Catholic Problems in Western CanadaDaly, George Thomas
Religion
Catholic Problems in Western Canada
Daly, George Thomas
Catholic Church -- Canada
The West is without a doubt the classical land of the "School problem
in Canada." The Prairie Provinces will remember the struggles that
have marked their birth in the Dominion. The words, "_separate
schools_," rang loud and angry over the cradle of these youngest
partners in our Confederation. The conflict has not subsided with
years. Although the rights of the minority, at least in Saskatchewan
and Alberta, are partially recognized by law, there are yet some who
seem to have a mission to reopen the conflict by ever dragging the
problem into the open arena of our political life. Under the specious
pretext of national welfare they would foist upon the Canadian Public
opinions and measures opposed to our existing system and to the broad
spirit of liberty that inspires and maintains it. But we all know that
in this persistent and methodical opposition to our separate schools
the fundamental issue is a religious one. Life, after all, is a
spiritual value. The school is the great loom on which the rising
youth weaves its thread into the great and amazing tapestry of the
nation. Who has the mastery of the school, has in the making that
mysterious tapestry of human life.
This problem is but an aspect of the eternal struggle between the
Christian and the Pagan ideal. The pagan ideal of civilization is the
absorption of the individual by the State, the confiscation of liberty
by the political monopoly of the nation.
The Christian ideal is the State at the service and for the protection
of the individual and of the family. "To Caesar what belongs to
Caesar; to God what belongs to God." Before the ever recrudescent
forces of neo-paganisim it is most useful, we contend, to reassert in
plain, terse language the principles, the reasons that explain and
justify our persistent attitude on the school problem. They will be
our answer to the question which is ever thrown at Catholics in Western
Canada:
"_Why separate_?" We have placed the discussion of this problem on the
higher plain of the unchangeable and unchanging principles of truth and
justice, for, we are firm believers in the pacific penetration of ideas
and in their conquering power. In truth alone, the Master stated, is
true and abiding liberty: "You will know truth, and truth will make you
free." Every true Canadian readily grasps the transcendent importance
of the problem under examination and should bring to its discussion
open-mindedness and sincerity.
_I.--A Moral Reason_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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