Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-07
THE CATHOLICS AND THE SCHOOLS.

Movement Among the Clergy OF the
Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Priests and laymen Of the Catholic Church
In the archdiocese Of Baltimore have been 90
impressed BY the views OF Archbishop Ireland
on the school question, saws The Baltimore
Sun today, that some Of them are considering
the advisability Of submitting a proposition 10
the city authorities, provided the cardinal
agrees to their plans. The following circular,
which embodies the views Of Archbishop Ire
land. will be distributed among the clergy;
The discipline Of the Catholic Church d.
reefs parents TO educate their children In
schools which confer secular education with
rehglous training. But when We consider that
the Constitution rests upon civil and religious
liberty and that every man may worship God
according to the dictates of his conscience. both
the civil and religious powers must aid without
Infringing on the prerogatives OF the other.
"Edlcation and Christianity must 60 hand
IN hand and ought not TO De separated. There
Is an equilibrium which exists between civil
and religious liberty and which cannot be in.
fringcd upon without resulting injuriously to
both.
The religious and secular education Of the
rising generation is of the greatest Importance
1t viii be "a barrier 20 iYnpiety, a most effectual
means OF intoxicating obedience to the laws and
The advantage of religion in the guidance
OF civil government is forcibly expressed in the
farewell address of Gen. Washington. lie tells
that religion and morality are the indispensable
supports of political prosperity the great
pillars Of human happiness, and the firmest
duties of men and citizens.
Now, since the Constitution Of the United
States directs Congress TO make no law prohibit
ing the free exercise of religion, we therefore
feel aggrieved that we have to paw double
taxes, one in obedience TO the civil law and the
other IN obedience to conscience.
"All these difficulties could be remedied by
legislation.
First II the city and state would affiliate
our schools to the public schools. placing the
secular education under the superintendent of
the same.
Second. BY renting our schools at a nominal
price. which would exempt the state from very
considerable expense, some hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars.
Third. That our teachers be Catholic
Fourth. That we grant to the commissioners
OF the public schools the right to examine our
teachers, also the right to examine the pupils
to know If their progress in secular education
be satisfactory.
Fifth. That we would claim all the rights
and privileges of the public schools for the
support of our schools.
These are all the conditions the state
requires, and hence We demand all the rights
and privileges of the public schools 1t would
add immensely to their usefulness.
Religion teaches man his duty TO God and
his neighbor and country. If faithful to God
he will also be faithful to his country Hence
the father of our country tells us that il is i'm
possible TO have civilization without morality,
and We cannot have morality without religion.
AS the state is not united to any particular
religious denomination it is not expected tc
teach religion. but it can be supplied by public
denominational schools. Then the rights OF
conscience would be secured, and MARYLAND
would render 20 Cesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs TO God Our first
duty is to seek the Kingdom Of God and His
justice. His revelation is the light of the world
Hence we conclude that education. in order to
be complete. must be built upon religion 40 the
basis of all human knowledge"
II the Catholics of Baltimore decide to make
proposition to the city authorities they NAV
adopt Archbishop Ireland's plan rs a basis OF
they may offer TO let the city take the parochial
schools as a part of the public school system
without a stipulation that religion shall be
taught before, during or after school hours
Religious instruction would then be given in
Sunday schools only. Nothing definite has been
determined upon yet. The only facts al
present are that the circular quoted above will
be distributed and that the subject is under
consideration.