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dTES, APRIL 20, 1849.will perceive a traditional mmilimty to them in this communication.We havo a school of 1510 Catholic hoys,and an equal number of girls. The musters of (ho boys are a Franciscan priest, and u secular layman ; over the girls are ntr.rccra (a female observing the rule ofsomo religions order, but not living in a convent), as directress, and a secular woman as mistress. The secular master and mistress receive their salary from tbo Cnntodin of the Holy Land [a society so callod], and so all the children have their education free. The hoys' school may he called a college, as they dine in the convent., and do not go home until night. Forty-five poor families get their dinner every day at the convent, and some of thorn also receive, clothing. Lepers and other sick persons also rcccivo help from the friars, who often deprive themselves to relieve tbo sufferers.The Missionaries work hard here, for they have not only to preach, administer sacraments, ami discharge other functions of tboirsnered ministry, but also to contend with schismatics, and with the sectaries of Mohammed. I will relate to you somo facts, that you may form an idea of the strugglo,1. Westward of Bethlehem, at an hour and half’s distance, is the town of Butichela, where there are more than GOO Catholics, u church, a school of boys and another of girls. Eastward of Bethlehem is the village of the Shepherds, whore there is also a considerable number of Catholics, u church, a school of boys and another of girls. Some years ago the Greek .Schismatics, by means of calumnies and violence, ho managed that several Catholics of those places apostatised, and wo lost both the churches and tho (schools. A decree has now been obtained from tho Turkish Emperor favourable) to our cause, by virtue of which school* will be opened again, and chapols erected for tho Catholics who have persevered in tho faith, and for many others who desiro to return to tho bosom of the Church.*2. A few days ago, a wholo family of Schismatic Greeks was converted, and embraced tho Catholic religion. A young man nlso, who had fallen into the Schism, and tnurricd n Schismatic, Imvingrepontcd of his opodacy, returned to the bosom of his holy religion, and his wife is much inclined to do tho same. Tins puts tho Schismatics into ill temper, and, therefore, thoy make war on us.G. Two Mohammedan parents wish a child of theirs to be baptised, and brought up in the Catholic faith. We think of doing both, but it is necessary to put both tho parents anil tbo child beyond reach of harm, or they will he killed by (ho Mohammedans. You see tho sort of enemies with whom tho sons of the Patriarch St. Francis [the Franciscan monks] havo to deal in this country.Bosidcs this, tho Missionaries havo to dccido and settle suits, quarrels, and disputes botweou Catholics and Schismatics and Mohammedans, and sometimes hotweon Catholics themselves. The Turkish Govern-^ ment \n wretched, tho people are abandoned to them-
Newspaper Details
Christian Times
London, Middlesex, GB
Fri, Apr 20, 1849
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Enrique Y.
CO 01 Dec 2024
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