Catholic Problems in Western CanadaDaly, George Thomas
Religion
Catholic Problems in Western Canada
Daly, George Thomas
Catholic Church -- Canada
As the West has forced itself on the attention of our economic and
political world, so also have its Religious problems loomed up many and
great on the horizon of the Church. The Catholic Church, there, as in
many mission countries, is in process of formation: immense fields
await the scythe of belated reapers. Yet, notwithstanding this state
of imperfect organization, the Church stands out as one of the great
moral factors which outsiders are the first to respect, and politicians
too willing at times to exploit. Through her teachings and her
children, she is bound to make the beneficial influence of her presence
felt, even by her enemies. Her teachings indeed create for her loyal
children issues which have to be faced squarely and unflinchingly. The
influence of the Church on Society depends on the manner Catholics
understand their social responsibilities and translate into action her
doctrine. We may well apply to the life of the Church in a country
this biological truism: "life consists in adaptation to environment."
From a Catholic viewpoint Our West will be vitalized only in as much as
the Catholics in Western Canada, thoroughly patriotic in their
aspirations and thoroughly Catholic in their ideas and feelings, will
bring their influence to bear on our national life. Their example and
their influence will lead to the silent and "pacific penetration" of
the Society in which they live. And the Catholics throughout Canada
cannot stand aloof, disinterested in the upbuilding of the Western
Provinces, where the Canada of to-morrow is being created. There
indeed the clash of ideals is more marked, the fermentation of thought
is stronger, issues are more vital. Our national life, to a great
extent, will depend on how these conflicting elements are absorbed into
the blood and sinews of the Country.
The problems on which we dwell are, in our humble estimation, of
paramount importance and should arrest the attention and elicit the
co-operation of every Catholic alive to their seriousness. No doubt we
have been sleeping at our posts. Red lights spot the darkness of the
future and speak of danger ahead if the problems upon which we dwell
are not pressed home with constancy and energy, if some concerted
action is not agreed upon. Behind these problems lurk mighty issues.
They strike at the very foundations of Christianity and Christian
civilization, and cannot be disposed of by Parliament-Laws or
Orders-in-Council.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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