Francis Patrick Kenrick

Any treatment which is calculated to woimd wantonly the poor, is repug- nant to the law of Christ. Attention to the rich, when not accompanied with neglect or disregard of the poor, is not sinful : but in the house of God, and in exercises of religion, wealth and splendour of dress should not make us forget the common claims of Christian brotherhood. It is a grievous sin to observe this distinction in the administration of the sacraments, to which all equally have a strict right, and in conferring ecclesiastical offices, wherein merit should be prin- cipally, if not exclusively regarded. " We must not suppose it to be a slight sin," says St. Augustin, " to hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in acceptance of persons, if we refer the difference of standing and sitting to ecclesiastical honours. For who can bear that a rich man be chosen for the seat of honour in the Church, whilst a poor man, more learned and holy, is set aside ?" Ep. xxix.