Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-08
MONSIGN0R SAT0LLI
ON SCHOOLS AND THE GOVERNMENT
OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
Address Delivered at the Recent Meeting
of American Arohbishops In New
York--Recommendat ations.
[Ry tolegraph o tho plspatch.l

NEW YORK, December lin his address de-
iivered at tho recent meeting OF the American
Archbishops in New York upon the subject
"For the Settling OF the School Question and the
Government Of Religious Education" Monsignor
satolli said:
"To the Catholic Church belongs the duty and
the divine right Of teaching eli nations 70 be-
lleve the truth Of the Gospel and 10 observe
whatsoever Christ commanded. In her, like
wise is vested the divine right OF instructing the
young In 80 far az theirs Is tho Kingdom Of
Heaven; that is 90 say, she holds for herself
the right OF teaching the truths Of fsith and
the law OF morals IN order 20 bring
up youth IN the habits Of n Christian
life. Hence, absolutely and universally speak
ing, there Is no reDugnance in heir learning the
first elements and the higher branches OF tho
arts and natural sciences IN public schools con-
troled by the State, whose ONCE IL Is 10 provide
and protect everything by which its citizens are
confOrmed 20 moral goodness, while they live
peaceaDly together with n sufficiency OF tenn
poral goods, under laws propagated by the civil
authority.
"Por the rest, the provisions OF the council Of
Baltimore are yet in force. and In general way
VIII remain soto wit: not only out OF our pa
ternal love do we expect Catholic parents, but
we command them, by all the authority we pos
sess 70 procure truly Christian and Catholic edu-
cations TO tho beloved offspring given them OF
God, born again In baptism unto Christ, and
destined for Heaven, 10 shield and secure them
throughout childhood and youth from the dan
gers Of merely worldly education, and there-
fore TO send them 10 parOchal schools or other
truly Catholic schools
limited with this duty are the rights Of
parents, which no civil law or authority can
violate or weaken.
1.-The Catholic Church IN general, and espe-
cially the Holy See, far from condemnIng or
treating with indifference the public school, de-
sires rather that by the joint action Of state
and ecclesiastical authorities thore should be
public schools in every state according as
ma nQODln
cultivation in the useful arts and natu-
raj sciences; bat the Catholic Church
shrinks from those features OF public schools
which arc opposed TO the truths OF Christianity
and 70 morality, ana since In the Interest OF So
ciety 1t says these Objectionable features are re-
movable, therefore not only tho Bishops, but tho
citizens at large should labor to remove them in
virtue OF their own night and In the cause oi mo-
rality.
THREE TLANs RECOMMENDED.
"Beyond all doubt, the one thing necessary is
religious md moral edu'ation according 10
Catholic principles, and as this Is not to be
treated either lightly or with delay, but on the
contrary with all oarnestness and energy the
adoption of one Of throe plans Is recommended,
choice 90 be made according 70 the circumstances
In the different States and the various personal
relations.
the first consists in an agreement between
the Bishop ana the members OF the school board,
whereby tho latter in "A spirit OF fairness ana
GOODWILL. will allow the Catholic children TO be
assembled during iree.time aud taught the cate
chsm. It would also be for the best advantage
II this plan were not confined 20 tho primary
schools, but were extended likewise 70 the high
schools and colleges in the form OF Il free lecture
"secOnd. To have catechism class outside the
public-schoO building and also classes OF hlgher
Christian doctrine, where, at liked times, the
Catholic children would assemble with diligence
and pleasure, induced thereto by the authority
Of their parents, the persuasion OF their pastors
and the nope of praise and rewards
"The third plan does not seem at brst signt 80
suitable, but is bound up more intimately with
the duty OF both parents and pastors. Pastors
should unceasingly urge the duty Imposed
nv both natural and divine law OF bringing
up their children IN sound morality and the
Catholic faith. BESIDES, "a the instruction
Of children appeals 70 the very essence OF pa
tOral charge. let tho pastor OF souls say 10 theli
with the Apostle: Ny little children, OF whom l
am in labor again until Christ be formed III you
Galatians xiv, 49, Let him have classes Of
children in the parish schools such az nave oeen
established in Rome and many other places, and
even in churches in this country with very nap
Nor let him, with little prudence, show less
caro- for the children that attend the puOhg
schools than for those who attend the parochial
schools. On the contrary, tho stronger marks OF
loving solictudo are 10 be shown TO them, ana
the Sunday school and the hour for catechi5m
should be devoted to them in special manner
And o. cultivate this field let the pastor eau 10
his aid other priests ard even suiihoie melhbe.g
OF the laity, in order that what Is supFemely
necessary may DO wanting 70 no chlid'
LIT LAWS BE OBSERVED.
"Fourth-aud last-we think that this plan
would urepaIe the way for the state TO see,
along with the recognized and tested fitness ol
the teachers, that the laws are observed IN oil
matters pertaining TO the arts and sciences TO
method and podagOguos, and whatever Is Ordl-
parlly required to promote the stability and uso-
fulness OF the schools.
1T is necessary that what are called normal
schools should reach such efficiency III preparing
teqchcrs Of letters arts and sciences that thor
graduates should not fail TO obtain the diploma
0f lie State. For the sake Of the Catholic cause
let there be among laymen "A growing rivalry 10
take the doct0rate diplomas, 30 mat possessed
Of the knowledge aud qualifications requisite
for teaching, they may compete tor and honora-