The National tribune., 1891-12-31
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND
EDUCATION.


EDUCATION.
The news from Berlin is that the vexed
question of education (kHltarkdmRf) is sgain
TO be reopened, by the Center (the Catholic
party taking advantage of its holding the
balance of power in the Reichstag, to de-
mand for the Roman Catholic Church more
potent influence in controlling primary edu-
cation. In Germany education is comPul-
sorry, and non-sectarian. >Bismarcks famous
Falk laws excluded priests and religious in
structiOn from the primary schools. This
has been strenuously resisted for 10 years by
the clericals, and they have never ceased to
which would restore the priests and religious
instruction TO the schools. They now say
that they recognize completely the right of
the State TO maintain schools and compel
attendance, but that it is also the duty Of the
Church to cooperate in the work of educa-
tion, that the two should work together in
harmony, if the State will allow the Church
its proper rights and influence. If this is
granted, the Centerists promise strong sup
port to the educational policy, and also to
the Kaiser's social reforms and other meas
ures on which he has set his heart.
The Catholics Of Austro-H Hungary occupy
a similar attitude. They acknowledge the
States right to enforce education, but de-
mand that the interests of the Church be
protected and the Catholic religion be
taught
In France all religious instruction is pro-
hibited in public schools. In populOus dis
tricts the Catholics establish free schools in
which their religion is taught, and in the
less pOpulOus they seek to get such control
of the management OF the schools rs viii
permit of giving some amount of religious
instruction. The Bishops authorized the
priests to accept positions upon the School
Boards, and Cardinal DrOuet instructed the
clergy:
The teachers will nowise be acting contrarily to
the law in assembling their pupils in the morning
before regular class hours for the purpose Of prayer
or study. caiecheiical instruction. provided they
make use Of some private room not within the
school property called. and. in case other
place be found available. authorize them to
cupy the church.
The French Bishops have abstained from
ordering the sacraments 10 be refused TO
those who sent their children to the non
sectarian public schools. This is in favor
able contrast to the policy of some of the
Bishops in this country.
In Belgium education is compulsory aud
non-religious, but the Bishops authorize
Catholics to send their children to any
schools which offer no real dangers to faith
and morals Of the pupils /. seems TO us
that this is the correct principle, and one
which should be made universal in America.
No public teacher has the right to even in-
ferentially teach any creed or dogma. lie,
that he done at home, or elsewhere outside
Of the public school houses.
In Italy public schools are compulsory,
but religious instruction is upon the local
option plan-that is, each School Board acts
in the matter according TO the wishes of the
majority of voters in the district. This has
induced the Pope TO authorize Catholics to
take part in the elections of School Boards
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