Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-31
. D,m.,,,v WIN the pope.

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The Washington correspondent of the New
Yorker, speaks of tho probability of our govern
ment having difficulty TO settle with the Pope Of
Rome, arising out Of the imprisonment of an Ame>
rcsn Bishop, named Reese. This is the first inti-
nation We have heard OF such a circumstance, but
if correc, wo shall probably hear more of it. The
writer says:--
"liis Holiness. In tho exercise Of his Apostolic
functions. called tho Bishop of Detroit to appear
before him in the year 1888 or 80 The latter in
obedience to the mandate repaired to Rome, when
hc was urged to resign his Apostolic function of pas
tor of the diocese Of Detroit. He refused and was
thrust into prison, and remains cut off from all
communication with his country and friends. This
will be officially communicated TO the department
of state by Catholic priest, who says our worthy
fellow citizen is suffering this prolonged incarcera-
ton, owing to certain caumnies Of his colleagues
in the United States, who have been accessory to
his imprisonment, and have known the fact ever
since its consummaton, but have carefully kept it q
secret from the aiety in this country, and especial
ly from the flock of the sufferer A citizen of the
United States called 10 Rome TO be judged by his
Holiness for acts alleged TO have been committed
in the United States, is anomaly, at least in the
history of our country"
We find in the Madisonian the following letter
in relation to the arrest and Imprisonment of BIZ
shop Reese.
The following is handed 10 US for publication, as
a copy of letter communicated to the Secretary
of the State. We have no knowledge of the char
ac,er of the author of the letter, but informed
by him that he had seen the Bishop of DeIroi, in
| Rome, and vouched for the truth and soberness OF
his address TO the Government. We are not fully
aware Of the extent of the power of the Pope over
those who acknowledge their allegiance to him, but
we had supposed his supremacy was only spiritual
and did not profess to extend 10 temporal matters
or to the lives and Liberties of American citizens
We know not to wha, conditions Bishop Reese
may have subscribed the price of his liberty, bu
as an American Citizen claiming the protection o.
his Government he is entitled to it, unless he ha:
been guilty of some crime against the laws where
he is imprisoned.
To The Hon. Daniel JTeJster, Secretary Of STATE
Sir-I hasten to make known to the Govern
men, of the United States of America, fact of O
serious character and highly interesting to the
tional dignity of the country.
The Bishop of Detroit Michigan, Mr.. Reese, ar
American citizen, is confined in dungeon o
: Rome, without communication with any living per
son, and consequently without the knowledge o
the American Minister resident there q target 70
the blackest caumnies, and victim Of the most at
rocous persecution from his colleagues here in re
ligious matters, was summoned 10 Rome toward tn
end of 1888, if / am not mistaken and in 1888
when made his acquaintance, he was confined il
a convent under ecclesiastical prosecution.
On the process being completed he was ordere
to resign. This he refused 10 do, and then he wa
thrown into dungeon, perhaps of the Inquislion
where three other Bishops are lying. There he i
overwhelmed with suilerings, and tortured to oblig
him to resign, and all possible were take
to prevent him from invoking the protection of tn
diplomatic agents of his own country. A simiIa
case had happened to the Bishop of Philadelphia
Mr.. CornwelI. Blu, this prelale whilst in the sam
position Of MI Reese, was fortunate enough (
make his escape from Rome; and arrested in Pari.
under Charles Y, by order Of the Pope, was set
, liberty through the intervention of the America
Minister.
Thinking that the Government of the Unite
States are to look upon their citizens under no 7,
gious aspect but merely as free citizens of ,hi
Union, could scarcy believe but that, in conse
quence of this enclosure, ready and eflicaciou
steps will be taken to cause the Papal Govenmer
to be called to account for such scandalous abus
Of its spiritual power.
have the honor TO be,
Your most obedient servant
j. Rpu