New-York tribune., 1868-10-23
CHICAGO
THE CATHOLIC TROUBLEs-oRIGIN OF THE DIS
PUTR BETWEEN BISHOP DUGGAN AND HIS
ERGY


CLERGY.
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO, Ill, Oct 18.-The secular papers have re-
Gently published letter addressed by Cardinal Bar
nobo. Prefect of the Propaganda at Rome, to Arch
bishop Purcell of st. Louis, in reference to the
troubles in the Catholic diocese of Chicago which
had been referred to Rome for settlement The Car
dinal pronounces in favor of Bishop Duggan and de-
cares his conviction that all tho charges brought
against him are unfOun1ed. This, however, is lar
from restoring peace. Very serions complications
in the ecclesiastical affairs of this diocese nave
arisen since the date Of the Cardinals letter ihey
spring from the Bishops summary suspension Oh tno
Rev Mr. Roles Rector of the Cathedral OF the Holy
Name, on account of the part taken by the heV'
gentleman in seeking the removal of Bishop Duggah
from his Office tho charge Of mal-adnlnlstTatlOh'
t was supposed that the breach between the Bishop
and his clergy was healed. but the fact mas proved
quite otherwise. Father Roles was punished, ana ~
was expected that DR.. Dunno, Dr. McGONeIn, ana
DR. McMullen would be dealt with no less summarlly
and severely Instead Of this, however. Bishop
Duegan revoked his decree against Father Roles so
far as TO restore to him his pnesty functions heLy
dismissing him from bis pastorate here. Dr, NC,
Mullen instantly set off with the appeal OF hiinset
and his brethren TO Rome leaving behind letter
which reminded his Bishop that canon OF the
church fOrbids removal from office or pastorate wnie
an appeal is pending.
The congregation of the cathedral OF the Holy
Name have risen in what may be called respectful
insuTrecton against the decree OF their BISHOP
They challenge peremptorily tho right or BISHOP
DugRan to lay hands on u priest WHO HhS Dctu WIN
out fault save as his conscience has required hm TO
object to the unusual and irregular course OF hls
ecclesiastical superior. One OF the speakers Ia
meeting of ST. Patrcks Parish, called TO aid the ap-
peal of Dr. McMulen to Rome, replied TO an oblec-
ton in the following significant terms: " " From tho
remarks Just made one w0nld think the Church was
a despOtism where there was no appeal and where
all were bound TO submit like mere tools. These
were not the sentiments OF the Church. Sle had
always sustained free speech, and had gwen the low
est an appeal Those ecclesiastcs did thor duty as
priests They were bound to appeal when they saw
that the Church was receiving injury; Dr' McAiui-
len had appealed TO see who was right;
The significance of this rebellion Is chiefly found In
the fact that it is initiated and carried on by ecclesi
astics. who represent, rs much as any one can the
strength Of the Catholic Church. The Rev Mr. Roles
has been one Of the most successful and beloved OF
parish priests. The charge of which lie has been de,
priyed was his creation almost. Its prosperity and
harmony are due wholly to his sbofs 10 attack
The other priests implicated IN resistance 10 blsnOp
Duggan's authority are equally men on whom the
Catholic communion here has rested. Dr. Dunno,
pastor Of ST. Patrcks for 10 years and for most Of
the time Yicar-General of the Diocese, has borne
the burdens of Bishop well as pastor and IL now
wOrn-out man from excess OF arduous labor Dr;
McMullen and DIR. McGOvern able, scholarly, and
devoted men, every way worthy the confluence
which they command in their own communion.
These immediate contestants OF the case against
the Bishops Of Chicago do not stand alone. unsup-
ported by authority higher than their own. Two at
least Of the highest dignitaries OF the Cathonc
Church in America, and large party represented by
them, are with DR.. McMulen in his appeal to Rome.
Thr Archbishop of Baltimore. DR.. Spalding, ranks at
the head Of tho Catholic hierarchy in this country.
Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati s the most vener-
able of the clergy of American Catholicism. Both
of these leaders OF American Catholicism are OF the
anti absOlutist party in the church. Both OF them
seek with great ardOr, and Archbishop Spadlug with
the weight of great abilities as well as high charac-
ter and rank TO give to Catholicism in this country
an American character to provide for It priests OF
American origin and training, and to lnfuse into II
the American spirit. The fact that DIR. McGovern
and DR.. McMullen were both educated at Rome,
shows that sOme at least of the foreign priests sert
here imbibe the American spirit, and fall in
with tho American movement; but IT is none
the less important TO increase the number
gressive and liberal party In the church Is ann
ing to accomplish. And TO give ground on winch
20 work, in this and other respects, 1t Is s0nght
10 change the relation to Catholicism in America to
the Holy See. IL is now foreign mission. IL is pro-
posed to make it q home mission. An important
result OF the change woud be TO reduce considerably
the power of the Bishops, which is made absolute on
foreign mission ground, while elsewhere lt Is muoh
restricted Had this been home mission ground IT
wonld not have been legal for Bishop Dnggan to de
prive priest of his sacred Office without trial The
contest therefore is between conservative and pro-
gressve Catholicism, and it is highly probable that
Il will be settled by changing the status OF the
Church i'm this country. This can be pausby de-
manded on merely Catholic grounds, but it will be
the less a triumph of the American spirit as 1t
at once and greatly enlargos the freedom OF tho
people and their immediate leaders DIR. McMullen
goes to Rome commended by both the Archbishops |
have named, and supported by formidable general
movement throughout the Catholic Church in this
country. The action of the Holy See upon his ap-
peal will be looked for with great interest
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