The  census  so  far  showed  that,  whereas  under  sixteen
years  of  age  8,445  were  'in  danger,'  between  the  ages
of  sixteen  and  twenty-one  only  196  were  known  to
the  clergy  as  being  'in  danger.'  This  would  seem  to
suggest  that  a  large  number  who  up  to  sixteen  had  been
1  in  danger,'  after  that  fell  out  of  sight  altogether,  and
escaped  even  registration  as  Catholics.  He  hoped  there
might  be  some  other  explanation,  but  many  things  con-
firmed his  worst  fears."

The  Bishop  went  on  to  say  that  the  revelations  of  the


t {


AGED     52.
FOR   THE   CHILDREN'S   SAKE  407

census  weighed  upon  him  like  a  nightmare.  He  would
wait  till  all  the  facts  were  before  him  before  suggesting
the  remedies  for  this  waste  and  loss  of  souls,  but  there
were  some  things  he  would  urge  upon  the  clergy  there  and
then.  Let  them  have  fewer  services  in  the  churches  if
those  were  a  hindrance  to  them  in  hunting  out  the  souls
that  were  astray ;  and  let  them  enlist  and  organise  for  this
work  the  help  of  the  laity.  Let  them  visit  the  poor  at
night  when  they  came  home  from  their  work.  Finally,  he
promised  to  lay  the  whole  truth  before  the  diocese  at  the
earliest  possible  date.
