The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-03-02
Continued from Page ~
RUSSlA'S PERSECUTION OF
CATHOLICS.
The Church in Norway.

Mention has already been made of
the progress of the Church in Sweden
against prejudice and disabilities. In
Norway the progress is still more
marked, for there most of the disabili-
ties against Catholics have been swept
away, and only the Jesuits are pro-
hibited from settling in the country.
The Bishop of Christiania has just
been appealing for missionary priests
to second the efforts of the native
clergy, since the increase in the num-
bers of the faithful is taxing the re-
sources at the command of the Church,
both as to ministers, churches and
schools. 1t is not so difficult for a
Norwegian to become Catholic, once
he is convinced of the authority Of
Christ's Vicar, for when the country
was converted-like England under
Henry What the will of the Danish
Conqueror, and not at the will of the
people, the ritual was scarcely
changed. Latin was banished, but, al
though now meaningless, the prayers
of the Mass were retained in the YER
nacular, and large part of the cere-
monial was also retained. Moreover,
the Norwegian people, with their fine
traditions of courage and uprightness,
are proud of their great men of old,
and to this day st. Olaf is their idol
It is curious but true that as the Latin
countries fall away from the Catholic
tradition-for a time at least-the
Northern countries turn towards it
once more, and give hopes that they
will again embrace it.
The Cause of RituaIism in England.
How much help the Evangelicals in
England are giving towards this Rome
ward movement, it is to be hoped fol
their peace of mind, they will neve,
realize. A crowded meeting in London
was recently convened to form a SO
ciety of 1aymen which proposes tc
fight ritualistic practices in the Church
of England to the bitter end. Sir Ed
ward Clark, K. c., was the instigatol
of the movement, which arose ovel
the question of vestments. At Convo
cation, the Upper House showed a de
sire to permit the Evangelicals to weal
the black Geneva gown in Church, anc
the Ritualists to wear cope of gor
geous colors and rich materials. This
so Infatuated the Low Church section
that they commenced concerted actor
with a view to prevent by law an,
violation of the Prayer Book. On the
Queens Hall platform recently Sir Ed
ward Clark declared that only Parlia
ment could alter the law, and Parlia
ment would never take single stel
towards undoing the glorious Reforma
ton, and bringing back the symbols
and practice of the decaying supersti
ton of Rome. To ask Parliament sucl
thing would be akin to DAME
reminding the lions it was lunch time
A suggestion put forward by the Yorl
Convocation Committee, to allow vest
ments, If white only were used, wa!
smothered with the ridicule it de
served, but it coined a new wore
which is likely to stick to Anglican
vestments, which were designed by tn,
Chairman as 'tChasurplices." Anothe
suggestion from members of the audi
ence to break up their idols"-mean
ing the affairs and statues to be seel
in Ritualistic Churches-was ais,
negatived in favor of legal procedur,
which should follow up every irregu
larity of worship and force the Bish
ops, who were designated traitors, {,
obey their indignant sheep. The ne
result of all this is likely to be an in
, f1ux of converts to the Catholic Church
Inability to pursue the even tenure O
their way, and engage comfortably Il
: the devotions they have become az
q customed to, win cause the Ritualist
I to stretch their spiritual faculties an
look around, and this survey is likel
i to result In a recognition OF their tru
! position. In many cases it is the con
fort and ease which alone detain ther
n from taking the difficult step at tn
J present time. When they are barrie
o on all sides, that last impediment I
t their conversion will slip away.