the public schools, exhor bishops and
pastors to be on their guard lest text DOCKS OF anti
Christian or anti-Catholc tendencies be INTRODUCED
into the public schools. In o word Il Father
Walker did right in denouncing the public school
american hierarchy have been grossly remiss In
their duties, and are to-day guilty OF the enor-
nous crime o. suffering 'the little ones, for whom
Christ died,n to enter forbidden pastures and per-
hitting priests Ito administer the sacramento TO
Catholics who are as little deserving OF tnem as
dogs"
Troublesome QUESTION.
REPoRTER-It is we'll known that some priests IN
this city are hostile TO the public schools because,
as they say, they nave been condemned by the
Pope. May ask you reverend Father, II there
has been Papa legislation on the subject oil our
public schools
FATHER-Wcll sir, the question - rather .
wholesome one and at first thought | was in.
cIned to give 1t general answer In the negative;
but | feel that would be unworthy OF my mission
To preach the truth did not shed what hight 1
can on CHS perpleXed and perplexing question. l
feel that the HERALD is doing NOBLE work in
tying to set Catholics right with their fellow cti-
Zens In our glorious Republic; and canddy con-
fa thai feel hannred In having a share in