Strictly, there is no such body as the Catholic Parents’ Association. The various parochial units may be linked with a central council, and, as in some dioceses, with a diocesan council, but in general each local association is self-contained, and has its parochial or district denomination. There is divergence in constitution and even in title, and that absolute uniformity is undesirable is evidenced by the declaration of the Bishops of England and Wales on 24th August last that ‘The Hierarchy have given full approval to the formation of Parochial and Diocesan Associations of Catholic Parents under the direction of the Bishops of the various dioceses. But they do not approve the formation of the National Federation of Catholic Parents’ Associations, nor of its appeal for funds.’

The Constitution approved for one English Archdiocese details the purpose of the Association thus:

• (a) To learn and teach the duties and rights of parents.

• (b) To promote and safeguard Catholic educational interests and the care of Catholic youth.

• (c) To encourage representation of Catholic parents on public educational bodies.

• (d) To encourage the practice of family prayers in every Catholic household of the parish.

This is a fourfold aim whose effectiveness will be in the efficient carrying out of the primary provision. The average Catholic, even if he or she has remembered the catechism teaching of younger days, is not so deeply versed in Catholic doctrine as to have clear notions on parental duties and rights in education. How many Catholics could answer correctly three elementary questions on them? The fact of State education, moreover, has familiarised nearly everybody with an almost Communistic conception of the State as the universal parent. It is the old story of an antiCatholic idea fraudulently winning assent as a principle through popular acceptance.