CATHOLIC SOCIALISTS. 
135 
increased. In the general assembly, which took place on the 
9th of September, 1869, it was decided to form a special 
committee for the purpose of founding Christian Social clubs, 
having for their object “ the moral and economical improve 
ment of the working classes.” This committee was composed 
of Herr Gronheid, a vicar of Munster, Professor Schulze of 
Paderborn, and Baron von Schorlemer-Alst, one of the most 
influential leaders of “the centre”—i.e., the Ultramontane 
party—in the German Parliament. In the first manifesto of 
this committee it placed itself under the patronage of the 
Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Germany which was 
held at Fulda, in this very month of September, and which 
had specially occupied itself with the social question. 
The report presented by one of the bishops at the con 
ference of Fulda defined the attitude to be taken by the 
clergy on this question. Doubtless, it said, the clergy cannot 
directly and officially engage in the foundation of working men’s 
associations ; but it is the duty of the Church to awaken the 
sympathy of the ecclesiastical body for the labouring classes. 
The clergy are too often indifferent, because they are not 
aware of the imminence and gravity of the danger to which 
social sufferings give rise. They do not appreciate the full 
importance of the social question, nor do they see clearly the 
remedies. In the training given to members of the clergy, in 
philosophy, and in matters touching their pastoral mission, the 
labour question must no longer be omitted. It is highly 
desirable that some ecclesiastics should devote themselves 
specially to the study of Political Economy. It would be well 
to give them travelling funds, in order to enable them to study, 
on the spot, the wants of foreign labourers, and the means 
employed to provide for them. They ought, above all, with 
this object in view, to visit France, where, it would appear, the 
scope of the religious and moral “ moment ” is better under 
stood than elsewhere. Certain Economists affirm that there is 
no social question \ but the bishops hold other language. 
Most assuredly there is a social question, they say, and a very 
serious one ; our priests must study it, and make it the means 
of extending the influence of their ministry. Is it necessary