Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-04-11
Eeeting at summitvifle.

Eeeting at Summitvifle.
At :. meeting Of the Laity Of the Roman Catno.
lie congregation Of the borough OF Sumr1li:yille,
held in their church on Sunday evening, April
lst. 1855.
On motion, Mr.. John Ivory, vas appointed
President, and David O'Hsrra, and Pcter Csii:,-,
Vice Presidents; N. ". Adams. and James NJ
Rifle, Secretaries.
The object Of the meeting having been b-isay
stated,
On motion, D. Il. Magellan, A. J. acMu,ier,
H. j. McCloskey, Henry A Brown. and yolul-
tine Kroar,er. were appointed = committee to
draft resolutions expressive Of the lense OF tho
meeting, who in due time reported through the;.
Chairman, Mr.. Magellan. the following psesE-
bic and resolutions.
WHEREAS, A bill was introduced into the Ser
ate of the State of Pennsylvania. by Mr.. Price,
on the 18th day If January last, in relation 70
- Corporations" and also real property "leld
for. religious and charitable purposes
AND WHEREAS, We the aity Of the Roman
Catholic Congregation at the Summit, Cam br,s
county, Pennsylvania, decming tha. our rights as
American citizens would be invaded by the pas
sage Of two Objectionable sections Of the aforesaid
bill,-sections sixth and seyenth-which provide
for material change in the statute Of this State,
approved 2Sth February, A. D. 1874, under tbs
provisions Of which vested in the Roman
Catholic Bishops Of Philadelphia and P;tisburg,
all Roman Catholic church property il their dc
ccses, IN t7tst, as agents. Tor the seveTsl congre
cations; and being opposed from the experience
Of the past, 70 recurrence 70 the abcminabe
. Trustee Sysfens," which was alssa,s. ard IL
most Of our coagSc1t;oaS, characterized by scan
dal, pickering ana oiEse-t;C1s.
We delIereby enter our solemn PROTEST against
any snch change being mace cc..c Giving Il % Q
unwise fraught with mischief and Giss.ntion<.
amongst the members Of our churches, ard an
called for 6y any RoMAS CA-HoLIc cos.gTegahoa
scitsin this State.
And whereas, Deerning It 70 be a sacred 5igil,
guaranteed TO all religious denominations withou,
respect to sect persuasion, by Tire Constitution
Of the United States, as we'll as Of the Stale II
Pennsylvania, to wogship Almighty God accord
ing 20 tie dictates Of conscience, and through
and by which they have acquired the right 20
manage their church property as 70 them may
seem meet and proper, unless in plain contraver.-
ton Of law.
Be it, therefore, i2esoired Isl. 5sf the Rcnaaa
Catholic lay members cf the Sum'aif Congregation,
That we are opposed 70 any change in the laws
of this State, which may have tendency 10 up
root /" sound :nd judicious course Of policy
adopted by the Roman Catholics in this State, in
placing their church property. IN tr7'sf, in the
hands of their Bishops, which they only hold fc<
the benefit and beheof of the various congrega-
tons-derive no benefit therefrorn, and : mat
ter of course, this trust like the cloak of Elsas
which descended upon Ehseus, vests no more
power in tbs succeeding Bishop. thsn that derived
from his predecessor.
Resolred 2d. That, inSsmuch, as 10 Catholic
Congregation within the boundaries of this State.
or any large body Of that denomination, have
petitioned for change in relation to the holding
of church property, and as it is a well-known
end established fact that nise-tenhs or more, Of
Tu%l,s 49,. Gso
any change in relation thereto, we hereby not
only PROTEST against the passage of the obec-
tonable sections Of the aforesaid bill, by the Leg
isialure, but request the members thereof, to use
all honorable and fair means TO d. Eat the passage
of the Objectionable sections of Mr. Prices bin,
believing, as do, that it would be in defiance
of the genius and spirit of our Republican Institu-
tions, and at war with the sacred rights OF MAI.
Resolred 3D.. That, if compatible with the views
of Mr.. PRICE, request hiIn, favcr, 70 dis
close and make public, the names OF those g dis-
tngnshed Catholics" from whom he hss received
letters asking for this change in our church poney;
and that, opine from such " atsctos.ne,
that those persons would be found 70 DC NJ 70
rank with a LEAHEY, (Lie-Aigh,} a MARiA 'noNA'
OF any other apostate-
Lesolred 4th That as the passage o. this law
has been unasked for by the roman Sa'hoi,cs OF
Iegisl.ture. 70 ponder and reflect before giving
tb;- voices TO aid in the passage OF such an odi-
ons bll and that we trust that its originator, Mr.
PRIcE. ON reflection, will so modify il as 70 do
away entirely with the objectionable features Of
sections 9th and 7th-
Resolred 5th That we Conceive. that, we are
asking of our Legislators :. aothiag bat ,shat IS
right,D and hope to not be compelled to (oppcse
81 10 ichdt is sorong.v All we ask is
for them TO let scel enough dloae," and 70 not by
any legislative action, attempt TO destroy our
vested rights-tbe liberty Of conscience-the man
agement of our church aifairs--as to Catholics
may seem meet and expedient in the furtherance
of their principles, in easy quiet and constitu-
tional manner.
Resofrcd 9th. That copies Of the foregoing pre-
amble and resolutions, be transmitted to the Hon.
JOHN CRIswELL, jr., Of the Senate, and GEORGE
S. KING, Esq, Of the House, with request that
they present them to tho Senate and House OF
Representatives for their information and action
On motion, of M. M. ADAMS, Esq. the pre-
amble and resolutions were unanimously adopted
On motion. Of Lieut. w. W. lvoKy, the pro-
ceedings Of the meeting ordered to be pub
lshed in the papers of this county, and IN the
Pittsburgh Catholic.
(Sjgac.i by the ohiesrs)