National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-15
A ROMAN CATHOLIC
Has Something 20 Say About the ChuFel,
Va. Public schools.

To the Editor Of TuE REPuHLicASi
Is II right that the head Of congregation should
hold forth from his altar words Of reproach for
tho Institutions of this country that he should
use the place he holds as minister Of peace TO
abuse, oriticise, and forbid the gratutous educa-
tion Of the public schools2 that he should not
only forbid, but enforce the rulings Of his intol
Grant mind by all the penalty and rigor his posi-
ton gives him over those Of parishloners who
happen to differ with him, or are obliged finan-
cially to send their children to public schools
On Easter Sunday Father -, in st. -, In
most supplementary and unpssioral tones pro-
scribed the attendance to public schools
AND OPENLY DECLARED
that he would refuse absolution and consequently
the sacraments TO all those who attended them
and also to the parents who sent their children
there. Cnn vouch that It is not an empty threat
for know of two instances when abso,ution was
refused on that very and only plea. On what
catechism-on what prayer book does he base his
Judgments7 In what code Of religious laws-in
what Commandment does he find that attendance
to public schools Is forbdden2 IN what list ofsins
does he classify III why should he force his con.
gregeiion TO go TO the sisters or the brothers
schoos2 Is u because he is the president Of both
those establishments DO they offer the same adj.
yantages rs the public schools2 No; they are pay
schools. Should poor parent then be excluded
FROM EDUCATING HIS CHILDREN
In such case Father - implies that by
coming forth and proving financial inability there
mitted gratuItously by favor. Favor7 why
should citizen OF the United States be obliged to
beg MS favor what the laws Of his country give
him as q solemn right2 Why should he be
Obliged to prove his poverty when he can claim
equal rights 10 education md enlightenment with
the richest in the land2 Why should the child be
subjected In such case to the slurs and Sights
inherent to his being poor tolerated pupil Why
should he be made to
FEKL LIKE AN oBJEcr OF PITY
when next door the American eagle Is ready 10
greet him cordially us n welcome scholar under
gin by making their teachings gratuitous IL will
be time then TO consider IL the standard of educa-
ton they offer is rs high as tho one granted by the
country itself What IL q school teacher had
written to of the sisters 10 request that the time
of the retreat be postponed by ne-halfhour so as
to enable her pupils
TO ATTEND DEvoTIoNs
and yet have time TO answer the rol.call Of the
public school? A courteous request from one
teacher to another has the rghtto be either courte
ously granted or courtcously refused; but the
zones from the foot Of his altar at Sthe ideS Of
public school teacher writing TO good sister," &c
Does he not see that such intolerant, unpastoral
language Jars ON the feelings of the best of his
flock? Does he not see that the school teacher
showed in this transaction amuch broader nobler
and Chrlstianlike tolerance than himself? What
fshe had told her pupils that hthey
ATTENDED THE SISTERS RETREAT
they would forfeit the right of re-enterlng her
classY Does he not see that his narrow. minded.
ness and sour teachings have for years past sent
the educated wealthy, and intellectual Catholics
Of his parish drifting into other sanotuaries. where
they found enlightened priests who attracted their
tocks by preaching Christian doctrine of peace
love, and charity, instead ofwasting their time ON
an aggressive abuse Of their neighbors2 And this
exodus will last at this rate till there Is left around
him only those few simple minded members that
can be led to take the bilious attacks of benighted
asperity from garrulous pastor for the teachings
and Word of their Master.
A ROMAN CATHOLIC.