The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-07-17
SCH ooLSg IN FRANCE


~ ,-..
The lively interest taken by the
French Catholics in their schools is
shown in the recent meetings in Paris
of the Societe Generate d'Education
ct d'Enseignement and of the dioces-
an directors of Catholic schools. The
Society of Education is made up OF
influential Catholics prominent in var
ious walks of life, who are interested
in. the fostering of Christian educa-
ton. The annual meeting of the So
ciety held this year in Paris, under
the presidency of Cardinal Annette,
was one of the best attended; many
well-known educators, academicians
and members of parliament were, pres
ent. ~.
In his general report of the state
of the society, it's president, Colonel
Keller, emphasized the necessity OF
the Catholic Church training social
elite to meet the present-day emer-
gencies. This, Colonel Keller said, is
precisely the purpose of the society.
Among it's many activities during the
academic year just ended, the presi-
dent pointed to the financial support
given to many struggling schools, i'm
portant contributions to the fund for
the support Of superannuated school
teachers, the foundation of chair OF
pedagogy at the Catholic University OF
Paris, and concerted action in political
and administrative circles to secure
the exact and impartial workings OF
all legislation which may favor CathQ
lie education.
Among the most applauded orators
was M. Guibal, deputy from Herault
who spoke on the duties of the mem
bers of parliament in face of any
bills or questions relating to educa
tional matters. After our soldiers have
| fought and died for an ideal of lib
erty and justice, he said, we could moi
| tolerate the denial or violation of lib
erty and justice in any part OF oul
civil life, particularly in the matter
of education 1t is the duty of al
! to see that the injustices of the pas
are redressed, and to help crush once
/ for all the now too prevailing ide:
that the state must be master no
only of the material, but also of hu
man beings as we'll. 1t is importan
also to prevent the progress of Gel
tain new educational tendencies, tn
origin of which is not always clear
and which are serious menace t
social order and justice. Finally tn
time has come to resume the task s.
we'll started by the great parliamental
ians Of the pre.war years, and secur
equality of treatment for all school
whether public. or private. While tn
state retains it's legitimate prerogs
tives, the rights of the family mus
be respected and the full liberty G
little stall in quietssspssssssssss
the individual citizens safeguarded.
In connection with the meeting G
the Society of Education, the diocesa
directors of Catholic schools held thei
tenth annual meeting. Besides tn
favorable reports on the present col
dition of some $4,000 Catholic school!
the matter brought before the Assem-
bly, related principally to two point
of the utmost Importance, the finaI
cial means of support, and the recruit
ing of teachers. An interesting ite1
was the appeal made to we'll educate
| young ladies' of the society to volul
teer their services as school teacher
| in the present emergency. 1t wa
pointed out that not better or NOR
)! apostolic work could be undertake.
and in order to help the zeal and il
!, crease the efficiency of those impr
vised teachers, special courses an
conferences of pedagogy will be 0
ganized in the different diocesan ce
ters. The assembly Studied also tt
| possibility and means of introducir
a certain degree of industrial, COZ
] mercial and agricultural training I'M
the curriculum Of primary schools.
i On the same day, in Strasbour
/ there was a large meeting in favor
the maintenance of the teaching
/ religion in the public schools of 4
sace Catholics, Protestants and Jey
joined in an energetic protest again
all attempt at secularizing the school
| And Judging from the strong suppo
given by the assembly to the resol
| tions presented by Senator Delsor,
is thought that no further attem
| will be made at suppressing the teac
| ing Of religion in the Alsatian pub
u | cohoO1c,