The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-11

tenuon OF our readers some time since, 10 the ex-
traordinary progress of the Roman Catholic faith
throughout this continent aswell as in Europe, and
pointed cut some of the causes which were contri-
butingto the rapid and remarkable advance OF that
ancient church. A number of circumstances con-
nected with the Church Of 81. Louis, IN Buffalo,
have recently TRANSFERRED and become the subject OF
rather exciting controversy; and as they cast adj
dtonal light on the policy and tactics of the Catho
lie clergy, thev possess sufficient Importance to &C.
cupy a place in our columns, and share of public
attention.
II seems that Bishop Hughes-who is probably at
the most expert tactcian and most popular and
influential prelae that ever governed diocese-de-
manded some time since. in pursuance, II would APP
pear, of systematic plan, the delivery up by the
trustees, of the Church of St Louis, with all the
property, pew rents, and collections into his hands.
The Bishop insisted that all church property instead
OF being vested in trustees in accordance with the
spri, OF our civil institutions and laws and the usage
heretofore, should be held by the church-hat is the
clergy. The trustees nj st. Louis Church refused
to comply.with this demand, on which the Bishop
withdrew their pastor, the Rev. Mr.. Pax, and laid
the congregation under his ban until they should
cry peccapi and return to obedience. A statement
to this effect was published in of the papers,
which called forth the following letter from Bishop
Hughes in which, as it will be perceived, he gives
sufficiently decided denial of the truth of the state
ments we have briefly recapitulated -
rFrou, the y. Y. Commercial Advertiser.l
Mrssns EprroRs =
purperng 10 be statement of the difference between
the cong, egaon of St. Louiss Church in that city and
myself 1t stated that claimed 10 have the property of
the church vested in hands, and that the claim
resisted by the congregation" This is entirely untrue
advanced such claim and of it could
he in nf
called away the Rev. Alexander Pax and left the
grrgaon destitute" This is equally untrue. On the
Mn the last eighteen months or two years
under the i'll treatment Of few worthless who call
Themselves the congregation.
It is stated that "he congregation of St. Parick's, in
Buffalo, have complied with my requson" This again
will bear witness that made any such requsi
ton advised them, as means OF putting an end to
quarrels among themselves, TO dispense with trustees
and to avoid the rock on which St Louis is now splitting
These are the principal statements and the honorable
confidence of the editor ofthe Buffalo Gazette has been
sadly abused by those who have employed his authority
for statements which they knew to be unfounded in
truth He should demand proof of them. and they
not furnis it. to which challenge them, he should pub
lish their names, and viniicate his He has been
deceived attach no blametO him. Ifhis decevers
furnish proof that made such demand, can
furnish proof in their own writing that never did
1t surmed says the statement that the Bishop has
so far as to forbid priest in the neighborng pa
rishes from performing divine service in st. Louss
Church uu its congregation shall fully comply with
his demands" Neither member of this surmise- is
forbade only clergyman whose inexperience might
have been taken advantage of by the atfce which
ted so ouv with the good faith of the editor of the
Gazette And secondly, what are called my demands"
in the statement, never had an existence in reality;
glow of virtuous Indignation when he discovers how
much he has been imposed
The only difference between the congreg atron of S.
Louis and mysef that its trustees have thong proper
not to be governed by the ecclesiastical discipline of the
diocese and eypec me 70 sunnIv them with priests who
shall be governed by different discipline of which they
shall be the authors The congregation of that church
are pious and exemplary Catholics, to whom their holy
hic hac IF 1aro
number otthe trustees
sometimes happens that our trustees may be hon.
est ard upright in their intentions and yet of simple
understanding and without education. In such cases.
only let enlightened talented intriguing and irreli
gous mind get among them, and then, whatever he
ooc in his in6de mind he induces them under specious
preences adopts and then he gives out the depraved
purposes ohs heart the act of the board and this
again the act othe congregation From the
this arrives wo TO the flock and wo to the pastor who
are once divided from each other and yet kept together
by such link Of inquity.
The pious and amisble Mr.. Pax not called away
by but left him liberty leave whenever he felt
that h. could stand no longer It appears that the time
has arrived have German patorto send in his place.
But fI had would he with instructions to rent barn,
M up an altar in it, and administer the sacraments OF rel
gon with that freedom from the restraints and guidance
of unauthorzad laymen, with which God made the min
listers OF his church reebut which is not be enjoyed,
1t appears in the church Of st. Louis.
The neighhoring clergymen csuld not oficate in 1t
without neglectins their congregations. which have
the first claim on their ministry. Besides, deem il my
duty now to forbid all clergymen Of this diocese to Off.
is to be governed by the ecclesiastical regulations of
the diocese, or bythe resolves" Of its trustees
JOHN HUGHES, Bp of NY.
NV YoRK, April 4, 1919.
Here area series of plain. flat, palpable denals of
the statements that the Bishop insisted that the
church property should be taken out of the hands of
the trustees and vested solely in the church-.hat
the Rev. Mr.. Pax had been Withdrawn from ST.
Louis, and that the Catholic ministry were inter-
dicted from officiating in that church. In conradis-
tinction to all this, have the following curious
matter-of-fact letter. which appears In one of the
Buffalo papers,
ST. LOUIS CHURCH.
To EDITORS OF THE BUFFALO DAILY GAzEr1r:-
GErrLEMEr-I have read with much surprise the fat
denial given by the Rev. VIM. Whean to article which
THE Roman Catholic Congregation and the Bishop"
In the Crit place, let examine the charge that the
Bishop requir he property Of the church be vested in
his hands stated is so positively denied
BY the folio VIM extract from the Bishops pastoral let
will he seen that the requirement general one
throughout his diocese
Zone the perplexng questions with
the well being Of religion is the tenure and admnIsra
tiou ecclesiastical property. system, growing
han 0ot of the circumstances of the times has prevailed
in fhfs country which is without a parallel in any other
nation in the whole history Of the Catholic Church
That system u.s. Of leaving ecclesiastical property under
the management Of lsymen, who commonly desig-
mated "rusees" do not disguise that our conviction
OF this system is that it il altogether injurious to religion,
and not less injurious 20 the py and religious character
Of those who, from time to time are called upon to
cute IFS Offices"
"aeer what relates the purity Of faith and morals
and The soundness of discipline the most imperative
duty OF the episcopal Office is 10 watch guard aud
preserve the ecclesiastical property his diocese for the
sacre purposes in view OF which IL was created Now
ecclesiastical property is that and all that which the
faithful contribute from religious motives aud for religious
II is the Church. the cemetery and all estate
thereto belonging. II is the pew rents-the collec.
tons and oil moneys derived FROM for the benefit Of
religion. II sthe sacred furniture OF the House Of God
In word, IT is all that exists for ecclesiastical purposes"
1--WE have therefore directed and ordained by the
statutes OF tho Diocese that herceforward body of Law
trustees, or Law persons by whatever called, shall
be permitted 10 appoint retain, dismiss person
connected with the Church-such sexton, org snis
singers teachers any other persons employed in