The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-23
CATHOLICS AND EDUCATION.
The Views Of an Able and Distinguished
TheOlOgian Of Brooklyn.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: In the
interest Of truth and justice trust that
letter printed in your issue Of the 2lst inst and
signed Fair Play" was inserted as coming
from Catholic priest by some mistake or over
sight In your Office: mistakes OF which kind
do not often occur in your paper. Unless
your ONCE Ia in possession Of indisputable
evidence that Fair Play" is really Roman
Catholic priest performing priestly functions
in the diocese OF Brooklyn. would venture
the assertion that your correspondent Is
either not q priest at all or one OF those un-
fortunate creatures the misdeeds OF whose
heart have also beclouded his intellect.
Regardless Of the merits Of the case and
leaving out OF consideration the attitude of
the Catholic Church toward the public schools.
Fair Play" Judging by his letter. commits
foul play against his intellect. against logic
and against history. You are quite right
when you say In your editorial comment
that "on questions not de fdc. wide in their
range, there may be and there is much Diff
ference OF opinion" in the Catholic Church.
But while it is true that priests are by no
means strangers TO modern scientific in
quiry." your correspondent Fair Play" does
In no wise furnish any proof to sustain that
fact. His conception of education is not less
lamentabe than his Is noranoe of pedagogy.
The question whether religious instruction
should be given in the school or at home is
still matter Of discussion. but both Catholic
and non Catholic educators fully agree that
It ia part and parcel OF education, and that
it is an Indispensable factor in the moral de-
velopment of the rising generation. Prof.
Coe Of the Northwestern University, a Prot
estant, said in a lecture delivered at Chica go:
The position in regard to Roman Catholics
and education and their policy in the estab-
lishment of parochial schools are absolutely
the best pTo;estsnt made the follow
the work done. by the Roman Catholics. for
the children of this country and that done
by the much larger body of Professionals ought
meet the need OF our children for training
In the knowledge OF God and Of their duty
e Him. In . the meeting Of the National
Of religious training in the schools found ad-
yocates among the ablest ,peda gosues, DR..
Harper Of the Chicago ntoas University has often
the the BiSGeai World Dr.. Harris. another
1Csttholio educator and Superintsndent
instruction for the school children, y.
could multiply " citations to prove the
spondent Fair Play. His stupid obserya-
tions about the morality Of Catholics and his
vain Speculation on the history Of Spain are
belief that your correspondent. II n priest at
all, belongs to q cinss of men whose condition
norance and anmus do not entitle him to a
voice on a question of 80 much importance
and In which the nation is 80 vitality inter-
ested
Catholics fully appreciate the good done by
the publicity which You have given to this
discussion IN your columns. That nothing
resulting from these discussions BY the pub
location OF the character Of one emanating
from Fair Play" beg you to give pub
licity to my protest. p. f. 0'HARB.
BROOKLYN, Oct. Fl.