The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-07
Doetrinai instruction in Catholic Schools.
fclsrsland Catholic Universal

Doetrinaf instruction In Cathono Sohoeb.
cleveland Catholic Universal
The number of men and women gradu-
ated respectively by our Catholic colleges
and convent seminaries, who are capable
of making an intelligent defense of the
theology Of their faith, appears to be, very
small. The number Of Catholics who par
ticpate, as such, in American literature
is 80 small as to be insignificant. Yet
the colleges are we'll flied, and the young
ladies' seminaries are crowded. Another
fact, equally indispntable, is that even in
social life these graduates: commonly sur
render Catholic Characteristics for neutral
ity or indifference, and the intelligent
championship Of faith which it would be
rendered at all, or if attempted, too
often falls short of what is expected of
them.
The fault, we fear, must be charged
upon the institutions in which they have
been bred. In the colleges, the study OF
religious principles and church history, is
treated altogether too much as a special
pursuit adapted only for those who have a
strong natural Inclination for it. In the
young ladies academies, the instruction is
often given by Incompetent persons, and
nearly always at Intervals instead of daily.
There seems to be lingering tradition In
the latter schools that the girls need not
only acquire a fine glitter of the super
fetal. There is no systematic, earnest de-
termination to Instruct them as thoroughly
in the reasons Of their religion. as in the
runs of a piano, Or the making of a sabered
salutation which is seen in the courts OF
Europe and Cd the comedy stage, but
rarely in American parlors. Yet their de-
voted instructors would readily confess that
a clear, accurate, familiarity not only with
the doctrines AID practices, but with the
reason of the doctrines and practices of
faith, is more necessary than musical &C.
complishments or the requirement of per-
sonal grace. We would not undervalue
the latter, especially for women but the
former are too generally sacrificed in their
behalf.
A knowledge of theology is just as neces-
sary for the woman in the world as for the
man. Practically speaking, the mother
who instructs the children requires more
knowledge of the science aud history of
religion than the father whom business
and taste usually combine to deprive of
opportunity and inclination for this task.
10 fact, if any discrimination is to be
made. we would rather give the larger and
more exact knowledge To woman, tor the
reason already named,-the duties of
motherhood. This right the church has
recognized in every age, and if Catholic
women are to day generally ignorant of
practical theology, and unworthy to be
classed with predecessors of their sex
whose learning and courage have done
noble service for the Church, let them lay
the blame on their willingness to follow
fashion instead of saints. We do not
mean that they should spend years &C
curing that sort of theological knowledge
which is purely abstract, and employed
chiefly in making subtle distictions in the.
illogical discussion. In the requirement of
such learning the time of iaymen and wo
men would be very nearly wasted. We
refer to practical theology,-that clear
and extensive knowledge OF the science,
the history, and the ordinances of religion
which alone enables it's possessor intelli-
gently to defend the faith against ma,ig
nant ignorance or enlightened fulseheod.
This theological knowledge Is necessary
for every educated Catholic, and this is
the knowledge which our young women
and young men acquire with least pro-
ficiency and evidently seek with least
desire.
A distinguished probate of the American
Catholic ChHrch has said that the abIest
teacher in every college and academy
should be chosen to give the religious in
struction, and that the strongest induce
ments should be held out for superiority in
r. feet how inadequatey this duty has
been performed when they take into con-
sderation what has been stated in the be
ginning of this article,-that the number
of laymen and women capable of efficiently
defending their faith, and of acquiring dis
tnction, as Catholics, in literature is-let
US write it gently-shamefully small.
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