CATHOLICS AND THE EDUCATION BILL
SIR,—It is not generally understood that the apparently obstinate attitude of Catholics towards the Education Bill springs from something more fundamental than any Government Bill. In spite of all promises of freedom for religion, the Government is about to compel us to send our children to schools which it is against our conscience to use or to spend sums on our own schools which it is known that we cannot possibly produce. Thomas More could very well speak for the Catholic Church now when she stands against those who once more wish to legislate for the moment, who think in Time, and move for appeasement in spiritual matters very much as Mr. Chamberlain took the short view over material matters.
The Catholic bishops think in terms of Eternity, take the long view, and must stand against what they know to be wrong. History has made More a hero, the ideal Englishman. His contemporaries, who judged for the moment, cut off his head. The Catholic Church remains un- changed. We today have the same faith as St. Thomas More, though to our shame we make a poor showing compared with his life. Catholicism is a life, not something you learn twice a week, and that is why we wish to educate our own children catholically.—Yours faithfully,
ERICA BOWMAN.
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