The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-08
which the position OF their family re.

tual attention ana quo CONSIDERATION
for their respective rights.
"While there arc teachers of any de.
scription for tho secular branches, who
are legally inhibited from Catholic re-
ligion and morality, let the rights and
duty OF the church obtain OF teaching
the children the catechism in order to
remove danger to their faith and morals
from any quarter whatsoever.
THE WORDS OF THE POPE.
at seems we'll to quote here the
words Of our Holy Father, Leo Mi
(see the popo's letter to the arch
bishops OF New York and to the bish-
ops OF the province: we further de-
sire you to strive earnestly that the va
rious local authorities be firmly con-
vinced that nothing is more conducive
to the welfare OF the commonwealth
than religion, and that they should, by
wise legislation, provide that the sys-
TEN of education which is maintained
ut the public expense, and to which
therefore Catholics also contribute
their share, be in no way prejudicial to
their conscience or religion. For We
are persuaded that even our fellow citi-
zens who differ from us in belief, with
their characteristic intelligence and
prudence, will readily set aside all
suspicious and all views untavorable to
the Catholic church, and willingly ac-
knowledge her merit Us the one that
dispelled the darkness OF paganism by
the light OF the Gospel, and created n
now society, distinguished by the lustre
of Christian virtues and by the cultiva-
ton OF all that retines. We do not
think that anyone, after looking into
these things clearly, will let Catholic
parents be forced to erect and support
schools which they can't use for the in
struction OF their children
"As for those Catholic children that
in great numbers are educated in the
public schools, where now, not without
danger, they have no religious instruc-
ton at all, strenuous efforts should be
made not to leave them without sutti-
cient and seasonable instruction in
Catholic faith and practice. We know
by experience that not ali our Catholic
children are found in our Catholic
schools. Statistics show that hundreds
of thousands OF Catholic children in
the United States OF America attend
schools which are under tho control OF
state boards. and in which, ior that rea-
son, teachers OF every denomination are
engaged. Beyond all doubt, the only
thing necessary, i. o., religious and
moral education according to Catholic
principles, is not to be treated either
lightly or with delay, but on the con-
trary with all earnestness and energy.
''The adoption OF one OF three plans
is recommended, the choice to be made
according to local circumstances in the
different states and various personal re-
iations:
"The first consists in an agreement
between the bishop and the members
OF the school board whereby they, in a
spirit OF fairness aud good will, allow
the Catholic children to be assembled
during free time and taught the catech-
ism; it would also be of the greatest
advantage ii this plan were not confined
to the primary schools, but were ex-
tended likewise to the high schools and
colleges, in the form OF free lecture.
''The second: To have a catechism
class outside tho public school building,
and also classes of higher Christian
doctrine, where, at fixed times, the
Catholic children would assemble with
diligence aud pleasure, induced thereto
by the authority OF their parents, the
persuasion OF their pastors, and the
hope of praise and rewards.
"The third plan does not seem at first
sight SO suitable, but is bound up more
intimately with tho duty OF both
parents and pastors. Pastors should
INCREASINGLY urge upon parents that
most important duty, imposed both by
natural and divine law, OF bringing up
their children in sound morality and
the Catholic faith. Besides, the in
struction of children appertains to the
very essence OF the parental charge.
Let the pastor OF souls say to them
with the Apostle My little children,
OF whom | am in labor again until
Christ be formed in you (Gal. ~, 1917
Let him have classes OF children in tho
parish such as have been establish he'd in
Rome and many other places, and even
in churches in this country, with very
happy results.
TIE PASTORS DUTY.
"Nor let him, with little prudence,
show less love for the children that at
tend the public schools than for those
that attend the porochial; on the con-
trary, stronger marks OF loving solici-
tude are to be shown them; the Sunday
school and the hour for catechism
should be devoted to them in special
manner. And to cultivate this field,
let the pastor call to his aid other
priests, religious and suitable mom-
bers OF the laity, in order that what
is supremeiy necessary be wanting to
no child.
"For tho standing and growth of
Catholic schools it seems that care
should be taken that the teachers prove
themselves qualified, not oaly by pre-
yious examination before the diocesan
board and by certificate or diploma re-
ceived from it, but also by having q
teachers diploma from tho school
board OF the state awarded alter sue
cessful examination. This is urged
first SO as not to appear regardless,
without reason, OF what public author
ity requires for teaching. Secondly, 4
better opinion of Catholic schools will
be created. Thirdly, greater assurance
will be givon to parents that in Catho-
lie schools there is no deficiency to rem
dor them inferior to public schools
that, on the contrary, everything is
done to make Catholic schools equal to
public schools, or oven superior.
Fourthly, and lastly, we think that this
plan would prepare the way for the
state to see, along with the recognized
and tested fitness OF the teachers, that
the laws are observed in all matters
pertaining to tho arts and sciences, to