Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-03-03

And iassmuch as we are intrusted, by
Divine permission, with the care OF the
Lords nock throughout the world, We
can not allow this opportunity to pass
without earnestly entreating you to ex-
tend your protection 10 the Catholics in
hAbiting those regions, and shield them
al all times with your power and author
ity.-Tis Pops's letter 10 President Pieres.
We briefly alluded to the above ex-
tract from the Pope's letter, a few weeks
ago. We introduce II now by way OF
contrasting his preccpts with his prnc-
lice, or what he wishes others 10 do,
with what he does himself.
10 this country stranger is not In
tsrrogated as to his political or religious
faith. IN order TO be entitled to the pro-
lection Of government. Not 80, how
over. in PaPaI countrics--no, so in Rome
or in any country on either continent
where Romanism Ia the established re-
Iigion. We submit TO our reader few
facts for their consideration In eonncx-
ion with the above demand.
Ia our immediate vicinity lies the Is
land Of Cuba, IN whose ports hundreds
and thousands Of American mariners are
annually 10 be seen, and to whose cities
and plantations hundreds OF our mer-
chants and invalld citizens annually re-
sort. In the prosecution Of Business or Ia
quest Of health. Many 20 thither to
del AID yet, to this day, there is nsI-
ther an American Protestant Chapel nor
Chaplain for the spiritual instruction
and care Of our seamen and others Of
our countrymen, OF for their guidance
and consolation Ia the most fearful Of
all hours--the hour OF deathl-far from
their home aud their friends! When
the attempt was made few years ago
BY The American Seamen's Friend So
eiety to- have Protestant religious SER
vices conducted aboard American ships
at Havana, the Chaplain was compelled
TO dsslst. because II was not only re-
CURED that he should "domlciliate" aud
take the oath Of llcgiance to the Queen
OF Spain, but also that he should swear
that he was a good Catholic" Az
these words signify a"Roman Cathol C."
in that land, no conscientious Proses-
iant could or would take the oath. The
same statement holds good Of Porto
Rico, the other principa! Spanish island
Ia the West Indies.
There is no American Protestant
chaPctor service in Mexico, so far as
we can learn. and II Is believed that Il
would be difficult, II not impossible, to
establish one. In some countries in
South America, as well as In Central
America, there would be difficulties to
encounter; yet they would be far less
formidable, Il Is believed, than In Mexi-
co and Cuba.
In Italy itself, the central country OF
Christendom. with the exception Of the
Kingdom Of Sardinia, no religious SER
vice could be held by an American Pro.
testant minister for the benefit of his
countrymen, unless in the house Of d..
Plomatic or consular agent, beneath the
American dag, and rs il were on Amcri.
can ground. This is so even In Rome,
the capital OF the Christian world. as
some vauntingly claim. Although the
Roman Catholic Church Is permitted to
enjoy in these United States (seyen-
elghths at least OF whose inhabitants are
Pro:estants) all the rights and privileges
that any Protestant Church does, yet
American protestants are denied the
right to have church in Rome, or even
a chapel, unless under the precarious
condition Of enjoying the patronage OF,
and IN connection with, the American
Embassy.
Nor Is the state Of things in Spain or
IN Austria moro favorable than in Italy;
10 fact Il Is less SO. While in Portugal
according to the Penal Code. promulgs-
ted on the 10Th Of December, 1859, the
celebrating Of public acts Of worship
not that ofihe Catholic religion, lis pun
ishable with imprisonment Of from one
to three years. aad BY fine proportion
ed to the income Of the transgrcssor OF
the law! ltis obvious tina. a protestant
church or chapel even Tor foreigners
could no, be opened in the Portuguese
dominions since this law went into Of.
fest. without mourning the mos, serious.
risk. And AL this done In the middle
ofihe nineteenth century, aud by ma.
ton which owes its very existence ut
this day to Protestant England!
American peotes,anis are exposed TO
insult and serious maltreatmc nt in Next
CO, Central America, all South America
Tuba, Porto Rico, spain and Portugal
nearly all Of Italy ard Austria, IL when
They meet procession, with a priest at
its head, carrying the "IIosi," they do
not render what are there considered TO
be act. of alteration, Blu, which they con-
seienuously deem to be idolatrous and
contrary to the Word Of God. Every
year the truth Of this assertion Is con-
iirmei. by disgraeeful Ou,rases, in word
or deed, perpetrated in those countries.
As to the burial oftheir dead. Ameri-
can Protestants find very serious diff
culties in several Of the countries lust
named. Until very rccently-nor are
we sure that It's not so stll-they would