The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-28


Great Reform in the Catholic Church in the United
News Of much Importance has reached In this city,
from Rome and being long admirer of the Herald
and its in New York. thought 1t would be well
give you sketch of for the benefit of your readers
particularly the Catholics Of New York
Instead of our Archbishop possessing the shadow Of
power, have two, with full powers. Baltimore
and st. Louis the Archepscopal Sees mentioned
To understand the great benefit Of this change 1t
cessary to give you information the present
form Of church government in the United States.
Bishop in missionary countries where religion has not
got firm foohold-even the power OF playing the tyrant
over his clergy, if hs is bad enough-thst he may be
thus enabled meet every obstacle that arise and
forward the interests of religion The bishops OF the
United States have heretofore enjoyed and sometimes
it is said abused this power entrusted to them but
sautary check will now be given to such abuses.
Canon law gives to every priest claim on his diocese
for support and forbds him to resort to any other
ployment In case Of suspension.
We're suspended priest to resort to any mercantile
follow he would lose all his rights cergyman hence
the necessity Of this law.
Canon law likewise, gives the priest the right to ap
peal to the Archbishop from the unjust decision, or
against i'll usage received from his bishop
Heretofore such right existed in the United States
power; the priest no redress against the abuse of s
1t usual for priest to get letter OF leave from his
bshep when he does not any longer wish to employ him
within his diocese Without the certificate Of charac
ter, as it were, other bishop would admit him. As
things are the bishop to any priest in your
".
vices longer required He demands his letter the
bishop need not give IT. he has no redress He will not
be employed in another diocese without it, he cannot
get the support allowed him by the law; he
employ his talents in anything but his proession
he would be denounced as robber II ne collected mo-
new to support him. amongst the Catholics OF his
parish any other parish he has means to compel
the bishop give him justice and he is thrown the
world to starve Innocent Of any crime talented high
minded-he dares speak Of the tyrany he suffers
under--he is outcast and beggar
In other countries the priests elect their bishops from
| am
others abilities but here they have no power at all In
it, the bishops elect their own favorite and saddle sue
the clergy and the people, who may be very
Objectionable and sometimes prove So In former tim
every member of the church, in that diocese could vote
the election Of their bishops Here Is all settled very
quietly as jobs done by Common Councils
1.-THE catholic priest in the United States Is literally
the hired Of the bishop but the proper
in have taken up the matter, and will give to the
clergy a tribunal where they must get justice
1t will give you idea of how their petty tyranny
Ia regarded in Rome that the four catholic bishops
asked for the council of bishops in Baltimore not
was granted nor there reason given for it
Not "A wcrd vouchsafed ON the supJect-tney were
treated with silent contempt.
The system of having newspaper under the control
of each bishop is also likely to be checkedit gross
outrage and the prevention Of 1T will be Of immense ad
vantage.
By the establishing Of two archbishoprics with ample
power protect the clergy Ia the United States the
priests will be greatly benefited The bishop show
Just for punshing ms clergy or else his superiors
in Rome will hear of
Ii priest is ed in our diocese demand
his letter aud go another tue bishop refuses give
it, the chbshop will give it, and report the conduct OF
the bishop in the proper quarter.
II the bishop refuses provide for his clergy, the
arohbish will provide for tnem and punish the bishop
for his misconduct
Few priests able to undergo the expense of going
to Rome, and there appearing they ought against
their bishop when Injured; and then the vengeance OF
the bishop would always follow him. and perhaps, pre-
cede him to Rome and render his appeal frutess and
then only think Of the reception he would get when
he came back
By the Catholic Almanac for s47 appears there are
$50 cergymen in the United States who are thus CIR
have so, and in your diocese ia
Philadelphia 90; Cincinnati II; New Orleans gu IL IL
really subject small qualification that this nume-
and respectable body to get their rights anu
privileges, as enjoyed by their class in Europe.
The parochal clergy will not be removable at the nou
of the bishop they will be able do good will
be their interest to cultivate friendly feeling with all
sectshey will have time to rectify all existing abuses
The little tyrannss frequent will cease ana the
ambition OF certain bishops will be kept within proper
bounds.