Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-07
THE pARocHIAL SCHOOL IN ENGLAND.
Catholic Bishops Hold Archbishop Corri-
co,,. yi.vs on Public Education.


Al their recent annua! meeting the
Catholic Bishops Of England united with
Cardinal Vaughan, the Archbishop Oh
Westminster. in deliyerance on public
elementary education which comedies In
many respects with the views Of Arch
bishop Corrigan in regard to the public
schools of this country. The deliverance
is in part as follows:
THAT. while political power and the
responsibilities of government are
more and more deyoying upon the
masses of the people. anC while obvious
dangers menace the future OF society,
1t Is to the country's highest advantage
that religious principles Of life and con
duct should be deepened and strengthened
in the souls Of all durinE the period or
elementary education. and that these ad-
Vantages can bc adequately secured, 80
far as the education Of Catholics Is con-
cerned. only by Catholic public elementary
schools conducted under Catholic
management.
That Catholic parents cannot I'm con-
science accept or approve for their chill
dren a system Of educa ton In which
secular instruction Is divorced from edu-
cation In their religion.
That Catholic parents cannot In con-
science accept or approve for their chill
dren a system Of religious EDUCATION based
upon private interpretations Of the Bible
given by school teachers. whether trained
In religious knowledge or Unframed.
THAT the only system 81 religious edu,
cation which Catholic parents can accept
for their children is thai given under
the authority and direction Of the Catholic
Church. which they believe that Christ
Himself has appointed 10 each all those
things which lie has revealed.
THAT to take the management OF
schools intended for Catholic children out
Of the hands Of those who represent the
religious convictions Of their parents, ana
to place It in the hands Il public rate>
payers who cannot represent those con-
victions. Is "A violation OF Parental rights.
to be resisted as an unwarrIntable attack
upon religious liberty and Ipon funda-
mental law OF nature.
THAT Catholic public elementary
schools, satisfying the demands OF the
Education Department. have a right 10
as full share OF public money, whether
from the rates or from the taxes, as any
other public elementary schools IN the
country. and that it Is unjust 10 deprive
them Of 1t because Of the religious In
structlon required by the parents, which
Is given 10 the children attending such
schools.
That in the present religious con-
diton Of the people Of England, the State
ought 10 observe a consistent AMI strict
impartiality i'm respect 10 religious edu-
cation. whether given in voluntary or
board schools. and TO distribute for main
teuance,' To all public elementary schools
fulfilling the requirements Of the Educa-
ton Department, an equal proportionate
share of public money collected for public
elementary education.
That compulsory state education is an
intolerable tyranny, unless lue regard ba
paid By the State 10 the education OF
the children in their own religion; that.
happily, In the case OF pauper and semi
criminal children. such regard Is part of
the English law. which makes provision
for the education Of such children in their
own faith, and that, therefore, consist
ency and justice require hat the chill
dren of the honest workinS classes. who
are compelled under penalties To attend
school. should not be less a1yantageously
provided for in respect TO education In
their own religion"
A committee was appointed, with Cardi-
nal Vaughan as chairman 10 draft a bill
for presentation to Parliament providing
for the expenditure in the maintenance OF
Catholic schools OF a propOrtionate part
Of the public money raised for the purpose
OF elementary education.