THE POPE’S POLICY CONCERNING SCHOOLS.
The policy of the pope on the school question is quite well set forth in his recent encyclical concerning the Manitoba school controversy that has been waged for so many months. What Leo has to say on the subject is summed up in a paragraph of the Christian Advocate of January 20:— “An encyclical letter issued by the pope concerning the Manitoba school question regrets the laws that were passed seven years ago repealing the concessions enjoyed by Roman Catholics; condemns undenominational education based on religious neutrality; commends the zeal of the bishops on the subject, but regrets that the laity are divided by party passion; recognizes the attempt of the Canadian authorities ‘to minimize the prejudice to Catholics by the education laws of the province,’ but says that this is inadequate; exhorts the faithful to continue their demand for their rights, but advises them not to reject partial concessions which ‘are likely to lessen the perils attaching to a purely secular education.’ If, finally, they are not able to obtain ‘justice,’ they must themselves furnish the means of founding Catholic schools, and, under the guidance of the bishops, frame a code of instruction reconciling revealed religion with modern progress in science and letters.”