The New York herald., 1879-12-03
THE SCHOOL QUESTION.


AN OFFICIAL EXCLAMATION OF ARCHBISHOP
WILLIAMS RECENTLY DELIVERED ADMoN,-
rIoN-soMETHING LEFT TO THE DISCRETION
OF PARENTS AS WELL AS PRIESTS.
BosruN. Dec g. 1872
The Plot tomorrow will print the following
statement on the school question from the Most
Rev. Archbishop Williams:-
Various and conflicting reports having appeared
Boston said regarding Catholic schools at recent
meeting OF the clergy OF the diocese. Ii il deemed
to the public. W. are Authorized by His Grace to
say that his advice to the clergy on that occasion
indicated no new purpose or policy. and that the
substance and intent or what he did say arc con-
tanned in the following statement:--
The Archbishop moved by the public interest in
the school question. recalled to the minds of the
clergy the principles Catholic theology that relate
to the Christian education OF tho young aud in
OF our embarrassing oircumstances the difc ultcs
of the matter and recent events exhorted them to
use the utmost prudence and charity in the applca
tion Of these principles. The principles themselves
those of the divine moral law. and depend for
their validity and binding force not merely cccle
siastca definitions. but their intrinsic truth
and justice. On these principles all true Catholics
are agreed They dfer if at ALL only regards the
feasibility opportuneness or best methods Of giving
them practical effect.
No Catholic who is properly instructed seriously
denies that Catholic schools combining good ocular
and religious instruction under the moderating in
fuences of the Church, are preferable for Catholic
children. The Archbishop strongly urged that. when
ever practicable, such schools should be established
in every pari sh and as far as possible made equal
to the public schools They regarded prac-
ticable where their establishment and support would
not create any serious financial embarrassment or
impose too grievous burden on the resources Of
the faithful.
As in the absence of suitable Catholic schools
parents send their children to the public schools
rather than allow them to grow up illiterate they
should mako it matter of conscience to take duo
precautions against the dangers Of such schools and
in Christian doctrine out of school hours In this
connection the Archbishop read from the instruc-
tions sent to the bishops OF tho United States
through the Roman propaganda. In document
dated November "a, 1875. and printed In some
papers in this country after its recep-
ton. From this document, now before In tho
original, gather that the system OF instruction
peculiar to secular schools appears in itself to
be full of peril The document proceeds to attribute
this peril to the severing OF secular from religious
instruction the exclusion of the authority OF the
Church from the schools the opportunity frequently
given teachers holding sectarian opinions
error into the minds OF the young plastic and
receptive in the tender age OF school days. and.
in some cases. the coeducation OF the sexes We
quote follows:-
'.Unless this danger of perversion be changed from
proximate to remote such schools cannot be fire.
queuted with safe conscience. However. the sacred
congregation is that the circumstances are
sometimes such that Catholic parents may, with .
safe conscience send their children to the public
schools where (the danger being made remote) suf-
fcent cause exists. Such cause would commonly
exist where there is Catholic school at hand,
where that which is accessible is little suited edu-
cate the child properly suitably to its condition
The Archbishop, resuminR, said:-"In case OF q
decided and persistent difference Of opinion arising
between the pastor and the parent as to the suti-
cheney of the cause alleged, the matter must be
ferred the decision of the Bishop which decision
will govern the conduct OF both pastor and parent.
Any priest, however, hearing confessions in the
private tribunal OF penance is free in the exercise Of
his faculties in this in oil other cases. to give
withhold absolution, guided by the disposition Of
the penltent and his own judgment and discretion
and his knowledge OF the facts and principles In
voved.
parents who for good and sufficient reasons omit
to send their children to the parochial school, but
otherwise for them efficient religious tn
struction may f well disposed) be admitted to the
sacraMents.
"No priest has the right, save in the and ex-
ceptional OF public scandalous sinners to pub
lcy refuse any of the sacraments OF the Church to
any Catholic reasonably applying for the same.
"Excommuncation, as also public denunciation OF
individuals designated classes, is strictly forbid
den to all priests OF the diocese. in this in all
other cases. II such censures ever to be
inflicted, it belongs the office Of the bishop to
judge and act i'll the matter.
''The misguided, the erring and the perverso
can better be brought to the performspce OF their
duties by kind advice, paternal solictude, gentle
persuasion. prayer and other means suggested by
charity than by il!-timed and il-tempered severity
or vexatious cOercive measures. t~
"Char1ty prevents as we'll as covers multitude OF
sins. and prudence has won more victories than in
discreet zeal.