The earlier part of the pamphlet, apart from the revised figures, was summarised in THE CATHOLIC HFRAID in January. It is intended to help Catholic groups interviewing candidates in the General Election. " The arguments against State aid for voluntary schools," says the Bishop, " belong to an age which is past. They had some weight, perhaps. in 1902. They hear little relation to the realities of 1955. " It would be an act of wise and far-seeing statesmanship to give the voluntary schools equality of financial treatment with the other schools in the public education system of the country.
"Catholics may well be excused
for thinking that the price demanded of them for the sake of conscience is very, very heavy.
" Other countries have shown that it is possible to give Catholic parents equality with other parents with regard to their schools, in a way which satisfies their conscience.
" In Scotland, in Holland, in parts of Canada, in Eire, denominational religious education is not more costly to the parent than any other type of education.
" The Catholic parent pays his rates and taxes like any other citizen, and the Government should in equity provide him with the possibility of sending his child to the sort of school which his conscience approves,
" So far as secular subjects are concerned. it will be an efficient school for it will be inspected like other schools.
" It will be a good school. It will teach good morals and promote religion, and will thus tend to produce better citizens. Why should the parent have to pay more for it?"