New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-17
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND TIE FREED
MEN

The Right Rev. Augustin Yerot, Bishop Of Ssysa-
nah, has addressed to the Clergy and Laity Of toe
Roman Catholic Church in Georgia and Florida
remarkable pastoral letter. lie is the first spiritual
dgnitary in the South we believe, who has sought 20
interest the Church in the elevation of the negro race
All scots in the South have been equally guilty Of not
denouneing Slavery as SIM and American
Slavery especially, as I" the sum Of all
yillanies.7 John Wesley thus branded it. but ths
Methodist Church South has differed with ito
founder in that respect, and ministers of oil denOmi
nations did not dare for period of forty yeas oofors
the abolition of Slavery to utter word against it.
Even the Catholic Church theoretically i-Slsyery,
in this country observed policy of non-interference.
But now we find The Bishop Of Savannah declaring
the spiritual welfare of the colored matter.of
immense importance, and implOrng The prayers Of
the people in IFS behalf He tells the Church that the
Holy Father feels the liyelest socitude in regard to
it, end that the eyes of Catholic Europe are now
turned toward this country to see what will be done
for enlghtening and eunobling race which has sud-
denly emerged from bondage to freedom For the
redemption of 100000 or 5000 900 of immortal
souls he calls upon the Church in America TO unite.
and ntmates that il will be the principal subject
of the deliberations of the National Council Of Bishops
which will meet in Baltimore 0etOber7.
Bishop verot is not an Abolitonist but on the con.
rary thinks, the false philosophers and hypOcriticaI
philanthropists under the name Of Aboltonists" "a
have been the true authors Of the war; yet he censures
the injudicous legislation By which the negroes ,wera
kept in ignorance-the laws which forbid under the
seyerest penalties, their instruction in reading and
writing. He is glad that Slavery is abolished, and
wishes in all sincerity and with great earnestness
all kinds of blessings to the colored race" lie admit
the difficulties in the path 1.-THE race is poor and
poverty itself; it was transferred from Slavery
into Freedom in an instant and without
any possibility to accumulate small earnings, end
hence the labor Of evangelzing it must be performed
upon gratuitouS foundation, and without even er-
pecing that they who have the Gospel prrsSled unto
them will provide for their instructors to live out OF
the Gospel. The ministerial labor among them Is not
calculated to fatter vanity selilove or ambition, or
other incentives which in many other eases support
falterng nature. But on that account it is the
more worthy of that noble religion which has
produced the Peter Calves, the Regds, and host Of
others who have spent all they had, and oyerpcne
themselves, in announcing the Gospel to the poor
By these words, We may see the earnestneSs OIL ths
Bishop, and the vast importance he attaches 70 tns
work. lie wishes the coloIed race TO DO invited ana
admitted to the benefits Of Catholic schools ana Catn
ole education for the sake Of justice and generosity
he demands this aud yet mor profoundly he desires
their evangelization though che Church OF Which no
is a servant.
There Rg sa t. ~ 9avSol'at 9si''''f'H