To be Discussed in Leeds This Week
By Monica Grobel Plans for the establishment of a Centre for University Catholic activity are to be discussed by the University Catholic Societies' Federation this week-end in Leeds at the Spring Meeting of University Catholic Societies' Federation.
It is a fitting occasion for placing on record some of the activities of a Committee set up in 1930 with the approval of the late Cardinal, and which had at its outset the late Bishop Bidwell as its Chairman. Among the more energetic members were the late Sir John Gilbert and the late Professor Bullough.
The Committee, then representing the various London Colleges and other bodies which had as menzbers a large number of Catholic graduates, was concerned with two problems, the establishment of a Centre, and the establishment of a permanent Chaplaincy, The latter problem has been solved by the appointment of the Rev. David Mathew as full-time Chaplain to the Catholics in the University of London. The former question remains to be tackled. This, however, became the main object of the Committee.
Apart from capital expenditure it was found that a considerable annual income would be required if the full scheme of having a house which would serve as chaplaincy and club were to be carried out. To secure this it was recognised that in addition to the support of the Hierarchy, and of an influential committee, it would be necessary to have the wholehearted support of the Catholic graduates of the country.
It Needs Support
For a variety of reasons the scheme then considered did not mature, but now that the idea has been resuscitated it may not be amiss to quote first Mgr. Cioodier who, in January, 1931, wrote: Try to make sure of a solid backing; then make sure of a whole-time secretary who will keep the whole body together. This should be the first item of expense; with that brain-centre other things will of themselvel develop."
And then Professor Bullough on August 4, 1930: " That London scheme is a big affair, but I don't see how it cannot be. Of one thing I am positive: you will never do any good without the backing of the graduate members. To get that will necessarily be a rather slow and painful process of organisation and enrolling of members and weedling them individually until the body is strong enough to attract of its own intrinsic weight and importance."