The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-10

j.,
coed.
THE CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STArEs-THEIR
CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND INFLUKNcE.-We give
IN our columns to-day, very curious and re-
markable article, exhibiting some of the features
of the church government, as it now exists
among the Catholics of the United States. Its
revelations surprising. We had no idea of
such state of facts as this article represents,
and, no doubt, represents correctly, for it comes
from highly distinguished clergyman of that
eminent church The existence of such a tyran-
ny and violation OF canonical rights, on the
priests of the Catholic church in the United
States, as is now revealed, will awaken the at
tention of the laity, and every other sect of re-
ligionists.
The Catholics of this country, according to
the most authentic statements, exceeded a mil
lion of church members few years ago,
and probably at this time, they reach mil
lion and half. There are no other sects
that exceed them, except they be the Metho-
dists and the Baptlsts; but both of these
sects having been divided by discussions, the
Catholics are now the most numerous, com.
pact. and most influential sect in this country.
This immense number of Catholics employ
9l9 priests, "a bishops, and three arch
bishops; but the Church government, as it is now
exercised by these bishops and archbshops, is
in entire violation Of the canons of the holy Ca
tholic church, a violation and tyranny which
we shall not fail to represent to the propaganda
at Rome, and to his Holiness the Pope, in order
to have it remedIed as soon as possible.
At no time in this country has any distin-
guished individual arisen among the Catholics,
with talen: sufficient to control, to influence or
to guide this remarkable sect of Christians,
such as is now presented by the Cafho-
lies. The Catholics and the Catholic church
possess, perhaps, from their compactness and
their unity, greater amount of influence
than any other sect in this country. OF
recent years, Bishop Hughes, who possesses
talent of a certain kind has indicated on some
occasions an idea Of the importance of WELD.
ing or attempting to WELD such an immense in
fluence as that of the Catholic church, but his
isolated efforts and agitations have brought him
frequently in bitter conflict with other religion
lists of the country. This policy may arise as
much from the peculiar nsptnass of Bishop
Hughes, as from any other cause. He has great
talent, but seems to lose the power to use it with
the greatest energy and effect.
vi late, however, distinguished Individual, OF
immense intellectual power, has gone over =" bag
and oa trale, lom the Protestant to the Catho-
lie church-one who may yet create great noise
in this country provided he reach a bishoprick.
We aude to Mr.. Browpson, whom we already
designate in advance as Bishop Brownson, of the
North. Bishop Brownson, that is to be, must be
acknowledged to be man of great talent, of great
power of eloquence, of remarkable energy, and
with all he would be decidedly in favor, In the
Catholic church government, of giving the priests
their full rights, and in that respect be something
of democrat in the church We have great
hopes, therefore, looking from this point ofview,
and the materials of the Catholic church, that
some man of signal genius, like Mr.. Brownson,
will yet arise, if Bishop Hughes do not assume
the attitude to give canonca rights TO the priests,
and introduce other reforms among the clergy and
laity, so as to keep pace with the march of
intelligence of the present age, and not remain
stagnant and brooding over maxims that
were promulgated FIVE or six centuries ago,
about to add to the Catholic church of this coun-
try, by the annexation of Mexico, four or FIVE
millions of Catholics, with clergy probably the
richest in the world and hereafter the Catholic
church, the government of the Catholics, on this
great continent, and their sayings and doings,
will have more effect than all the other religious
sects put together
II Bishop Hughes understood his position he
would now ally himself to every great move
ment but we doubt whether he understands it
or has courage sufficient to meet the crisis.