INSULT TO THE MASS

Rebuked by Bishop of Derry
From Our Own Correspondent
" CANCELLING THE NEW EDUCATIONAL VOTERS " CHIEF
DUBLIN
The Bishop of Derry, in his capacity as Vicar Delegate to the American forces in the Six Counties, has protested to the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. William Lowry. M.P., regarding the most outrageous utterance against the Catholic people and their faith yet made by a member of the Partionist Government.
Dr. Farren writes: " Sir, — As representative in Northern Ireland of Archbishop Spellman, Archbishop of New York and Ordinary of the U.S. Forces, wish to protest against what, if the press reports are correct, can be regarded only as a gross insult offered by you to the American Catholic chaplains exercising their sacred functions, and the Catholic men who were present by your reference in Stormont to the fumigating of a hail in which Mass was said for the U.S. Forces " The occasion of Mr. Lowry's outburst was a debate in which a Unionist Member alluded to the celebration of Mass at Christmas in an Orange Hall which had been taken over by U.S. Forces.
Mr. Lowry: " Arrangements are being made to have it fumigated."
This utterance has caused a wave of unexampled indignation. Cork County Council led with a resolution protesting against " an insult to Catholics the world over."
Now Mr. Lowry has apologised to the Bishop of Derry, withdrawing the offensive words and stating he was misunderstood. A few days before his protest on behalf of the Archbishop of New York, the Bishop of Derry spoke strongly to the Deny Catholic Registration Association on another aspect of the official anti-Catholic regime.
" We are faced with difficulties more subtle than those of the past," Dr. Farren said. " We sec all sorts of people, educated and otherwise, setting up as educational experts. And when we see what is happening in England we may be prepared that some attempt will be made against our educational system here."
His Lordship added a grave warning against plans " not only to cancel Catholic votes but to cancel Catholic voters." He described measures used, not only to keep Catholics from earning their bread, but to reduce the number of Catholic residents by wresting the regulations. In succession to Mr. Joseph O'Neill —who steered Irish education so ably for over 20 years—Mr. Michael Breathnach, M.A., has been appointed Secretary to the Department of Education. A happier choice for this key position, after the loss by retirement of Mr. O'Neill, hardly could be made; for Mr. Breathnach is distinguished in letters as well as in teaching.
His latest publication was a re-edited translation of Dr. Challoner's devotional classic, Think Well On't. Two Gaelic translations were made a hundred odd years ago. Mr. Breathnach conflated these and produced a veritable little masterpiece of beautiful diction. The work was published, in prayerbook style, just before Christmas by the Government Publications Department—the latest example of the State's effort to provide the best of reading for the new Ireland.