True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-08-13
Infamous Persecution of Israelites by
Roman Catholics of Austria

subjoined account Of an aIrocity, the like
of which is never 10 be heard of save in
the dominions of Popery. We re-pubIish
it from the columns of the Asmonean, of
Saturday last, a paper devoted to the in-
terests and advancements Of the Israelites
in this country, issued at New York.
In the Lien d'Israel, for JLne. we find
under the head of Italy, the following as
founding piece of intelligence - ,
"A correspondent. in one of the most
important cities Of Italy writes, under
date of April l4lh, to apprise us Of an
occurrence which, was it not attested by
the honor Of one Of our most valued and
respected co religionists, we should en-.
tireIy discredit.
"Lt is more than month since. writes
our correspondent, that very wealthy
Israelte, Mr.. Pincaerie, residing in We
roma, and possessed of an only daughter,
who has recently reached her seventh
year. On tho day when he celebrated
this event, he received letter from the
Cure Of the Parish in which he resided,
stating that his daughter could no longer
continue to live with him, and that she
must prepare herself 10 enter convent
in order To be brought up in the Catholic
religion. The explanation given by The
Cure for this command was as follows:
When your daughter was two years
old, she was extremely i'll, and her nurse,
who was Catholic, in order to save her
soul, baptized her in room without wit.
nesses. According to the Catholic Reli-
gion and the Austrian laws, the baptism is
perfect and binding, and you have no
right as a Jew, to keep Catholic child
in your house"
The father hurried 10 consult with his
advocate but the law was too clear and
imperative. There was but one way to
escape, and that was for the parent to ex-
lie himself and child to Turin. This
owing to the personal influence of Mr..
Pincherle, who was beloved by all who
knew him for his unostentatious charities
and noble benevolence, was successfully
carried out after many persons in high
standing in Verona, the workmen and SET
wants of MIR. Pincherle, all Catholics, had
waited upon the bishop, and implored
him to allow the father 10 retain possess
sion Of his daughter, without being COM
PEELED to exile himself. The prelate
giving way 10 the prayers of the deputa-
tion, consented TO this request OH two
harsh and unacceptable conditions. The
girl might remain in the house of her
father until the aye Of fourteen. when she
was to choose between the two religions !;
the second condition, which rendered the
first ilusive, was that Catholic priests
ware To be permitted to instruct her in
the hatred Of everything that she had beer
taught from her childhood 10 love and re.
spect.
The Lien d'Israel points out the cruel
character of the latter condition, stating
that to counterbalance the effect of the
Catholic instruction, it would be necessa-
ry to give the child Jewish teacher, in
which case she would be subjected to the
miseries of conflict with has deprived
stronger minds of its balance.
The unfortunate father harrassed by
the necessity Of giving up his domicile,
felt disposed even to accept Of the hard
conditions rendered to him, and 10 pur.
chase under such exaclons the right of
residing in Verona but the fear of the
future-a doubt as to any new ecclesiastic,
when nominated 10 the office of Bishop Of
Verona, being bound by the conditions
made with his predecessor. compelled him
to reject them.
The correspondent Of the Lien remarks
that under the circumstances the aulhori.
ties showed considerable indulgence in
permitting the expatrioiion of the child,
which they might readily have prevented
by refusing foreign passports. AS it was,
is it asked, what guarantee have Israelites
in Austro.Italy for the liberty Of con-
science!
Under these laws an Israelite cannot
safely walk the public streets; for fan
aic or half-witled wag may throw on
his head the fatal two drops Of water, and
he must, under the law, remain a Chris.
tian! Picture the case to yourself--tbe
nurse says there was no witness, although
the female domestic was in the room
but the nurse asserts the domestic had
her head turned looking another way
when she baptized the child.
The Is, aelits Of Italy arc condemned TO
silence. They crave the aid of their
brethren throughout civilization to exert
their influence in acting on the Emperor
Of Austria.
Since the ratifying Of the COncordat
the authority Of the clergyis highly pow
erful, and the Italians are liable 10 pun.
ishment for having simply communicated
the above facts.
The lsraelite who is to he deprived Of
his daughter. in the name of Jesus Christ
is in possession Of an immense fortune.
The anxiety for worldly goods enters at
least as much as the anxiety Of souls into
the pre-occupation Of the clergy Of ve-
roma. 'QNS s.lN