Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-16
AMERICAN ORGAN.


ercise no authority over them whatever except
only in spiritual matters. They Indignantly
deny that in temporal matters such claim is
ever asserted. Although the most conclusive
facts have often been cited which show the con-
trary, yet they resolutely persist in their de-
nial. With such men II is useless to employ
fact or argument, but with the great body Of
the American people, whose minds are not
gangrened by superstition, and whose con-
sciences have not left their own keeping, the
production of clear and unquestioned proof is
sufficient to disabusc them Of the most deep
seated error. To such we commend the care
ful consideration of the subjoincd article. It
q petition lately addressed to the New York
Legislature, by twenty-one Catholic trustees
and ex-trustees of St Louis Church Of Buffalo,
in which they ask for legislative aid to protect
them from the grasping claims Of their priest
hood, in matters Of mere temporal concern. To
use almost verbatim their own languagc.tor no
higher offence than simply refusing to oiolate
tAesIrlst laa0 EITHER they have been
subjected to the pains of accommodation, and
their names held dup to infamy and reproach
The rites of baptism and of burial have been
denied them-the marriage sacrament been re-
fused-and the consultations of religion been
withheld in sickness and at the hour Of DEATH
All Of these punishments were inflicted because
they would not admit the claim of their spirit
ual heads, to exercise control over the mere
temporalities Of the church. This is Catholic
testimony, be it remembered, and therefore
cannot be charged as a Know Nothing slander,
or as the exaggerated statement Of sectarian
opponents. All we ask is, that bearing this in
mind, the public should read and ponder well
these precious revelations.
To tho Senate and assembly:
The undersigned Trustees and ex-Trustees oi
the ST. Louis Church, situate in Buffalo, beg to
lay before the Legislature the following statement
Of facts, in the hope that some Legislative action
may be devised to remedy the evils of which they
complain
In the year 1892 an estimable citizen of Buffalo,
the late Louis lie Couteulx, Esq, conveyed two
valuable lots on Main and Delaware Streets in that
city to the then Bishop Of New York. Dubois in
trust for the use of Catholic Church. to be there
after organized. Subsequently. and about the year
1888, ST. Louis Church was duly organized under
the act of 1918, under seven trustees, and had SO
continued from that time till the present. said con-
gregaton from time to time electing their trustees
according TO the requirements Of said statute. This
organization was effected with the hearty concur
renee of the worthy Bishop, and the liberal donor
of the land. A church was erected by the con-
gregation, and dedicated by the Bishop, and the
society continued in harmony and prosperity until
the death of Bishop Dubois, about 1910, and the
death Of Mr.. Couteulx, in 1912.
Shortly after these events Bishop HUGHES at
tempted TO compel the trustees to convey the title
OF this church property to him. The trustees re-
sisted firmly. With view to coerce compliance
with the commands, the Bishop withdrew the
priest and suspended the ordinances in ST. Louis
Church. The trustees declined 10 yield, and sent
one of their number, WH. B. CoUTgULx, Esq., to Eu-
rope for the purpose ofpreventing this arbitrary and
as was claimed, this Illegal action of the Bishop,
through the intervention OF Cardinal FoRSAsI, the
Pope's Numco at Paris. Mr.. Lee. succeeded in
bis mission. No further efforts were made at the
time by Bishop HUeHEs TO disturb the title TO the
church, and its members fondy hoped that peace
was permanently restored. Subsequently the dio-
cese was divided, and those Of Albany and Buffalo
were erected Bishop TMos became the head Of
this church Of St. Johns, the title Of which ther
vested In said Trustees. In process OF time Bishop
TiNos renewed the efforts 10 compel the Trustees
TO surrender to him the title Of said Church. The,
again resisted resolutely. This procured varioul
annoyances TO the congregation, amoug which wal
the withdrawal Of all Priests from that Church
Deprived Of all spiritual guides, the congregation
were accustomed TO meet at their Church on The
Sabbath and make their prayers in common. The
case was at length presented to the Holy Father
and the College of Propaganda at Rome; the re
IL. Ii Ia, al
Father BEDIsI, was sent TO the United States 4
correct these abuses The Priests yielding TO th,
influences which unfortunately surround them, earl,
took sides against US, and our refnonstrances wer'
totally disrcgarded.
HiQh-handed measures were then taken against
u.s. For refusing to comply With what we regard
ed as the illegal and unjust demands Of the Bishop
TO surrender property thus committed 70 our
charge as the legaIy-constituted trustees of said
church, the Bishop pleased TO issue against uf
a decree Of accommodation During the last
three years, the church ITSELF in effect, has been
closed against the admission Of her cergyInsn, and
the ordinances and the sacrament Of the Catholic
religion were withheld from the members OF thai
society.
Such are the unvarnshed facts, TO which We
earnestly solicit your attention. The cmbarrass
mcnts and Inconvenience resulting from this actor
Of It's Bishop have been TO us painful and oppres
sve. For no higher offence thar
simply refusing TO violate the trust law Of State
we have been subjected to the pains OF excommu
nication, and our names held up TO inhmy and re
proach. For this cause, too, have the entire con
gregation been placed under him. To our mem
bers the holy rites Of baptism and Of burial have
been denied. Themarrisge sacrament is refused
The priest IL forbidden 70 minister at our affairs
In sickness, and at the hour Of DEATH the holy con
solations Of religion are withheld. To the Catho
lie churchmsn 4 is scarcely possible TO exaggerat'
the magnitude Of such dcprivations.
We yield 10 none in attachment to onr religion
and cheerfully render TO the Bishop that obedience
in spiritual matters which the just Interpretation
of our faith may require; but in respect to The
temporalities Of our Church, we claim the right o
obeyng the laws Of the State, whose protection we
enjoy.
We would respectfully suggest that we are moi
unmindful Of the fact that the American policy
which has been generally adopted, requiring church
property to be vested in Trustees, who shall bt
elected by the members Of their respective congrc
cations was instituted for the purpose Of retaining
these extensive ecclesiastical estates in tho hand
Of those whose interests arc linked TO and identified
with tho principles and fortunes Of our believes
Il nd u4o Fro ha.s