Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-31
The CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Her Influence in History the Subject Of
Address by Father Keefe.

The open meeting held in ST. Marys
church on Tuesday evening under the
auspices of the Holy Name society was
largely attended. The meeting was
opened by an address by Michael j..
Carroll on the History of the Hartford
Diocese" Mr. Carroll gave a descrip-
ton OF it's growth from the time of
the first handful Of Catholic settlers up
to its present cathedrals, schools, con-
vents and other institutions.
The principal address Of the evening
was delivered by Rev. William A.
Keefe, as follows:
The Catholic church during the 1900
years of her remarkable history has
always been most jealous in fulfilling
Christs command: Teach ell nations"
She II was who checked the savage
barbarians when they threatened the
eternal city Of Rome and laid the
foundations upon which modern civil
ization was built and fiourishes Her
cloisters became treasure houses of
science and arts. Her holy monks
guarded, transcribed and taught the
masterpieces Of ancient Greek and
Roman literature.
The Church in Art.
In the art OF painting the church in
spired The masterpieces of Rubens,
Murillo, Da Vinci, Michael AngeIo
Rafael and hosts Of others. The great
cathedrals OF York. Westminster. Notrc
Dame Of Paris Antwerp Milan, St.
Peters at Rome are but a few Of the
architectural n1arvels erected under the
guidance Of the Catholic church.
Around these cathedrals spra7g UP
technical schools wherein pious sons
OF the church worked masterpieces in
wood and stone and iron and bronze,
gold and silver for use in the church's
service which are still admired and
copied by our most skilful workmen.
To the Catholic church is due the
foundat ton of most Of. the greatest Eu-
ropean universities. as Oxford, Lou
vain, Sorbourne at Paris, Salamanca,
Bologne, Pisa and countless others.
In Science.
In the field Of science the church
easily holds first place as is proved
from a consideration OF few Of the
worlds greatest scientists: POpe Julien.
to whom we owe our calendar, and
Copernicus, TO whom we owe the
working out Of our present siderical
system in astronomy: Volta. Ampere,
Galyani and Roenteen in electricity:
Stensen IN geology; Schwenn. Pasteur.
Morgagni and Lannec in medicine:
Basil Valentine in chemistry. and
Merdel in biology. all faithful sons of
the church, are second TO none in their
chosen sciences.
In Other Fields.
As IN science and art, so also in
other departments Of the worlds
progress children Of the church were
most prominent. They obtained for US
ell 1.-The privileges which come from
Magma Charter and Bill OF Rights.
They were with Catholic Columbus and
the other great navigators and discov-
erers. They were the ruling power
when Catholic Maryland and Catholic
Governor Dongan Of New York pro-
claimed for the first time IN America
equal rights to all. They were sent by
a Catholic government to make Wash
ington's victories possible They were
with Charles Carroll at the signing Of
the Declaration OF Independence. and
they have been in every battle in our
land from Bunker Hill to San Juan.
Catholic missionaries named the
mighty rivers and now great cities Of
the nation in honor Of the church's
safnts-Lawrence John, Louis. Paul.
Francis. Augustine, Joseph and many
and hosts OF others.
The church stands today as the
worlds most fearless defender Of truth
and opponent OF vice. In a word, she
always has been and always will be the
great Teacher OF all nations"
During the evening selections were
given by Richard Murphy, piano. and
William Malone. violin.