The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-11-22
CATHOLIC SERVICES ON THE
HIGH SEAS.

From time to time we are called
upon to chronicle instances of the
utter disregard shown by the Off
GERS of certain transatlantic
steamers for the religious welfare
Of their Catholic passengers. The
attitude of these officers is, un-
doubtedly, a reflex of that of the
masters whom they serve.
The steamship company which
makes no provision for the saying
of Mass or the holding of other
Catholic services on board its lin
ers, is not doing its full duty to-
wards it's Catholic patrons. The
English steamship lines, like the
Cunard and the White Star, are
among the most notorious offend
ers in this regard. Other lines,
notably La Compagnie Transat-
lantique, as well as the steamers
that float the German and the
Italian flags, make every provis-
ion, as far as we have been able
to ascertain, for Catholic services
on the high seas. They prepare
the altar, furnish vestments and
altar linens, and provide what
ever is necessary for the due cele-
bration of the Holy Sacrifice, and
are very anxious that Catholics,
both priests and people, take full
est advantage of these facilities.
The passengers are notified Of the
fact that Catholic services are to
be held at such an hour on Sun
day and every courtesy is shown
them in this regard.
The Cunard Line and the White
Star Line make no such provision.
Why? Is their failure to do so a
remnant Of an anti Catholic bigo-
try that dies hard? Surely they
do not wish to be heralded abroad
as unwilling to provide for their
Catholic patrons the facilities
which other steamship lines are
not only willing, but most anx-
ious to accord. Looking at it
from a business standpoint it is
inconceivable how any steamship
company can tolerate such prac-
tice. Self-interest, if no higher
motive, ought to warn them that
religious bigotry of any kind has
no place IN the management of a
business concern that depends
upon public patronage for its
dividends. It is high time for
these companies and any others
in the same category, to cast aside
this relic of an nti-Catholic bigo-
try which, unless discarded, will
compel Catholics to give them a
wide berth when making reserva-
tions for trip to Europe.
The Catholic travelling public
is entitled to know the facts con.
corning the indefensible attitude
taken by these companies in q
matter of such concern to them
Some effort should be made to gel
from the different steamship com.
panies an official statement re
garding the facilities provided by
their respective lines for Catholic
services on the high seas. The
Catholic papers In our seaport
cities whence the ocean steamships
sail should take this matter uT
with the different companies and
ascertain what provision, if any
they make for Catholic services or
board. This knowledge should
then be given the widest publicity
in order that Catholics who are
planning trip across the Atlantic
may be fully apprised of what
they may expect on the different
lines that seek their patronage
Tt behooves the steamship com
panies to be honest with the pub
lie in this regard and Catholics
who fail to patronize lines which
offer no facilities for Catholic
service on board their steamers
will be exercising their Just rights
In a matter that. is of no small