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The Mennonites

by Father Bitsche

The following article appeared in a French language periodical in Manitoba just before the turn of the century. Reflecting the thinking of the time, it is a prime example of a province fraught with tensions between Catholics and Protestants, French and English.

What is interesting is the perception that this Catholic Father has of Mennonites. United by language and religion, successfully making their way in this new land, he obviously sees Mennonites as a threat. He sees this orphaned “Mennonite” girl not just as a needy case, but somehow as a providential inroad to the Manitoba Mennonites who obviously are a charitable people.

We know that the south of our beautiful Province is populated with a race of people called the Mennonites. What we know less well is that these hard-working, courageous, industrious, thrifty men are succeeding very well in our country, so well that they are becoming a danger to our [i.e. the Catholic Church’s] national and religious influence.

To weaken them, to make them our allies, they must be made to embrace our faith. But therein lies the difficulty. Mennonites are among the most united [of all religious groups] and are protected in their error by a language very difficult to learn and a language which they maintain with jealous care, thereby teaching many of us a great lesson. To convert them, it is therefore necessary to speak their language.

It seems that Providence wishes to help us. The Reverend Mr. Campeau, devout priest of St. Joseph, has just taken in a little girl of about 10 years of age, Russian in origin and raised among the Mennonites. This child is Roman Catholic, but unfortunately, as is usually the case with her compatriots, she is ignorant of her religion. What great charity it would be for a rich person to see to the education of this little girl. Taught with care in one of our convents, she would be, upon return to her own people, an apostle of our Holy religion and a support for the influence of our nationality. Furthermore, it is certain that the simple act of this generosity would predispose many Mennonites in our favour, because they themselves are very charitable.

It is thus a religious and patriotic work and despite numerous needs we do not doubt that our appeal will be heard.

From Le Manitoba Vol. 26, no. 36, le 28 juillet 1897, p. 1. Translated from the French by Ingrid Riesen.

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Last modified October 31, 2000.

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