Dr. Downey Fears Attack OH Catholic Schools

By Our Own Correspondent
LIVPRPOOL.
"The policy of merging Catholic children, irrespective of their numbers, into non-Catholic schools, is being increasingly adopted by local authorities," declared Dr. Downey, Archbishop of Liverpool, at St. Matthew's Church, Clubrnoor, Liverpool, last Sunday.
The Archbishop said that this policy ignored the rights of parents and constituted an 'insidious attack on the Dual System which is an integral part of the educational machinery of this country.
" We do not propose to allow the Dual System to be quietly smothered out of existence," continued Dr. Downey. " That system is recognised by law. It is a bulwark of religious tolerance, and, even from the purely educational standpoint, has many advantages. Under its provisions we Catholics have built our own schools so that our children may be educated by Catholic teachers in a Catholic atmosphere. To do this generations of Catholics have made enormous sacrifices, and we of the present generation owe it to them to see that these sacrifices shall not have been in vain.
DEATH-KNELL OF DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS " The assault on the Dual System strikes the first faint sound of the death-knell of denominational schools., This assault must be counteracted. It is for us to resist the beginnings of this subtle campaign wherever and whenever it is launched. The dispersal of our children from their homes may well prove to be a major spiritual disaster unless genuine consideration is exte,nded to them by the officials under whose care the circumstances of the war have placed them for the time being.
"Careful investigation has convinced me that some of the hardships afflicting our exiled children, are due to the ungenerous attitude adopted by the powers that be in certain reception areas. It is unfortunate that so much latitude is allowed them in this matter, for our little evacuees are very much at the mercy of local education authorities and billeting officials."
The Archbishop gave us an example of what he meant—recent happenings in the Hednesford district of Cannock, Staffordshire, to which sonic 250 Liverpool children have been evacuated. He regretted to say that they and their teachers had been treated with scant sympathy by local officialdom.
In spite of very strong protests by the resident clergy and teachers, by "the managers at home, and even a letter from the Board of Education, the Local Authority bad refused to mcct Catholic lawful demands, and insisted that the Catholic children be merged into the local non-Catholic schools.
DELIBERATELY FLAUNTED " In this case," continued the Archbishop, " the Local Education Authority has deliberately flaunted the recommendations of the Board of Education.". The Archbishop then read extracts from a letter from the Board to the Local Education Authority. " The long standing desire of the Roman Caffiolics that their children should be taught by Roman Catholic teachers in Roman Catholic schools is well known," the letter stated, " and was realised in respect of the Roman Catholic children now concerned before they were evacuated.
" Moreover, and this is a point to which the Board attach the greatest importance, as no doubt the Authority would also, the chances of the children remaining in the reception area and not returning to the grave dangers Of their home town will, in the Board's opinion, be very much increased if the Authority could see their way to allow them to be taught in conditions which are desired generally by them, their parents and those concerned with their interests.
" For this reason alone. and because of the deterrent effect that the enforcement of the Authority's recent decision is likely to have on the further evacuation of Roman Catholic children in general, the Board feel, and indeed hope, that the Authority will be prepared to give the question further consideration and to permit the alternative arrangement by which thc Roman Catholic children would be taught as separate units in Council schools."
Dr. Downey commented that the Cannock Authority professed great zeal in the cause of education, but appeared to have little regard for religion as an educational factor, and this at a time when the vital importance of religion in the life of the nation was being stressed unanimously by Christian leaders of every denomination.